Open-source form builders and survey tools let you create forms while hosting data on your own server. They often provide comparable or even more advanced features than Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, with the benefit of data privacy, customization, and no per-response fees. Below are some notable open-source alternatives, with details on their features, hosting, usability, customization, integrations, and how they stack up against Google Forms and SurveyMonkey.

LimeSurvey Link to heading

LimeSurvey is a mature open-source survey platform known for its extensive features and flexibility. It’s suitable for everything from simple polls to complex, multi-page surveys.

  • Features: Supports simple surveys and very complex questionnaires spanning multiple pages (with skip logic), and it even offers multi-lingual support (over 80 languages). It includes advanced question types and lets you incorporate custom scripts (for tailored validations or calculations). You can enable anonymous or controlled surveys, manage participant groups, and even conduct offline surveys.
  • Self-Hosting: LimeSurvey is a PHP web application you can install on your own server (LAMP stack). It’s fairly straightforward to set up, and many users report it’s “pretty simple to use and to install on a server.” There’s also an official hosted service if you prefer (with free and paid tiers).
  • Ease of Use: Despite its power, LimeSurvey’s admin interface is reasonably approachable. The learning curve is steeper than Google Forms due to the wealth of options, but basic form creation is intuitive. It’s a trade-off: you get a professional survey tool, but it can feel heavyweight if you only need a quick form.
  • Customization: Highly customizable – you can tweak the look and feel via templates or by editing the survey’s HTML, and even embed your own JavaScript, images, or videos. This allows branding your survey or adding custom behaviors beyond what Google Forms offers.
  • Integrations: LimeSurvey focuses on data collection and analysis. It provides built-in analytics (with graphs) and supports exporting results to CSV, Excel, SPSS, etc., for further analysis or integration into other tools. A plugin architecture is available for extending functionality or integrating with external systems (e.g. authenticating users, sending notifications). However, it doesn’t have out-of-the-box integrations with services like Slack or Google Sheets – you’d handle those via exports or custom scripts.
  • Notable Advantages/Disadvantages: Compared to Google Forms, LimeSurvey offers far more in-depth capabilities – from complex question logic to participant management – all under your control (no Google data-sharing). It’s ideal for research surveys, academic or enterprise use where advanced features and data privacy are critical. The downside is the complexity: Google Forms is quicker for a simple survey, whereas LimeSurvey may require more setup and familiarity. Also, unlike SurveyMonkey’s polished UI, LimeSurvey’s interface is functional but less modern. In short, LimeSurvey gives you power and privacy at the cost of some convenience, making it more comparable to SurveyMonkey’s depth (without the response limits) than to the ultra-simplicity of Google Forms .

Formbricks Link to heading

Formbricks is a modern all-in-one form and survey builder that positions itself as an open-source alternative to Typeform/SurveyMonkey. It emphasizes a user-friendly experience with enterprise-level features, while allowing full control through self-hosting.

