Quick Overview
- 1#1: Mentimeter - Interactive presentation tool for real-time polls, quizzes, and audience engagement during live events.
- 2#2: Slido - Audience interaction platform featuring polls, Q&A, quizzes, and analytics for events and meetings.
- 3#3: Poll Everywhere - Real-time polling integrated with PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Teams for instant audience feedback.
- 4#4: Typeform - Conversational forms and polls with stunning designs and logic jumps for higher response rates.
- 5#5: SurveyMonkey - Comprehensive survey and polling platform with advanced analytics, templates, and integrations.
- 6#6: Google Forms - Free, simple tool for creating customizable polls, quizzes, and surveys with real-time results.
- 7#7: Microsoft Forms - Integrated polling and quizzing app for Microsoft 365 with branching logic and insights.
- 8#8: AhaSlides - Live interactive slides with polls, quizzes, word clouds, and gamification for presentations.
- 9#9: Doodle - Scheduling poll tool to coordinate group availability and find optimal meeting times effortlessly.
- 10#10: StrawPoll - Free, anonymous, and unlimited online polls for quick voting and decision-making.
Tools were ranked based on a balance of robust features, user-friendliness, analytical depth, and value, ensuring they meet the demands of both casual and professional use while maintaining high quality.
Comparison Table
Selecting the ideal polling software is key to boosting audience interaction, and this table compares top tools like Mentimeter, Slido, Poll Everywhere, Typeform, SurveyMonkey, and more. It outlines core features, pricing structures, and practical use cases to help readers find the best option for their needs—whether for classroom participation, virtual events, or customer feedback. With clear breakdowns, it simplifies navigating distinctions between platforms to make informed choices.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mentimeter Interactive presentation tool for real-time polls, quizzes, and audience engagement during live events. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Slido Audience interaction platform featuring polls, Q&A, quizzes, and analytics for events and meetings. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Poll Everywhere Real-time polling integrated with PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Teams for instant audience feedback. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Typeform Conversational forms and polls with stunning designs and logic jumps for higher response rates. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | SurveyMonkey Comprehensive survey and polling platform with advanced analytics, templates, and integrations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Google Forms Free, simple tool for creating customizable polls, quizzes, and surveys with real-time results. | other | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 7 | Microsoft Forms Integrated polling and quizzing app for Microsoft 365 with branching logic and insights. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 8 | AhaSlides Live interactive slides with polls, quizzes, word clouds, and gamification for presentations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Doodle Scheduling poll tool to coordinate group availability and find optimal meeting times effortlessly. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | StrawPoll Free, anonymous, and unlimited online polls for quick voting and decision-making. | other | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
Interactive presentation tool for real-time polls, quizzes, and audience engagement during live events.
Audience interaction platform featuring polls, Q&A, quizzes, and analytics for events and meetings.
Real-time polling integrated with PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Teams for instant audience feedback.
Conversational forms and polls with stunning designs and logic jumps for higher response rates.
Comprehensive survey and polling platform with advanced analytics, templates, and integrations.
Free, simple tool for creating customizable polls, quizzes, and surveys with real-time results.
Integrated polling and quizzing app for Microsoft 365 with branching logic and insights.
Live interactive slides with polls, quizzes, word clouds, and gamification for presentations.
Scheduling poll tool to coordinate group availability and find optimal meeting times effortlessly.
Free, anonymous, and unlimited online polls for quick voting and decision-making.
Mentimeter
specializedInteractive presentation tool for real-time polls, quizzes, and audience engagement during live events.
Seamless integration of 15+ interactive question types (e.g., word clouds, rankings) directly into live presentations for effortless audience engagement
Mentimeter is a leading interactive polling and presentation platform designed for real-time audience engagement during live sessions like lectures, meetings, and conferences. It offers a wide array of question types including multiple-choice polls, word clouds, rating scales, quizzes, and open-ended responses, all accessible via a simple QR code or link without requiring audience apps. The tool integrates seamlessly with PowerPoint and provides detailed analytics for post-session insights, making it perfect for boosting interactivity and gauging understanding on the fly.
Pros
- Extensive library of interactive question types for diverse engagement needs
- Audience participation via browser with no downloads or accounts required
- Beautiful, customizable templates and real-time analytics for immediate insights
Cons
- Free plan severely limited in presentations and features
- Advanced features and unlimited audiences require pricey Pro or Enterprise plans
- Occasional performance lags with very large audiences (500+)
Best For
Educators, conference speakers, and corporate trainers seeking highly engaging, real-time polling integrated into presentations.
Pricing
Free plan with basic limits; Basic at $11.99/user/month (annual), Pro at $24.99/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Slido
specializedAudience interaction platform featuring polls, Q&A, quizzes, and analytics for events and meetings.
