The Sawtooth Software Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Sawtooth Software 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.
Sawtooth Software
The Insider’s Guide
Survey software for conjoint and MaxDiff market research
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among form and survey tools, read from Sawtooth Software’s own pages.
Made by Sawtooth Software · 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 Sawtooth Software’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Sawtooth Software’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
2.4
GPA, above 88 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade
Sawtooth Software makes survey tools for market researchers. Discover runs in the browser, and Lighthouse Studio is a Windows application for more customized surveys. Both are built around choice-based conjoint and MaxDiff studies, with the analysis done in the same product.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Sawtooth Software, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for conjoint and MaxDiff studies
Paid plans are quote-only and annual, and the top tier is a Windows program.
- 2
There is a free plan
Free plan on Discover: unlimited surveys and questions, choice-based conjoint and MaxDiff, up to 50 respondents per survey.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Web and Windows.
- 4
Choice-based conjoint
Design and field conjoint studies to see which features and prices people pick. Advanced conjoint types are in the Premier plan.
- 5
MaxDiff (best-worst scaling)
Respondents pick best and worst from small sets of items. Up to 120 items per exercise on Discover and up to 2,000 on Lighthouse Studio.
- 6
Standard survey question types
Multiple choice, grids, open-ends, ranking, constant sum and numeric questions, with skip logic and quotas.
- 7
A 2.4 GPA, above 88 of 148
That is against the other form and survey tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Your call
A form at its plainest is questions, a button and a table of answers.
Sawtooth Software at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, Windows
- Made by
- Sawtooth Software
- Category
- Forms & Surveys
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for conjoint and MaxDiff studies
Sawtooth Software runs conjoint and MaxDiff studies, with a free plan up to 50 respondents a survey. Paid plans are quote-only and annual, and the top tier is a Windows program.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Only the free plan has a published price; paid plans are by quote, so value sits at C. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free Discover plan: unlimited surveys and questions, conjoint and MaxDiff, up to 50 respondents per survey. |
| Features | B | Choice-based conjoint, MaxDiff, standard questions, analysis, AI open-end help and a respondent panel. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in this narrower job. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. Conjoint design has a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web plus a Windows program (Lighthouse Studio), with two integrations 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 Sawtooth Software is for
- Fits if you need conjoint or MaxDiff, not a general survey tool
- Works for students and small projects under 50 respondents
Who it is not for
- Tight if you run real studies, as the free plan stops at 50 respondents per survey
- Skip it if you want a price list, since Professional and Premier are quote-only
- Skip it if you want monthly billing, as only annual subscriptions are sold
- Watch out: Lighthouse Studio, the Premier tool, is a Windows-installed program
Good to know
Good for
- Market researchers running conjoint or MaxDiff studies
- Teams that want to pay per subscription rather than per respondent
- Researchers who need advanced choice modeling beyond basic surveys
Worth knowing
- Only the free plan has a published price; Professional and Premier are sold by quote.
- Only annual subscriptions are sold; monthly payment is not offered.
- The free plan stops at 50 respondents per survey.
- Lighthouse Studio (Premier) is a Windows-installed application.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
3
plans to choose from
Sawtooth Software has a free plan.
Only the free plan has a published price; paid plans are by quote, so value sits at C.
Free
$0
Discover with up to 50 respondents per survey, unlimited surveys and questions, and choice-based conjoint and MaxDiff.
Professional
Custom
Discover with unlimited respondents per survey. Price is by quote; annual subscriptions only.
Premier
Custom
Lighthouse Studio for Windows with advanced conjoint and MaxDiff and more customization. Price is by quote.
The free plan
Free plan on Discover: unlimited surveys and questions, choice-based conjoint and MaxDiff, up to 50 respondents per survey.
Read from sawtoothsoftware.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
Academic pricing for students and educators
Sawtooth lists discounts for students or educators using the software for non-commercial use.
Stated on sawtoothsoftware.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and Windows
Survey software for conjoint and MaxDiff market research. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, surveys, reports.
Choice-based conjoint, MaxDiff, standard questions, analysis, AI open-end help and a respondent panel.
- Choice-based conjoint
- Design and field conjoint studies to see which features and prices people pick. Advanced conjoint types are in the Premier plan.
- MaxDiff (best-worst scaling)
- Respondents pick best and worst from small sets of items. Up to 120 items per exercise on Discover and up to 2,000 on Lighthouse Studio.
