A review of digital tools that could ease data collection and analysis.

1. DIGITAL TOOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION
Illustration by Aparna Nambiar
March 2022
A review of digital tools that can ease data collection & analysis in agriculture & other sectors

2. 1. Commcare
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CommCare is a no-code platform that allows users with minimal background in app development to design and build
digital tools for Android, mobile web, and desktop that serve the unique needs of their programs.
You need: Android 4.1,. iOS 9.0 or higher. For Mac, it requires macOS 11.0 or higher with an Apple M1 chip.
Cost: Free and paid versions available (https:/
/bit.ly/Commcare)

3. Types of Data Location, pictures, videos
Data Analytics/Visualisation Helps to visualise trends, create daily reports and export the data collected.
Interface Drag and drop
Special Features The entered data can be visualised using different charts
Offline Features CommCare works offline allowing field teams to collect data without interruption.
Training Materials Their documentation is available online: https:/
/bit.ly/DocCommcare.
Customer Support Customers on a ‘standard’ plan or higher have access to guaranteed support.
Typical Users Healthcare, agriculture, finance sectors
1. Commcare

4. 2. Device Magic
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Device Magic allows field researchers to collect and capture a wide range of information (including photos, signatures
and geospatial data), submit forms and streamline work better.
You need: Android OS 8.0/iOS 10.0 or higher. For Mac, it requires macOS 11.0 or higher and a Mac with Apple M1 chip.
Cost: Free and paid versions available (https:/
/bit.ly/DeviceMagic)

5. Types of Data Images, signatures; it allows users to draw sketches, scan barcodes, request
passwords and carry out geomapping.
Data Analytics/Visualisation Data validation (which minimises the chances of errors during input)..
Interface Easy drag-and-drop form builder, allows data submissions to be directly
integrated into mobile and PC systems, and delivers forms in a number of
formats such as plain text, pdf, word doc, xml, jason or image.
Special Features Users can complete forms while offline; send forms with pre-populated data to
notify employees in the field of new tasks; generate custom templates &
reports; geo mapping & map overlays; build custom charts & view analytics.
Offline Features Data collection can be done offline.
Training Materials There are materials available on their website: https:/
/bit.ly/DMHelpCenter
Customer Support Users can reach out to support@devicemagic.com
Typical Users Inspection, maintenance, quality check and safety for sectors such as
agriculture and construction
2. Device Magic

6. 3. Forms on Fire
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Forms on Fire allows users to customise their own forms for offline data collection, workflow and analysis. It collects a
wide range of information and assigns tasks in real-time.
You need: Android 4.4, iOS 11.0 and higher. For Mac, it requires macOS 11.0 (or higher) and an Apple M1 chip.
Cost: Paid only (https:/
/bit.ly/FormsOnFire)

7. Types of Data Audio, video, barcodes, geolocations, photos and signatures, sketches,
watermarks, barcode scanning, PDF, word processing and spreadsheet products,
Data Analytics/Visualisation Different types of charts and graphs help users to analyse the data better and
take informed decisions.
Interface Allows familiar actions like swiping, scrolling, and tapping to capture data, The
form can be edited in MS Excel, MS Word and saved in .pdf or .txt format.
Special Features Better workflow with automation, delivers actionable insights to staff real-time
(the app creates consolidated information based on the inputs to facilitate
meaningful decisions & actions).
Offline Features Data collection can be done offline.
Training Materials Their documentation is available online: https:/
/bit.ly/FoFKnowledge
Customer Support Customers can reach out to: support@formsonfire.com
Typical Users Agriculture, manufacturing, health science sectors
3. Forms on Fire

8. 4. Jotform Mobile Forms
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Jotform Mobile Forms is an online form and survey builder that lets users create and fill forms and surveys for data
collection even while offline. It also collects different types of data such as signatures, recorded voice, geolocation.
You need: Android 5.0 or higher.
Cost: Free and paid versions available (https:/
/bit.ly/JotformPrice)

