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Google Optimize vs Qualtrics CoreXM

Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Marketing

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Qualtrics CoreXM logo

Qualtrics CoreXM

Surveys

Enterprise survey and market research platform, priced by seat and response volume through negotiated contracts

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Optimize has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; Qualtrics CoreXM there is no public pricing for any deployment beyond a small individual self-service plan, so budgeting requires a sales conversation before a shortlist can even be built.
  • They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Qualtrics CoreXM covers Advanced survey logic.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and Qualtrics CoreXM actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Optimize and Qualtrics CoreXM differ
AttributeGoogle OptimizeQualtrics CoreXM
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryMarketingSurveys
Founded1998Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

Only in Qualtrics CoreXM

  • Advanced survey logic
  • Statistical analysis tools
  • Text analytics
  • Dashboards and reporting
  • Panel integration
  • API and platform integrations

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Qualtrics CoreXM
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Qualtrics CoreXM
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Qualtrics CoreXM

Qualtrics CoreXM

  • A market research team running quantitative studies that need built-in statistical significance testingnot Google Optimize
  • A product team wanting text analytics on open-ended customer feedback at scalenot Google Optimize
  • An enterprise consolidating multiple survey tools into one platform with a single data warehouse integrationnot Google Optimize
  • A researcher who needs access to third-party respondent panels alongside the survey buildernot Google Optimize

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Qualtrics CoreXM

  • There is no public pricing for any deployment beyond a small individual self-service plan, so budgeting requires a sales conversation before a shortlist can even be built.
  • Typical small enterprise contracts run 25,000 to 50,000 US dollars a year, which puts it far outside the budget of small businesses that Typeform, Jotform or SurveyMonkey serve well.
  • The interface and logic builder have a steep learning curve compared with lighter tools, so new users need training before building complex surveys confidently.
  • It is easy to confuse with Qualtrics EmployeeXM in the same product family; buyers evaluating employee engagement specifically should look at EmployeeXM, not CoreXM.
  • Multi-year contracts with per-module add-ons mean the effective cost tends to grow year over year as teams add capabilities piecemeal.

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Qualtrics CoreXM

On request
  • CoreXM$undefined/year
    • Self-service entry plan around 35 USD a month for small individual use
    • Typical small enterprise contracts between 25,000 and 50,000 USD a year
    • Priced by seats, response volume and modules selected

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.
Google Optimize review

Choose Qualtrics CoreXM if

  • You need advanced survey logic.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want statistical analysis tools.
Qualtrics CoreXM review

Questions people ask

Is Google Optimize or Qualtrics CoreXM better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize starts at Free and Qualtrics CoreXM at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Optimize or Qualtrics CoreXM?
Google Optimize has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Optimize and On request for Qualtrics CoreXM.
Does Google Optimize or Qualtrics CoreXM run on more platforms?
Google Optimize runs on Web. Qualtrics CoreXM runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Optimize for free?
Yes. Google Optimize has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Qualtrics CoreXM starts at On request.
What is Google Optimize best used for?
Google Optimize is most often used for a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals, personalising page content for defined audience segments, redirect tests between alternative landing page urls. Of those, a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals and personalising page content for defined audience segments are not what Qualtrics CoreXM is typically brought in for.
What can Google Optimize do that Qualtrics CoreXM cannot?
Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. Qualtrics CoreXM covers Advanced survey logic, Statistical analysis tools, Text analytics, Dashboards and reporting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Optimize: Is Google Optimize still available?

No. Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were discontinued as of September 30, 2023. Google recommends third-party A/B testing integrations such as AB Tasty, Optimizely, and VWO as replacements.

Source
Qualtrics CoreXM: How is CoreXM different from Qualtrics EmployeeXM?

CoreXM is the general-purpose survey and market research engine; EmployeeXM is a separate, HR-focused product built specifically for employee engagement programmes.

Qualtrics CoreXM: Is there a published price list?

No, only a small self-service plan around 35 USD a month is public; organisational deployments are negotiated and typically run into five or six figures annually.

Qualtrics CoreXM: Does CoreXM include text analytics?

Yes, automated theme and sentiment extraction on open-ended responses is included as a core capability.

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