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Retently vs Qualtrics: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Retently and Qualtrics comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: Qualtrics wins this matchup. Our overall Customer Feedback pick is SurveyMonkey. Our free Customer Feedback pick is Feedbank. Pick Retently if you need customer feedback.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Sep 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Retently

Collect and act on customer feedback to drive growth and improve customer experience.

Best for you if:

  • You want comprehensive survey types (NPS, CSAT, CES) for varied feedback
  • You want omnichannel distribution maximizes response rates

Qualtrics

The leading Experience Management (XM) software, amplified with trusted AI to drive business growth.

Best for you if:

  • You want enterprise survey platform
  • You want experience management
At a Glance
RetentlyRetently
QualtricsQualtrics
Starts at
$49/moEcommerce Basic
$420/moResearch Core
Best For
Customer FeedbackAnalytics
Rating
4.8/54.4/5
Free plan
No No

Choose Retently or Qualtrics?

Retently

Choose Retently if

Collect and act on customer feedback to drive growth and improve customer experience.

  • You want comprehensive survey types (NPS, CSAT, CES) for varied feedback
  • You want omnichannel distribution maximizes response rates
  • Your work is customer feedback-shaped, not analytics-shaped
Qualtrics

Choose Qualtrics if

The leading Experience Management (XM) software, amplified with trusted AI to drive business growth.

  • You want enterprise survey platform
  • You want experience management
  • Your work is analytics-shaped, not customer feedback-shaped
FeatureRetentlyQualtrics
Pricing ModelPaidPaid
User Rating
4.8/5
60 reviews
4.4/5
16 reviews
Categories
Customer FeedbackSurvey Tools
AnalyticsSurvey Tools

In-Depth Analysis

RetentlyRetently

Collect and act on customer feedback to drive growth and improve customer experience.

Starts at $49/mo
Good value

Retently's pricing for the Ecommerce Basic tier at $49/month seems fair for businesses starting with feedback collection, offering a good set of features.

Strengths

  • +Comprehensive survey types (NPS, CSAT, CES) for varied feedback.
  • +Omnichannel distribution maximizes response rates.
  • +Powerful analytics and reporting for deep insights.
  • +Automation features streamline feedback collection and action.
  • +Seamless integration with popular business tools.

Weaknesses

  • -No free tier available, only a free trial.
  • -Pricing details are not transparently listed on the website.

Key features

NPS, CSAT, and CES SurveysSmart Survey SchedulingOmnichannel Reach (Email, SMS, In-app)CX Analytics and DashboardsFlexible Workflows and AutomationJourney Mapping

QualtricsQualtrics

The leading Experience Management (XM) software, amplified with trusted AI to drive business growth.

Starts at $420/mo
Fair value

Qualtrics' pricing is expensive for what you get, especially the Research Core tier at $420/month for only 1,000 responses, which is steep compared to survey-focused alternatives.

Watch out

Overage fees for responses beyond tier limits

Strengths

  • +Enterprise survey platform
  • +Experience management
  • +Good analytics
  • +Research tools
  • +Compliance

Weaknesses

  • -Very expensive
  • -Complex platform
  • -Learning curve
  • -Enterprise sales
  • -Overkill for simple surveys

Key features

Experience managementSurvey platformCustomer feedbackEmployee engagementBrand trackingAI analytics

Pricing: Retently vs Qualtrics

PlanRetentlyQualtrics
Tier 1
$49/month
Ecommerce Basic
Free
Free
Tier 2
$299/month
Ecommerce Pro
$420
Research Core
Tier 3
Contact us
Enterprise
Custom
Enterprise

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Retently pricing and Qualtrics pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: Qualtrics

Want the highest-rated option?

Retently: 4.8/5 (60 reviews). Qualtrics: 4.4/5 (16 reviews).

Go with: Retently

Value user reviews?

Retently: 60 reviews (4.8/5). Qualtrics: 16 reviews (4.4/5).

Go with: Retently

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Retently is a customer feedback tool. Qualtrics is in analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

How important are ratings?

Retently is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.4/5.

Key Takeaways

Qualtrics

  • Our pick for this comparison

Retently

  • Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.4/5
  • Larger review base (60 reviews)
  • Better fit for customer feedback

The Bottom Line

Qualtrics wins this matchup. Our overall Customer Feedback pick is SurveyMonkey. Our free Customer Feedback pick is Feedbank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Retently or Qualtrics better?

Qualtrics is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.

What are Retently and Qualtrics used for?

Retently: Collect and act on customer feedback to drive growth and improve customer experience.. Qualtrics: The leading Experience Management (XM) software, amplified with trusted AI to drive business growth..

What does Retently cost vs Qualtrics?

Retently is a paid tool. Qualtrics is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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