LimeSurvey PRO vs LimeSurvey CE
From LimeSurvey Manual
Introduction
Before starting the discussion about LimeSurvey PRO (LimeSurvey Professional) and LimeSurvey CE (LimeSurvey Community Edition), it is important to understand the difference between LimeSurvey and LimeSurvey GmbH. The first refers to the web server-based software that is distributed under the GNU General Public License v2 (GPL v2), while the latter refers to the company that was build around the LimeSurvey software in order to better cordinate the development of LimeSurvey and provide different LimeSurvey paid services (e.g. hosting, personalized templates, addons, technical support, and so on).
To read more about the license of LimeSurvey, access the following link: https://www.limesurvey.org/about-limesurvey/license.Due to its license, LimeSurvey is an open-source software that can be used, modified, and distributed for commercial, private, and educational purposes by anyone. With the exception of the name and logo which are trademarked, the software can be used in any desired way. For example, there is no problem to use LimeSurvey in order to create and distribute questionnaires regarding the evaluation of a university class or professor or to install it on a personal server and conduct online or offline marketing research for the company you work for.
LimeSurvey is an open-source software. This means that its code is fully disclosed. To access it, check the following GitHub link: https://github.com/LimeSurvey/LimeSurveyIn order to install LimeSurvey on your personal computer (for development reasons) or on your server, a minimal set of requirements needs to be met in order to have LimeSurvey up and running. For an exhaustive step-by-step explanation on how to install LimeSurvey, read our installation guideline.
However, some of you might find consider that the installation process is a time-consuming task. Moreover, server administration knowledge might be required in order to avoid possible gridlocks. Hence, LimeSurvey GmbH offers different services built around the capabilities of the LimeSurvey software and the users' needs. For example, LimeSurvey GmbH offers PRO hosting services in order to help users provide direct access to an up-and-running LimeSurvey installation.
LimeSurvey PRO vs LimeSurvey CE
| LimeSurvey PRO | LimeSurvey CE |
|---|---|
| The hosting is provided by LimeSurvey. The creation of an up-and-running installation should not take more than 5 minutes. | Made to be self-hosted. |
| Four available types of subscription: FREE, BASIC, EXPERT, and ENTERPRISE. | Freemium & Premium versions available. |
| It always uses the latest stable version of LimeSurvey | You get access not only to the latest releases but also to the older ones. It is your choice which one you wish to use. |
| Technical support included for the paid packages | Technical ComfortUpdate support included for the premium packages. |
| Contains all features that make LimeSurvey great | Contains all features that make LimeSurvey great too. |
| It uses the ComfortUpdate tool to upgrade the LimeSurvey installation | it uses the ComfortUpdate tool to upgrade the LimeSurvey installation. The update can be done also manually. |
| Save precious time by using our available hosting and avoiding any effort with your own hardware. | Ideal for hands-on people with technical knowledge. |
| Reliable response inflow due to a self-renewing subscription system. | The only limitation is your server and the configuration of your LimeSurvey installation. |
| Full flexibility due to a cancellation period of only 3 days until the date of renewal. | The software is hosted on your servers. There is no business contact between you and LimeSurvey GmbH.}
response and storage usage. No plugins/ in LimeSurvey Professional |