KoboToolbox
KoboToolbox is a free and open-source form-based data collection platform. It is particularly useful when people need to collect consistent field records without operating a full GIS interface.
Where it fits
| Audience | Example use |
|---|---|
| marae | asset and maintenance inspections, emergency-resource inventories |
| Māori land trust | whenua visits, access or infrastructure observations, project inspections |
| taiao team | water, restoration, pest, vegetation and repeat-monitoring forms |
| cultural heritage team | current field observations and photographs linked to source research |
| rangatahi project | learning GPS, structured data, field photographs and QGIS |
| community organisation | condition surveys and distributed field collection |
Kobo is not a cadastral survey tool and it is not a replacement for QGIS or ArcGIS analysis. It is strongest when the form is the collection interface and the resulting records later join a wider GIS.
Current collection options
Kobo supports browser-based web forms and the Android KoboCollect app. Both can work offline. Web forms are useful across mixed devices including iPhone/iPad, while KoboCollect is useful for Android field teams that want a dedicated app and explicit download/send workflow.
GIS capabilities
Kobo can collect:
- points
- lines
- areas
- photographs
- audio and video
- files
- dates, numbers and text
- controlled choices and validation
- repeated groups and structured observations
GeoJSON is the easiest spatial export for QGIS and ArcGIS. CSV/XLSX remains valuable where raw values or GPS accuracy need to be retained.
Hosting is a real choice
The public Kobo Global and EU services currently use Amazon Web Services for storage. Private Kobo servers and self-hosting are also possible. Offline collection does not mean uploaded data remains on the field device or in Aotearoa.
For Māori organisations the useful approach is to make the hosting arrangement visible when choosing the system, alongside cost, capability, account administration, export and the kaupapa of the project.
Detailed guides
- KoboToolbox for field work
- Design a Kobo GIS form
- GPS and media
- KoboToolbox to QGIS
- Data storage and API
Official documentation: KoboToolbox Support Centre.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026