QUESTIONSTAR
Public sector · administration · participation processes

Citizen surveys where every vote counts once — and everyone can take part.

Each invitation can be used only once. Surveys work with screen readers, can be provided in over 100 languages, and are hosted GDPR-compliant in Germany.

Free, no time limit, no credit card.
Watercolor city skyline with individual citizen tokens, letters and radio signals above the rooftops.
GDPR-compliant · DPA included
Servers in Germany · certified data center
Made in Germany
Trusted by companies, universities and public institutions
Audi
DEKRA
IKEA
STIHL
Vodafone
Fronius
Rohde & Schwarz
Telefónica
Würth
Wüstenrot
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
RWTH Aachen
TU Dresden
TU Darmstadt
FU Berlin
Universität Heidelberg
Universität Freiburg
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Universität Zürich
KIT Karlsruhe
Universität Hamburg
Universität Köln
Universität Stuttgart
Universität Bern
WU Wien
Berner Fachhochschule
Diakonie
METRO
Tommy Hilfiger
RCI Banque
Charité Berlin
Universität Münster
TH Mannheim
Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Justiz
TUM Universitätsklinikum
ABB
Deutsche Richterakademie
Deutscher Eishockey-Bund
Klinikum Stuttgart
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
OLG Stuttgart
Eintracht Frankfurt
Sparkassen
LANCOM Systems
Landtag Niedersachsen
LANXESS
Universität Graz
TU München
Stadt Köln
Stadt Frankfurt
TU Berlin
LMU München
Universität Mannheim
Universität Wien
Universität Leipzig
Universität Bremen
Universität Innsbruck
Volksbanken
An observation · no drama

A few gaps — and the process is up for debate.

One person with several devices. A citizen with no internet access. A participant with a different native language.

A few gaps — and the whole result is up for debate.

Then participation is there — but the process is up for debate.

What QUESTIONSTAR actually gives you

Four working mechanics, not four marketing promises.

Every vote only once

When an invitation can be used multiple times, the whole result is quickly called into question. Token links make sure every participation stays unique.

Participation without barriers

Surveys have to work for people who don't operate them visually, too. They're usable with screen readers and proven in practice.

Many languages, one survey

Different languages often lead to several versions. Here respondents choose their own language — and everything comes together in one analysis.

Review by IT and data protection

When a process is reviewed internally, concrete answers count. Hosting in Germany, GDPR-compliant, DPA available.

Token logic · each vote exactly once

Each invitation can be used exactly once.

A separate access is generated for each person. After participation, the link is used up.

Bulk creation for large distribution lists. Configurable expiry date. Send directly from the system or as CSV. Short links for SMS or printed letters — e.g. qs.st/1118F751.

That turns an open survey into a controlled process.

Distribution list · token links · 1,842 generated
Use per link
Token list · excerpt· sample list
qs.st/1118F751M. Schneider✓ used
qs.st/8A2C0E94K. Yıldız✓ used
qs.st/3F70B22DL. Petrow○ open
qs.st/C4E1A60BS. Becker○ open
qs.st/9D6F4112A. Nowak○ open
1,842 generated·1,187 used·655 open
Inclusion · participation without barriers

Participation works with screen readers, too.

Surveys come with ARIA tags and have been used with screen readers in practice.

The feature came about at a customer's request — for a survey with visually impaired participants. It worked, with limitations on question types that are generally hard to make accessible (e.g. sliders without steps).

There's no formal certification. For many participation processes, that's sufficient.

Question 7 of 14 · screen-reader view
Question · ARIA label maintained
Which measures are a priority for you in the new climate plan?
Answer · multiple choice
↳ Screen reader reads out
“Question 7 of 14. Which measures are a priority for you in the new climate plan? Multiple choice. Four options. First option: More cycle paths selected. Second option: Energy-efficient refurbishment selected. Third option: Public transport expansion not selected. Fourth option: Greening not selected.
ARIA tags · complete·Tab order logical·Tested in practice
Multilingual

When many languages come together.

In many municipalities, citizens don't speak the same language.

Surveys can be provided automatically in over 100 languages. Respondents choose their own language.

The results stay comparable.

Survey · languages · 1 analysis
Active languages · respondents choose their own
+ pick from 100+
Preview · question in Deutsch
Welche Maßnahmen zur Verkehrsberuhigung halten Sie für sinnvoll?
Respondents per language
612 of 1,210 responses in Deutsch·7 languages active·1 shared analysis
Concrete processes

Four participation scenarios where it really helps.

Climate plan

When many interests collide, people quickly question whether the results hold up. A clear process makes the difference here.

Traffic planning

On controversial topics especially, double voting has to be ruled out. Token links make every contribution clearly traceable — even under political pressure.

Urban land-use planning

Longer surveys often get interrupted. Respondents can continue later — the token stays valid until completion.

Participatory budgeting

When proposals are prioritized, the process has to be transparent. Token logic and quota control keep the result robust.

Voices from practice

What our customers say about us.

100% verifiable.

QUESTIONSTAR has accompanied my work for over 15 years — from the eQuestionnaire days until today. What convinces us as a consulting and market research firm: the tool is reliable, simple, and keeps growing with us. That is exactly why I am happy to recommend it. A rare constant in an industry where tools change every few years.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Angerer
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Angerer
Managing Director, Lecturer & Research Coach
Dr. Angerer Marketing
Common questions

What you should know upfront.

Can we prevent multiple participation?

Yes, via single-use token links. Bulk creation, one-time use per link, configurable expiry date.

Does it work with screen readers?

Yes, ARIA tags are maintained throughout and have been tested in practice. Not every question type is equally suitable (sliders without steps are problematic). There's no formal certification.

Which languages are supported?

Over 100 languages automatically. Respondents choose their own language.

Where is the data stored?

In German IONOS data centers. Details on security and GDPR compliance on /security.

What happens with many participants at once?

For larger surveys we recommend staggered invitations over several days. That keeps response times stable.

Who processes data besides QUESTIONSTAR?

Hosting is via IONOS (Germany). Email delivery via SendGrid (US, with standard contractual clauses). CDN via Microsoft Azure Frankfurt. Details on /security. For strict EU-only procurement, please coordinate in advance.

Can we customize branding?

Yes, logo and colors are customizable. Custom domain optional — as a paid add-on with DNS setup.

Can we set quotas?

Yes, by demographics, region or age group. Important for representative citizen surveys.

Can we publish results?

Yes, aggregated results can be shared publicly — important for the transparency obligation in participation processes.

Ready?

Ready for a citizen survey that holds up?

You can start right away. No contract, no commitment. Stop whenever you like.

Kostenlos, ohne Zeitlimit und Kreditkarte.