In simple English
This tool acts as a private hub for collecting information in the field. Field workers use mobile apps to fill out surveys without an internet connection. Their devices send the collected records to this server once they connect to a network. You manage user accounts, review incoming files, and export the records from a web interface. It runs on your own server using Docker (a way to run a program inside its own sealed box, so it cannot break anything else on your server), so you keep total control of your data.
What it is
ODK Central is the official server component for the ODK data collection ecosystem. It packages a web frontend and backend API into a Docker Compose application for managing forms and submissions.
What it is good for
Field researchers, non-profits, and remote surveyors who need a secure and private place to collect structured data without relying on a third-party cloud service.
- Handles offline data collection and syncs records when a connection returns.
- Includes a web dashboard to manage user permissions and review incoming data.
- Provides API access for connecting external tools to your collected records.
- Requires a dedicated server and familiarity with Docker to install and maintain.
- Consumes moderate RAM to run multiple internal services like databases and web forms.
- Apache-2.0 licence allows free use, but you must handle your own security updates and backups.
Paper forms, spreadsheets, and commercial survey tools that store data on external servers
PostgreSQL
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git clone https://github.com/getodk/central.git cd central docker compose up -d