Best / User research
Best open-source User research
The best self-hosted user-research split in the c17.io catalog is Formbricks for an open-source survey desk (the published Typeform / Maze / UserTesting-shaped feedback path), LimeSurvey when you want that GPL-2.0 research survey platform, PostHog when the job is product analytics and replay rather than a test panel, and OpenReplay when the job is AGPL-3.0 session replay (skip ee/). This is not Maze's every prototype-test SKU or UserTesting's every recruited-panel SKU. You do not get a marketplace of testers.
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Ranked picks
1
FormbricksOpen-source survey engine — the c17 Typeform / Maze / UserTesting feedback path.
When to pick it: A test or survey you host, not a recruited panel.
13,113 stars in the catalog
2
LimeSurveyGPL-2.0 survey platform already in the catalog.
When to pick it: A research questionnaire if Formbricks is not the shape.
3,767 stars in the catalog
3
PosthogProduct analytics already on /replace/hotjar. Not a Maze prototype test.
When to pick it: Funnels and replay, not a usability panel.
4
OpenReplayAGPL-3.0 session replay (skip ee/). Already on /best/session-replay.
When to pick it: Recordings you host, not UserTesting's testers.
13,043 stars in the catalog
How they compare
| Tool | License | Self-host | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formbricks | GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 | Easy | A test or survey you host, not a recruited panel. |
| LimeSurvey | GNU General Public License v2.0 | Medium | A research questionnaire if Formbricks is not the shape. |
| Posthog | Not listed | Medium | Funnels and replay, not a usability panel. |
| OpenReplay | GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 | Medium | Recordings you host, not UserTesting's testers. |
Related pages
- Formbricks stack
- PostHog stack
- Baserow + Appsmith stack
- Replace Typeform
- Replace Google Forms
- Replace SurveyMonkey
- Replace Jotform
- Replace Tally
- Replace Sprig
- Replace Maze
- Replace UserTesting
- Replace Paperform
- Replace Formstack
- Replace Hotjar
- Replace Amplitude
- Replace Heap
- Replace FullStory
- Replace LogRocket
- Replace PostHog Cloud
- Replace Pendo
- Replace Smartlook
- Replace Mouseflow
- Replace Crazy Egg
- Replace Lucky Orange
- Replace Microsoft Clarity
- Replace Airtable
- Replace Retool
- Replace Smartsheet
- Replace Bubble
- Replace Glide
- Replace Softr
- Replace Adalo
- Replace AppSheet
- Replace OutSystems
- Replace Mendix
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FAQ
- Formbricks or LimeSurvey?
- Formbricks if you want the published Maze / Typeform path. LimeSurvey if you want that GPL research desk.
- Maze or UserTesting?
- Same published feedback desk — /replace/maze and /replace/usertesting. You do not get a tester marketplace.
- Is this Hotjar?
- Replay stays on /replace/hotjar (PostHog). This page is a research survey or an unmoderated test you host.
- Are these free?
- Formbricks is the published survey. LimeSurvey is GPL-2.0. OpenReplay is AGPL-3.0 (skip ee/). You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
- How do I deploy it?
- Open /stacks/formbricks-forms. Persist Postgres. Rebuild the one test that matters.
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