SurveyCTO

Secure, offline-first data collection platform for M&E and research

SurveyCTO is a mobile-first data collection platform designed for NGOs, researchers, and development organisations to collect high-quality field data, run complex surveys, and manage monitoring and evaluation workflows in low-connectivity environments.

It enables teams to design advanced surveys, enforce data quality at the point of entry, and securely collect and manage sensitive programme data across mobile and web channels.

Programme data challenges

Challenge

Paper-based data collection leads to errors, delays, and data loss

Inconsistent survey administration reduces data reliability

Errors are often detected only after data collection

Low-connectivity environments limit digital data collection

Managing multiple datasets and surveys is complex

Solution

SurveyCTO enables offline-first data collection with built-in validation and quality checks. Surveys are designed once and deployed across devices, ensuring consistent data collection and reducing post-collection cleaning effort.

Key capabilities

Advanced survey design (XLSForm)

Design complex surveys with skip logic, validation rules, and adaptive workflows using the XLSForm standard.

Offline-first data collection

Collect data without internet connectivity and sync automatically when connectivity is restored.

Data quality control at entry

Validation rules detect errors during data collection, improving data accuracy and reducing cleaning effort.

Secure and encrypted data handling

End-to-end encryption and compliance features support collection of sensitive beneficiary data.

Supervision and monitoring

Track field performance, submission rates, and data quality in real time.

SurveyCTO in action

Oxfam — feedback and accountability systems

Beneficiary feedback and accountability

Used SurveyCTO to build feedback and complaint systems across multiple countries, enabling structured beneficiary feedback and accountability tracking at scale.

Read Full Case Study

Udyogini — rural data collection in India

Research data collection and survey workflows

Collected COVID-19 impact data from women entrepreneurs in low-connectivity rural areas, demonstrating reliable offline data collection in Indian field conditions.

Read Full Case Study

Innovations for Poverty Action — research surveys

Offline field data collection in low-connectivity

Reduced survey administration time significantly in field research by using offline datasets and structured survey workflows, improving efficiency and data quality.

Read Full Case Study

Indian Language Support

App interface available in Hindi and Bengali and form content can be created in any Indian language

Pricing for nonprofits

SurveyCTO offers a limited free plan and paid plans for production use.

Community plan (free)

10 forms and 200 submissions per month
Suitable for pilots and small-scale use

Paid plans

Starts at approximately US$250 per month
Higher submission limits, integrations, and support
Suitable for active M&E programmes

Important consideration

The free plan has strict limits and is not suitable for ongoing programme data collection at scale. There is no confirmed nonprofit discount on paid plans.

Best suited for which nonpofits?

NGOs running rigorous M&E or research programmes

Organisations requiring high data quality and validation

Programmes with longitudinal tracking and complex surveys

Teams working in low-connectivity environments

Organisations with technical or M&E capacity (XLSForm)

Similar tools

KoboToolboxfree, NGO-focused tool with similar XLSForm foundation

AvniIndia-focused platform for beneficiary tracking and workflows

CommCarecase management platform for service delivery programmes

ODKopen-source alternative requiring self-hosting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SurveyCTO best used for?

SurveyCTO is best suited for high-quality field data collection, monitoring and evaluation, and research surveys that require validation, consistency, and reliability.

Does SurveyCTO work offline?

Yes. It is designed for offline use, allowing data collection without internet connectivity and automatic syncing later.

Is SurveyCTO free for nonprofits?

A free plan is available but limited. Most organisations will require a paid plan starting at approximately US$250 per month.

Do you need technical skills to use SurveyCTO?

Basic surveys can be created using a form builder, but complex surveys require familiarity with XLSForm or technical support.

How is SurveyCTO different from KoboToolbox?

Both use XLSForm, but SurveyCTO offers stronger data quality controls, security, and support, while KoboToolbox is fully free for nonprofits.

Want to learn more?

Visit SurveyCTO