Submittable vs SurveyMonkey Apply: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Submittable and SurveyMonkey Apply 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: Submittable is our overall pick for grants management workflows. Pick SurveyMonkey Apply if you need HR & recruiting.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Submittable
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
Best for you if:
- • You need grants management features specifically
- • Manages the full lifecycle of grant and CSR programs.
- • Features drag-and-drop form builder, multi-stage review, and fraud prevention.
SurveyMonkey Apply
Streamline your application and grant management processes with a powerful, customizable platform.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need HR & recruiting features specifically
- • Comprehensive application and grant management platform.
- • Automates application collection, review, and decision-making.
| At a Glance |  Submittable |  SurveyMonkey Apply |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Grants Management | HR & Recruiting |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Submittable or SurveyMonkey Apply?
Choose Submittable if
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
- Quick program launch, often within two weeks or less.
- No coding or technical background required for setup and management.
- Automations significantly reduce administrative busywork and human error.
- Your work is grants management-shaped, not HR & recruiting-shaped
Choose SurveyMonkey Apply if
Streamline your application and grant management processes with a powerful, customizable platform.
- Streamlines complex application processes
- Reduces manual administrative tasks
- Enhances fairness and transparency in selection
- You want a free tier before you commit
- Your work is HR & recruiting-shaped, not grants management-shaped
| Feature | Submittable | SurveyMonkey Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 333 reviews | ★3.9/5 1,396 reviews |
| Categories | Grants ManagementNonprofit Tools | HR & RecruitingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Submittable
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
Strengths
- +Quick program launch, often within two weeks or less.
- +No coding or technical background required for setup and management.
- +Automations significantly reduce administrative busywork and human error.
- +Provides crystal clear budget oversight with real-time tracking.
- +Offers a great applicant experience with easy-to-navigate software and clear next steps.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing runs expensive for larger programs and growing teams, and reviewers report that capabilities pitched during sales calls turn out to require additional paid add-ons that are prohibitive for small organizations.
- -Reporting and analytics are limited, with users citing weak workflow automation and a hard cutoff that prevents pulling historical report data from before January 10, 2023, plus caps on how many times data can be exported per month on lower-tier plans.
- -The reviewer interface is widely described as overwhelming and hard to navigate once a submission is opened, forcing evaluators to scroll between the full application and scoring rather than viewing materials and scores side by side.
- -Customer support draws repeated complaints for slow or unhelpful responses, with response times worsening during high-volume application and judging windows when help is needed most.
Key features
Value 60/100. Submittable's pricing model, which requires booking a meeting for all tiers, makes it difficult to assess fairness or expense.
Watch out: Custom integration fees likely
SurveyMonkey Apply
Streamline your application and grant management processes with a powerful, customizable platform.
Strengths
- +Streamlines complex application processes
- +Reduces manual administrative tasks
- +Enhances fairness and transparency in selection
- +Offers robust customization options for forms and workflows
- +Provides tools for collaboration among reviewers
Weaknesses
- -Can be complex to set up initially for intricate workflows
- -Pricing may be a barrier for smaller organizations
- -Steep learning curve for some advanced features
Key features
Pricing: Submittable vs SurveyMonkey Apply
| Plan | Submittable | SurveyMonkey Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Book a Meeting Corporate Social Responsibility Platform | N/A |
| Tier 2 | Book a Meeting Grant & Application Management Software | N/A |
| Tier 3 | Book a Meeting Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Submittable pricing and SurveyMonkey Apply pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
SurveyMonkey Apply has a free tier. Submittable is paid only.
Go with: SurveyMonkey Apply
Want the highest-rated option?
Submittable: 4.5/5 (333 reviews). SurveyMonkey Apply: 3.9/5 (1,396 reviews).
Go with: Submittable
Value user reviews?
Submittable: 333 reviews (4.5/5). SurveyMonkey Apply: 1,396 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: SurveyMonkey Apply
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Submittable is paid. SurveyMonkey Apply is freemium. SurveyMonkey Apply lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Submittable is a grants management tool. SurveyMonkey Apply is in HR & recruiting. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Submittable is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
Submittable
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 3.9/5
- Our pick for this comparison
SurveyMonkey Apply
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (1,396 reviews)
- Better fit for HR & recruiting
The Bottom Line
Submittable is our pick. SurveyMonkey Apply has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Submittable or SurveyMonkey Apply better?
Submittable is rated in our evaluation. Submittable is paid and SurveyMonkey Apply is freemium.
What are Submittable and SurveyMonkey Apply used for?
Submittable: Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.. SurveyMonkey Apply: Streamline your application and grant management processes with a powerful, customizable platform..
What does Submittable cost vs SurveyMonkey Apply?
Submittable is a paid tool. SurveyMonkey Apply is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.