- Standard survey question types
- Multiple choice, grids, open-ends, ranking, constant sum and numeric questions, with skip logic and quotas.
- Built-in analysis
- Real-time reports, crosstabs, key drivers and cluster analysis, with export to SPSS and Excel.
- AI follow-up and open-end analysis
- Smart follow-up questions and open-end analysis are listed in the plan comparison as AI features.
- Respondent panel
- Sawtooth says its panel service reaches over 200 million verified respondents worldwide.
Where it runs
- Web
- Windows
What it works with
- SPSS
- Excel
Sawtooth Software is made by Sawtooth Software.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
88/148
Other form and survey tools it is graded above
Sawtooth Software's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 88 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on features (B, above 96 of 148) and worst on ease of use (C, above 7).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 149 form and survey tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Sawtooth Software’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 35 of 148
- CFree plan and trialAbove 32 of 148
- BFeaturesAbove 96 of 148
- CEase of useAbove 7 of 148
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 46 of 148
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.
Your call
A form at its plainest is questions, a button and a table of answers.
You could make the core of Sawtooth Software for yourself: surveys and reports. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call.
What you could make
- Surveys and reports: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Sawtooth Software’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
Conjointly, Qualtrics, Alchemer, QuestionPro and Forsta
The 5 tools Sawtooth Software is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
Conjointly
Free plan · from $2,895/yr
Survey platform with built-in conjoint, MaxDiff and pricing tests.
- Only Sawtooth Software lists a Windows app.
- Conjointly also covers templates.
- 2.2GPA
Qualtrics
Free plan · from $420/mo
Survey and experience research platform with a free account.
- Only Sawtooth Software lists a Windows app.
- Qualtrics also covers forms and dashboards.
- 2.4GPA
Alchemer
Free plan · from $315/yr
Survey platform with advanced logic and market research questions.
- Only Sawtooth Software lists a Windows app.
- Alchemer also covers workflow automation.
- 2.4GPA
QuestionPro
Free plan · from $99/mo
Survey and market research platform with a free plan.
- Only Sawtooth Software lists a Windows app.
- Only QuestionPro lists iOS and Android apps.
- QuestionPro also covers templates.
- 2.0GPA
Forsta
Paid
Enterprise research and experience platform for surveys.
- Sawtooth Software has a free plan. Forsta does not.
- Only Sawtooth Software lists a Windows app.
- Forsta also covers forms and dashboards.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
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 Sawtooth Software free?
Sawtooth Software has a free plan. Free plan on Discover: unlimited surveys and questions, choice-based conjoint and MaxDiff, up to 50 respondents per survey.
How much does Sawtooth Software cost?
Sawtooth Software lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Sawtooth Software work on?
Sawtooth Software is available on Web and Windows.
Does Sawtooth Software offer any discounts?
Sawtooth Software publicly lists the following: Academic pricing for students and educators.
Does Sawtooth Software have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Sawtooth Software is listed for Web and Windows.
Does Sawtooth Software have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Sawtooth Software is listed for Web and Windows.
Is Sawtooth Software open source?
Sawtooth Software is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does Sawtooth Software integrate with?
Sawtooth Software's listing names SPSS and Excel. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Sawtooth Software have a student discount?
Academic pricing for students and educators. Sawtooth lists discounts for students or educators using the software for non-commercial use.
Who makes Sawtooth Software?
Sawtooth Software is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Sawtooth Software?
The closest alternatives to Sawtooth Software in our directory are Conjointly, Qualtrics, Alchemer, QuestionPro and Forsta.
How does Sawtooth Software compare with other form and survey tools?
Sawtooth Software's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 88 of the 148 other form and survey tools we grade, and level with 27.
Could I make my own version of Sawtooth Software?
A form at its plainest is questions, a button and a table of answers. You could make the core of Sawtooth Software for yourself: surveys and reports.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Sawtooth Software’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 Sawtooth Software'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 Sawtooth Software. Prices change, so check sawtoothsoftware.com 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
- Sawtooth Software, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/sawtooth-software
- 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, "Sawtooth Software: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/sawtooth-software
Know someone choosing between form and survey tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/sawtooth-software/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- 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 Sawtooth Software’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. Sawtooth Software is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Sawtooth Software. Prices and plans change: check sawtoothsoftware.com before you buy.