Geocadra vs Survey123
Form-based collection without the Esri ecosystem lock-in
TL;DR
Choose Geocadra if you want Survey123-style forms without needing an ArcGIS Online subscription. Choose Survey123 if you're already in the Esri ecosystem and need deep ArcGIS integration.
Survey123 is great for Esri shops—but requiring an ArcGIS Online subscription just to collect form data is overkill for many teams. Geocadra offers similar form capabilities with simpler pricing, no ecosystem dependency, and export to any format you need.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Geocadra | Survey123 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-client management | ||
| Unlimited users | ||
| GPS mapping | ||
| Custom forms | ||
| Photo attachments | ||
| Offline mode | ||
| Data export | Limited | |
| Works standalone | ||
| No GIS expertise needed | ||
| GDPR compliant | ||
| EU data hosting | Optional |
Why Teams Switch to Geocadra
Works Independently
Survey123 is fundamentally dependent on ArcGIS Online—it won't function without an active subscription. Even if you only need simple form collection, you're paying for the entire ArcGIS platform. This creates a minimum cost floor that doesn't scale down for simpler needs. Geocadra is a complete, self-contained solution. Sign up and start collecting data immediately—no other subscriptions, no ecosystem dependencies, no minimum platform investment. If form-based field collection is your primary need, you shouldn't have to buy an enterprise GIS platform to get it.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Esri licensing is notoriously complex. Survey123 requires at minimum a Creator license for the form author (€500+/year) plus Field Worker or Viewer licenses for data collectors. Understanding what license tier you need, what capabilities each includes, and how costs scale with users requires studying documentation or lengthy sales conversations. Geocadra has simple per-seat pricing starting at €49/seat/month, with client viewers included free. No license tiers to navigate, no surprise costs when you need a feature. Save 20% with annual billing. Your invoice is predictable every single month.
Built-In Multi-Client Management
Survey123 inherits ArcGIS Online's organizational structure, which wasn't designed for multi-client contractors. Managing separate client projects typically means separate ArcGIS organizations (separate subscriptions) or complex folder/group permissions that blur data separation. Neither approach is elegant. Geocadra was built specifically for contractors who serve multiple clients. Each client gets a separate workspace with complete data isolation, custom branding options, and granular permissions. Switch between clients with a click while maintaining professional separation.
Export to Any Format
Survey123 data lives in ArcGIS Online feature services. Getting it out to non-Esri systems—a client's database, your accounting software, a different GIS platform—requires export steps and sometimes format conversions. The ecosystem wants to keep you inside. Geocadra exports to CSV, Excel, GeoJSON, Shapefile, and GeoPackage with a single click. Your data is yours—take it wherever you need it. No vendor lock-in, no export friction.
Common Frustrations
Based on user reviews and community feedback
Requires ArcGIS Online subscription
Can't use Survey123 without paying for ArcGIS Online—even for simple form collection. The minimum entry cost is €500+/year before your first form is created.
Complex licensing model
Creator, Editor, Field Worker, Viewer—understanding which license type you need for each team member requires careful study. Get it wrong and you either overpay or hit capability walls.
Best exports stay in Esri ecosystem
Getting data out to non-Esri systems requires extra steps. The platform is optimized to keep data inside ArcGIS, not flow freely to other tools.
Tied to ArcGIS Online availability
If your ArcGIS Online subscription lapses or has issues, Survey123 stops working entirely. Your data collection depends on maintaining your Esri relationship.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Geocadra if you...
- Don't want to pay for ArcGIS Online just for forms
- Need to manage multiple clients in one platform
- Want to export data to any format, not just Esri
- Prefer simple, predictable pricing
Choose Survey123 if you...
- Already have ArcGIS Online subscription
- Need deep integration with ArcGIS web maps
- Use advanced XLSForm features extensively
Pricing Comparison
Survey123 requires an ArcGIS Online subscription. Here's how costs compare.
Geocadra
From €49/seat/month
- Free viewers included
- 20% annual discount
- All features included
Survey123
€500+/user/year
- ArcGIS Online subscription required
- Per-user named licenses
- Different license tiers for different capabilities
Switching is Easy
Transitioning from Survey123 to Geocadra is straightforward. Recreate your forms in Geocadra's visual form builder—most structures translate directly including text fields, dropdowns, checkboxes, photo capture, and conditional visibility. Export your existing Survey123 data as CSV or GeoJSON from ArcGIS Online and import into Geocadra. Most teams recreate their forms and migrate data within a few days. We provide free migration support to help translate your form structures and import historical data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Geocadra create forms like Survey123?
Yes—Geocadra supports custom forms with text fields, numbers, dropdowns, checkboxes, radio buttons, date pickers, photo capture, GPS location, conditional logic (show/hide fields based on responses), required field validation, and repeating sections. Most Survey123 forms can be recreated in Geocadra's visual form builder within minutes to hours, depending on complexity.
Does Geocadra support XLSForm?
Geocadra uses a visual form builder rather than XLSForm spreadsheets. For most users, this is faster and more intuitive—drag and drop fields, configure options visually, see changes in real-time. Power users who've invested heavily in complex XLSForm expressions may need to adapt their approach. Contact us with your specific form requirements for an honest assessment of what translates directly versus what needs adaptation.
Does Geocadra work offline?
Yes. Full offline capability with automatic sync when connectivity returns. Unlike Survey123, there's no need to configure offline settings or worry about feature service configurations. Offline mode just works out of the box.
Can Geocadra do form calculations like Survey123?
Geocadra supports basic calculated fields and conditional logic. For extremely complex calculations that Survey123 handles via XLSForm expressions (pulldata functions, advanced math, complex cascading selections), some features may need alternative approaches. Most inspection and data collection forms don't require this level of complexity.
How hard is it to switch from Survey123?
The main effort is rebuilding your forms in Geocadra's visual builder—which is often faster than the original XLSForm creation. Export your existing data from ArcGIS Online and import into Geocadra. Most teams complete the transition within a week. We provide free migration support to help with form recreation and data import.
Also Comparing?
Ready to upgrade from Survey123?
Get in touch—no commitment required. See how Geocadra can streamline your field data collection.