Head-to-head · Online Voting Software
ElectionBuddy vs BigPulse
ElectionBuddy leads on 1 check, BigPulse on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreElectionBuddy · 9.2/10
- Free planonly ElectionBuddy
ElectionBuddy scores higher on our rubric for online voting software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.
ElectionBuddy offers free plan; BigPulse doesn't. On voter authentication, BigPulse gives you Sso where ElectionBuddy offers 2fa.
ElectionBuddy is the better fit for feature-rich elections with flexible pricing. BigPulse is the better fit for large, high-assurance managed elections.
- ElectionBuddy fits best
Feature-rich elections with flexible pricing
- BigPulse fits best
Large, high-assurance managed elections
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Side by side
| Feature | ElectionBuddy 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | BigPulse 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #2 in Online Voting Software | #4 in Online Voting Software |
| Best for | Feature-rich elections with flexible pricing | Large, high-assurance managed elections |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $27/yr | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs | Email, Phone · 24/7 |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, 2FA, SSO/SAML | GDPR |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 6 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features ElectionBuddy 2/2 · BigPulse 2/2 | ||
| Anonymous ballots | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audit trail | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Voter authentication | 2fa | Sso |
| Ballot types | Ranked_choice | Ranked_choice |
| Voter limit | 350 voters | Not checked yet |
| Election limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Result export | Csv | Csv |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | ElectionBuddy is a cloud-based platform for organizational elections, polls, and meeting votes. It is designed for associations, nonprofits, schools, unions, governments, companies, and other member-based organizations that need to create… Read the review → |
BigPulse is a hosted online voting platform for organizations running elections, nominations, governance decisions, virtual-meeting votes, and other ballots. It is aimed at associations, universities, unions, nonprofits, schools,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
ElectionBuddy — where it wins
- Supports ranked, cumulative, preferential, STV, approval, and scored voting
- Offers anonymous ballots, auditability, reports, and CSV data export
- Covers email, SMS, mail, web notices, API access, and webhooks
Where it doesn't
- Advanced API access and webhooks are limited to Professional plans
- SMS notice is an add-on on ElectionVote Plus
- Pay-per-election and pay-per-meeting pricing can vary by use case
BigPulse — where it wins
- Supports ranked-choice, STV, weighted, cumulative, range, and other methods
- Includes authentication, vote verification, logs, monitoring, and raw-data exports
- Offers managed setup, ongoing support, and 24/7 support
Where it doesn't
- Starts at $899 for Fully Managed Service
- Self-Managed Service pricing is quote-based
- Available on the web only
- ElectionBuddy9.2/10 · Free plan
A flexible voting platform with broad ballot methods and pay-per-use plans.
Visit ElectionBuddyFull verdict → - BigPulse8.8/10 · Paid
A feature-rich managed election platform for organizations with complex voting needs.
Visit BigPulseFull verdict →
ElectionBuddy vs BigPulse: questions
Which is better for online voting software, ElectionBuddy or BigPulse?
ElectionBuddy scores higher on our rubric for online voting software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.
How do ElectionBuddy and BigPulse compare?
Of the 3 checks we put side by side, ElectionBuddy leads on 1, BigPulse on none, and 2 are level. Free plan only on ElectionBuddy.
Do ElectionBuddy and BigPulse have a free plan?
ElectionBuddy: Yes. BigPulse: No.
More comparisons
- Simply Voting vs ElectionBuddy
- Simply Voting vs BigPulse
- ElectionBuddy vs Belenios
- ElectionBuddy vs VoteHost Elections
- ElectionBuddy vs POLYAS
- ElectionBuddy vs Voteer
- ElectionBuddy vs TapVoter
- Belenios vs BigPulse
All online voting software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update