  • Features: Very comprehensive feature set – Formbricks supports “all question types you can think of,” including advanced input types (ratings, scales, etc.), plus advanced conditional logic for branching surveys. It handles calculations, custom variables, multi-step forms, and multi-language surveys out of the box. You also get real-time response analysis and collaboration features (multiple team members can work on a form simultaneously). In short, it aims to do everything SurveyMonkey can, and more, without limits.
  • Self-Hosting: Provided as open-source software (built with React), it’s easily self-hostable on your own server. You can deploy it via Docker or other methods, and there’s documentation and an active community to help. Formbricks also offers a hosted option, but the core is free and open-source with no limits on forms or responses .
  • Ease of Use: Despite its rich features, Formbricks is designed to be user-friendly. It has a polished, modern UI that lets you drag-and-drop or select field types and configure logic without coding. Users have noted that it manages to be powerful and approachable – “open source surveys can be both powerful and user-friendly” as one review put it. This means the learning curve is lower than older tools like LimeSurvey, making it appealing if you want advanced features without the clunky interface.
  • Customization: Excellent customization options for design. You can fully theme your forms to match your brand – adjusting colors, fonts, roundness of corners, backgrounds, etc., to get the exact look and feel you want. Formbricks provides comprehensive styling controls (unlike Google Forms’ limited themes), so your surveys can be seamless with your product or website. You can even embed forms on your website or in emails easily to reach respondents wherever they are.
  • Integrations: Formbricks shines in integrations. It comes with native integrations for Slack, Zapier, HubSpot, Notion, Google Sheets and more. This allows you to send form responses directly to other tools (e.g., push a lead’s response into a CRM or notify your team on Slack in real time). The platform is also extensible via plugins, so the community has built or can build additional integrations as needed . These out-of-the-box integrations are a notable advantage over Google Forms, which usually requires third-party add-ons or scripts for such connectivity.
  • Notable Advantages/Disadvantages: Formbricks offers far greater flexibility than Google Forms – unlimited questions/responses, advanced logic (Google Forms has only basic go-to-section branching), and complete ownership of data. Compared to SurveyMonkey, Formbricks doesn’t impose feature paywalls or branding on your forms, and you can integrate with your workflow easily. It’s also privacy-focused (no data mining). A potential drawback is the need to self-host (unlike Google Forms/SurveyMonkey which are ready-to-use online services). However, if you can handle a Docker container or a small server setup, you get a powerful form system for free. Formbricks is a newer entrant, but it appears robust and active – an ideal choice for businesses or organizations that want a full-featured survey platform (like enterprise SaaS) without vendor lock-in.

OhMyForm Link to heading

OhMyForm is a free, open-source form builder that was created as an alternative to Typeform, TellForm, and Google Forms. It provides a clean, engaging form-filling experience (one question at a time, like Typeform) and is focused on ease of use for both creators and respondents.

  • Features: OhMyForm supports a variety of common question types (text inputs, multiple-choice, checkboxes, dropdowns, etc.) needed for surveys, quizzes, registrations, and more. It offers a “stepped” form flow where users see one question per page in a conversational style, which can improve engagement. You can include things like required fields, validation, and basic result summaries. While not as feature-packed as LimeSurvey or Formbricks, it covers the essentials to “run, administer, analyze and distribute forms for free.”
  • Self-Hosting: OhMyForm is 100% open source and meant to be self-hosted—there are no fees or commercial plans at all. You can deploy it via Docker in a few minutes, and it has an active community on GitHub. (It originated as a fork of the earlier TellForm project, which is now deprecated. If you don’t want to host it yourself, you might find community instances, but officially it’s a self-host solution.
  • Ease of Use: The interface is modern and user-friendly, aiming to be as straightforward as Google Forms. Form creation is done through a GUI; adding questions and setting up a form is quick. The one-question-at-a-time format is “really lovely, and the UI/UX is better than several others on this list.” This makes the respondent experience very smooth. On the admin side, however, because the project is still young, you might find limited documentation and no live demo/sandbox to try before installing. In practice, that means non-technical users might need a bit of help getting started (since you must install it to test it out).
  • Customization: Out of the box, OhMyForm provides a clean default theme. You can customize form titles, descriptions, and add your own images or logos to forms. It may not have an extensive theme editor, but you can modify the source or CSS if needed since it’s open source. It’s designed to produce “stunning, mobile-ready forms” with an emphasis on a slick user experience. The look and feel are already quite polished, and with some technical tweaking you could integrate it into your website’s style. However, if you need deep branding control via a UI, Formbricks or LimeSurvey (with template editing) offer more.
  • Integrations: Currently, OhMyForm’s integration options are fairly basic. You can embed forms on any website and set up email notifications for new responses. Data can be exported (CSV/JSON) for analysis elsewhere. Unlike SurveyMonkey or Formbricks, it doesn’t yet have built-in connectors to third-party services (no native Slack, Google Sheets, etc. at this stage). This is an area that could expand as the project grows. For now, expect to handle any complex integrations manually (for example, using webhooks or scripts to take OhMyForm submissions into other systems).
  • Notable Advantages/Disadvantages: OhMyForm’s biggest advantage is its user experience – the form flow feels more engaging and professional than a basic Google Form, which can boost completion rates for things like marketing surveys. It’s also completely free with no limits, whereas SurveyMonkey’s free tier caps responses. Plus, you host it, so you control the data. On the downside, being a newer project, it “is a young project, so the functionality is limited” and some features you might expect (e.g. question branching logic or extensive add-ons) are not there yet. The project is evolving (and welcomes contributions), but at present it’s best suited for relatively straightforward forms. In comparison to Google Forms, OhMyForm requires more effort to set up and lacks Google’s native integrations, but it offers a more customizable and ad-free experience. Compared to SurveyMonkey, it has no usage fees but also doesn’t (yet) match the depth of analytics or question logic. Overall, OhMyForm is a great choice if you want a Typeform-like, clean interface in an open-source package – especially for smaller projects or when you want a pleasant form UI without handing data to a third party.

