ODK (OpenDataKit)
The standard for data collection.
Overview
OpenDataKit (ODK) is a free and open-source set of tools that helps organizations author, field, and manage mobile data collection solutions. It is the foundational technology upon which other tools like KoboToolbox are built. Using ODK involves setting up a server (like ODK Central) and using mobile apps (like ODK Collect) for data entry. It is highly powerful and customizable, but requires more technical expertise to set up and manage than hosted solutions. It is a go-to choice for organizations that require full control over their data and infrastructure.
✨ Key Features
- Powerful form authoring (XLSForm standard)
- Offline data collection on Android
- Self-hostable server for data aggregation
- High level of customization and extensibility
- Strong data security and user control
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Completely open-source and community-driven
- Maximum control and customization
- Underlying standard for many other platforms
- No vendor lock-in
Unique Value: Provides a free, open-source, and incredibly powerful toolkit for mobile data collection, offering complete control over data and infrastructure to organizations with the technical capacity to manage it.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Has been the standard for mobile data collection in global health and development for over a decade.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Users who want an easy, out-of-the-box solution without any setup
- Simple web-based surveys
🏆 Alternatives
Offers more power and control than hosted solutions like KoboToolbox, but requires significantly more technical effort to set up and maintain.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
🔒 Compliance & Security
💰 Pricing
Free tier: The software is free and open source. Costs are associated with hosting the server.
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