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GDPR Compliance Risk

SurveyMonkey is a US-based service subject to the CLOUD Act. EU organizations using this service risk non-compliance with GDPR data transfer requirements.

SurveyMonkey logo

GDPR-Compliant Alternative to SurveyMonkey

🇺🇸Momentive Inc. · US-based · Subject to CLOUD Act

SurveyMonkey by Momentive Inc. is an online survey tool that allows users to create, distribute, and analyze surveys. It offers customizable templates, various question types, and real-time data analysis features. Users can gather feedback from respondents through email, social media, or web links, making it suitable for research, customer feedback, and event planning.

Why You Need a GDPR-Compliant Alternative to SurveyMonkey

Since the landmark Schrems II ruling in 2020, transferring personal data to US-based services like SurveyMonkey has become a significant legal risk for EU organizations. The US CLOUD Act gives American authorities the power to access data held by US companies, regardless of where that data is physically stored — even if it's in an EU data center.

While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) adopted in 2023 provides a new legal basis for transfers, privacy experts and legal scholars have raised concerns about its long-term viability. The framework could face the same fate as its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield), both of which were struck down by the Court of Justice of the EU.

For organizations that want to eliminate compliance risk entirely, switching to a European-based form builders is the most straightforward solution. Below are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to SurveyMonkey, all headquartered in Europe with data stored in EU data centers.

CLOUD Act Exposure

US authorities can access your data stored by SurveyMonkey, even if servers are located in Europe.

GDPR Fine Risk

Non-compliant data transfers can result in fines up to 4% of annual global revenue under GDPR Article 83.

EU Alternative Available

2 GDPR-compliant European alternatives available with full EU data residency.

2 GDPR-Compliant Alternatives to SurveyMonkey

European services with full GDPR compliance and EU data residency

Typeform logo

Typeform

🇪🇸

by Typeform SL

Spanish form builder known for conversational, one-question-at-a-time surveys and engaging user experience.

GDPR CompliantEU-Based
freemiumMigration:●●●

Why switch?

  • Typeform offers conversational forms, enhancing user engagement.
  • Typeform's design is visually appealing, improving response rates.
  • Typeform's logic jumps allow for more personalized surveys.

Consider

  • Migrating data from SurveyMonkey to Typeform can be complex.
  • Typeform has fewer built-in survey templates than SurveyMonkey.
View DetailsCompareSwitch Guide
Visit Typeform
Tally logo

Tally

🇧🇪

by Tally BV

Tally by Tally BV is a no-code form builder designed for users to create and manage forms efficiently. It allows you to customize form fields, collect responses, and analyze data in real-time. The platform offers integrations with various tools, making it easy to streamline workflows and improve data collection processes.

GDPR CompliantEU-BasedEU-hosted
freemiumMigration:●●●

Why switch?

  • Tally offers free unlimited forms, unlike SurveyMonkey's paid tiers.
  • No branding on free forms with Tally enhances professional appearance.
  • Tally's Notion-like interface simplifies user experience and navigation.

Consider

  • Migrating existing surveys from SurveyMonkey may require manual effort.
  • Tally lacks advanced analytics features found in SurveyMonkey's plans.
View DetailsCompareSwitch Guide
Visit Tally

Quick GDPR Compliance Comparison

ServiceHQ LocationGDPR NativeEU Data CentersCLOUD Act FreePricing
🇺🇸SurveyMonkey
United StatesNoPartialNofreemium
🇪🇸TypeformESYesYesYesfreemium
🇧🇪TallyBEYesYesYesfreemium

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SurveyMonkey GDPR compliant?

SurveyMonkey is a US-based service operated by Momentive Inc.. While it may have some GDPR compliance measures, as a US company it is subject to the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to access data stored by US companies regardless of where the data is physically located. This creates a fundamental conflict with GDPR requirements for data protection.

What are the GDPR risks of using SurveyMonkey?

The main GDPR risks include: (1) Data transfers to the US may lack adequate protection since the Schrems II ruling invalidated Privacy Shield, (2) US authorities can demand access under the CLOUD Act, (3) Your organization may face GDPR fines up to 4% of annual revenue for non-compliant data transfers, and (4) User consent may not be sufficient to legitimize transfers given the systematic access by US authorities.

What are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to SurveyMonkey?

The top GDPR-compliant alternatives to SurveyMonkey include Typeform, Tally. These European services store your data in EU data centers and are fully subject to GDPR protections.

How do I migrate from SurveyMonkey to a GDPR-compliant alternative?

Most migrations involve three steps: (1) Export your data from SurveyMonkey using their data export tools, (2) Create an account with your chosen EU alternative, and (3) Import your data into the new service. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative to make the switch as smooth as possible.

Can EU companies legally use SurveyMonkey?

Since the Schrems II ruling (2020), EU organizations face significant legal risk when using US cloud services like SurveyMonkey. While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (2023) provides a new legal basis, its long-term stability is uncertain. Many EU data protection authorities recommend using EU-based alternatives to avoid compliance risks entirely.

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Related Pages

Migration Resources

Last updated: January 29, 2026