Privacy-first surveys without the SaaS trade-offs.
This comparison focuses on what matters in regulated environments: data residency, governance, auditability, and the ability to operate without third-party processing. Use it to understand where Privacy Forms Studio sits between SaaS survey tools and self-hosted alternatives.
Fast, but vendor-bound
Great UX, but data flows and compliance controls are often opaque or non-negotiable.
Flexible, but fragmented
Infrastructure control, but uneven UX and limited governance tooling.
Balanced, governed
SurveyJS UX with Plone-grade governance, export automation, and data sovereignty.
Comparison matrix
Key differences across privacy, governance, and operational control.
| Capability | Privacy Forms Studio | SaaS Survey Platforms | Self-hosted OSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data residency control | Full control | Vendor-dependent | Full control |
| Audit trails + governance | Built-in workflows | Limited exports | Depends on tooling |
| Survey UX + logic depth | SurveyJS power | Strong UX | Varies widely |
| Export automation | Multi-format + routing | Limited control | Manual setup |
| On-prem or private SaaS | Supported | Rare | Supported |
| Role-based publishing | Plone governance | Basic roles | Custom build |
| Optional local AI | Bring your own | Vendor AI only | Manual integration |
Positioning summary
Why teams choose Privacy Forms Studio when compliance and UX must coexist.
Explicit data flows
No hidden transfers or telemetry. Every integration is configured per form.
Plone-grade workflows
Role-based publishing, approvals, and audit-ready controls built in.
Long-term ownership
Portable JSON schemas and export pipelines mean no vendor lock-in.
Talk through your requirements
We can help you decide if Privacy Forms Studio is the right fit.
Consulting lead
Diplom-Informatiker Andreas Jung
Independent consultant for privacy-first form workflows, Tuebingen, Germany.
Start the conversation
Share constraints and compliance requirements. We’ll respond quickly.
Schedule time with us Request a briefing