Tally vs LimeSurvey
Both Tally and LimeSurvey are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the surveys & forms space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Tally
EU- Headquarters
- Brussels, BE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
LimeSurvey
EU- Headquarters
- Hamburg, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Tally offers a free tier, while limeSurvey offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- LimeSurvey is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Tally is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Tally hosts data in EU, while LimeSurvey hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- LimeSurvey was founded in 2003, giving it a 17-year head start over Tally (founded 2020). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Tally offers Unlimited forms and Conditional logic, while LimeSurvey provides Survey builder and 30+ question types. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tally | LimeSurvey |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Tally | LimeSurvey |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Brussels, BE | Hamburg, DE |
| Data Centers | EU | DE |
| Unlimited forms | ||
| Conditional logic | ||
| File uploads | ||
| Payment collection | ||
| Calculations | ||
| Notion-like editor | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Custom branding | ||
| Hidden fields | ||
| Survey builder | ||
| 30+ question types | ||
| Branching logic | ||
| Multi-language | ||
| Quotas | ||
| Token management | ||
| Export (CSV/SPSS/R) | ||
| GDPR tools | ||
| Self-hosting |
Pricing Comparison
Tally
Freefreemium
LimeSurvey
Freefree (self-hosted) / cloud plans
Compliance Comparison
Tally
GDPRDPA
LimeSurvey
GDPRDPA
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Categories
How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose LimeSurvey
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Tally
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose LimeSurvey
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Tally
Tally vs LimeSurvey — FAQ
What is the main difference between Tally and LimeSurvey?
Both Tally and LimeSurvey are European surveys & forms solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: LimeSurvey is open source while Tally is proprietary, and Tally uses freemium pricing while LimeSurvey uses free (self-hosted) / cloud plans. Tally is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, while LimeSurvey is based in Hamburg, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Tally or LimeSurvey?
Both Tally and LimeSurvey offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (freemium vs. free (self-hosted) / cloud plans), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Tally and LimeSurvey GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Tally and LimeSurvey are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.