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Retently vs SurveyMonkey: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Retently and SurveyMonkey 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: SurveyMonkey is our overall pick for survey tools workflows. Pick Retently if you need customer feedback.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 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 need customer feedback features specifically
  • Collects NPS, CSAT, and CES feedback across customer journeys.
  • Automates surveys, analyzes sentiment, and provides actionable insights.

SurveyMonkey

Gather feedback faster with pre-built templates and powerful analysis

Best for you if:

  • • You want to try before committing
  • • You need survey tools features specifically
  • Survey platform with AI-powered creation, 400+ templates, and advanced analytics tools.
  • Features skip logic, data piping, HIPAA compliance, and integration with major CRMs.
At a Glance
RetentlyRetently
SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey
Starts at
$49/moEcommerce Basic
FreeFree tier available
Best For
Customer FeedbackSurvey Tools
Rating
4.8/54.5/5

Choose Retently or SurveyMonkey?

Retently

Choose Retently if

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

  • Comprehensive survey types (NPS, CSAT, CES) for varied feedback.
  • Omnichannel distribution maximizes response rates.
  • Powerful analytics and reporting for deep insights.
  • Your work is customer feedback-shaped, not survey tools-shaped
SurveyMonkey

Choose SurveyMonkey if

Gather feedback faster with pre-built templates and powerful analysis

  • Industry standard
  • Analytics
  • Integrations
  • Your work is survey tools-shaped, not customer feedback-shaped
FeatureRetentlySurveyMonkey
Pricing ModelPaidFreemium
User Rating
4.8/5
59 reviews
4.5/5
24,337 reviews
Categories
Customer FeedbackSurvey Tools
Survey ToolsCustomer Feedback

In-Depth Analysis

RetentlyRetently

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

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
Starts at $49/mo

SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey

Gather feedback faster with pre-built templates and powerful analysis

Strengths

  • +Industry standard
  • +Analytics
  • +Integrations

Weaknesses

  • -Limited free tier
  • -Can get expensive

Key features

SurveysTemplatesLogicAnalysisIntegrationsEnterprise
Starts at Free

Pricing: Retently vs SurveyMonkey

PlanRetentlySurveyMonkey
Tier 1
$49/month
Ecommerce Basic
Free
Basic
Tier 2
$299/month
Ecommerce Pro
$35 month
Individual
Tier 3
Contact us
Enterprise
N/A

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

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

SurveyMonkey has a free tier. Retently is paid only.

Go with: SurveyMonkey

Want the highest-rated option?

Retently: 4.8/5 (59 reviews). SurveyMonkey: 4.5/5 (24,337 reviews).

Go with: Retently

Value user reviews?

Retently: 59 reviews (4.8/5). SurveyMonkey: 24,337 reviews (4.5/5).

Go with: SurveyMonkey

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Retently is paid. SurveyMonkey is freemium. SurveyMonkey lets you start free.

2

What's your use case?

Retently is a customer feedback tool. SurveyMonkey is in survey tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

How important are ratings?

Retently is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.5/5.

Key Takeaways

SurveyMonkey

  • Larger review base (24,337 reviews)
  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Retently

  • Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.5/5
  • Better fit for customer feedback

The Bottom Line

SurveyMonkey is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Retently or SurveyMonkey better?

SurveyMonkey is rated in our evaluation. Retently is paid and SurveyMonkey is freemium.

What are Retently and SurveyMonkey used for?

Retently: Collect and act on customer feedback to drive growth and improve customer experience.. SurveyMonkey: Gather feedback faster with pre-built templates and powerful analysis.

What does Retently cost vs SurveyMonkey?

Retently is a paid tool. SurveyMonkey is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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