Best 5 Microsoft Teams Apps for Anonymous Employee Feedback Collection (2024)

This blog is for you...

If you've ever found yourself navigating the challenges of collecting genuine employee insights within your organization, you're in the right place.

Especially if you're part of the HR team or a leader who values the power of anonymous employee feedback to foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.

Imagine a workplace where every voice is heard, and every opinion matters without the fear of repercussion. That's the kind of environment we all dream of, right?

But how do you make this a reality in a digital workspace like Microsoft Teams?

I've got you covered! This blog is your go-to guide for transforming Microsoft Teams into a powerful tool for gathering anonymous employee feedback.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover:

🌟 Understand why anonymous surveys are critical for honest feedback and how they contribute to a healthy workplace culture.

🌟 Navigate through the top 5 Microsoft Teams apps designed for conducting anonymous surveys. No need to wonder, "Can Microsoft Teams do anonymous surveys?" - I'll show you how.

🌟 Dive deep into the specifics: from pricing and ease of use to data privacy, ensuring that you find the ideal tool that fits your needs without breaking the bank.

🌟 Unpack best practices for engaging your team and maximizing the effectiveness of these surveys to get insightful, actionable feedback.

Let me show you, but first...
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What is the importance of choosing the right Anonymous Survey App?

People speak up when they feel safe. Some apps are better at ensuring anonymity. This is key for candid responses. You want the truth, right?

"Does Microsoft Teams have a survey option?" Absolutely. But not all options are the same. Some really stand out.

Not every app fits every team. So, choose an app that feels right for you.

For example, some apps integrate directly into Teams. This makes it super easy for everyone. Convenience encourages participation.

The best apps help you understand and act on the feedback. In my years of experience, that's where real change begins.

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What should you consider when choosing an Anonymous Survey App?

I have listed down the key factors to ensure you select the most suitable tool for your needs:

When choosing an anonymous survey app, check its:

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1. Versatility and Customization: Choose an app with lots of question types and templates. And ways to customize your survey so it fits your goals and brand.
2. Anonymity Features: Make sure the app keeps answers private, so people feel comfortable giving honest feedback.
3. Ease of Use: Pick an app that's easy to use, with drag-and-drop and simple sharing for everyone who needs to take the survey.
4. Security and Data Privacy: Choose an app that protects everyone's information with strong security measures.
5. Templates and Integration: Look for apps with pre-made templates, easy connections to tools you already use (like Slack), and features for gathering feedback from all angles.
6. Cost and Value: Find an app that fits your budget and gives you the features you need.

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Top 5 Microsoft Teams Apps for Anonymous Surveys

Before we jump into a detailed review of each application, you can check the table for an overview of the apps.

Let's now explore the applications in more detail. 

Microsoft Forms (Pre-installed in Teams)

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Microsoft Forms is a straightforward, no-frills tool primarily focused on survey creation. It's part of the Microsoft ecosystem. So, it’s an accessible option for those already embedded in Microsoft's suite of productivity tools. 

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Microsoft Forms allows for quick survey setup but lacks more advanced features found in dedicated feedback and engagement platforms.

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Here's what I (and others) discovered using Microsoft Forms.

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Pros of using Microsoft Forms:

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1. Easy to use and set up, requiring no previous experience or programming skills.
2. Responsive forms are suitable for various use cases like surveys, quizzes, and contact forms.
3. Features analytics, various question types, and custom design themes.
4. Seamless integration with Microsoft Excel.
5. Intuitive interface and secure sharing options.
6. Pre-defined templates aid in quick survey form creation.

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Common complaints about Microsoft Forms:

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1. Limited customization options, including custom themes and form templates.
2. Lack of advanced features such as voice notes and enhanced branding capabilities.
3. Technical understanding is required for integrating with other Office 365 tools.
4. Detailed analytics and deep data analysis are not user-friendly and require a dedicated team.
5. Flexibility in creating surveys is limited, affecting the design of more complex forms.
6. The free version restricts the number of questions, impacting the depth of surveys.
7. Occasional lag and delay in fetching or collating data, affecting user experience.

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Pricing:

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For purposes like conducting anonymous surveys within Microsoft Teams, here are the relevant details about the available pricing plans that provide access to Teams and suitable functionalities:

• Microsoft Teams Essentials ($4.00 user/month):some text
  • Access to Microsoft Teams is included.
  • This plan allows for unlimited chats, file sharing, and tasks, which can support basic survey activities within the platform.
  • Note that while this plan supports general collaboration, it does not include advanced survey features or Microsoft Forms. 

