Top 10 Online Survey Software Platforms Used By Australian Businesses
In today's data-driven business landscape, gathering insights from customers, employees, and stakeholders is crucial for making informed decisions. Australian businesses are increasingly turning to sophisticated online survey software to streamline feedback collection, improve engagement, and drive business growth. Whether you're searching for the best employee survey software, employee engagement survey software, or comprehensive web-based survey software, choosing the right platform can transform how your organisation captures and acts on feedback.
This comprehensive guide examines the top 10 survey software platforms that Australian businesses rely on to capture valuable insights and turn feedback into actionable results. From specialised HR survey software to versatile engagement survey software, we'll help you find the best survey software for your organisation's unique needs.
1. Sentrient Online Survey Software
Sentrient is an Australian-based online survey software designed explicitly for governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) requirements. Trusted by over 600 Australian businesses, Sentrient provides a comprehensive platform that combines surveys with training, policy management, and incident reporting. As one of the best employee survey software solutions for Australian organisations, Sentrient excels in delivering employee engagement survey software tailored to workplace health, safety, and wellbeing requirements.
Key Features
AI-Powered Survey Creation: Makes it easier than ever to get going.
Pulse Surveys: Purpose-built for work health and safety, health and wellbeing, and workplace relations
Real-Time Reporting: Instant access to survey responses with summary reports at the click of a button
Anonymous or Attributed Responses: Flexibility to link responses to staff members or maintain anonymity
Team and Organisational Filtering: Report on responses from individuals, teams, or across the entire organisation
Integrated Compliance Platform: Surveys integrated with training, policy sign-off, and incident reporting
24/7 Accessibility: Available on all devices around the clock
Stakeholder Sharing: Easy distribution of survey results to key stakeholders
Integrations
As an all-in-one compliance system, Sentrient provides comprehensive functionality within a single platform, reducing the need for multiple integrations. The system is designed to centralise all workplace compliance activities, including surveys, training records, policy management, and incident reporting in one location.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Purpose-built for Australian workplace compliance requirements
Combines surveys with comprehensive HR and compliance management
Australian-owned with local data storage
Real-time reporting for immediate insights
Demonstrates due diligence for WHS audits
No additional integrations needed for core functionality
Cons:
Focused primarily on workplace compliance rather than general market research
May include features beyond basic survey needs
Pricing not publicly displayed online
Best Suited For
Australian businesses prioritising workplace health and safety
Organisations requiring integrated compliance management and employee engagement survey software
Companies needing employee survey software for engagement, wellbeing, and WHS surveys
Businesses seeking to demonstrate compliance for audits and board reporting
Organisations wanting all compliance data in one platform
HR teams are looking for comprehensive survey software with real-time reporting
Pricing
Custom pricing based on organisational needs. Contact Sentrient for a free demonstration and personalised quote.
2. Swift Digital Survey Software
Swift Digital is an Australian-owned and operated survey platform that has been serving businesses since 2001. ISO 27001:2022 certified, Swift Digital emphasises data security and sovereignty, making it a trusted choice for organisations handling sensitive information. This web-based survey software combines ease of use with enterprise-grade security, making it one of the best survey software options for Australian government agencies and businesses requiring local data storage.
Key Features
Australian Data Sovereignty: All data stored securely in Australia
ISO 27001:2022 Certification: World-class information security management
Integrated Email Marketing: Combined email and survey functionality
Custom Branded Templates: Fully customisable survey designs without company logos
15+ Question Types: Including branching, matrix, file upload, and more
Mobile Responsive: Automatically optimised for all devices
Real-Time Analytics: Instant access to results with graphical representations
Multiple Export Options: Export to Excel, Google Sheets, and PDF reports
Integrations
Swift Digital provides seamless integration capabilities with CRM systems, enabling survey data to be synced with customer relationship management platforms for comprehensive data management.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Australian data storage and sovereignty compliance
Government-certified and ISO 27001 certified
Combined email marketing and survey platform
No third-party branding on surveys
Strong focus on data security
Excellent for organisations with data protection requirements
Cons:
Less feature-rich compared to specialised survey-only platforms
Limited information on advanced analytics features
May have a learning curve for users new to the platform
Best Suited For
Government agencies and departments requiring secure online survey software
Educational institutions
Businesses requiring Australian data sovereignty
Organisations needing combined email marketing and survey tools
Companies with strict data security requirements
Organisations seeking reliable web-based survey software with ISO certification
Pricing
Custom pricing based on requirements. Contact Swift Digital for detailed pricing information and to discuss organisational needs.
