5 Recommended Real-Time Survey Tools (Including Free Options and Comparison Summary)
If you manage events or seminars, many of you have likely faced situations like these, haven't you?
“No one raises their hand during the Q&A session”
“I can't see the participants' reactions, so I don't know if they really understand”
“The presentation ends up being one-sided and lacks excitement”
The solution to these problems is a real-time survey tool.
This system allows participants to access a QR code or URL via their smartphones to send votes or comments, with the aggregated results immediately displayed on screen in graphs or other formats, which can instantly boost the interactivity of events and meetings.
In this article, we will introduce and compare 5 real-time survey tools used both domestically and internationally.
We have also organized information on the availability of free plans and the scenarios where each tool excels, so we hope this will be helpful for your tool selection.
What is a real-time survey tool?
1. How is it different from traditional surveys?
Traditional surveys like Google Forms take time to aggregate after responses are submitted. The process involves distributing links to recipients, setting a response deadline, and aggregating the data after the deadline passes.
Real-time survey tools completely change this process. When participants answer on the spot using their smartphones, the results are displayed on the screen immediately. This is effective for creating a sense of unity in the room.
2. In what situations are they used?
They are used in a wider range of scenarios than you might think.
Asking questions to participants or conducting Q&A sessions during seminars and webinars
Checking the pulse or conducting awareness surveys during company-wide meetings or training sessions
Quizzes to check understanding during university classes
Adding excitement to TV programs or fan events
Visitor surveys at exhibitions
They are being used not only in business-oriented settings but also in entertainment-focused ones.
5 Recommended Selections
1. LiveQ
LiveQ is a real-time survey, Q&A, and quiz tool that can be used in a wide range of settings, including classes, seminars, and internal meetings. Participants can access it simply by using a QR code or URL, with no app installation or member registration required. The concept of "transforming one-way presentations into interactive spaces" is clear.
The main features are as follows:
Supports 3 modes: Voting, Q&A, and Quizzes
Participants access via QR code or URL. Supports anonymous posting
Like feature allows important questions to rise to the top
AI-powered automatic generation feature creates quiz or voting slides just by entering a theme
Participant access data and reaction counts can be analyzed via a dashboard
A free "Free" plan is available, supporting up to 100 participants per month. It is sufficiently practical for those who want to try it out first or for small-scale use such as internal meetings and study sessions (please check the official website for the latest details).
Recommended scenarios: Icebreakers at internal study sessions or training, real-time question reception in classes, Q&A sessions at recruitment briefings, etc.
2. Live! Survey
"Live! Survey," provided by bravesoft Inc., is a service that has accumulated a track record of use in diverse situations such as events, seminars, and live streaming.
The figures of over 16,000 client companies and over 7 million total participants demonstrate its reliability (figures posted on the official website).
The main features are as follows:
Focusing on 3 formats: Voting, Q&A, and Quizzes, it is packed with production-oriented features such as fast-finger rankings and stamp functions
AI comment analysis feature allows for summarizing and analyzing comments submitted to Q&A
Ranking display adds excitement to quizzes. Quizzes also include image insertion and time limit timers
You can also adjust the appearance to match your event, such as by customizing design themes or hiding the logo.
Paid plans range from one-time use options like the 'Starter Plan' (30 days, 5,000 yen, excluding tax) and 'Regular Plan' (30 days, 20,000 yen, excluding tax), to annual plans such as the 'Value Plan,' 'Professional Plan,' and 'Enterprise Plan.' Please check the official website for details.
Recommended Scenarios: Large-scale fan events or company-wide meetings where 'excitement' is prioritized, audience participation during live streams, and online seminars integrated with tools like Zoom.
3. Slido
Slido is an interaction tool originating from overseas, with a track record of adoption by companies and educational institutions worldwide. It has been implemented by major corporations such as Cisco and Suntory.
The main features are as follows:
Supports various formats such as Q&A, live polls, quizzes, and word clouds
Compatible with PowerPoint add-ons, allowing you to display poll results without leaving your slides
Can be integrated with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Slides
Creates an environment where participants feel comfortable speaking up through a combination of anonymous posting and a 'Like' feature
Data export and filtering features are available in paid plans
The free Basic plan is limited to 100 participants and has restrictions on the number of votes per event, but you can try out basic features like Q&A and word clouds.
Paid plans are divided into three categories: one-time use, annual plans for businesses, and annual plans for educational institutions. The one-time 'Private' plan supports up to 1,000 participants and costs 30,000 yen (excluding tax). Please check the official website as detailed pricing is subject to change.
It can be difficult that the interface is basically in English, but the design is user-friendly.
Recommended Scenarios: Presentations and training using PowerPoint, global conferences, and regular internal events for large companies.
4. Real-Time Survey Online
Provided by SCAVE, 'Real-Time Survey Online' is a relatively new tool that launched in 2023. It features a unique design that allows you to use the question screen directly as the actual event screen, and you can start using it without member registration.
The main features are as follows:
Equipped with various modes such as voting, quizzes, Oogiri (comedy), and messaging. In quiz mode, you can also conduct elimination rounds and team competitions.
