How to Collect Unbiased Feedback [Guide + Top 10 Anonymous Feedback Tools]

“The best solicited feedback is confidential feedback. It’s good because nobody gets embarrassed or defensive.“ – Marshall Goldsmith

Honest feedback is a cornerstone of growth – be it for businesses or individuals. Where voicing the truth may feel uncomfortable or can have unwanted consequences, anonymous surveys provide a safe haven. They encourage candid responses and help you uncover issues and opportunities you might never have seen coming.

But what tools are the best for anonymous data collection? And more importantly, how do you ensure anonymity while still gathering the valuable data you need? This guide will answer it all.

But first, let’s see in a video how to collect feedback using surveys.

Top 10 Anonymous Feedback Tools to Consider in 2023

Let’s look at these top 10 anonymous feedback tools you can leverage to collect authentic insights for your business.

1. Qualaroo

If you need in-app anonymous feedback, Qualaroo is the tool for you. It’s the best choice for collecting real-time insights without compromising user anonymity. Qualaroo collects responses anonymously by default.

Its IBM Watson-powered sentiment analytics allows you to analyze even open-ended survey responses to extract customer sentiments and organize the information categorically.

Qualaroo’s unobtrusive, in-app surveys allow you to gather feedback directly from users as they interact with your app. As a result, you get contextually relevant responses without disrupting the user experience.

Its advanced targeting capability is one of the best I have seen. It enables you to reach the right users at the right time, greatly enhancing the quality of feedback.

Choose for: Intuitive reporting, pop-up surveys, advanced targeting, anonymous surveys  

Best for: Small to large businesses  

Integrations: Mailchimp, HubSpot, Zapier, Salesforce, and more  

Features:

• Quick and easy setup process for collecting feedback.
• Lets you design customized surveys for anonymous feedback.
• Pre-designed templates for anonymous surveys such as NPS, CSAT, CES, UES, and more.
• Real-time NPS dashboard and ability to track satisfaction metrics.
• Variety of question types is available, including open-ended, closed-ended, dichotomous, Likert, MCQ, etc.
• Supports branching logic to improve feedback relevancy and data quality.
• Scheduling feature for surveys to appear at a specific time or random intervals.

Pros:

• Suitable for quick feedback with Nudge™ pop-up surveys
• Different survey types and customizable features make user research easier
• A non-intrusive way to check customer pulse
• Ability to embed surveys in design templates for testing and feedback collection

Cons:

• Reporting dashboard view could be improved
• Reporting could be more comprehensive

Price: Starts from $69/month (billed annually)

G2 Review: 4.4/5

Customer Review:

“Qualaroo has everything we were looking for in a survey tool. A no-code builder, AI-based sentiment analysis engine, text analytics engine, and NPS chart. It has a fully-fledged survey responses dashboard to study each response and act on it.”

2. Survicate – Best for simple feedback surveys

Source: Survicate

I was looking for a simple tool that would let me conduct anonymous surveys without too much hassle, and Survicate fit the bill pretty perfectly.

Ideal for businesses that need quick and straightforward feedback collection, its user-friendly interface is incredibly easy to navigate and allows users to design and launch surveys in no time.

Survicate also offers a variety of question types and customizable templates that helped me gather valuable insights quite easily.

Another noteworthy feature is its real-time feedback collection – it can be a game-changer if you need to analyze responses instantly and make timely decisions.

What you’ll like:

• The drag-and-drop builder makes survey creation quick and effortless.
• A wide range of pre-made, customizable templates suited for various feedback needs.
• Instant response collection and analysis for timely insights.
• Integrates smoothly with tools like Slack, HubSpot, and Intercom, streamlining the workflow.

What you may not like:

• Limited advanced question types and logic features.
• Difficulty in testing and changing surveys.

Pricing: Starts at $53/month. 3 team seats.

3. WorkTango – Best for anonymous employee feedback

Source: WorkTango

After trying several tools for gathering employee feedback, I discovered WorkTango, which has proven to be a game-changer for understanding my team’s true sentiments without compromising their anonymity.

WorkTango ensures that employee feedback is always meaningful and actionable using standard templates like ‘Start, Stop, Continue’ and ‘Strengths and Opportunities.’

As a plus, employees also get coaching and mentoring support, open communication, collaboration, and innovation.