3. ELMO Survey Software
ELMO is a comprehensive HR software suite that includes powerful survey functionality as part of its end-to-end HR solutions. Designed to support the entire employee lifecycle from hire to retire, ELMO's survey module integrates seamlessly with other HR functions. As a leading HR survey software and employee engagement survey software, ELMO specialises in helping organisations understand and improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and workplace culture through data-driven insights.
Key Features
HR Survey Library: Access to best-practice survey templates
Benchmarking Capabilities: Compare results against industry standards
Anonymous Feedback Options: Confidential feedback for sensitive topics
Real-Time Analytics: User-friendly graphs and instant data visualisation
Custom Survey Creation: Tailored surveys for unique organisational needs
Diversity and Culture Surveys: Specialised templates for sensitive HR topics
Multiple Export Options: CSV, Excel, and SPSS formats
Template Library: Create and share survey templates across teams
Integrations
ELMO integrates with various HR systems and payroll platforms, providing seamless data flow across the entire HR technology stack. As part of the ELMO ecosystem, surveys connect with performance management, learning, and recruitment modules.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Part of a comprehensive HR suite for holistic employee management
Strong benchmarking capabilities against industry data
Excellent for employee engagement and satisfaction surveys
Scalable for growing organisations
Local Australian support with regional expertise
Templates based on HR best practices
Cons:
Primarily focused on HR and employee surveys
May require investment in a broader ELMO platform
Not ideal for customer or market research surveys
Potentially higher cost for survey-only needs
Best Suited For
HR departments seeking integrated employee survey software solutions
Organisations conducting regular employee engagement surveys
Companies requiring benchmarking against industry standards
Businesses wanting to combine surveys with broader HR functionality
Medium to large enterprises with complex HR needs
Organisations looking for the best employee survey software with built-in analytics
Pricing
Custom pricing based on organisation size and module requirements. Contact ELMO for a personalised quote and demonstration of survey capabilities within their HR platform.
4. SurveyManager
SurveyManager is an Australian-developed survey platform designed to handle everything from simple questionnaires to large-scale data collection projects, capable of managing thousands to millions of respondents. Hosted in IRAP-certified Australian data centres, SurveyManager serves government, education, and private sector organisations. This robust online survey software combines scalability with local data sovereignty, making it an excellent choice for organisations with extensive survey requirements.
Key Features
Unlimited Scalability: Manage surveys with thousands to millions of respondents
Multilingual Surveys: Unicode support for any modern language, including right-to-left languages
Advanced Reporting: Statistical tables, charts, crosstabs, and verbatim analysis
Integration Capabilities: JSON API for connecting with Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle, and more
Email and SMS Management: Scheduled invitations, reminders, and thank-you messages
Save and Resume: Respondents can complete surveys across multiple sessions
Anonymous Options: Flexibility for confidential feedback collection
Custom Branding: Add logos and customise colour schemes
Integrations
The industry-standard JSON API supports seamless integration with popular applications, including Salesforce, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Tableau, Qlik, Power BI, and Displayr. Data can be exported to SPSS, Excel, Word, and CSV formats.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Australian data hosting with IRAP compliance
Highly scalable for large organisations
Excellent multilingual support
Advanced reporting and analysis capabilities
Strong integration options with business systems
Can handle complex survey logic and branching
Cons:
It may be more complex than needed for simple surveys
The user interface may require training for advanced features
Pricing is not transparent on the website
Less suitable for small businesses with basic needs
Best Suited For
Government departments and agencies
Educational institutions with large student populations
Enterprises conducting extensive market research
Organisations requiring multilingual survey capabilities
Businesses needing complex survey logic and advanced reporting
Pricing
Custom pricing based on survey volume and features required. Free trial available. Contact SurveyManager for detailed pricing information tailored to your organisation.
5. Qualtrics
Qualtrics is a global leader in experience management software, supporting over 20,000 brands worldwide and processing more than 1.3 billion surveys annually. Recognised in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Voice of the Customer, Qualtrics offers enterprise-grade survey and research capabilities. As one of the best survey software platforms globally, Qualtrics excels in both employee engagement survey software and customer experience management, making it a comprehensive solution for organisations seeking advanced analytics and global research capabilities.