Nextcloud Forms Link to heading

Nextcloud Forms is a part of the Nextcloud suite (an open-source alternative to Google Drive/Workspace). It’s a simple, privacy-focused form tool ideal for basic surveys and polls, integrated into the Nextcloud platform.

  • Features: Nextcloud Forms keeps things straightforward. It supports a range of fundamental question types: “checkboxes, multiple choice, dropdowns, short answer and long text”, which cover most common survey needs. You can create as many forms and questions as you want, with no limits on responses. Forms can be shared via a public link (even with non-Nextcloud users) or restricted to your Nextcloud users/groups; you can also set an expiration date on a form link for security. While it doesn’t offer advanced fields like matrices or rankings yet, the developers are continuously adding more question types.
  • Self-Hosting: To use Nextcloud Forms, you need a Nextcloud server (self-hosted or hosted by a provider). The Forms app is installed with one click from the Nextcloud App Store. Essentially, if you’re already running Nextcloud for file sharing or other apps, adding Forms extends it into a survey tool. All form data is stored on your Nextcloud server, meaning you retain full ownership and control. This makes it attractive for organizations concerned about data privacy, as an alternative to Google’s cloud.
  • Ease of Use: The emphasis is on simplicity. The interface offers “no mass of options, only the essentials”, and it works great on mobile devices. Creating a form is as easy as it is in Google Forms – just add questions, set the type (choice, text, etc.), and go. There is currently no support for complex logic or survey branching (every respondent sees the same questions in the set order), which actually makes the UI very uncluttered. For users who just need a quick way to collect information (feedback forms, sign-ups, etc.), Nextcloud Forms is extremely accessible. Even non-technical users can start making forms with minimal guidance.
  • Customization: Nextcloud Forms does not focus on heavy design customization – forms adopt a clean default Nextcloud theme. You can add a description to your form and section headings, but options to change colors or styling are limited. The form will automatically use your Nextcloud theming (if you have a custom logo or color scheme in Nextcloud, it might carry over). However, there’s no built-in theme editor per form. The simplicity means you might not get a flashy design, but the result is professional and distraction-free. (Advanced users could modify the CSS on the server side if absolutely needed, but that’s manual.)
  • Integrations: Being part of Nextcloud, it can integrate with the Nextcloud ecosystem – for example, you can share forms internally and results can be viewed by colleagues with Nextcloud accounts. For external integrations, the main option is exporting the data. Nextcloud Forms provides results export in CSV format, and this CSV is compatible with Google Forms’ format, so you can easily import it into analysis tools or Google Sheets if needed. There aren’t native webhooks or third-party app integrations in the app yet. That said, because the data resides in a database you control, custom scripts or the Nextcloud API could be used to bridge to other systems if necessary.
  • Notable Advantages/Disadvantages: The primary advantage of Nextcloud Forms is privacy and control – your survey data never leaves your server, addressing the concern that “pretty much all those forms are hosted at Google or other data-vacuuming services”, which is a big reason people abandon surveys. It’s a great choice for institutions already using Nextcloud, as it slots right in and avoids the need for Google accounts or external tools. It covers the same basic use cases as Google Forms (feedback collection, event RSVPs, etc.) and is similarly easy to use. However, compared to SurveyMonkey or advanced form tools, Nextcloud Forms is limited: you won’t find analytics dashboards, question logic, or add-ons marketplace. It’s not meant for complex surveying (at least not yet) – it’s best for straightforward questionnaires where simplicity and privacy matter more than fancy features. In summary, if you need a quick form within a secure environment, Nextcloud Forms is ideal; but for elaborate surveys or marketing campaigns, you might lean toward a more feature-rich alternative.

