According to the Voice of the Enterprise Report, over 25% of organizations rely on field data to make business decisions. Thankfully, field data collection is no longer confined to conventional methods such as paperwork, spreadsheets, or surveys.
Many nifty features, such as photo and video capture, location tagging, e-signatures, and offline capabilities empower organizations to collect data much more efficiently. The best field data collection apps and software enable you to do all this and much more.
Here are the top paid and free mobile data collection apps that will help your field workers collect data easily and ensure you get real-time information to make prompt decisions.
5 Best Field Data Collection Apps (Paid) At a Glance
Here are our rankings for the best field data collection apps based on their features and pricing:
Data Collection App | Best For | Free Trial | Paid Plan |
GoAudits | Overall | ✅ | $10/user/month |
Fulcrum | Geotagging | ✅ | $15/user/month |
FastField | Customization | ✅ | $25/user/month |
Fielda | Integrations | ✅ | $15/user/month |
QField | Unique Features | ✅ | €12/ month |
1. GoAudits: Best Mobile Field Data Collection App Overall
GoAudits field data collection app is a multi-purpose software used across industries to capture and analyze data. It allows you to overcome the challenges of pen-and-paper forms and manual reports, helping you digitize data in an accessible format.
You can leverage GoAudits to collect information from multiple locations and at the same time generate automatic reports, saving time and resources.
With a rating of 4.8 stars on Capterra, GoAudits is trusted by some of the biggest names across industries.
Features:
- Custom Forms: Create data collection forms from scratch using a drag-and-drop form builder or customize the existing forms from the GoAudits template library. Apply logic to questions, mark them mandatory/optional, add scores, etc.
- Mobile Data Collection App: Equip your field workers with mobile apps to access forms and record information.
- Offline Functionality: The mobile application supports offline data capture in remote locations with limited internet connectivity. The data gets synchronized once back in the connection.
- Comprehensive Data Capture: Allow field workers to collect all types of information – photos, audio, videos, etc., – using the GoAudits field data collection app.
- GPS Location Tagging: Capture the exact location of the place where the data is collected in real-time. This will also allow you to study data based on location.
- Automated Reporting: Field workers can generate comprehensive reports after collecting data. The report contains everything – forms, photos, signatures of personnel, scores (in case of audits), previous visit data, etc.
- Custom Workflows: Set workflows to define who needs to do what and set user permissions for who can access critical information.
- Monitoring Dashboard: Monitor what’s happening in the field in real-time. Get updates on ongoing visits, audits, and inspections. Track the status of the assigned corrective measures and set automated reminders for tasks.
- Analytics: An analytics dashboard to help you track overall scores of field performance, assess data collectors’ efficiency, identify trends and recurring issues, and make informed business decisions.
2. Fulcrum: Best Field Data Capture Software for Geotagging
The Fulcrum field data capture app is built using Esri, a research mapping service. This allows users to use the existing street, satellite, and terrain base maps. The app also supports custom maps and allows you to geotag photos, videos, and audio – both online and offline.
Features:
- All types of data collection – photos, videos, audio, scanned barcodes, etc.
- Integration and mapping services
- Geotags
3. FastField: Best Mobile Data Collection App for Customization
FastField data collection software offers customization through a form-builder for various types of questions and white-labeling the mobile data capture app. White labeling allows businesses to deploy their own forms apps with company logos and color schemes.
Features:
- Insights dashboard
- Offline data capture
- Image capture
4. Fielda: Best Data Collection Software for Integrations
Besides the regular features of mobile data-gathering software, Fielda offers solid integration with other applications. These include integration with IoT, billing systems, engineering systems, drones, AVL, and more.
Features:
- Workflow automation
- Geospatial data capture
- Activity management
5. QField: Best Data Gathering App With Unique Features
QField data collection and analysis software offers distinctive features such as map canvas, adjustable font size, plugins for snapping photos, geofaced geometry editing, and more. Most of these features make QField best suited for industries that heavily rely on environmental research and data.
Features:
- Custom maps
- Form setup
- Workflow customization
2 Best Free Data Collection Apps
Here are the two best data collection software that are available to users for free:
6. KoboToolbox Offline Data Collection App
KoboToolbox is one of the free, open-source mobile data collection platforms for collecting information in remote areas. It offers a user-friendly interface for creating complex surveys and forms. With features like offline data capture, GPS, and media capture, it’s suitable for various research and field projects.
However, its customization options might be limited compared to paid data collection solutions.