Key Features
23 Question Types: Including video/audio responses for rich feedback
AI-Powered Analysis: Generative AI for video feedback summarisation and insights
400+ Integrations: Connect with CRM, marketing, and business systems
Global Panel Access: 335M+ respondents in 130+ countries
Advanced Logic and Branching: Sophisticated survey design capabilities
30+ Graph Types: Comprehensive visualisation options
Multiple Distribution Channels: Email, social, website, QR codes, SMS, and offline
Automated Methodology Checks: Ensure survey quality and compliance
Integrations
Extensive integration ecosystem with 400+ business systems, including Zendesk, Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, Slack, and many more. Seamless data flow across the entire organisation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Recognised industry leader with extensive features
Powerful AI capabilities for advanced analysis
Global reach with international panel access
Comprehensive integration ecosystem
Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Excellent for complex research projects
Cons:
Higher price point compared to alternatives
It can be overwhelming for users with simple survey needs
Learning curve for advanced features
May require dedicated training and resources
Best Suited For
Large enterprises requiring sophisticated research capabilities
Organisations conducting global market research
Companies needing advanced AI-powered analytics in their survey software
Businesses with complex customer experience programs
Academic institutions conducting detailed research
Organisations seeking the best survey software for enterprise-level insights
Pricing
Free account available with basic functionality. 30-day free trial for advanced features. Custom Enterprise pricing available for larger organisations.
6. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is the world's most popular survey platform, used by over 260,000 organisations worldwide. With a user base spanning 335 million potential respondents across more than 130 countries, SurveyMonkey offers both simplicity for beginners and power for advanced users. As one of the most recognisable names in online survey software, SurveyMonkey provides versatile solutions for employee engagement surveys, customer feedback, market research, and more, making it a go-to choice for organisations of all sizes.
Key Features
AI-Powered Survey Creation: Generate polished surveys from simple prompts
500+ Expert Templates: Pre-built templates for every survey need
200+ Integrations: Connect with Slack, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Microsoft Teams, and more
Global Audience Panel: Access to 335M+ verified respondents
AI Analysis Tools: Automated identification of insights, patterns, and themes
Real-Time Collaboration: Team features for viewing, editing, and analysing together
Advanced Question Logic: Skip logic, branching, and piping
Multiple Export Options: Share data in various formats for analysis
Integrations
Extensive integration library with 200+ native integrations, including popular tools like Salesforce, Marketo, Zapier, Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, and many marketing and CRM platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Extremely user-friendly interface
Recognised global brand with an extensive user base
Strong AI capabilities for survey creation and analysis
Excellent template library
Flexible pricing for different needs
Great for quick feedback collection
Cons:
Data hosted internationally (not Australian-based)
The free plan has significant limitations (25 responses per survey)
It can become expensive for large-scale surveys
Less suitable for organisations requiring Australian data sovereignty
Best Suited For
Small to medium businesses starting with online survey software
Marketing teams conducting quick feedback campaigns
Organisations needing fast deployment and easy-to-use survey tools
International companies with global audiences
Firms that are comfortable with international data hosting
Teams seeking user-friendly engagement survey software
Pricing
Free Plan: Unlimited surveys, 25 responses per survey
Individual Advantage: Flexible annual plan with advanced tools
Team Advantage: Real-time collaboration and branding controls
Enterprise: Secure access, admin tools, and powerful integrations at scale (Specific Australian pricing available through the SurveyMonkey website)
7. Australian Survey Research (ASR)
Australian Survey Research is one of Australia's most experienced research consultancies, providing services to government departments, universities, and companies of all sizes. Operating the SurveyManager platform, ASR combines research expertise with advanced software capabilities. This unique blend of consultancy services and sophisticated survey software makes ASR an excellent choice for organisations requiring professional research guidance alongside powerful online survey software functionality.
Key Features
Full-Service Research Consultancy: Experienced researchers support survey design and analysis
SurveyManager Platform: Access to robust survey technology
Custom Reporting: Hundreds of customised reports using report engines
Data Modelling: Partnership with the University of Melbourne for advanced analysis
Infographics and Dashboards: Visual reporting for stakeholder communication
Paper-Based Integration: Optical Mark Read (OMR) scanning for offline surveys
Custom Software Development: Tailored solutions for specific research needs
ISO 20252 Quality Accredited: Meets international quality standards
Integrations
SurveyManager platform supports various database environments (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL) and offers custom web application development with integration capabilities.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Expert research consultancy services included
Australian Privacy Principles compliant
IRAP-certified hosting in Australia
Qualified Professional Researchers on staff
Custom development available for unique needs
Excellent for complex research projects
Cons:
Higher cost due to consultancy services
It may be overkill for simple internal surveys
Focus on research rather than quick feedback tools
Requires engagement with a consultancy for full value
Best Suited For
Organisations requiring expert research guidance
Government departments with complex research needs
Universities conducting academic research
Large companies need comprehensive research programs
Businesses requiring custom research solutions
Pricing
Custom pricing based on project scope and research requirements. Contact ASR for consultation and a detailed quotation.
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