Microsoft Forms vs Qualtrics: A Comparative Analysis
Before you dive into creating your next survey with Qualtrics, consider an alternative that’s simpler and keeps your data secure on the MSU cloud: Microsoft Forms. As a part of the Spartan365 suite, Forms is readily available and might just be the tool you need.
Question Types: Forms offers a variety of question types including multiple-choice, text entry, rating, ranking, date, Likert, and file upload. While this may cater to most of your needs, it’s worth noting that Qualtrics steps it up a notch with about two dozen question types and numerous variations.
Branching and Workflows: Forms provides straightforward branching of questions based on previous responses. On the other hand, Qualtrics allows for nesting Boolean expressions and even utilizing data sources outside the survey. When it comes to workflows like sending emails, Qualtrics has an edge with its user-friendly interface. However, with a bit of Power Automate knowledge, you can achieve similar workflows in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Data Management: One of the perks of using Forms is that your data is directly stored in an Excel workbook on your OneDrive, making it easy to share. In contrast, Qualtrics requires you to log into the survey and export the data manually.
User Interface: If simplicity and intuitiveness are what you’re after, Forms might be your go-to. Its interface is much easier to navigate compared to Qualtrics, making it a strong contender for relatively simple survey projects.
In conclusion, while both platforms have their strengths, your choice between Microsoft Forms and Qualtrics should align with your specific needs and the complexity of your survey project.