The tool creates a safe space for employees to share their honest opinions and experiences. Its user-friendly interface and advanced analytics have made collecting and analyzing feedback easier than ever.

If you’re looking to genuinely understand your employees and foster a more open and responsive workplace, WorkTango is the tool to use.

What you’ll like:

• Confidential employee pulse surveys to gauge employee sentiment regularly.
• A comprehensive dashboard that visualizes key metrics and trends in employee feedback.
• Integrated employee recognition programs to boost employee morale and engagement.
• Custom reporting with detailed reports tailored to specific departments, teams, or issues for targeted action.

What you may not like:

• The product does not venture into other HR functions like performance management or HRIS
• The reports are not intuitive or customizable

Pricing: Minimum annual contract agreement of $8,000

4. Assembly – Best for instant employee feedback analysis

Source: Assembly

Assembly is another stellar anonymous employee feedback tool I came across during my search. Based on what my peers told me and the online reviews I read, I must say I was impressed.

Assembly stands out with its ability to analyze employee responses in real-time. The instant feedback feature ensures that users can quickly identify and address issues, boosting overall team morale and productivity.

This free online anonymous feedback tool also helps you easily share forms with individuals or a larger audience, such as employees or dedicated departments, by adjusting the link access.

What you’ll like:

• Enables businesses to quickly scan charts with real-time response data or download the data to a CSV file.
• Create customizable forms and surveys as per your branding.
• Easy to rearrange and reorder questions.
• Optional anonymous response settings & secure data storage plus protection.

What you may not like:

• The interface can be glitchy at times.
• Can include more features in the basic plan.

Pricing: Starts at $2/member/month.

5. Guusto – Best for employee recognition

Source: Guusto

Employee recognition is an important part of any organization’s strategy to maintain workplace engagement. I was looking for a tool to help me achieve this and found Guusto a good option.

This platform has transformed how I recognize and reward my team, making the process meaningful and impactful. This anonymous feedback tool allows for honest and constructive feedback to be shared safely and securely.

Your team members can provide feedback to colleagues, managers, or leaders without fearing backlash or negative consequences. 

Guusto provides a seamless way to acknowledge employee efforts through digital gift cards and rewards. It allows for instant recognition, ensuring that appreciation is timely and relevant.

The tool is incredibly easy to use, with features that help track and manage recognition programs efficiently.

What you’ll like:

• Comes with survey templates to help you get started quickly.
• Easy to customize surveys as per your company branding.
• Analyzes feedback data in real-time with easy-to-understand visual reports.
• Supports data privacy and protection with top-level security protocols.

What you may not like:

• Limited integrations; depending on your existing systems, integrating Guusto with other HR tools might require additional effort.

Incentive options could be expanded more.

Pricing: Free plan with limited features. Paid plan starts at $40/month.

6. Zonka Feedback – Best for omnichannel anonymous feedback

Source: Zonka Feedback

When it comes to gathering omnichannel anonymous feedback, Zonka Feedback truly excels.

Zonka Feedback’s strength lies in its ability to capture feedback from multiple touchpoints—be it email, SMS, web, or mobile. This omnichannel approach ensures you get a holistic understanding of your audience’s experiences.

The tool provides the flexibility to create tailored experiences through customizable online feedback survey templates and answer piping. It is also user-friendly and offers advanced features to analyze and act on the feedback efficiently.

What you’ll like:

• Offline surveys to collect feedback in offline mode
• Robust features, including a WYSIWYG survey builder, templates, survey logic, and answer piping
• Kiosk mode to collect feedback from customers or attendees at events and on-site
• You can collect responses anonymously and select which data to collect

What you may not like:

• The documentation leaves users wanting in terms of topic coverage
• Allows you to modify and customize surveys within a limit

Pricing: Starts at $49/month.

7. Typeform – Best for engaging feedback surveys

Source: Typeform

Boring surveys are the bane of collecting meaningful data. If you want a tool that lets you ask questions in an engaging, conversational format, Typeform is the tool for you.

It has helped me collect feedback without making it monotonous. Result? My response rate skyrocketed. 

The surveys in this tool are far from typical static questionnaires. Instead, they offer interactive engagement that makes the experience more dynamic and enjoyable. You can also incorporate multimedia elements like images, GIFs, and videos to enhance the survey’s appeal.

