LimeSurvey

LimeSurvey is a leading open-source online survey tool that allows users to create, publish, and collect data from sophisticated questionnaires. Unlike standard form builders, it is a self-hosted or cloud-based solution designed specifically for professional research, offering complete control over data and design.

While tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, and Microsoft Forms focus on quick, simple polls, LimeSurvey stands out as a “classical”, scientific research engine.

• Ownership & Privacy
  Unlike Google or Microsoft Forms where data lives on big-tech servers, LimeSurvey allows for self-hosting. This grants you total data sovereignty—critical for GDPR compliance and sensitive scientific research.
  
  
• Unlimited Freedom
  Where SurveyMonkey often paywalls advanced features or response limits, LimeSurvey’s open-source model allows for unlimited surveys, questions, and responses without a subscription.
  
  
• Scientific Depth
  It supports complex statistical workflows (exporting directly to SPSS, R, or Stata) and advanced question logic that simple form builders cannot handle.
  
  

• 28+ Question Types
  There are over 28 question types, ranging from simple text inputs to complex arrays and semantic differentials. These include file-upload questions with comment fields, as well as location-based questions enabled by mouse selection or finger press on an interactive geographic map.
  
  
• Advanced Logic
  Made possible by sophisticated branching, skip logic, and piping capabilities.
  
  
• Strict Anonymity when needed
  Features to disconnect participant tokens from responses, ensuring true anonymity for sensitive feedback.
  
  
• Customization & branding
  Custom fonts and colors can be applied to match brand identity incl. brand logo. Custom urls and personalized icons allow for unique designs.
  
  
• Multilingual Support
  Built-in translation tools for creating a single survey in 80+ languages. Even one and the same survey can be presented in different languages.
  
  

LimeSurvey is the tool of choice for enterprises, universities, and students who need more than just a quick poll. It balances feature richness with ease of use, providing a professional-grade platform that prioritizes anonymity and scientific rigor.

In the Netherlands, we are one of only few professional LimeSurvey builders. If you would like to know more about the services that we supply, please submit our contact form and we will respond within 24 hours.

For other questions or remarks, please click here and use this form.

For our projects, we use the open-source LimeSurvey Community Edition, installed on a Linux server. Below a complete list of the features available in this version is presented.

Compared with the most advanced Corporate edition offered by LimeSurvey GmbH, the core software features are identical. The Corporate plan, however, includes additional enterprise-grade infrastructure, enhanced support options, large-scale deployment capabilities, identity and access integrations, and defined operational service guarantees.

For most organizations and teams, the Community Edition, preferably deployed on a robust Linux server, fully meets functional and operational requirements. It provides the full range of features as the Corporate edition without “locked” modules, meaning you have complete control over your surveys and data.

The features can be categorized into the following logical groups.

• 28+ Question Types
  Includes basic types (multiple choice, text, dropdowns) and advanced types (arrays, ranking, file uploads, and sliders).
• ExpressionScript
  An advanced logic engine that allows for complex branching, piping (carrying answers forward), and mathematical calculations within the survey.
• Question Groups
  Allows you to organize questions into logical sections or pages to improve participant experience.
• Quotas
  Sets limits on how many respondents can belong to certain categories (e.g., stopping the survey once 50 males have responded).
• Assessments
  Enables you to assign “scores” to answers, allowing the survey to function as a quiz or test with a final score provided to the user.

• Central Participant Database (CPDB)
  A centralized system to manage respondent data across multiple surveys, allowing you to track participation history.
• Token Management
  Uses unique “tokens” or access codes to create private, invitation-only surveys and track which specific individuals have responded.
• Public Registration
  Allows users to register themselves for a survey and receive an invitation link automatically.
• Email Templates
  Customizable templates for invitations, reminders, and confirmation emails, including automated scheduling.
• Bounce Tracking
  A system to track and manage failed email deliveries to keep your participant lists clean.

• Theme Editor (Twig Engine)
  A powerful templating system that allows users to fully customize the look and feel of surveys using HTML and CSS.
• Label Sets
  Reusable lists of answer options (like countries or scales) that can be applied to different questions quickly.
• Multilingual Support
  Supports over 80 languages; you can create a single survey that offers multiple languages to the respondent.
• White-labeling
  Since it is open source, you can remove all LimeSurvey branding and use your own logos and URLs.

• Real-time Statistics
  Built-in dashboard for viewing basic charts, graphs, and summary statistics as responses come in.
• Advanced Export Formats
  Supports exporting raw data to SPSS, R, Microsoft Excel, CSV, PDF, and XML.
• Partial Responses
  Allows you to view and analyze data from participants who started the survey but did not finish (if enabled).
• Data Encryption
  Features to encrypt specific database fields to ensure high-level security for sensitive participant data.

• User Management & Permissions
  Granular control over “who can do what,” allowing you to assign specific surveys or administrative rights to different users.
• Plugin System
  Unlike the Cloud version, the Community Edition allows you to install third-party plugins to extend functionality (e.g., custom payment gateways or CRM integrations).
• RemoteControl API
  Provides RPC/REST APIs to programmatically manage surveys, participants, and data from external applications.
• Survey Groups
  Functional grouping for administrators to manage large numbers of surveys more efficiently.

• Self-Hosting
  Complete ownership of the software and database on your own servers, which is ideal for strict GDPR or data privacy requirements.
• GDPR Tools
  Includes built-in features for data policy notices and easy deletion of participant data to remain compliant with privacy laws.
• ComfortUpdate
  A tool (available with a subscription) that simplifies the process of updating your self-hosted installation to the latest version.