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• Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($6.00 user/month):some text
  • Includes full access to Microsoft Teams.
  • Adds Microsoft Forms, which can be used for creating surveys, polls, and quizzes.
  • Provides 1 TB of cloud storage per employee, enhancing the ability to store and manage survey data. 

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• Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($12.50 user/month):some text
  • Provides all features of the Business Basic plan, including access to Teams and Microsoft Forms.
  • Enhanced with desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps, adding more flexibility and capability for survey analysis and presentation. 

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• Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22.00 user/month):some text
  • Includes all the features of the Business Standard plan.
  • Advanced security features ensure the confidentiality and integrity of survey data, which is crucial for sensitive or anonymous surveys. 

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For conducting anonymous surveys on Teams, starting with the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan is advisable, as it includes Microsoft Forms, an essential tool for such purposes. Higher-tier plans add more functionalities and security, which may be necessary depending on the complexity and sensitivity of the survey data.

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Wrenly: Best for Anonymous Feedback and Employee Recognition

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Wrenly distinguishes itself with a focus on anonymous feedback and recognition. It leverages AI to provide insights into team health and engagement. 

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It's designed to foster an open and honest feedback culture within teams, offering features like AI-generated summaries and recognition feeds. 

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Wrenly aims to create a more connected and supportive work environment.

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So, below are my (and others') key findings using Wrenly.

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Pros of Wrenly:

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1. Seamless integration with Slack.
2. Allows for anonymous feedback, ensuring employees can voice concerns without judgment.

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3. User-friendly and intuitive interface.
4. Facilitates recognition between colleagues, fostering a positive work environment.
5. Customizable pulse surveys tailored to specific needs.
6. Incognito mode enhances communication while preserving anonymity.
7. Private channels for confidential feedback and moderated public channels.
8. High participation rate due to integration into daily communication tools like Slack.

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Cons of Wrenly:

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1. Limited features and settings, though it is acknowledged that the tool is growing.
2. Initial setup can be challenging for some users.

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3. The search function in the platform could be enhanced.

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These pointers reflect a general satisfaction with Wrenly's ability to facilitate anonymous feedback within Teams.

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Wrenly Pricing

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Wrenly offers three pricing plans and they are: 

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1. Free Forever Plan- $0: some text
   1. Ideal for small teams, this plan offers a taste of Wrenly's capabilities. 
   2. With 3 surveys, 5 feedbacks, and 10 recognitions per month, it's a cost-effective start. 
   3. One admin is included to keep everything in check. It's a real steal—especially with zero cost.

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2. Standard Plan- $5/user/month (billed monthly): some text
   1. Everything in the Free Forever Plan plus more. 
   2. This plan is for teams ready to expand their feedback culture with an AI Assistant. 
   3. You’ll have unlimited surveys and feedback, and engage with an AI Health Score Report. 
   4. Birthdays and anniversaries are noted and celebrated, and department managers gain control to guide their teams effectively.

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3. Performance+ Plan- $7/user/month (billed monthly): some text
   1. Everything in Standard and more. 
   2. For teams looking for comprehensive performance management tools, this plan has advanced features like 360 feedback.
   3. You also get priority support and a dedicated success manager to help with strategy and execution.

Try Wrenly for Free!

Test out every feature for two weeks, no credit card needed.
You also get a free AI health score during your trial.
What are you waiting for?

Try it free

Request a demo

Teamflect: Best for Maximum Anonymity in Performance Reviews

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Teamflect offers a comprehensive platform for performance reviews, goal tracking (OKRs), and 360-degree feedback, all within the Microsoft Teams environment. 

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It emphasizes personal development and team growth with tools for detailed performance insights.

Here's a closer look at Teamflect's strengths and weaknesses.

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Best Features of Teamflect:

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1. Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams.
2. Easy and intuitive to use.
3. Simplifies and organizes tasks, meetings, and goals.

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4. Customizable to suit specific needs, like tracking personal goals.
5. User-friendly interface.
6. Supports yearly reviews.
7. Enhances transparency of organizational KPIs and personal goals.
8. Free for up to 10 users, offering great value for small teams.

