The Ona Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Ona in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Ona
The Insider’s Guide
Mobile data collection with forms, maps and charts
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among form and survey tools, read from Ona’s own pages.
Made by Ona Systems · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Ona’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Ona’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.0
GPA, above 26 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade
Ona Data is a mobile data collection platform where forms are written in XLSForm or an online builder and run on phones and desktops, with or without a connection. Collected data feeds maps, charts and XLS reports. It offers personal and organization accounts, with a free tier.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Ona, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Forms are written in XLSForm or the online builder, so there is a learning curve.
- 1
Best for mobile data collection for field programmes
Ona Data collects field data on phones and desktops, with or without a connection, from forms written in XLSForm or an online builder.
- 2
Paid plans start at $159.20 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $199 per month, or $1,910.40 billed yearly.
- 3
There is a free plan
1 private project, 10 forms in total and 500 form submissions.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
Forms for the field
Forms capture GPS, validation, logic, repeats, signatures and photos, authored in XLSForm or the online builder.
- 6
Works offline
Forms run on smartphones and desktops with or without a connection; data uploads when one is found.
- 7
Maps and charts
Maps browse or filter submissions, summary charts graph the data and XLS Reports build Excel dashboards.
- 8
A 2.0 GPA, above 26 of 148
That is against the other form and survey tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of Ona you could make: surveys and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Ona at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $199 per month, or $1,910.40 billed yearly
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Ona Systems
- Category
- Forms & Surveys
- Our grade
- 2.0 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for mobile data collection for field programmes
Ona Data collects field data on phones and desktops, with or without a connection, from forms written in XLSForm or an online builder. The free plan allows 1 private project, 10 forms and 500 submissions in total. Standard is $199 a month.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D | Standard is $199 a month, above the dearest tenth ($149) of forms tools, and Pro is $299. Unfunded grassroots groups can apply for free access. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free: 1 private project, 10 forms and 500 submissions in total. A real programme passes that quickly. |
| Features | C | Offline forms, maps, charts, organisations and integrations. Submission limits are 500, 15,000 and 30,000 by plan, and the listing does not say which plan has which integration. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. Forms are written in XLSForm or the online builder, so there is a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, running on phones and desktops, with Tableau, Google Sheets and RapidPro links, an API and webhooks. No native app is listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Ona is for
- Fits if you run field surveys and want maps and charts from the results
- Works for small projects within 500 submissions, or unfunded groups that qualify for the grant
Who it is not for
- Tight if you stay free, with 500 submissions across 10 forms
- Pricey if you outgrow it: Standard is $199 a month and Pro $299
- Watch out: submission caps are 15,000 on Standard and 30,000 on Pro
- Watch out: local hosting for in-country data laws means contacting Ona
Good to know
Good for
- NGOs and field teams running offline surveys
- Teams that need maps and live charts from collected data
- Small projects: a free plan is available
Worth knowing
- Submission limits vary by plan: 500 on Free, 15,000 on Standard and 30,000 on Pro.
- The pricing table lists Tableau, Google Sheets and RapidPro integrations, an API and webhooks; check which plans include each.
- Unfunded grassroots organizations can apply for free access through the Impact Grant program.
- Local hosting for in-country data laws is arranged by contacting Ona.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$159.20
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Ona has a free plan. Paid plans start at $199 per month, or $1,910.40 billed yearly.
Unfunded grassroots groups can apply for free access.
Free
$0
1 private project, 10 private forms, 500 submissions, community support.
Standard
$199
per month, or $1,910.40 per year
2 private projects and 15,000 form submissions, with email support.
Pro
$299
per month, or $2,870.40 per year
5 private projects and 30,000 form submissions, with 24-hour priority support.
Enterprise
Custom
Custom limits and pricing for multiple countries and projects; sold through sales.
The free plan
1 private project, 10 forms in total and 500 form submissions.
Read from ona.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
20% off with annual billing
Paying annually saves 20% on the monthly price: Standard is $1,910.40 a year versus $199 a month.
Stated on ona.ioNonprofit
Impact Grant for grassroots groups
Ona gives free access to unfunded grassroots organizations through its Impact Grant program.
Stated on ona.io
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Mobile data collection with forms, maps and charts. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, public API, forms, surveys, dashboards.
Offline forms, maps, charts, organisations and integrations.