Oogiri mode is a unique feature not found in other tools. It uses a system where you present a prompt with images and text, and participants vote on the answers submitted.
Packed with presentation features such as typing effects, sound effects, and background image changes.
Supports registering images and videos for questions and answer choices.
Security is also considered with NG word settings and password protection.
The pricing plans consist of "FREE" (up to 30 participants, commercial use not allowed), "STANDARD" (30 days, from 5,500 yen, tax included, supports 100 to 10,000 participants, commercial use allowed), and "PARTNERSHIP" (11,000 yen per year, tax included, for event planning companies).
Although the FREE plan does not allow commercial use, a significant number of features can be used for personal study groups or private events.
Recommended scenarios: Company recreation, year-end parties, social gatherings, quiz tournaments, and small-scale study groups or learning events.
5. imakiku
imakiku is a real-time survey tool provided by Tenmondo Co., Ltd. It is characterized by security that meets the screening criteria of major corporations, and it is highly regarded for being safe to implement even in companies with strict confidentiality obligations.
The main features are as follows.
Voting results can be displayed in various formats such as bar charts, pie charts, and radar charts.
In addition to the comment posting function, it is equipped with a feature to rate posts with GOOD/BAD.
Paid plans also allow for participant information acquisition (attendance management/personal identification), image/video voting, and cross-tabulation display.
AI Teacher feature: Equipped with a function where AI automatically answers questions submitted in real-time (available in higher-tier plans).
Separate pricing structures are available for corporate entities and educational institutions.
Pricing for the corporate annual plan starts at 10,000 yen per month (132,000 yen per year, tax included) for the S plan. A free trial plan is also provided permanently for free (up to 50 participants, up to 3 questions), allowing you to judge after trying out all the features. Affordable plans starting from 11,000 yen (tax included) per year are also available for educational institutions (please check the official website for details).
Recommended scenarios: Shareholders' meetings, IR events, medical conferences, and other settings requiring strict security, classes and training at universities and vocational schools, and large-scale corporate events.
Organizing the differences between free and paid plans
6. Cases where a free plan is sufficient and cases where a paid plan is necessary
Of the five tools mentioned above, LiveQ, Live! Survey, Slido, and imakiku have free plans (Real-Time Survey Online has a free plan that cannot be used for commercial purposes).
The scope covered by free plans is generally limited to "30 to 100 participants, basic features only, and no data export capability."
Cases where a free plan is suitable
Small internal meetings or small-scale study sessions
Preliminary stage for testing tool usability
Private events that are not for commercial purposes
Cases where a paid plan is necessary
Events with more than 100 participants
When you want to use advanced features such as quiz ranking functions or AI analysis
When you want to export aggregated data as a CSV for post-event analysis
When you want to display a company logo and customize the look to match your brand
When using it regularly for multiple events
While it cannot be said unconditionally that you "should use a paid plan," we recommend checking in advance when using it for an actual event, as there is a risk of hitting participant limits.
How to choose the tool that suits you
7. Narrowing down by event scale and number of participants
First, thinking in terms of the number of participants makes it easier to narrow down your options.
For small-scale events of 50 people or fewer, the free plans of LiveQ or Live! Survey are sufficient.
For events in the 200 to 1,000 participant range, a paid plan is often necessary, and the maximum number of participants and pricing vary significantly depending on the tool. For large-scale events exceeding 1,000 people, higher-tier plans become the realistic choice.
8. Narrow down by the features you need
The tools you need will vary depending on whether you only need voting and Q&A, or if you also want to use quiz ranking effects or AI-powered automatic comment summarization.
If you want simple features at a low cost, LiveQ and Real-Time Survey Online are good candidates.
If you want to prioritize PowerPoint integration, Slido is easy to use.
9. Check compatibility with existing tools
If you regularly use Zoom or Microsoft Teams in your company, choosing a tool that integrates smoothly with them will simplify your operations.
Live! Survey: Compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, YouTube Live, and Vimeo
Slido: Particularly strong integration with PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Slides
imakiku: Compatible with Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, YouTube, and Vimeo
Especially if you often give presentations based on PowerPoint, the Slido add-in is quite useful in practice. Being able to display voting results while switching slides is a strength that other tools do not have.
Summary
To summarize the five tools introduced here, each has the following characteristics:
LiveQ: A versatile tool that is simple and easy to use, and also features AI automatic generation. Free plan available (up to 100 people per month)
Live! Survey: Extensive track record of adoption in Japan. Features are well-rounded, including entertainment effects and AI analysis. Free plan available
Slido: The global standard with strong PowerPoint integration. Also features rich analysis functions
Real-Time Survey Online: No membership registration required, and unique features like 'Oogiri' (comedy) mode are fun. Free plan available (non-commercial use only)
imakiku: A proven track record adopted by major companies.
If you want to 'try it out first,' it is easy to start with LiveQ or Live! Survey, which have free plans.
Once you use them in an actual event, you will get a sense of how actively participants respond. Since the features and pricing of each tool may change, please be sure to check the official website for the latest information.
That is all, thank you very much!