Comparison: Microsoft Forms vs. Qualtrics

Summary

A comparison of features and functionality between Microsoft Forms (recommended for simple surveys and self-graded quizzes) and Qualtrics (recommended for data collection and research projects).

Body

Introduction

  • Microsoft Forms is recommended for simple surveys and self-graded quizzes. The platform has essential surveying features, including multilingual support, a range of different question and branching types, and basic analytics.
  • Qualtrics is recommended for data collection and research projects. It is a powerful survey platform with a wide variety of question types, email triggers, distribution options and collaboration settings.

 

Feature

Microsoft Forms

Qualtrics

Question type: Multiple choice

Yes

Yes

Question type: File upload

Yes

Yes

Display logic & branching

Yes

Yes

Allows for anonymous responses

Yes

Yes

Built-in distribution via email

Yes

Yes

Built-in distribution via SMS

No

Yes

Ability to track which individuals have responded

No

Yes

Automated email reminders

Partial

Yes

Other configurable email triggers

No

Yes

Download raw response data

Yes

Yes

Automated accessibility/usability review

No

Yes

 

Question Types

Microsoft Forms

Qualtrics

Multiple Choice

Yes

Yes

Text Entry

Yes

Yes

Rank Order

Yes

Yes

Matrix Table

No

Yes

Slider

Yes

Yes

Side by Side

No

Yes

Constant Sum

No

Yes

Hot Spot

No

Yes

Graphic Slider

No

Yes

Drill Down

No

Yes

Pick Group and Rank

No

Yes

Heat Map

No

Yes

Net Promoter Score

Yes

Yes

Highlight

No

Yes

Signature

No

Yes

Timing

No

Yes

File Upload

Yes

Yes

Screen Capture

No

Yes

Captcha Verification

No

Yes

Likert

Yes

Yes

Branching

Yes

Yes

Meta Info

No

Yes

 

Distribution Option

Microsoft Forms

Qualtrics

Via email

Yes, using your email client

Yes, through Qualtrics directly

Via link

Yes

Yes

Via social media

No

Yes

Via SMS

No

Yes

Via QR code

Yes

Yes

Allows anonymous submissions

Yes

Yes

Ability to track individual recipients

No

Yes

Set start and end dates for response collection

Yes

Yes

 

Collaborative Option

Microsoft Forms

Qualtrics

Allows multiple collaborators

Yes

Yes

Allows MSU collaborators

Yes

Yes

Allows non-MSU collaborators

Yes

Yes

Configure which survey data individual collaborators have access to

No

Yes

Configure whether an individual collaborator can activate/deactivate a survey

No

Yes

Configure whether an individual collaborator can copy a survey project

No

Yes

Configure whether an individual collaborator can distribute a survey

No 

Yes

 

Reporting Option

Microsoft Forms

Qualtrics

Customizable visualizations of results data

No, default visualization is not customizable

Yes

Ability to format your reports

No, default report is not customizable

Yes

Shareable reports via link

Yes

Yes

Download raw survey data

Yes

Yes

 

Details

Details

Article ID: 2140
Created
Fri 3/28/25 11:54 AM
Modified
Sun 3/30/25 2:08 PM