Avni

Offline-first field data collection and beneficiary tracking platform for NGOs

Avni is an open-source, offline-first platform designed for NGOs and social programmes in India to collect field data, track beneficiaries over time, and monitor programme delivery.

It enables organisations to design custom forms, collect data without internet access, and sync to a central dashboard. Unlike standard survey tools, Avni supports longitudinal tracking, allowing programmes to follow the same individual, household, or asset across multiple visits.

Programme data challenges for Nonprofits & Social Purpose Organisations

Challenge

Paper-based or spreadsheet tracking leads to errors and reporting delays

Field teams operate in low- or zero-connectivity environments

Data is fragmented across teams and locations

Tracking beneficiaries over time is difficult with one-time survey tools

Solution

Avni enables offline data collection, structured form design, and longitudinal tracking in a single platform. Field data syncs to a central system, improving visibility into programme delivery and beneficiary progress.

Key capabilities

Offline mobile data collection

Collect data on Android devices without internet; sync automatically when connectivity is available

Custom form builder

Design structured forms with logic, validation, and multiple input types — no coding required

Longitudinal beneficiary tracking

Maintain continuous records of individuals or households across multiple interactions

Dashboards and monitoring

Track field activity and programme performance through a central dashboard; export data for reporting

Indian Language Support

Avni supports multi-language data collection. Forms, field labels, and response options can be configured in multiple Indian languages, enabling field teams to collect data in local contexts.

Commonly used languages include: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Odia.

Pricing for nonprofits

Free — open source (self-hosted)

Full platform access at zero licence cost
MIT licence — free to use, modify, and redistribute
Self-host on your own cloud or server infrastructure
Full data sovereignty — your data, your servers

Managed hosting

Hosted on India-based servers (AWS)
Indicative cost: ₹10,000–15,000 per month (infrastructure)
Setup, configuration, and onboarding support included
Recommended for organisations without server management capacity

Avni Launchpad (implementation support)

Structured cohort programme for early-stage NGOs
Free implementation support and onboarding guidance
Peer learning with other organisations
Subsidised or no-cost access during the cohort period

Best suited for which nonpofits?

NGOs with field-based programmes

Organisations deploying field staff to collect beneficiary data and monitor programme activities across geographies

Programmes in rural or low-connectivity environments

Offline-first design supports reliable data collection in areas with limited or no internet

Health, WASH, livelihoods, and welfare programmes

Suitable for programmes with ongoing beneficiary relationships requiring longitudinal tracking

Government-partnered programmes

Can support implementation in government-linked contexts with data residency considerations

Organisations with technical capacity (for self-hosting)

NGOs with server or IT capability can deploy and manage the platform independently

Similar tools

KoboToolboxsimpler survey tool without longitudinal tracking

CommCareenterprise-grade case management platform with higher cost

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Avni best used for?

Avni is best suited for field-based programmes that require ongoing beneficiary tracking — such as health, livelihoods, and welfare initiatives where the same individuals are monitored across multiple visits.

Does Avni work in low-connectivity or rural environments?

Yes. Avni is designed for low- and zero-connectivity settings. Field teams can collect data offline using the mobile app, with automatic syncing once connectivity is available.

Is Avni completely free to use?

Avni is open-source and has no licence cost. Organisations may incur costs for hosting, infrastructure, or implementation support depending on their setup.

What kind of programmes benefit most from Avni?

Avni is most useful for programmes that involve repeated interactions with beneficiaries, such as health, livelihoods, and welfare initiatives where individuals need to be tracked over time.

Do you need technical capacity to use Avni?

Yes. While form design is no-code, deploying and managing Avni may require technical support for hosting, setup, and ongoing maintenance.

Want to learn more?

Visit Avni