Plus, Typeform provides instant feedback, allowing you to analyze its performance instantly and tweak the questions in your next campaign.

What you’ll like:

• AI-powered surveys that require minimal inputs and manual handling.
• Built-in analytics dashboard and visually appealing reports for convenient data analysis.
• Mobile-friendly platform with advanced security measures and automation capabilities for a seamless experience.
• Supports multiple ways of sharing surveys, whether by email, landing page, or a survey link to anyone interested.

What you may not like:

• Designing and editing forms is currently restricted to just desktop browsers.
• The one-question-at-a-time setup can be a limiting factor when cluster questions are required.

Pricing: Paid plans start at $25/month.

8. JotForm – Best for conditional logic surveys

Source: JotForm

I first heard about JotForm while attending a digital marketing conference. Among various tools showcased, JotForm stood out due to its impressive conditional logic capabilities.

What impressed me the most was JotForm’s ability to create dynamic surveys that adapt based on respondents’ answers. This conditional logic feature ensures that each participant has a personalized experience, answering questions relevant to them.

This is particularly good for anonymous surveys because it allows you to ask sensitive questions without making respondents uncomfortable. The flexibility to hide or show questions based on previous answers ensures that participants only see questions pertinent to their experiences.

This fosters a sense of trust and encourages honesty, which is crucial for gathering genuine feedback.

What you’ll like:

• Versatile, tailored survey creation with a drag-and-drop interface, extensive question types, and logical conditions.
• Mobile-friendly platform with advanced security measures and automation capabilities.
• Surveys can be customized using logos, fonts, and colors to match your brand identity.
• SSL data security to weed out spam responses or data leakage.

What you won’t like:

• The tool has a steep learning curve
• The free plan has submission and data export limits.
• Pricing: Starts at $34/month. Free version available with limited features.

9. Mopinion – Best for anonymous widget surveys

Source: AlternativeTo

Mopinion’s unique focus on anonymous widget surveys caught my attention as I sought an anonymous feedback platform that could seamlessly integrate into client websites and apps.

What impressed me most is its ability to capture real-time feedback through customizable widgets that can be placed anywhere on your site or app. These widgets are discreet yet highly effective in collecting valuable anonymous feedback.

Mopinion’s platform is versatile, allowing you to create widgets that can trigger based on user behavior, such as time spent on a page or specific actions taken. This ensures you gather feedback at the most relevant moments, providing deeper insights into user experiences and pain points.

What you’ll like:

• It is relatively simple to implement on a website
• The ability to collect feedback from multiple platforms with custom styling
• Full control over the display and implementation of feedback modules
• Text analytics to extract meaning out of written communications
• Drag-and-drop functionality for easy configuration

What you may not like

• Auto translation would be a welcome addition
• The tool is unable to duplicate forms easily

Pricing

Starts from $259/month.

10. Google Forms – Best for free & easy surveys

Source: Technology Evaluation Center

Google Forms came to my rescue when I needed a free and easy tool for collecting mass feedback. I discovered it while looking for a straightforward solution that didn’t require a steep learning curve or a hefty budget.

Google Forms stands out as the best choice for those who need to create surveys quickly and efficiently without any cost.

The tool is provided with all Google accounts and integrates readily with the Google ecosystem. Creating a survey is as easy as dragging and dropping questions into place. You get various question types, from multiple-choice to short answer, making it versatile enough for different survey needs.

Google Forms also allows for seamless collaboration. You can share your survey with colleagues and work on it together in real-time, which is perfect for team projects.

Plus, the responses are automatically collected in Google Sheets, providing instant access to data and basic analysis tools.

What you’ll like:

• Templates and prebuilt form designs for various purposes, such as feedback, registration, quizzes, orders, and more.
• Different question formats, such as multiple choice, short answer, checkboxes, linear scale, date, time, etc.
• You can customize your forms by adding images, videos, logos, colors, and fonts.
• Reports and analytics are automatically saved and displayed in Google Sheets as charts, graphs, and data summaries.

What you may not like:

• You will not be able to use the forms offline.
• Limited design and customization options.

Pricing: Free for anyone with a Google account.

Everything You Need To Know About Anonymous Feedback Tools: A Buyer’s Guide

What Is an Anonymous Feedback Tool?

