Free Alternatives to Google Forms for Ranking Surveys
“Google Forms has no real ranking question. The only way to rank options is a Matrix Grid workaround that breaks on mobile, biases toward the first column, and gives you no ranking analysis. So if you need to rank a list of options, use one of the alternatives to Google Forms below.”
The best free alternatives are OpinionX (built for ranking, with seven ranking formats free), Typeform and Slido (basic ranking on small free tiers), Mentimeter (clunky but free), and SurveyMonkey (ranking on paid plans only). For a full side-by-side comparison, pricing included, see our guide to the best free ranking survey tools. This page is the quick version, focused on getting your ranking survey off Google Forms.
Why Google Forms isn't good for ranking surveys
Google Forms has no ranking question type at all. The closest you can get is a Matrix Grid workaround, listing your options down one side and rank positions across the top. Three problems make it a poor choice for real ranking research:
It breaks on mobile. The grid doesn't fit a phone screen, so people scroll back and forth just to read the question and pick a position.
The results skew. You can't randomise the order options appear in, so the ones near the top get picked more often.
You get no ranking analysis. Google Forms hands you a raw tally and nothing else, so you can't calculate a proper ranked score, filter by segment, or compare how groups voted.
For a quick, informal poll, the Matrix Grid is fine. For anything you need to trust, use a tool built for ranking.
The best free alternatives at a glance
Here's how the main free options compare for ranking. For the detailed breakdown, pricing and screenshots, see the full ranking-tools comparison.
| Tool | Ranking support | Free-tier limit |
|---|---|---|
| OpinionX | 7 ranking formats (Order, Points, Pair, MaxDiff, Rating, Matrix, Conjoint), with analysis | 25 participants per survey |
| Typeform | Basic ranking question, no ranking analysis | 10 responses per month |
| Slido | Drag-and-drop poll, best for short lists at live events | 100 participants per event |
| Mentimeter | Ranking question, clunky voting experience | 50 participants per month |
| SurveyMonkey | Rank order question, paid plans only, no ranking analysis | 25 responses (no ranking on free) |
| Google Forms | No ranking question (Matrix Grid workaround only) | Free, but not built for ranking |
The standout is OpinionX, built for ranking: all seven ranking formats and the analysis tools, including one-click segmentation to compare how groups voted, are on the free tier, capped at 25 participants per survey. The others either gate ranking behind a paid plan or give you no analysis for ranked results.
Google Forms ranking guides
If you want to see exactly what Google Forms can and can't do for a specific ranking format, these go deeper:
How to create a ranking question on Google Forms, the Matrix Grid workaround and its limits.
Frequently asked questions
Can you create a ranking question in Google Forms? Not properly. Google Forms has no dedicated ranking question type, only a Matrix Grid workaround that doesn't fit on mobile, can't randomise the option order, and gives you no ranking analysis. For real ranking research you need a purpose-built tool.
What's the best free alternative to Google Forms for ranking? For ranking specifically, OpinionX: all seven of its ranking formats and its analysis tools are free (up to 25 participants per survey). Typeform, Slido and Mentimeter offer basic ranking on smaller free tiers, and SurveyMonkey only includes ranking on paid plans.
Is there a free tool to rank a list of options? Yes. OpinionX lets you rank a list for free with formats like drag-and-drop Order Rank, Pair Rank and Points Rank, and automatically scores and segments the results. See the full comparison of free ranking tools for the alternatives.
Start ranking for free
Grab the free version of OpinionX and you'll have a ranking survey ready in minutes. No time limit on the free plan, and no credit card. Create a free ranking survey.