LimeSurvey
Self-HostedOpen-source survey tool for creating and analyzing polls
Overview
LimeSurvey is a robust open-source survey platform enabling custom poll, quiz, and feedback form creation with advanced logic (branching, skip rules). It supports multiple response formats, real-time analytics, and data exports (CSV, Excel, PDF). Deployable via self-hosting (Docker, LAMP stack, or cloud instances), it gives full control over data privacy. Ideal for researchers, businesses, and educators, it scales from small surveys to large studies with multi-language support and integrations like Slack or Zapier.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
limesurvey:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: limesurvey
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- Advanced survey logic (branching, skip rules)
- Real-time analytics and multi-format data export
- Self-hosted with full data privacy control
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is LimeSurvey hard to install?
LimeSurvey is accessible to install—options include Docker (simplest for beginners), LAMP stack, or cloud instances like AWS. The Community Edition has comprehensive documentation, so setup is manageable with basic server knowledge. If self-hosting feels overwhelming, you can use their hosted professional plan.
? Is it a good alternative to SurveyMonkey?
Yes—LimeSurvey offers comparable core features (custom surveys, analytics) but with full data ownership via self-hosting, no response limits on the free plan, and open-source flexibility. SurveyMonkey may have a more user-friendly UI for casual users, but LimeSurvey excels in advanced functionality and privacy.
? Is it completely free?
The Community Edition is 100% free and open source (GPLv3 license), with no hidden costs for core features like survey creation, analytics, and data export. Paid professional tiers add priority support, advanced integrations, and hosted solutions, but the self-hosted core is free forever.
Top Alternatives
People Also Ask about LimeSurvey
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data ownership)
- ⊕ Free core features (no subscription fees)
- ⊕ Highly customizable survey designs
Cons
- ⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced functionality
- ⊖ Requires server setup for self-hosting
- ⊖ Premium integrations locked behind paid tiers