CharterVote vs POLYAS

CharterVote is a web platform for associations and member bodies to run board elections, motions, referenda, and quick polls. Members verify eligibility once and receive accreditation for a single ballot, which they can cast anonymously using an access code without making a CharterVote account. Members can check whether ballot receipts were included, compare published results with retained evidence, and verify winner certificates through public checks. CharterVote says it uses HTTPS with strict security headers and rate limits sensitive actions. It says it collects only data needed for an election and lets account holders export or erase their data. Enterprise elections can split the ballot-box key among trustees so no single person, including CharterVote, can open results alone. The service is intended for groups such as unions, cooperatives, professional associations, faith groups, alumni networks, and student bodies. The free Starter plan covers up to 25 eligible voters per election, with results and hosted verification kept for 365 days. Paid elections start at $119, paid once for up to 250 voters. Verification does not establish voter identity or intent, device security, or events outside the platform.

POLYAS provides online and live voting for elections, meetings, and organizational decisions. Its Online Voting Manager lets organizers create ballots, manage an electoral roll, schedule an election, and monitor turnout in real time. A free test election supports up to five test voters. Live Voting supports meeting votes and elections with remote participation, and results appear after voting closes. Self-service options include custom logos, voter groups, ballot weighting, email reminders, and iFrame embedding for Live Voting or CORE 3 voting. POLYAS says voting data is stored and processed within the European Union; its architecture separates identifying information from electronic ballots and anonymizes vote counting. The company says CORE 2.5.0 meets Common Criteria protection profile requirements. Its free Standard online voting plan covers up to 50 voters with CORE 3 Base, but excludes features and service. Listed paid plans have a €50 base price, with voter-count pricing applying. POLYAS is headquartered in Kassel, Germany, and was created as a corporate spin-off in 2012.