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Ona Data
What it is
Ona Data is a platform for field data collection and real-time monitoring. Forms can be authored with the XLSForm standard or an online builder and can capture GPS, signatures, photos, validation, logic, and repeat sections. Smartphones and desktops can collect data offline; submissions upload when a connection is detected or can be transferred to a computer. For analysis, the platform provides maps, summary charts, filters, and XLS Reports for creating Excel dashboards. Access controls let users manage project data sharing, and filters can conceal sensitive fields such as personal identifiers. Ona Apps connect with Google Sheets, RapidPro, TextIt, Tableau, and Tableau Hyper on select paid plans; the connections are form-based and do not support filtered datasets. The REST API has no stated call limit, though unusually high use may be temporarily rate limited. Ona says server connections use TLS/HTTPS and databases and backups use AES-256 encryption at rest. Encrypted submissions must be downloaded and decrypted with ODK Briefcase before they can be viewed in account maps, tables, CSV, or XLS. The free plan costs nothing and includes 500 form submissions, one private and one public project, and community support.
For and against
For
- Forms support offline collection on smartphones and desktops.
- Captures GPS, signatures, and photos.
- Analysis includes maps, charts, filters, and XLS Reports.
- Databases and backups are encrypted at rest using AES-256.
- Offers local instances for in-country hosting needs.
Against
- Free plan includes 500 form submissions.
- Ona Apps connections are form-based, not project-based.
- Ona Apps do not support filtered datasets.
- Encrypted submissions cannot be viewed until decrypted.
The verdict
Ona Data combines offline collection, flexible forms, and analysis tools, with Android and browser-based collection options. Review the free-plan submission allowance and the decryption requirement for encrypted submissions before choosing it.
Who it suits
Ona Data may suit field teams collecting information offline on Android devices or through browser-based webforms. It also fits teams that need form-based data analysis, access controls, and local-instance hosting for in-country data requirements.
Plans and prices
Free
500 form submissions · 1 private project · 1 public project · 10 private forms (total)
Read 4 Oct 2026 · ona.io
Standard
15,000 form submissions · 2 private projects · 2 public projects · 10 public forms
Read 4 Oct 2026 · ona.io
Pro
30,000 form submissions · 5 private projects · 5 public projects · 15 public forms
Read 4 Oct 2026 · ona.io
Enterprise
Pricing based on usage · 24-hour priority support
Read 4 Oct 2026 · ona.io
On the record
- Access controls
- Users can control who shares project data and use filters to hide sensitive fields such as personal identifiers.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Analysis
- The platform provides maps, summary charts, filters, and XLS Reports for creating Excel dashboards.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- API
- Ona provides a REST-based API with no stated call limit, but reserves the right to temporarily rate limit unusually high usage.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Availability
- Ona's service agreement says it aims for 99.5% server uptime.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Encrypted submissions
- Encrypted form submissions are stored on Ona until downloaded and decrypted with ODK Briefcase; account map, table, CSV, and XLS viewing is unavailable for those submissions until decryption.help.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Form design
- Forms can be authored with the XLSForm standard or the online form builder and can capture GPS, validation, logic, repeats, signatures, and photos.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- Ona says it can set up and manage local instances for clients whose data security laws require in-country hosting.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Ona Apps support Google Sheets, RapidPro, TextIt, Tableau, and Tableau Hyper; Ona says they are included with select paid plans.help.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- Ona Apps connections are form-based rather than project-based, and are not supported for filtered datasets.help.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Offline collection
- Forms can be used on smartphones and desktops offline, and data uploads when a connection is detected or can be uploaded to a computer.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Platform requirements
- ODK Collect is an Android application, while Enketo webforms run in modern web browsers on computers and mobile devices.help.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ona Data is a mobile data collection platform for field data collection and real-time monitoring.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Ona's security page says server-client connections use TLS/HTTPS and databases and backups are encrypted at rest using AES-256.help.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Ona says its multilingual support team spans 14 time zones and offers premium options for guaranteed one-day or weekend support.ona.io · read 4 Oct 2026
