Best / Research surveys
Best open-source Research surveys
The best self-hosted research-survey split in the c17.io catalog is LimeSurvey for GPL-2.0 questionnaires (the published Qualtrics stack), Formbricks when the job is an AGPL-3.0 Typeform-shaped flow — /compare/formbricks-vs-limesurvey, HeyForm when you want that AGPL-3.0 builder — /compare/limesurvey-vs-heyform, and Typebot when the job is a conversational chat form (FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0, not OSI). This is not Qualtrics' every XM or panel SKU. A public Typeform stays on /best/forms-surveys. Product research with a tester marketplace stays on /replace/maze — you do not get the panel.
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Ranked picks
1
LimeSurveyGPL-2.0 research questionnaires — the c17 Qualtrics path. /compare/limesurvey-vs-heyform.
When to pick it: Long surveys, quotas, and exports you host.
3,767 stars in the catalog
2
FormbricksAGPL-3.0 Typeform-shaped engine. /compare/formbricks-vs-limesurvey.
When to pick it: A modern flow if LimeSurvey is not the shape.
13,113 stars in the catalog
3
HeyFormAGPL-3.0 form builder. /compare/limesurvey-vs-heyform.
When to pick it: A second builder if Formbricks is not the product.
9,031 stars in the catalog
4
TypebotConversational forms already on /best/forms-surveys. License is FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0, not OSI.
When to pick it: A chat flow, not a Qualtrics questionnaire.
10,550 stars in the catalog
How they compare
| Tool | License | Self-host | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LimeSurvey | GNU General Public License v2.0 | Medium | Long surveys, quotas, and exports you host. |
| Formbricks | GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 | Easy | A modern flow if LimeSurvey is not the shape. |
| HeyForm | GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 | Easy | A second builder if Formbricks is not the product. |
| Typebot | FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0 | Medium | A chat flow, not a Qualtrics questionnaire. |
Related pages
- LimeSurvey / Formbricks stack
- Formbricks stack
- Replace Qualtrics
- Replace Typeform
- Replace Google Forms
- Replace SurveyMonkey
- Replace Jotform
- Replace Tally
- Replace Sprig
- Replace Maze
- Replace UserTesting
- Replace Paperform
- Replace Formstack
- LimeSurvey vs HeyForm
- All best open-source pages
- All compare pages
- All replace pages
- All stacks
- Tools catalog
FAQ
- LimeSurvey or Formbricks?
- LimeSurvey if you want the published Qualtrics questionnaire. Formbricks if the job is a Typeform-shaped flow — /compare/formbricks-vs-limesurvey.
- Is this Typeform?
- A conversational form stays on /replace/typeform and /best/forms-surveys. This page is the research instrument.
- Is this Maze?
- A product-research desk stays on /replace/maze. You do not get a tester marketplace.
- Are these free?
- LimeSurvey is GPL-2.0. Formbricks and HeyForm are AGPL-3.0. Typebot is FSL, not OSI. You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
- How do I deploy it?
- Open /stacks/limesurvey-research. Persist the database. Build one questionnaire.
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