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Most buyers should pick SurveyPlanet.
Choose SurveyPlanet for a current, low-cost survey tool: its free plan lists unlimited surveys, questions and responses, while Pro costs $20 monthly or $180 yearly. The Survey System has mixed-mode research features and a no-time-limit evaluation edition, but Creative Research Systems says it has closed. Its paid editions are listed as one-time fees ($1,499 Professional; $2,499 Enterprise), so those prices are reference points, not a dependable new purchase path. For most new buyers, SurveyPlanet is the practical pick.
01Side by side
| SurveyPlanet | The Survey System | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free; Pro $20 monthly or $180 yearly. | Free evaluation; Professional $1,499 one-time. |
| Free plan | Unlimited surveys, questions and responses. | No-time-limit evaluation, but question and data limits apply. |
| Best for | New buyers needing online survey creation. | Legacy mixed-mode research; not a dependable new purchase. |
| Core strength | Simple survey creation with themes and AI features. | Mixed-mode surveys across web, phone and paper. |
| Learning curve | Ease-of-use score: 7/10. | Ease-of-use score: 5/10. |
| Integrations/data | Pro includes exporting; other integrations not published. | Can incorporate existing respondent data. |
| Team/seat costs | Enterprise $350/year; multi-license discounts unpriced. | $2,499 for two analysts; each extra analyst $750. |
| Support | Review support score: 5/10; current details unpublished. | Review support score: 1/10; company says it has closed. |
SurveyPlanet Choose SurveyPlanet if
- Choose SurveyPlanet if you need an active survey tool.
- Choose SurveyPlanet if unlimited free responses matter.
- Choose SurveyPlanet if you want Pro exports or branding.
The Survey System Choose The Survey System if
- Choose The Survey System if you already have a license.
- Choose The Survey System if you need mixed-mode research features.
- Choose The Survey System if you are using its research resources.
02Pricing compared
SurveyPlanet is easier to price for a new purchase. Its free plan lists unlimited surveys, questions and responses. Pro costs $20 month-to-month or $180 per year, equivalent to $15 per month, and adds paid features such as branching, exports and custom branding. Enterprise is listed at $350 per year; monthly pricing is not published.
The Survey System’s pricing is less straightforward. Its Evaluation Edition is a free download with no time limit, but has restricted question and data limits. The listed Professional fee is $1,499 one time; Enterprise is $2,499 one time for two analysts. These figures are listed prices, not monthly subscriptions, and the company says it has closed. Treat them as reference points, not a reliable route to a new purchase.
03Features and depth
SurveyPlanet covers common online survey needs: its free plan lists unlimited surveys, questions and responses, while Pro adds exports, non-branded surveys, branching and custom branding. It also offers themes, pre-written questions and templates, and support for English, Spanish, Chinese and more than 30 other languages. Its AI features are described as generating questions and analyzing responses for patterns, trends, sentiment and recommendations.
The Survey System describes a broader research toolkit. It supports mixed-mode surveys across web, mobile, phone, PDA and paper, plus logic that can guide respondents, modify questions and validate answers. Other listed capabilities include voice capture, use of existing respondent data, multilingual surveys and customizable reports with charts, tables and cross-tabs. But some capabilities are separate paid modules, and the software’s maker says it has closed. For a new buyer, feature breadth matters less if there is no dependable purchase path. SurveyPlanet is the more practical choice for standard online surveys; The Survey System’s feature set may interest researchers assessing legacy workflows.
04Ease of use and learning curve
SurveyPlanet’s online survey-creator focus and templates give new users a more direct starting point, while its free plan lets them create surveys without first buying a license. Pro is needed for branching, exports and custom branding, so check those requirements before building a workflow around the free tier.
The Survey System’s mixed-mode options, analyst licensing and separately priced modules point to a more involved setup for research teams. The Evaluation Edition offers a no-time-limit way to assess very small surveys, but its question and data limits are restricted. We found no published comparison of setup time or training requirements in the published information. More importantly, Creative Research Systems says it has closed, making ongoing use and support a concern.
Questions people ask
Is SurveyPlanet free?
Yes. SurveyPlanet’s listed Free plan includes unlimited surveys, questions and responses. Pro costs $20 month-to-month or $180 per year and is needed for features including branching, exports and custom branding. Check the plan details against your requirements before committing to a survey workflow.
How much does The Survey System cost?
The listed Professional Edition fee is $1,499 one time, and Enterprise is listed at $2,499 one time for two analysts. The Evaluation Edition is a free download with no time limit but restricted question and data limits. Creative Research Systems says it has closed, so treat paid prices as reference points.
Which is better for mixed-mode surveys?
The Survey System lists mixed-mode support for web, mobile, phone, PDA and paper questionnaires, along with survey logic and reporting tools. SurveyPlanet is presented as an online survey creator. However, The Survey System’s maker says it has closed, so its feature fit does not make it a dependable new purchase.
Does SurveyPlanet support question branching?
Yes. Question branching is listed as a SurveyPlanet Pro feature; it can show or skip questions based on earlier answers. The Free plan lists unlimited surveys, questions and responses, but branching is not included among the published Free plan features.