Deep integrations with Zoom, Teams, and PowerPoint for embedding live polls directly into presentations without leaving your slide deck.
Slido is a leading audience engagement platform specializing in real-time polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, and word clouds for live events like conferences, webinars, and meetings. It allows organizers to create interactive content quickly and integrates seamlessly with tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and Google Slides. Participants join effortlessly via QR code or link from any device, enabling high engagement for audiences of all sizes.
Pros
- Diverse poll types including multiple-choice, ratings, word clouds, and quizzes
- Excellent integrations with popular presentation and video tools
- Scalable for large audiences with real-time moderation and analytics
Cons
- Free plan limits event duration and advanced features
- Pricing escalates quickly for high-volume or enterprise use
- Limited options for asynchronous or offline polling
Best For
Event organizers, educators, and corporate teams hosting live presentations or webinars who need to engage large audiences interactively.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; Pro starts at €12.50/organizer/month (annual), Business at €34.50/organizer/month, Enterprise custom.
Poll Everywhere
specializedReal-time polling integrated with PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Teams for instant audience feedback.
Direct embedding of live, interactive polls into PowerPoint and Google Slides for effortless presentation integration
Poll Everywhere is a real-time audience response platform that enables users to create interactive polls, quizzes, surveys, and Q&A sessions during live presentations, classes, or events. Audiences can respond via SMS, web browser, mobile app, or even Slack and Microsoft Teams, with results updating instantly as dynamic charts, word clouds, and graphs. It integrates seamlessly with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, and other tools, making it easy to embed polls directly into slides for enhanced engagement.
Pros
- Versatile poll types including multiple-choice, open-ended, rankings, and competitions
- Multi-channel responses (SMS, web, app) without requiring downloads
- Seamless integrations with presentation software and real-time analytics
Cons
- Free plan limited to 25 responses per poll
- Pricing scales quickly for large audiences or high usage
- Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Educators, corporate trainers, and event speakers seeking real-time audience interaction in live settings.
Pricing
Free for up to 25 responses per poll; paid plans start at $10/month (75 responses), $50/month (500 responses), with enterprise custom pricing.
Typeform
specializedConversational forms and polls with stunning designs and logic jumps for higher response rates.
One-question-at-a-time conversational interface that feels like a chat
Typeform is a versatile online form builder renowned for its conversational interface, enabling the creation of engaging polls, surveys, quizzes, and signup forms. It presents one question at a time to mimic natural dialogue, significantly improving user engagement and completion rates compared to traditional multi-field forms. While powerful for asynchronous polling and feedback collection, it excels in branded, mobile-optimized experiences with logic jumps and integrations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with stunning templates
- Conversational format boosts response rates dramatically
- Robust integrations with 120+ apps like Google Sheets and HubSpot
Cons
- Limited native real-time live polling for events
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Free plan includes Typeform branding and response limits
Best For
Marketers and businesses seeking highly engaging, asynchronous polls and surveys to capture leads or feedback with professional polish.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; paid tiers start at $25/mo (Basic, 100 responses/mo), $50/mo (Plus), $83/mo (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing.
SurveyMonkey
enterpriseComprehensive survey and polling platform with advanced analytics, templates, and integrations.
AI-powered survey and poll generator for rapid creation from simple prompts
SurveyMonkey is a popular online platform primarily designed for creating and distributing surveys, but it effectively supports polling through customizable multiple-choice questions, quick links, and real-time results. It enables users to gather feedback, conduct audience polls, or run market research with ease via web links, embeds, or email distribution. The tool shines in providing detailed analytics, data exports, and integrations with popular apps like Slack and Salesforce.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick poll creation
- Robust real-time analytics and reporting dashboards
- Seamless integrations with 100+ apps for broader reach
Cons
- Free plan severely limited (10 questions, 40 responses max)
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced polling features
- Better suited for surveys than live/event-based instant polling
Best For
Marketing teams, HR departments, and researchers needing professional polls with deep analytics and customization.
Pricing
Free Basic plan; paid Individual plans from $12/user/month (Standard), Team plans from $25/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
Google Forms
otherFree, simple tool for creating customizable polls, quizzes, and surveys with real-time results.
Unlimited polls and responses with seamless Google Sheets integration for instant data analysis
Google Forms is a free, web-based tool from Google that enables users to create customizable forms, surveys, quizzes, and polls with various question types like multiple choice, checkboxes, and scales. It supports easy sharing via links, embeds, or QR codes, with responses automatically collected and visualized in real-time charts and graphs. Integrated seamlessly with Google Workspace, it's ideal for quick data gathering but functions more as a general form builder than a dedicated live polling platform.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited forms and responses
- Intuitive interface for rapid poll creation and sharing
- Real-time response summaries and export to Google Sheets
Cons
- Lacks live, interactive polling features like audience Q&A or real-time voting during presentations
- Limited customization for themes, branding, and advanced logic branching
- No native mobile app or push notifications for new responses
Best For
Educators, small teams, and individuals needing quick, no-cost polls integrated with Google tools.
