Best Survey Platforms for Nonprofits

Jotform vs. Typeform vs. Google Forms

Finding the Right Fit for Mission-Driven Work

Nonprofits rely on good data and efficient tools to keep programs running smoothly — whether it’s collecting volunteer sign-ups, client feedback, or media release forms. But with so many survey and form platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your organization’s needs?

After testing Jotform, Typeform, and Google Forms, I found that each has something valuable to offer — but one clearly stands out as the most capable and nonprofit-friendly.

Typeform: Beautiful and Engaging

Typeform’s biggest strength is its design. Its single-card layout feels like a friendly conversation instead of a dry survey, which can make a real difference in engagement when reaching out to donors, volunteers, or program participants.
However, when it comes to back-end functionality, Typeform falls a bit short. Its conditional logic — the ability to change what questions appear based on someone’s previous answers — is less intuitive and less powerful than Jotform’s. For nonprofits that often serve different groups (clients, funders, volunteers, etc.) and need branching logic to tailor their forms, that limitation can become frustrating quickly.

Google Forms: Simple and Free

If your nonprofit needs a quick and easy way to gather basic information, Google Forms still gets the job done. It’s free, integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets, and is simple enough for anyone on your team to use.
That said, Google Forms starts to show its limits when you need more than just data collection. There’s no signature field, no real conditional logic, and no built-in way to send customized confirmation messages. For something like client intake, volunteer onboarding, or photo release collection, it simply doesn’t have the advanced tools nonprofits often need.

Jotform: The Nonprofit Powerhouse

Here’s where Jotform shines. While it may not have Typeform’s sleek design, it more than makes up for it with functionality, flexibility, and automation. Its conditional logic is robust and intuitive, letting you create responsive, personalized experiences for every audience — all without needing to know a line of code.

Jotform’s programmable auto-responses make it easy to send thank-you messages, donation receipts, or resource links the moment someone submits a form. For small teams juggling dozens of tasks, that kind of automation can be a huge time-saver.

And now, with Jotform’s new mobile signature feature, it’s even more powerful. This update allows users to collect legally binding e-signatures directly from a smartphone or tablet — a potential game changer for nonprofits.
No more printing and scanning photo/video release forms at events or community programs. Volunteers, clients, or participants can now sign media release forms on the spot, making the process seamless, professional, and paper-free.

Combine that with Jotform’s 50% nonprofit discount, and you’ve got an incredibly capable, affordable tool that scales with your organization.

The Bottom Line

Each platform has its place:

• Google Forms is great for simple, free data collection.

• Typeform offers the prettiest interface for quick, engaging surveys.

• But Jotform is the clear winner for nonprofits who need power, flexibility, automation, and mobile-friendly signatures that make real-world tasks easier.

If your organization wants to work smarter — not harder — Jotform is the superior choice.