Head-to-head · Online Voting Software
Simply Voting vs VoteHost Elections
Simply Voting leads on 0 checks, VoteHost Elections on 0, and 3 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 scoreSimply Voting · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
Simply Voting scores higher on our rubric for online voting software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
On voter authentication, Simply Voting gives you Sso where VoteHost Elections offers Basic.
Simply Voting is the better fit for organizations needing free election software. VoteHost Elections is the better fit for self-hosted elections with strong audit exports.
- Simply Voting fits best
Organizations needing free election software
- VoteHost Elections fits best
Self-hosted elections with strong audit exports
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Side by side
| Feature | Simply Voting 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | VoteHost Elections 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #1 in Online Voting Software | #5 in Online Voting Software |
| Best for | Organizations needing free election software | Self-hosted elections with strong audit exports |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Self-hosted, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Linux |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs · 24/7 | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 7 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market |
| Features Simply Voting 2/2 · VoteHost Elections 2/2 | ||
| Anonymous ballots | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audit trail | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Voter authentication | Sso | Basic |
| Ballot types | Ranked_choice | Ranked_choice |
| Voter limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Election limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Result export | Csv | Csv |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Simply Voting is a hosted, web-based platform for organizations running elections, ballots, nominations, and related voting events. Administrators configure voter lists, authentication, ballot questions, and voting periods through Election… Read the review → |
VoteHost Elections is a self-hosted, open-source voting platform for organizations running board elections, member votes, referendums, and similar ballots. Administrators manage elections and voter rosters through a web interface, while… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Simply Voting — where it wins
- Free plan includes self-administered elections and standard voting features
- Supports ranked-choice methods including STV/IRV and Ranked Pairs
- Provides anonymous voting, audit trails, receipts, and CSV/PDF exports
Where it doesn't
- Voters access the platform through the web
- The Free plan is limited to self-administered elections
- It is proprietary and has no AI features
VoteHost Elections — where it wins
- Secret ballots separate voter identity from submitted ballots
- Supports IRV, STV, weighted voting, quorum tracking, and write-ins
- Exports CSV, XLSX, PDF, and anonymized JSON audit packages
Where it doesn't
- Voter authentication is limited to single-use email magic links
- Requires Linux-based self-hosted deployment and administration
- Platform integrations focus on hosting, networking, and email delivery
- Simply Voting9.4/10 · Free plan
A strong fit for organizations running verified elections with ranked-choice ballots.
Visit Simply VotingFull verdict → - VoteHost Elections8.7/10 · Free plan
A flexible election platform with strong ballot secrecy and audit exports.
Visit VoteHostFull verdict →
Simply Voting vs VoteHost Elections: questions
Which is better for online voting software, Simply Voting or VoteHost Elections?
Simply Voting scores higher on our rubric for online voting software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
How do Simply Voting and VoteHost Elections compare?
All 3 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do Simply Voting and VoteHost Elections have a free plan?
Simply Voting: Yes. VoteHost Elections: Yes.
More comparisons
- Simply Voting vs ElectionBuddy
- Simply Voting vs Belenios
- Simply Voting vs BigPulse
- Simply Voting vs POLYAS
- Simply Voting vs Voteer
- Simply Voting vs TapVoter
- ElectionBuddy vs VoteHost Elections
- Belenios vs VoteHost Elections
All online voting software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update