Akvo Flow vs mWater
Akvo Flow
akvo.org
mWater
mwater.coSide by side
| Figure | Akvo Flow | mWater |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $500/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 6 |
| Spec score · Mobile Forms Software | 9.0 (#4) | 8.0 (#22) |
| Data ownership | Akvo states that users retain ownership of survey content and that private survey data is not sold. | Users own their data, choose what to share, and can download all data at any time through the platform or API. |
| Founded | 2006 | 2012 |
| Integrations | Akvo says its open source platform can connect with other tools and systems using its API. | The mWater Integrator connects two-way with systems that have an API on daily, weekly, or monthly schedules without custom code. |
| Languages | The workspace and app are offered in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese; the app also supports Hindi. | mWater is available in 28 languages and is designed for low technological fluency and low-end devices. |
| Purpose | Akvo Flow is presented as a data collection tool for organisations that use data to drive change. | mWater is a cloud-based data collection, management, analysis, and visualization platform for water, sanitation, and hygiene services. |
| Security | Akvo says it uses SSL encryption for data transmission between system components. | mWater uses encryption in transit and at rest, two-factor authentication for administrative access, role-based permissions, server-side permission checks, and daily offsite backups. |
| Support | Akvo says hosted platform customers receive a support team and access to tool documentation; the listed Pro plan includes a service package. | mWater provides training and technical support, while optional Stellar subscriptions provide priority support and complex technical-assistance tasks. |
Plans
mWater
- mWater platformFree
- Stellar High Volume Data$500 a month
- Stellar Support Membership$500 a month
- Custom Surveyor app configuration$25,000, paid once
- Light Blue organizational data hub$50,000, paid once
- National and program monitoring systemsPriced on request
In their own words
Akvo Flow
Akvo Flow is a data collection tool for organisations that use data to drive change. Its online workspace lets teams create, edit, copy and store surveys, then connect enumerators’ devices and assign survey groups for a set period. Forms can capture qualitative and quantitative responses, water test results, GPS data, images, geographical shapes, barcodes and QR codes. Monitoring forms track selected data points over time. The Android app collects information offline and can upload it automatically when coverage returns or manually by USB. Flow exports data and form codebooks, and its Comprehensive report presents basic statistics and charts. The open source platform connects with other tools through an API. Roles and permissions help control team access; Akvo says data transmission between system components uses SSL encryption and users choose what to keep private or share. Flow runs on Android, web, API and self-hosted platforms. Flow Basic is free for new clients, with a 300-submission limit, one export format and one user. Flow Pro + pricing is custom.
mWater
mWater is a cloud platform for collecting, managing, analyzing, and visualizing information about water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Surveyor lets teams build surveys, record infrastructure sites, and gather data in a browser or on Android and iOS phones and tablets. It works offline, then synchronizes forms and responses when a connection returns. Teams can also import spreadsheets, build reports and calculations, view maps and time series, share with stakeholders, and export data. Organizations can use standard forms and indicators, control sharing with permissions, and connect other systems through the API. The mWater Integrator exchanges data with API-enabled platforms on daily, weekly, or monthly schedules without custom code. The service supports 28 languages and is designed for low-end devices and people with low technological fluency. Users retain ownership of their data and can download it through the platform or API. The free plan includes unlimited standard use, forms, users, surveys, and integrations, with no per-user fees. Paid options include support and higher data capacity, while custom and national monitoring systems are priced by project.