Yakforms (Framaforms) Link to heading

Yakforms is an open-source form builder aimed to “host a full-fledged online form service” for your community or organization. It’s the engine behind the public Framaforms service and is built on a Drupal-based platform.

  • Features: Yakforms enables you to create forms and surveys that users can fill out through a web link, much like Google Forms. You can easily design forms with various field types (text fields, text areas, checkboxes, radio buttons, etc.), publish them, and then collect and analyze submissions online. It includes the ability to review responses in a backend interface and download all submissions (e.g., as a CSV or spreadsheet) for offline analysis . By default, Yakforms even has a feature where forms expire after a few months to conserve data, which an admin can adjust. This software essentially provides you with your own form portal – multiple users can create accounts and build forms (useful if you’re hosting a service for a team or community).
  • Self-Hosting: Yakforms is free and open source (GPL v2). It’s built on Drupal 7, using the Webform and Form Builder modules under the hood. You would install it as a Drupal distribution or module set. This means setting up Yakforms is a bit more involved – you need a web server with PHP and a database for Drupal. Once running, you have a dedicated site where users can log in to create and manage forms. It’s a good option if you want to offer a form service to multiple people (for example, a university department running their own “Google Forms” alternative for all staff). However, keep in mind Drupal 7 is an older platform (ensure you follow the project’s updates for future Drupal versions).
  • Ease of Use: Despite the underlying complexity, Yakforms is designed to make form creation “quickly and easily” accessible to end users. The form builder interface (inherited from Drupal Webform) is fairly intuitive: users add questions, choose field types from dropdown menus, and configure basic settings, then publish the form. It might not be as slick as Google Forms’ interface, but it’s robust. There is an FAQ and documentation available to help with common questions. Non-technical users can create forms without knowing it’s Drupal in the backend – they just use a web interface. The catch is that initial setup and maintenance require technical knowledge (a Drupal site admin). Once set up, though, it functions similarly to other form platforms for the everyday user.
  • Customization: Since Yakforms is based on Drupal, you can leverage Drupal’s theming system to customize the overall site appearance (logo, colors, etc.). Each form can include custom messages, and you might install additional Drupal modules to extend functionality (for example, to add a CAPTCHA, or to theme forms differently). Out-of-the-box, forms will have a standard look that’s clean and functional. Customization is more site-level (because it’s a whole form service site) rather than per individual form via point-and-click options. This is powerful if you have web development skills – you can create a completely branded form portal – but it’s less straightforward than styling a form in something like Formbricks.
  • Integrations: Yakforms doesn’t come with direct integrations to external apps, but you have options. You can set up email notifications on form submissions through Drupal’s mailing features (so each submission triggers an email to specified addresses). And since it’s Drupal, you could use modules or custom code to push data to other systems (Drupal’s API or feeds, for instance). Typically, most will simply export the data for analysis in Excel or import into another system. Yakforms is more about running an internal form service; any deep integration would require a developer to implement using the platform’s openness.
  • Notable Advantages/Disadvantages: Yakforms’ advantage lies in its community-oriented approach – it’s great if you need a multi-user form service and want an open-source tool to fill that role (for example, a school creating their own version of Google Forms for teachers/students). All data stays on your server, addressing privacy concerns similar to Nextcloud Forms. Compared to Google Forms, Yakforms offers similar functionality in terms of what the form user experiences. However, the maintenance overhead is higher: running a Drupal-based service means you need to handle updates and server upkeep. Also, since it’s based on Drupal 7, one should check the project’s roadmap for updates (as Drupal 7 reached end-of-life, the project may be migrating to a newer Drupal or another framework). In comparison to SurveyMonkey, Yakforms is less about advanced survey logic and more about replicating the basic form creation and sharing – so it lacks some of SurveyMonkey’s analysis features or template library. Overall, Yakforms is an ideal choice if you want to provide a form-building platform to a group of users in a self-hosted manner. If you only need an occasional form for yourself, other lighter options might be easier, but if you need a full internal “forms as a service” website, Yakforms delivers that in an open source way.

