- Smart Form Builder: Create surveys with skip logic, defaults, validations, and conditional visibility using a web designer or XLSForm.
- GIS Integration: Automatically link survey responses to ArcGIS feature layers for real-time spatial analysis.
- Offline Data Collection: Capture responses without internet access and sync later, ideal for remote fieldwork.
- Multi-Device Support: Collect data via web browser, iOS, Android, and Windows apps.
- Real-Time Dashboards: View incoming survey results instantly within ArcGIS for monitoring and reporting.
- Advanced XLSForm Support: Build complex surveys with calculations, repeat groups, and custom logic using spreadsheets.
- Secure Data Management: Control access with ArcGIS Online or Enterprise roles and permissions.
- Media & Location Capture: Collect photos, signatures, GPS coordinates, and attachments directly in the form.
- Workflow Integration: Connect surveys to ArcGIS Workflow Manager and other ArcGIS apps for end-to-end processes.
ArcGIS Survey123
GIS-powered survey software for smart field data collection
Updated March 2, 2026
ArcGIS Survey123 Overview
ArcGIS Survey123 is a form-centric survey software built for capturing location-based data in the field and office. Designed for organizations using ArcGIS, it lets teams create smart forms with logic, collect data online or offline, and analyze results in real time.
It’s widely used by government, utilities, environmental, and infrastructure teams that need accurate, map-connected survey data.
Key Features
Pricing
Prices are not publicly listed on the website, you need to Contact Sales
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| ArcGIS Survey123 | Contact Sales |
Pros
Competitor |
Pros |
|---|---|
| SurveyMonkey | ArcGIS Survey123 offers deep GIS integration that SurveyMonkey lacks, making it far better for field data tied to maps and assets. Organizations already using ArcGIS avoid extra integration costs. It also supports offline mobile collection, which SurveyMonkey handles less effectively for remote environments. |
| Qualtrics | Compared to Qualtrics, ArcGIS Survey123 focuses more on operational and field surveys rather than academic research. It’s generally more cost-effective for government and infrastructure teams that already license ArcGIS. The built-in spatial analysis tools provide practical value without requiring separate analytics platforms. |
| Typeform | ArcGIS Survey123 supports advanced logic, repeat groups, and structured data capture through XLSForm, which is more robust for technical fieldwork than Typeform’s conversational style. It handles offline data collection and GPS capture natively, making it better suited for environmental and asset inspections. |
| Google Forms | While Google Forms is simple, ArcGIS Survey123 provides enterprise-grade security, role-based access, and direct integration with GIS layers. Field teams benefit from real-time mapping and geotagged submissions. It also supports complex validation rules that go beyond basic form logic. |
| Jotform | ArcGIS Survey123 excels in spatial workflows where Jotform relies on third-party integrations. It’s particularly strong for asset management, inspections, and compliance tracking tied to maps. Organizations using ArcGIS Online or Enterprise gain seamless data flow without custom API setups. |
Cons
Competitor |
Cons |
|---|---|
| SurveyMonkey | SurveyMonkey is easier for beginners creating quick marketing or feedback surveys. ArcGIS Survey123 requires familiarity with ArcGIS concepts, which increases setup time. For non-GIS users, the interface and terminology may feel technical and less intuitive. |
| Qualtrics | Qualtrics provides more advanced research analytics, sentiment tools, and built-in reporting dashboards. ArcGIS Survey123 focuses primarily on operational data capture, so it may lack sophisticated statistical analysis features for academic or customer experience research teams. |
| Typeform | Typeform delivers a more modern, conversational design that improves engagement for public-facing surveys. ArcGIS Survey123 prioritizes structured data collection over visual appeal, which may feel rigid when collecting brand or marketing feedback. |
| Google Forms | Google Forms is free and quick to deploy. ArcGIS Survey123 typically requires an ArcGIS Online or Enterprise subscription, increasing cost for small teams. Organizations not using GIS may find the added complexity unnecessary for simple questionnaires. |
| Jotform | Jotform offers more built-in templates and drag-and-drop simplicity for general business use. ArcGIS Survey123 can require spreadsheet-based configuration for advanced logic, which adds a learning curve for teams unfamiliar with XLSForm syntax. |
Reviews
- G2 Review (Rating: 4.4/5): ArcGIS Survey123 makes it easy to build smart, location-aware forms and push field data straight into tools like ArcGIS Online and Collector, which helps teams collaborate through maps and dashboards. Structured mobile and web forms keep inspections organized and improve data accuracy. Complex forms with conditional logic take time to design, offline use can feel unreliable in weak signal areas, and large surveys sometimes load slowly or even crash devices. A few also ran into reports failing after 10 minutes and survey files breaking connections in Survey123 Connect.
- google.com Review: One reviewer called it a great app if a “halfway decent developer” sets it up, saying the out‑of‑the‑box solutions feel clunky but proper data management turns it into an efficient field data tool. Others had a rougher time: the app freezes when adding a location, crashes during surveys like the nationwide Riverwatch Survey, and sometimes forces a full reboot after switching away. Navigating submenus just to “update” a survey frustrates people, and some doubt it would work well with no data connectivity.
- apple.com Review: ArcGIS Survey123 works fine at a basic level, but small design choices annoy users, like the hidden checkmark that disappears behind the keyboard and forces people to “push” it down just to submit a survey. Long-term users report lag, battery drain, crashing, and authentication loops, especially in poor cell service where they must force quit and reopen in airplane mode. Several feel the app has seen “basically no improvements” over the years despite ongoing pricing.