Pricing
Free for all users with a Google account; no paid tiers required.
Microsoft Forms
enterpriseIntegrated polling and quizzing app for Microsoft 365 with branching logic and insights.
Native live polling integration within Microsoft Teams meetings for real-time audience engagement
Microsoft Forms (forms.office.com) is a web-based tool within the Microsoft 365 suite designed for creating surveys, quizzes, and polls with a variety of question types like multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended responses. It excels in collecting real-time feedback and displaying results via dynamic charts or Excel exports. While versatile for general form-building, it supports polling through quick polls shareable via links or embeds, particularly shining in integration with Teams for live audience interaction.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Teams and Office apps for effortless polling in meetings
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with templates for quick setup
- Real-time response tracking and robust analytics at no extra cost for basics
Cons
- Limited advanced interactive features like word clouds or live Q&A compared to dedicated polling tools
- Basic customization options for themes and branding
- Full advanced capabilities tied to Microsoft 365 subscription
Best For
Organizations and educators already using Microsoft 365 who need simple, integrated polling without complex setup.
Pricing
Free with a Microsoft account for core features; advanced options included in Microsoft 365 plans starting at $6/user/month.
AhaSlides
specializedLive interactive slides with polls, quizzes, word clouds, and gamification for presentations.
Diverse interactive slide library including polls, quizzes, word clouds, spinners, and draggable objects for gamified engagement
AhaSlides is an interactive presentation platform designed for real-time audience engagement through polls, quizzes, Q&A, word clouds, and other dynamic slide types. It allows users to create engaging presentations quickly and share them via QR code or link, enabling participation from any device without downloads. Ideal for live events, classrooms, and meetings, it provides instant results and analytics to facilitate interactive sessions.
Pros
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick slide creation
- Supports up to 7,500 participants on higher plans with real-time results
- Seamless integrations with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Zoom, and Teams
Cons
- Free plan includes AhaSlides branding and participant limits
- Advanced reporting and customization locked behind paid tiers
- Relies entirely on internet connectivity with no offline mode
Best For
Teachers, trainers, and presenters seeking simple, real-time audience interaction tools for live sessions.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid tiers start at $7.95/user/month (Basic, billed annually) up to Enterprise custom pricing.
Doodle
specializedScheduling poll tool to coordinate group availability and find optimal meeting times effortlessly.
Automated availability aggregation that suggests optimal times from group votes
Doodle is a web-based polling tool primarily designed for scheduling, allowing users to create polls with proposed time slots for meetings, events, or group activities. Participants vote on their availability via a shared link without needing an account, and Doodle automatically identifies the best times based on responses. It supports calendar integrations like Google, Outlook, and iCal to check conflicts and streamline coordination. While focused on time-based polling, it excels at eliminating email back-and-forth for group planning.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for quick poll creation and sharing
- No participant accounts required, making it accessible
- Calendar integrations prevent double-bookings
Cons
- Limited to scheduling polls, lacks advanced survey features
- Free version restricts polls and custom branding
- Higher-tier plans needed for teams and advanced options
Best For
Small teams, clubs, or individuals coordinating meetings and events with multiple participants.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Pro at $6.95/user/month (billed annually); Team plans from $8.95/user/month.
StrawPoll
otherFree, anonymous, and unlimited online polls for quick voting and decision-making.
No-account-required instant poll generation with shareable links
StrawPoll is a free, no-signup-required online polling tool that enables users to quickly create multiple-choice polls with image support and share them via unique links for real-time voting and results. It excels in simplicity, allowing anonymous participation and embeddable polls on websites or social media. While basic, it supports up to 20 options per poll and tracks votes without advanced analytics.
Pros
- Instant poll creation without account registration
- Unlimited free polls with real-time results
- Simple embedding and sharing via links
Cons
- Ads on free results pages
- Limited advanced features like analytics or user management
- No password protection or vote limits in free tier
Best For
Casual users, social media managers, or educators needing quick, anonymous polls without setup hassle.
Pricing
Free with ads; Pro plans from $5/month for ad-free experience, custom results, IP limits, and more.
Conclusion
The reviewed polling software caters to varied needs, with Mentimeter claiming the top spot for its dynamic live event features. Slido and Poll Everywhere follow closely, offering distinct strengths in audience interaction and tool integration, ensuring there are strong alternatives for different scenarios. Together, these tools demonstrate the breadth of options available for boosting engagement in both professional and casual settings.
To experience the best in interactive polling, start with Mentimeter and transform how you connect, engage, and gather insights in real time.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