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What Teamflect Users Find Challenging:

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1. Some users find the task assignment feature confusing.
2. Occasionally does not save automatically, leading to loss of input.
3. Help functionality can be cluttered.
4. Editing self-reviews before the evaluation date can be cumbersome.

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5. It can be complicated for first-time users with many components.
6. Notifications could be improved to be more than just chat messages.
7. Issues with slow loading were reported.
8. Some desire more integration with other Microsoft services, like To Do.
9. Users would appreciate email reminders for updating goals.
10. The Task module could be more closely connected to Microsoft To Do.

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Teamflect Pricing

Teamflect has two pricing plans, and they are:

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1. Free Plan: This plan lets up to 10 people use it, which is not a lot. some text
   1. You can work with Microsoft Teams, but not with Outlook & To Do, which means you might miss out on some cool features. 
   2. You get some basic reports but can't make your own or send data outside. 
   3. Also, you don't get someone special to help you if you're stuck, which could make things a bit tricky.

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2. Pro Plan- $6.5/user/month: This one is for as many people as you want, which is great for big teams. some text
   1. It works with all Microsoft tools like Teams, Outlook, & To Do, so everything fits together nicely. 
   2. You can also make your own reports. 
   3. Plus, it has lots of extra features like feedback from your team, setting and tracking goals, and even saying thanks to your team.

Also, you get a 23% discount if you are billed annually. 

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Geekbot: Best for Automated Standups and Task Management

Geekbot automates daily standups and task management, streamlining remote and distributed team workflows. 

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It's particularly useful for teams looking to maintain productivity and transparency without the need for synchronous meetings. 

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However, it may not offer the depth of features provided by more comprehensive engagement platforms.

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To help you decide if Geekbot is right for you, let's break down its pros and cons.

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Advantages of using Geekbot:

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1. Enhances visibility on team activities.
2. Integrates with Slack too, fitting naturally into workflows.
3. Allows for highly customized pulse surveys.
4. Supports asynchronous communication across time zones.

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5. Simple and easy to configure for multiple teams.
6. Integrates as a chatbot with MS Teams.

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Disadvantages of using Geekbot:

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1. May lack flexibility and customization compared to dedicated tools.
2. Some users wish for better analytics.
3. Pricing could be more competitive.
4. Users want AI features.
5. Admin dashboard can be hard to navigate without specific commands.
6. Some find it feels like micromanagement.
7. Issues with customizing message delivery times.

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8. Some find managing Geekbot not user-friendly and glitchy.

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Geekbot Pricing

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Geekbot has three pricing plans, and they are as follows:

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1. Start-up Plan- $0: This plan is suitable for small teams with basic workflow needs. It allows up to 10 participants at no cost. It’s a straightforward option, though it may lack advanced features.
2. Scale-up Plan- $3.0/participant/month: For companies experiencing growth, this plan aims to reduce management overhead with a reasonable per-participant rate. The included 30-day trial is an opportunity to assess value, though costs could accumulate as team size increases.
3. Enterprise Plan: This plan targets larger businesses to boost productivity while maintaining their culture. However, they don’t list any amount. And since pricing can change, you have to talk it over with them to make sure it fits your budget.

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If you choose annual billing, there is a significant saving of 17%.

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Polly.ai: Best for Elevating Meetings with Interactive Polls

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Polly enhances team meetings with interactive polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions, primarily within Slack and Microsoft Teams. 

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It is designed to make meetings more engaging and gather real-time feedback from team members. 

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Although it may lack some of the deeper analytical and feedback features of more focused employee engagement tools.

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Let's break down Polly’s key features and potential drawbacks.

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Most Praised Features of Polly.ai:

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1. User-friendly interface and layout are pleasing to the eye.
2. It allows users to add their own options in polls.
3. Live viewing of results is fast.

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4. Offers a variety of question options, enhancing survey completeness.
5. Customizable polls fit well with the company's communication tools.
6. Enhances team cohesion in remote environments. 

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Things users don't love about Polly.ai:

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1. The requirement to add Polly to private channels is an extra, inconvenient step.
2. Mobile setup can be challenging.
3. A desire for a broader variety of questions and topics in trivia and hot takes.
4. Not all results can be exported to a spreadsheet, which could be limiting.
5. The tool could benefit from more enhancements and integration with other commonly used applications.

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6. Some users wish for more templates or options for personalizing polls.