7. Google Forms
Google Forms are easy to use, integrate seamlessly with Google Workspace, and offer basic data analysis features. While suitable for simple data collection tasks, this real-time data collection software lacks advanced features like offline capabilities, complex logic, and robust data management tools.
Success Story: How FibreRise is Transforming Data Collection
FiberRise, a US telecommunication provider, encountered significant challenges managing quality checks across its expansive network. Paper and spreadsheet-based processes hindered efficiency, as data was scattered across multiple platforms and resulted in time-consuming data consolidation and analysis, impeding timely decision-making.
GoAudits data recording software transformed this process by centralizing data collection and providing real-time insights. Through its mobile app, field teams can now efficiently document issues, capture images, and access critical information directly in the field.
This streamlined workflow has markedly improved data accuracy, accelerated reporting, and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
The platform is very good, but the main reason that we are working with GoAudits is their team! They were always ready to answer our questions and made sure that we had everything we needed.
Stacy Steward, Program Director, FibreRise
What is a Field Data Collection App/Software?
A field data collection app/software is a digital tool that helps capture and record information directly in the field or on-site. It is a type of data collection software often employed in the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and environmental science industries.
With features like digital forms, offline capabilities, real-time data collection, analytics dashboard, etc., field data collection software help companies collect, store, and analyze data to optimize processes and improve business performance.
Benefits of Collecting Data Digitally Over Paper Forms
Some organizations gather data using a combination of paper forms and spreadsheets. This method isn’t secure and efficient and has some upfront costs.
Here are the benefits of using data gathering software for field data over paper forms:
- Data is Secure: Unlike paper forms, you have better control over digital data. You can decide how your data is collected, how it is stored, and who has access to it.
- Easier Data Monitoring: Instead of waiting for workers to complete data collection on the field, you can check the data at set frequencies through the dashboard.
- Accurate Data: There is no need to spend time crunching numbers into the system after collecting information, reducing the chances of error significantly.
- Facilitates Better Data Capture: Mobile field data collection apps have features like GPS, photos, audio/video, etc., that enrich the quality of data gathered.
What Makes a Great Field Data Collection Software?
An effective field data collection app is supposed to help users collect and transmit accurate data in real time easily. It should be functional even in remote areas with connectivity issues for an uninterrupted flow of information. Besides, the software should allow managers to view data to understand what’s happening in the field.
Field data collection software tools are used to capture information in different forms – questions and answers, photos, numeric outcomes, etc. Therefore, the software must offer customizable features.
Below are the features that make for great mobile data capture software.
- A form builder for you to build data collection forms from scratch and accommodates various types of questions.
- A mobile app compatible with Android and iOS devices for fieldworkers to collect data – both online and offline – and share it with the head office.
- The app should support visual data collection – photos, videos, and audio – for rich and precise data capture.
- Dashboards for management to review collected data and monitor ongoing field visits.
- Location capture to categorize and study data based on field sites.
- Option to set up custom workflows for team members to review collected data and take required corrective measures.
- Automated reporting for field workers to generate and share standardized reports with stakeholders.
- Analytics to study data, identify trends, and recurring issues and make informed business decisions.
Stuff to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Mobile Data Collection Software
Those were the features of a good mobile data collection app. However, that isn’t enough when shopping for a data capture and reporting tool. Besides features, you might want to look into the following while comparing multiple data collection software in the market:
Hidden Costs
Every software needs to be set up before being put into operation. Do a thorough research if the company charges extra for this.
Hidden costs may not necessarily be monetary. What if the software requires complex installation procedures? Your team might have to spend several hours in setup. Make sure the field inspection app of your choice offers good support, without additional charges. Also, confirm if you need to spend extra for training purposes.
All of these account for hidden costs. Even if they may seem small upfront, they can quickly add up.
Reviews
To understand the tool’s functionality and effectiveness, read reviews on credible review sites like Capterra, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, etc. This will also give you an idea about the quality of support provided by the mobile data collection software company.
Coding or No-Coding
No-code field data collection software offer a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality. This allows users to create complex data collection forms without writing a single line of code – ideal for companies with limited IT resources.
Code-based data collection solutions provide greater flexibility and customization but demand IT/coding expertise, suited for organizations with in-house development teams.
Training and Onboarding Modules
The company should offer training modules covering software overview, form creation, data collection, management, analysis, reporting, troubleshooting, and best practices.
A variety of delivery methods like online guides, tutorials, videos, and help centers cater to different learning styles. Ongoing support ensures users can maximize the software’s potential and address challenges efficiently.