9. Types of Data Voice recordings, scanned barcodes, geolocations, images and e-signatures
Data Analytics/Visualisation Visualises the data collected; analyses how well a form is performing.
Interface Forms can be created from scratch - through a simple drag and drop form
building interface - or there are templates available.
Special Features Push notifications to alert the user of new respondents or changes in data. PDF
copies of submitted information can be downloaded or shared via email, text
message & other mobile apps.
Offline Features Data collection can be done offline.
Training Materials Their documentation is available online: https:/
/bit.ly/JotformHelp
Customer Support Raise a ticket on their website (https:/
/bit.ly/JotformContact). The average
response time is 2 hrs.
Typical Users Mainly educational institutions for scholarship applications, alumni donations,
event and conference registrations, class registrations, surveys, evaluations etc.
4. Jotform Mobile Forms

10. 5. KoBo Toolbox
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KoBo Toolbox is used for primary data collection in humanitarian emergencies and other challenging field
environments. With this app, users can enter data from interviews or other primary data - online or offline.
You need: Android 2.1 or higher. Web forms run on any device including Apple iOS devices.
Cost: Free

11. Types of Data Geolocation, pictures, videos
Data Analytics/Visualisation It can be used to visualise, analyse, share and download collected data.
Interface Can create forms easily on desktop, and allows forms in .xls format to be
uploaded
Special Features Allows for quick analysis and data visualisation as the data is added.
Offline Features Collects and analyses data offline
Training Materials Their training materials are available online: https:/
/bit.ly/KoboDoc.
Customer Support Support is available via their Community Form (https:/
/bit.ly/KoBoHelp)
Typical Users Humanitarian agencies and NGOs.
5. KoBo Toolbox

12. 6. MyWell
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MyWell is a smartphone app for crowdsources data related to water table depth, rainfall, check-dam water levels and
water quality. It engages with the local community, including farmers, to monitor groundwater levels.
You need: Android 4.1 or higher
Cost: Free

13. Types of Data Well water level, rainfall, check-dam water levels, and water quality.
Data Analytics/
Visualisation
Farmers can see trends in water levels, rainfall on monthly, three monthly & yearly basis
for their individual wells, for the entire village and for the entire pincode. This can help
farmers compare assess groundwater availability & plan for the next crop season.
Interface Basic information like geolocation, pincode, owner name, and depth (for well and check
dam) has to be entered to record a new reading.
Special Features Available in languages other than English (like Hindi and Gujarati) + A unique banner image
- usually of the well & farmer - denotes each well allowing for greater personalisation and
appeal to farmers.
Offline Features NA
Training Materials A two-page document (https:/
/bit.ly/MyWellDoc) has a short section on how the app
works, but no other training manual was available online.
Customer Support Phone no. (+61 2 45701235) and email id (info@marvi.org.in) provided in the info-document
and available on the MARVI website.
Typical Users Agricultural sector, schools, researchers studying water availability/use.
6. MyWell

14. 7. mWater Surveyor
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The mWater Surveyor app is designed for mapping sites like water points, sanitation facilities, schools, health clinics, or
communities and monitoring them over time with mobile surveys. It analyses data in real-time and works offline.
You need: Android 4.4, iOS 9.0 or higher
Cost: Free

15. Types of Data Geographically referenced data of water point.
Data Analytics/Visualisation Both analytics and visualisation (interactive charts, maps, and tables) possible.
Interface Users can export data through the Site Page in the Data Portal, in .CSV or
Microsoft Excel formats.
Special Features Field-proven sync technology means no data loss, even for incomplete form
responses.
Offline Features Permanent network connectivity not required (it is possible to work offline and
data will sync automatically when connected)
Training Materials Training materials are available freely on their website: https:/
/bit.ly/mWaterDoc
Customer Support Any problem can be reported on the app (internet connectivity needed for this).
Users can also contact them via email (info@mwater.co.) for support.
Typical Users Development practitioners and community health workers.
7. mWater Surveyor

16. 8. Magpi
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Magpi is a tool that helps users easily collect different types of data while doing fieldwork. It has a simple interface that
helps users develop forms as well as carry out analysis through data visualisation tools.
You need: Android 4.4 or higher
Cost: Free and paid versions available (https:/
/bit.ly/MagpiPrice)

