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Head-to-head · Mobile Forms Software

CommCare vs ODK

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score CommCare #3 in Mobile Forms Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CommCare
ODK #7 in Mobile Forms Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ODK

CommCare leads on 1 check, ODK on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCommCare · 8.8/10
  • Lowest starting priceCommCare · $100/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCommCare · 4 of 4

CommCare scores higher on our rubric for mobile forms software: 8.8 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

CommCare is cheaper to start at $100/user/mo against $199/user/mo.

CommCare is the better fit for humanitarian and public-health field programs. ODK is the better fit for open-source teams using structured survey forms.

  • CommCare fits best

    Humanitarian and public-health field programs

  • ODK fits best

    Open-source teams using structured survey forms

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature CommCare 8.8/10 Visit ↗ ODK 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.3
Ranking #3 in Mobile Forms Software #7 in Mobile Forms Software
Best for Humanitarian and public-health field programs Open-source teams using structured survey forms
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $100/mo (best) $199/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, Android Web, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML SOC 2, GDPR
Integrations 10 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CommCare 4/4 · ODK 0/4
Offline data collection ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Signature capture ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Photo capture ✓ (best) Not checked yet
GPS capture ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Workflow handoffs Advanced Not checked yet
Mobile platforms Android Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Offline Android collection with synchronization and case management
  • Supports GPS, photos, multimedia, signatures, and multilingual forms
  • Open-source platform with APIs and broad integration options
  • Offline Android collection plus browser-based web forms
  • XLSForm logic, calculations, GPS, photos, and multilingual support
  • APIs, CSV export, self-hosting, and analytics connections
Cons
  • Free Edition is intended for testing purposes
  • Native mobile client is Android; web apps run in a browser
  • Power BI, Tableau, web apps, and two-way SMS start at Advanced
  • Standard and Professional each allow only 1 active project
  • Managed hosting starts at $199/month with annual billing
  • Self-hosting may require technical ownership of the deployment
Our verdict

CommCare is a no-code platform for organizations delivering services through frontline teams. Program staff can build mobile and web applications with forms, case management, decision support, multilingual content, referrals, reporting,…

Read the review →

ODK is an open-source data collection platform for researchers, field teams, and other professionals working with structured forms. Teams can author forms through XLSForm using Excel or Google Sheets, collect responses offline with Android…

Read the review →
  1. CommCareMobile Forms Software 8.8Free plan
  2. ODKMobile Forms Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CommCare — where it wins

    • Offline Android collection with synchronization and case management
    • Supports GPS, photos, multimedia, signatures, and multilingual forms
    • Open-source platform with APIs and broad integration options

    Where it doesn't

    • Free Edition is intended for testing purposes
    • Native mobile client is Android; web apps run in a browser
    • Power BI, Tableau, web apps, and two-way SMS start at Advanced

  • ODK — where it wins

    • Offline Android collection plus browser-based web forms
    • XLSForm logic, calculations, GPS, photos, and multilingual support
    • APIs, CSV export, self-hosting, and analytics connections

    Where it doesn't

    • Standard and Professional each allow only 1 active project
    • Managed hosting starts at $199/month with annual billing
    • Self-hosting may require technical ownership of the deployment
  • CommCare8.8/10 · Free plan

    A strong fit for field programs needing offline forms, case management, and referrals.

    Visit CommCareFull verdict →
  • ODK8.3/10 · Free plan

    A flexible open-source choice for structured, offline-capable field data collection.

    Visit ODKFull verdict →

More comparisons

All mobile forms software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update