ArcGIS Survey123 vs SurveyCTO

ASArcGIS Survey1239.2Visit SurveyCTO8.6Visit

Higher score AS ArcGIS Survey123 #1 in Mobile Forms Automation Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request · 21-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Esri

vs

SurveyCTO #4 in Mobile Forms Automation Software 8.6/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SurveyCTO

• ArcGIS Survey123 fits best

  GIS teams collecting surveys offline

• SurveyCTO fits best

  Research teams with complex survey workflows

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Side by side

Feature	ASArcGIS Survey123 9.2/10 Visit ↗	SurveyCTO 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Mobile Forms Automation Software	#4 in Mobile Forms Automation Software
Best for	GIS teams collecting surveys offline	Research teams with complex survey workflows
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$225/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	21 days	15 days
Free trial length	21 days	15 days · no card needed
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs · 24/7	Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA	SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML
Integrations	7 integrations	12 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ArcGIS Survey123 3/4 · SurveyCTO 0/4
Offline form access	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Workflow automation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Signature capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Photo capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile platforms	Both	Not checked yet
Submission limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Collect photos, signatures, barcodes, and GPS data in mobile surveys Keep collecting offline and synchronize submissions automatically Connect survey results with ArcGIS maps, dashboards, and reports	Collect data online or offline with mobile and web surveys. Support complex branching and longitudinal case management. Use automated quality checks, encryption, and research integrations.
Cons	Licensing is tied to ArcGIS user types, with pricing handled through sales Survey creation spans a web designer and XLSForm-based desktop tools Workflow automation is centered on feature-service webhooks	Basic starts at $225 per month with annual billing. The free community subscription is limited to 10 forms and 200 monthly submissions. API access is limited on Pro; all APIs and plug-ins require Advanced.
Our verdict	Field teams that need location-aware forms can use ArcGIS Survey123 to design, distribute, and analyze smart surveys. It supports collection on phones, tablets, desktops, and browsers, with offline use and automatic synchronization.… Read the review →	SurveyCTO brings mobile and web survey collection, offline workflows, and data management into a platform aimed at researchers, survey firms, nonprofits, government agencies, and field teams. Its fit is clearest when surveys involve… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ArcGIS Survey123 — where it wins

  • Collect photos, signatures, barcodes, and GPS data in mobile surveys
  • Keep collecting offline and synchronize submissions automatically
  • Connect survey results with ArcGIS maps, dashboards, and reports

  Where it doesn't

  • Licensing is tied to ArcGIS user types, with pricing handled through sales
  • Survey creation spans a web designer and XLSForm-based desktop tools
  • Workflow automation is centered on feature-service webhooks

• SurveyCTO — where it wins

  • Collect data online or offline with mobile and web surveys.
  • Support complex branching and longitudinal case management.
  • Use automated quality checks, encryption, and research integrations.

  Where it doesn't

  • Basic starts at $225 per month with annual billing.
  • The free community subscription is limited to 10 forms and 200 monthly submissions.
  • API access is limited on Pro; all APIs and plug-ins require Advanced.

• ASArcGIS Survey1239.2/10 · Pricing on request · 21-day trial

  A strong fit for GIS field teams that need offline forms tied to ArcGIS.

  Visit EsriFull verdict →
• SurveyCTO8.6/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

  A research-focused forms platform for offline collection and complex survey workflows.

  Visit SurveyCTOFull verdict →