- Forms for the field
- Forms capture GPS, validation, logic, repeats, signatures and photos, authored in XLSForm or the online builder.
- Works offline
- Forms run on smartphones and desktops with or without a connection; data uploads when one is found.
- Maps and charts
- Maps browse or filter submissions, summary charts graph the data and XLS Reports build Excel dashboards.
- Organizations
- Organization accounts share projects across a team and manage permissions centrally; filters can hide sensitive fields.
- Integrations
- The pricing table lists Tableau, Google Sheets, RapidPro, an API and webhooks.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Tableau
- Google Sheets
- RapidPro
Ona is made by Ona Systems.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
26/148
Other form and survey tools it is graded above
Ona's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 26 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade, and level with 29.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 46 of 148) and worst on value for money (D, above 1).
Its paid plans start at $159.20 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $20 for the category: 102 of the 114 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 38 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 149 form and survey tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Ona’s own letter is outlined.
- DValue for moneyAbove 1 of 148
- CFree plan and trialAbove 32 of 148
- CFeaturesAbove 5 of 148
- CEase of useAbove 7 of 148
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 46 of 148
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 121 form and survey tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Ona is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of Ona you could make: surveys and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 93 of the 148 other form and survey tools grade higher. It costs $1,910.40 a year.
What you could make
- Surveys and forms: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Connections that pull numbers from dozens of other services.
- It plugs into other products, Tableau, Google Sheets and RapidPro among them, and has an API.
- What a company asks for before it lets staff use something: roles and permissions.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. Ona’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
KoboToolbox, Open Data Kit, SurveyCTO, CommCare and Epicollect5
The 5 tools Ona is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
KoboToolbox
Free plan · from $21/mo
Open-source data collection for field surveys, online or offline.
- Only KoboToolbox lists an Android app.
- KoboToolbox is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Ona also covers dashboards.
- 2.0GPA
Open Data Kit
Free plan · from $199/mo
Open-source mobile and web data collection.
- Only Open Data Kit lists an Android app.
- Open Data Kit is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Ona also covers dashboards.
- 2.2GPA
SurveyCTO
Free plan · from $225/mo
Offline-capable data collection for field research.
- Only SurveyCTO lists iOS and Android apps.
- SurveyCTO is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Ona also covers dashboards.
- 2.0GPA
CommCare
Free plan · from $100/mo
No-code apps for frontline case management and data collection.
- Only CommCare lists Android and iOS apps.
- CommCare is open source, according to its own site.
- Ona also covers dashboards.
- 3.0GPA
Epicollect5
Free
Free mobile and web data collection from Oxford University.
- Only Epicollect5 lists Android and iOS apps.
- Ona also covers dashboards.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
15
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Ona free?
Ona has a free plan. 1 private project, 10 forms in total and 500 form submissions.
How much does Ona cost?
Ona lists 4 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Ona work on?
Ona is available on Web.
Does Ona offer any discounts?
Ona publicly lists the following: 20% off with annual billing; Impact Grant for grassroots groups.
Does Ona have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Ona is listed for Web.
Does Ona have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Ona is listed for Web.
Is Ona open source?
Ona is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does Ona work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Does Ona have an API?
Yes. Ona offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Ona integrate with?
Ona's listing names Tableau, Google Sheets and RapidPro. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Ona?
Ona is made by Ona Systems.
What are the alternatives to Ona?
The closest alternatives to Ona in our directory are KoboToolbox, Open Data Kit, SurveyCTO, CommCare and Epicollect5.
How does Ona compare with other form and survey tools?
Ona's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 26 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade, and level with 29.
Is Ona good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Ona D for value for money. Its paid plans start at $159.20 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $20 for the category: 102 of the 114 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Ona?
The plain part of Ona you could make: surveys and forms. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Ona’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ona's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Ona Systems. Prices change, so check ona.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Ona, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/ona
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Ona: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/ona
Know someone choosing between form and survey tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/ona/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded form and survey tools after Ona, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Forms & Surveys Insider's GuideEvery one of the 149 form and survey tools we grade, compared
- Formester Insider's GuideForm builder with unlimited forms and responses on the free plan3.2 GPA
- Formgrid Insider's GuideForm builder with unlimited forms and responses on the free plan3.2 GPA
- Google Forms Insider's GuideForm, survey and quiz builder that comes with a Google Account3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Ona’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Ona is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Ona Systems. Prices and plans change: check ona.io before you buy.