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Polly.ai Pricing

Polly.ai's pricing models for Microsoft Teams offer basic to advanced functionalities:

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1. Standard Plan ($49/month for 3 months): Offers a response limit increase to 500, with the addition of unlimited results history and chat messaging. However, it lacks advanced features which are crucial for in-depth team analysis.
2. Pro Plan ($24/month for 12 months): Expands responses to 2,500 and introduces user and license management, requiring a year-long commitment. Despite these features, it still falls short of providing comprehensive engagement and analytical capabilities.
3. Enterprise Plan for Microsoft Teams (Custom Pricing):  This tool has everything, but the price is hidden and it lacks key features for employee engagement and tracking progress. This might not be the best choice for a large company.

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In essence, while Polly.ai caters to a range of team sizes and needs, the absence of critical engagement and analytical features across all plans, combined with the pricing structure, might not offer the best value for teams seeking a holistic employee engagement solution.

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Best Practices for Maximizing Engagement with Anonymous Surveys

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1. Talk Clearly and Keep It Relevant: Tell your team why you're doing the survey and that their answers are private. Make sure your questions are about things they know and care about. Use different types of questions to get all sorts of answers.

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2. Make It Easy and Fun: Keep your survey short and sweet. Use tools that make answering fun and easy. This way, more people will want to fill it out.

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3. Show What You Did With Their Answers: After the survey, tell everyone what you learned and what you're going to change because of their answers. This shows you're really listening.

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4. Do Surveys Regularly and Remind Them: Have surveys often so people expect them, and remind them when it's time to fill out a new one. If people see you're always trying to make things better, they'll keep helping.

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5. Keep Answers Private and Build Trust: Always keep answers private so people feel safe to tell the truth. When people trust you, they give better feedback, which helps everyone.

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Anonymous feedback offers a powerful tool for gathering honest opinions and fostering open communication. However, navigating this path isn't without its challenges. 

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Here, we'll delve into these hurdles and explore solutions to ensure your anonymous feedback initiative is a success.

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5 Challenges of Anonymous Feedback (and How to Solve Them)

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Challenge #1: Lack of Context:

❓Problem: Anonymous responses can be devoid of context, making it difficult to understand the underlying reasons behind feedback.

💡Solution:  

• Offer optional open-ended questions.
• Group responses based on department, experience level, etc., to identify trends within specific groups.
• Use follow-up surveys or interviews (optional).

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Challenge #2: Vague or Negative Feedback:

❓Problem: Anonymous surveys can sometimes lead to vague and less constructive feedback.

💡Solution:

• Ask specific questions
• Provide examples of the type of information you're looking for.
• Pilot test your survey.

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Challenge #3: Difficulty in Following Up:

❓Problem: Since the feedback is anonymous, you can't respond to individuals directly.

💡Solution:

• Focus on actionable insights.
• Implement changes based on feedback.
• Use follow-up surveys to gauge progress.

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Challenge #4: Building Trust in Anonymity:

❓Problem: Employees might be skeptical about the true anonymity of their responses.

💡Solution:

• Choose a reputable survey platform
• Explain how anonymity is guaranteed and how the feedback will be used.
• Regularly share how anonymous feedback has led to positive changes within the organization.

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Challenge #5: Getting Complete Answers: 

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❓Problem: Sometimes, people might skip questions or not give full answers. 

💡Solution: 

• Make sure your questions are clear and the survey isn't too long. 
• Offer a small incentive to help increase completion rates.

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By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, you can create a safe space for honest feedback.  And leverage the power of anonymity to gain valuable insights that can improve your organization. 

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Remember, effective anonymous feedback collection is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement. 

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Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right tool for anonymous surveys in Microsoft Teams is vital for effective feedback. Each option has its strengths:

• Microsoft Forms is easy to use and integrated with Teams, but lacks advanced features.
• Wrenly offers a variety of question types and strong integration, making it a reliable choice for comprehensive engagement.
• Geekbot excels in detailed surveys and team analysis but may require more time to learn.
• Teamflect enhances employee engagement with its range of tools, though its free plan is limited.
• Polly is user-friendly and great for interactive formats, but the free plan may prompt a need for upgrades.

So, now you can skip the struggle! 

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Picking the right tool for feedback can be tricky, but it can totally boost your Teams game and make work way more open and productive. Tools like Wrenly work great with Teams and give everyone a safe space to share honest feedback. Win-win!