An anonymous feedback tool is a platform that lets people share their honest opinions without revealing who they are. Imagine being able to tell your boss or a company exactly what you think without worrying about any backlash – that’s the power of anonymity.

Anonymous surveys are fantastic for encouraging people to be completely honest. Whether it’s employees giving feedback on their work environment, customers sharing their experiences, or students evaluating their courses, anonymity helps ensure the data collection process is genuine and unfiltered.

Organizations use anonymous feedback tools to get real insights into what’s working and what’s not. By keeping responses confidential, these tools help uncover issues and opportunities that might not surface otherwise. They usually have features like secure data handling and customizable survey templates to fit different needs.

Why Does Anonymous Feedback Matter to Businesses?

Many organizations struggle to get candid feedback from their employees and customers, which can significantly hinder their ability to make the necessary improvements. Anonymous feedback can help organizations overcome this and other challenges.

Here are some reasons why anonymous feedback matters:

1. Encourages Honesty

When people give feedback without revealing their identity, they are likelier to be honest and provide valuable information that they might not disclose otherwise. 

For instance, if an employee is unhappy about working conditions or has a complaint about a particular process or person, they may not feel comfortable disclosing this information directly. 

With anonymous feedback, they feel safe while sharing such feedback without the fear of any repercussions.

2. Helps in Identifying Trends and Patterns

Anonymous feedback helps reveal recurring themes or issues a company might not have been aware of. It successfully identifies problem areas that require improvement and helps the organization better to understand the needs of its customers or employees.

3. Boosts Employee Engagement

Anonymous feedback allows employees to voice their opinions, making them feel valued and heard. It gives employees the confidence to participate in decision-making and improves their working environment, boosting employee engagement and satisfaction.

Who Uses Anonymous Feedback Tools?

A wide range of people and organizations use anonymous feedback tools to obtain more truthful and insightful feedback.

For example,

1. Businesses: Companies use them to gather honest feedback from employees and customers. This helps in improving workplace culture, products, and services.

2. Educational Institutions: Schools and universities use them to get candid feedback from students about courses, teaching methods, and campus facilities.

3. Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and clinics use anonymous feedback to understand patient experiences and improve care quality.

4. Nonprofits: These organizations use feedback tools to get genuine input from volunteers and beneficiaries about their programs and services.

5. Government Agencies: Public sector organizations use them to collect feedback from citizens on various services and policies.

6. Event Organizers: They use these tools to gather honest feedback from attendees to improve future events.

Top 5 Ways to Collect Anonymous Feedback From Your Employees Online

1. Anonymous Online Surveys

Create online surveys where employees can share their thoughts without attaching their names. Ensure you choose a platform that guarantees anonymity so employees feel safe and secure in providing their honest opinions. Use a mix of open-ended and multiple-choice questions to get a comprehensive understanding of their experiences.

2. Digital Suggestion Boxes

Set up a digital suggestion box on your company’s intranet or internal communication platform. Employees can submit ideas, concerns, or feedback anytime. This method is great for ongoing feedback and can be monitored regularly to address issues promptly.

3. Anonymous Chatbots

Implement a chatbot or communication tool on your internal website. This chatbot can prompt employees for feedback regularly or after specific events, like project completions or meetings. Chatbots’ anonymity encourages employees to be candid and helps gather real-time insights.

4. Email Feedback Systems

Create an anonymous email system where employees can send feedback without revealing their identities. This can be as simple as setting up a dedicated email address that strips out identifying information before the feedback is forwarded to management. It’s an effective way for employees to share detailed thoughts and suggestions.

5. Regular Feedback Sessions

Schedule regular feedback sessions where employees can submit their thoughts anonymously before or during the meeting. Use anonymous submission tools to collect feedback on various topics, from workplace culture to project management.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Collecting Anonymous Feedback

The key to getting the most out of your anonymous feedback surveys is to minimize errors as much as possible. Here are the common pitfalls to avoid when you collecting anonymous feedback from participants:

1. Lack of Anonymity Assurance: Don’t forget to assure employees that their feedback is truly anonymous. Make sure their privacy is protected to build trust and encourage honesty.

2. Complicated Feedback Process: Avoid making the feedback process too complex or time-consuming. Keep it simple and user-friendly to encourage more participation.