17. Types of Data Mobile surveys, photos (advanced plan) and geolocations.
Data Analytics/Visualisation Responsive auto-generated graphs, tables, maps, and custom charts.
Interface Can create forms easily on the desktop. Basic plan has restrictions around type of data
- for instance, images require advanced plan.
Special Features ‘Skip logic’ or ‘logical branching’ feature helps reduce errors + SMS notifications +
allows interactive voice response (IVR) to record data + includes Zapier integration that
pairs Magpi with other apps like Slack, MS Excel + facilitates better communication via
automatic email and SMS alerts about incoming data
Offline Features Data can be collected in offline mode with automatic syncing when online.
Training Materials Guide documents for web (https:/
/bit.ly/MagpiWeb) and mobile
(https:/
/bit.ly/MagpiMobile) versions and videos (https:/
/bit.ly/MagpiVid) available.
Customer Support Users can reach out for support via this email: support@magpi.com
Typical Users Agriculture, healthcare and finance sectors.
8. Magpi

18. 9. Open Data Kit
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Open Data Kit (ODK) is an open-source suite of tools that allows data collection using Android mobile devices and data
submission to an online server, even without Internet connection or mobile carrier service at the time of data collection.
You need: Android/web
Cost: Paid (https:/
/bit.ly/ODKPrice)

19. Types of Data Geolocation, audio, images, video, barcodes, signatures, free text and numeric answers.
(It can even accept answers from other apps on your device).
Data Analytics/Visualisation ODK can be connected to apps like Excel, Power BI, or R to facilitate analysis as well as
live updating dashboards and shareable reports.
Interface Form can be designed using ODK Build (a drag-and-drop form designer) or a
spreadsheet using XLSForm. Most ODK users design their forms in Excel.
Special Features Multiple languages + ODK Collect can launch external applications
(https:/
/bit.ly/ODKExtApps) on string, integer, decimal, image, video, audio and file
fields. An external application could also be used to populate the field that launched it.
Offline Features Data can be collected in offline mode with automatic syncing when online.
Training Materials Their training materials are available online: https:/
/bit.ly/ODKDocs
Customer Support Support is available via their forum: https:/
/bit.ly/ODKForum
Typical Users Healthcare, food security sectors (mainly by humanitarian aid agencies)
9. Open Data Kit

20. 10. SurveyCTO
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SurveyCTO is a reliable, secure and scalable mobile data collection platform. It allows researchers to conduct
household interviews, facility inspections, or any other kind of data collection even in remote, poorly-connected settings.
You need: Android 4.4 or higher, iOS 11.0 or higher.
Cost: Paid (https:/
/bit.ly/SurveyCTOPrice)

21. Types of Data Geolocation, pictures, text
Data Analytics/Visualisation Instant visualisation of incoming data at individual or aggregate levels with the built-in
Data Explorer. Integration with other tools for further visualisation, analysis
Interface Can create the form easily on desktop. Ready forms can then be downloaded from the
app on mobile devices.
Special Features It is possible to monitor all incoming data using review and correction features,
automated quality checks, and data classification systems + As mentioned above, data
visualisation of the data is instant through a built-in tool
Offline Features Data can be collected in offline mode.
Training Materials The app offers training materials online: Quick-start guide
(https:/
/bit.ly/SurveyCTOGuide), free course (https:/
/bit.ly/SurveyCTOHelp)
Customer Support Users can reach out for support via email: info@surveycto.com
Typical Users Agricultural, educational, finance, humanitarian aid, public health sectors (mainly
researchers and policy professionals)
10. SurveyCTO

22. 11. TeamScope
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Teamscope is a Data Collection Platform for clinical and field research teams that need a secure solution to capture and
analyse data.
You need: iOS 14.3 or higher; Android 5.0 or higher
Cost: Free and paid versions available (https:/
/bit.ly/TeamscopePrice)

23. Types of Data Geolocation, text (quantitative and qualitative data). Does not capture pictures
Data Analytics/Visualisation Allows visualising data with charts and conducting basic statistical analysis - in
real-time and just a few clicks.
Interface Allows users to create forms easily on desktop. Ready forms can then be
downloaded from the application on Android and iOS phones.
Special Features Case management feature allows researchers to create cases or entities (e.g.
patients, facilities, groups of people) and collect forms for those entities across
time – this helps track certain conditions or variables.
Offline Features Data can be collected in offline mode with automatic syncing when online.
Training Materials Their training materials are available on their website:
https:/
/bit.ly/TeamscopeDoc
Customer Support Users can reach out for support via this email: support@teamscopeapp.com
Typical Users Environmental research, agricultural, health and safety sectors
11. TeamScope

24. If you have any questions, or if you would like to
collaborate with us on this project, please contact
the Centre for Social and Environmental Innovation
(CSEI):
csei.collab@atree.org