PsyToolkit
by PsyToolkit
What PsyToolkit is
PsyToolkit is a free toolkit for programming and running cognitive psychology experiments and surveys, and for teaching psychological experiments. Studies can run online or in a laboratory, with browser collection and offline experiment modes. Its web software works in modern browsers on Windows, Mac, and Linux without plugins; a Linux desktop version supports higher timing precision and hardware such as Cedrus keyboards and digital I/O cards. Questionnaires offer multiple question types, conditional logic, randomization, media, embedded reaction-time experiments, and multiple interface languages. The experiment scripting language handles stimulus presentation, audio and video, response measurement, randomized trials, and millisecond timing. Data can be stored online and downloaded as CSV, Excel, or raw text, with preprocessing and analysis support. Integrations include CloudResearch, Prolific, SONA, and MTurk. HTTPS protects transmission, participant IP addresses are excluded from researcher files by default, and researchers retain ownership of collected data.
Who it suits
PsyToolkit suits school, college, and university students and staff conducting psychology studies or teaching experiments. It also fits researchers needing online or laboratory modes and Linux hardware support.
What it does well
- Free plan for eligible educational users
- Online and laboratory experiment modes
- Questionnaires support logic and randomization
- Millisecond timing and response measurement
- CSV, Excel, and raw-text downloads
What to know first
- Non-educational use requires written permission
- No free trial
- Researchers should download their own backups
- Linux desktop mode is hardware-oriented
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PsyToolkit | Free for school, college, and university students and staff; unlimited duration and participants; other use requires explicit written permission | Free |
As psytoolkit.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
PsyToolkit combines questionnaire and experiment scripting with online or laboratory operation. Educational users get unlimited duration and participants under the listed free plan, while other organizations must request permission.
Facts from PsyToolkit's own pages
- Response analytics
- Yes · psytoolkit.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Respondent panel
- Yes · psytoolkit.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Backups
- The maker says data are backed up daily, but gives no legal guarantee against data loss and recommends researchers download their own copies. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Browser access
- The web software runs in modern browsers without plugins, and browser access works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- Study data can be stored online and downloaded as CSV, Excel, or raw text, with options for preprocessing and analysis support. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Data locations
- Researchers choose a US or European server for study data; the maker says administrators may access data in rare cases for maintenance or troubleshooting. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop mode
- A Linux desktop version supports higher timing precision and specialized hardware such as Cedrus keyboards and digital I/O cards. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Experiments
- The experiment scripting language supports stimulus presentation, audio and video, response measurement, trial randomization, and millisecond timing. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2005 · psytoolkit.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · psytoolkit.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom · psytoolkit.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists integrations with CloudResearch, Prolific, SONA, and MTurk, and says CGI variables can exchange data with other websites. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Logic branching
- Yes · psytoolkit.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Maker and history
- The FAQ describes PsyToolkit as a UK-designed not-for-profit project and says it has existed since 2005; it names Professor Gijsbert Stoet as a contact. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Online and lab use
- Studies can run online or in a laboratory, with online data collection and offline experiment modes. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PsyToolkit provides tools for programming and running cognitive psychology experiments and surveys, and for teaching psychological experiments. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Questionnaires
- Questionnaires support multiple question types, conditional logic, randomization, media, embedded reaction-time experiments, and multiple interface languages. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- Data transmission uses HTTPS, participant IP addresses are not stored in researcher data files by default, and researchers retain ownership of collected data. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ says the team tries to answer emails within 48 hours, typically faster, and points users to documentation and a user forum. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Use limits
- For-profit organizations and non-university or non-school nonprofits must request permission to use PsyToolkit. · psytoolkit.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where PsyToolkit stands on Freedom251
- Survey Software#43 of 131