3. Ignoring Feedback: What use is feedback if you don’t utilize it to improve your offerings? Address the feedback and communicate the steps you’re taking to make improvements to show employees their input is valued.

4. Infrequent Feedback Requests: Only seeking feedback occasionally can miss out on ongoing issues or trends. Regular feedback collection helps to stay updated on employees’ concerns and sentiments.

5. Biased Questions: Avoid designing surveys with leading or biased questions. Use neutral, open-ended questions to get genuine insights.

6. Poor Communication About the Process: Don’t forget to clearly explain the purpose and process of collecting anonymous feedback. Good communication will result in higher engagement.

7. Overlooking Positive Feedback: Focusing solely on negative feedback and ignoring positive comments can create an unbalanced view. Recognize and celebrate the positive aspects highlighted by your survey takers.

8. Inadequate Follow-Up: After collecting feedback, make sure to reach out to the survey respondents. Share the actions taken based on their feedback to build trust and show responsiveness.

9. Technical Glitches: Take care of the technical aspects of your surveys. Ensure the platform used is reliable. Technical issues can frustrate participants and lead to incomplete feedback.

10. Not Segmenting Feedback: Don’t treat feedback as a one-size-fits-all solution. Segment feedback to understand different perspectives and address specific departmental or role-based issues accordingly.

Top 6 Features to Look for When Selecting Anonymous Feedback Tools

Here are a few points to remember while choosing anonymous feedback software for your organization to make decision-making effective and easy.

• Ease of Use

The anonymous feedback survey platform should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it simple for employees and users to access and complete the questionnaire.

• Customization

It must allow many customization options to personalize the survey to suit the organization’s or team’s specific needs.

• Diverse Question and Survey Types

An online survey tool should allow various question types (open-ended, multiple-choice, rating scales, etc.) and surveys (NPS, CSAT, CES, etc.) to capture different types of feedback to help you collect diverse insights.

• Reporting and Analysis Features

An anonymous feedback tool must have features such as advanced reporting and robust analysis. This way, you can analyze feedback and gather insights to drive decision-making.

• Integration Capabilities

Anonymous feedback tools should integrate with other productivity tools commonly used by businesses (Slack, Google Suite, etc.), making it easier for respondents to access and complete the survey.

• Security

The anonymous feedback tools should prioritize employee responses’ confidentiality and data security. Published surveys must also comply with data protection and privacy policies.

7 Benefits of Anonymous Feedback Tools

Using anonymous feedback tools effectively can lead to more accurate insights, better decision-making, and a stronger, more trusting relationship with both employees and customers. Here are its top benefits:

1. Honest and Candid Responses: Anonymous feedback tools encourage employees and customers to share their true thoughts and opinions without fear of repercussions, leading to more genuine and honest feedback.

2. Increased Participation: People are more likely to participate in surveys and feedback sessions when they know their responses are anonymous, resulting in higher response rates and more comprehensive data.

3. Identification of Hidden Issues: Anonymous feedback can uncover problems and concerns that might not surface in a non-anonymous setting, allowing organizations to address issues they were previously unaware of.

4. Enhanced Trust and Morale: Providing a platform for anonymous feedback shows that an organization values its employees and customers’ opinions, fostering a culture of trust and respect.

5. Actionable Insights: The honest feedback collected can be used to make informed decisions and implement changes that truly reflect the needs and desires of employees and customers.

6. Improved Employee Engagement: When employees feel their feedback is taken seriously and leads to positive changes, their engagement and satisfaction levels increase, contributing to a more positive work environment.

7. Assured Confidentiality: Anonymous tools ensure that personal information is protected, which can be crucial in sensitive situations or industries where confidentiality is paramount.

Collect Unbiased, Authentic Feedback in Minutes

With this, we conclude our guide and the list of the best anonymous feedback tools you can choose from. Irrespective of how well you think your employee recognition or other processes are, collecting anonymous feedback opens doors to many authentic insights you might not get otherwise.

Be it for employee performance tracking, soliciting unbiased customer feedback on specific projects, or tracking employee experience, having an incredible anonymous feedback tool makes the job easy.

When choosing an anonymous feedback tool, keep the above points and your business requirements in mind. This will help you quickly gain rich insights.

Frequently Asked Questions