Summary: Key Recommendations and Use Cases Link to heading

Choosing the right open-source form alternative depends on your specific needs for features, ease, and control. Below is a quick guide to help you pick:

  • LimeSurvey – Best for advanced surveys and research. Choose LimeSurvey if you need enterprise-grade features (complex skip logic, a wide variety of question types, multi-lingual surveys) and want full control of data. It’s ideal for academic research, large-scale questionnaires, or any scenario where Google Forms would be too simplistic. Be ready for a bit more setup and learning curve, but you’ll get a powerful, proven platform in return. Use case: a university running multi-page surveys with conditional questions, where data privacy and flexibility are paramount.
  • Formbricks – Best for business forms and integrations. Formbricks is perfect if you want a modern, polished form builder that rivals commercial offerings. It’s recommended for startups, marketing teams, or product feedback forms where branding and integrations are key – e.g. embedding a feedback form in your app and sending results to Slack or HubSpot automatically. It has no usage limits, so it can replace SurveyMonkey for customer surveys or lead generation forms without the freemium restrictions. Use case: a company needs a custom-styled survey on their website that sends responses to a CRM and analytics dashboard, without paying per response.
  • OhMyForm – Best for user-friendly forms with a Typeform vibe. Go with OhMyForm if you want an engaging form design (one question at a time, great UX) and you’re okay with a core set of features. It’s a strong choice for things like event registrations, interactive polls, or marketing surveys where you want to impress respondents with something sleeker than Google Forms, while hosting the data yourself. Keep in mind it’s a newer project – suitable for simpler use cases today, with more features expected over time. Use case: a small business creating a stylish customer satisfaction survey that feels conversational, without using a paid tool.
  • Nextcloud Forms – Best for basic private surveys within an organization. If you already use Nextcloud or want a simple, secure form tool, Nextcloud Forms is the way to go. It’s recommended for internal surveys, feedback forms, or signup sheets where you need nothing fancy – just a quick form and assurance the data stays on-premises. It’s extremely easy for anyone to use, comparable to Google Forms in simplicity. Use case: an NGO running a poll among members and wanting to avoid Google services for confidentiality reasons – they can add Forms to their Nextcloud and send out a private link to members.
  • Yakforms (Framaforms) – Best for providing a forms service to a community. Choose Yakforms if you need to host a forms portal for multiple users (for example, an IT department offering forms for all other departments). It’s like building your own version of Google Forms site for your community. This makes sense when you have many people who need to create forms regularly and you want to centralize that on open-source infrastructure. Use case: a city government or education network hosting an in-house forms server so that various teams (events, surveys, registrations) can all create and manage forms under one platform, ensuring data stays within the organization.

Each of these open-source tools has its advantages. In summary, open-source alternatives give you ownership of your data and freedom to customize, at the cost of some initial setup. For quick one-off simple forms, Google Forms is hard to beat in convenience. But if you need more features, better privacy, or integration into your own systems, the above options can fill those gaps. Organizations often use a combination: for example, Nextcloud Forms for internal simple tasks, and LimeSurvey or Formbricks for external or complex surveys. By picking the tool that best matches your form complexity and hosting capability, you can achieve the functionality of Google Forms/SurveyMonkey without their limitations, all while aligning with open-source values and data autonomy.