For surveys, and for centralized info-gathering, FluidSurveys provides an excellent solution. There are other programs out there which provide a wider range of solutions (i.e., they can be used for surveying AND comprehensive online engagement, rather than just a data-gathering type of consultation); however, for programming and implementing surveys, FluidSurveys has an effective variety of strengths and options that make it optimal for users who are focused specifically on surveys.
Novi Survey works really well as a cost-effective option for companies looking to provide surveys and polls to a larger audience. The cost helps provide a great incentive for users to learn the (more complicated) service and save previous templates to save time in the future. The platform enables users the opportunity to export survey / poll results to other formats (such as excel) and quantify the data more effectively. The platform does struggle in immediate availability for users - as there is a larger learning curve compared to other options out in the market. So, if one is looking for immediate speed and accessibility to a platform, they may want to look for another option. However, if there is a dedicated user who is willing to train and improve, then this may be the platform for you.
User-friendly. For the majority of the general and basic tools you can use with FluidSurveys to build surveys are simple to use and intuitive. When certain issues come up, the service is quick (chat room) and effective.
Anonymity: the software has the reputation of being safer in terms of safeguarding private information the respondents share by answering surveys (this is mainly due to the fact that the servers are in Canada). Thus, indirectly, they increase response rates.
Extensive possibilities: FluidSurveys offers a plethora of possibilities and options that really renders the experience interesting in terms of micro-managing each details of the surveys you are sending out there. When the invitation leaves by email, it is exactly how you want it.
Note: I am responding to this question as a user of the system and not a representative of my organization.
On a personal level/as a user only, I would definitely continue to use FluidSurveys.On a personal level/as a user only, I would definitely continue to use FluidSurveys.
I think the average person can very quickly pick up on the basics of the system: they would have no problems programming and launching a basic survey. Organizations may benefit from having people of different backgrounds getting their hands dirty in the system: at a minimum, both web programmers and opinion research advisors should be solicited for input or help.
Although I do not have much experience with Survey Monkey, the only two reasons why I choose FluidSurveys is that clients demand it (privacy and anonymity) and because managing multiple surveys at a time is easier. As for ODK Collect, I think it is a valuable alternative to FluidSurveys if you have time to learn the coding (not very complicated). ODK is a little less user friendly and you cannot address small details as you can with FluidSurveys (e.g.: formatting).
My company decided on primarily using Novi Survey based on the affordable rate for a large organization. Novi Survey is a quality survey / poll builder that aims for the more manual user. The platform works well in a variety of contexts and has plenty of options to help differentiate and brand your material appropriately. Novi Survey does not have all the bells and whistles directly out of the box but offers a toolkit fit for creating quality content and efficiently extracting the results.
