In our last post, we established why relying on Google Forms for collecting personal data is a significant compliance risk for Nigerian businesses under the NDPA. The logical next question is: "If not Google Forms, then what should we use?"

As of September 2025, the market for data collection tools is vast, but choosing the right one isn't just about features—it's about compliance. Nigerian enterprises need a platform that not only builds great forms but also respects the principles of the NDPA, especially regarding data residency, security, and accountability.

Here’s a breakdown of the best Google Forms alternatives, evaluated specifically for NDPA compliance.

Evaluation Criteria for NDPA Compliance:

Before we dive in, here are the key features we're looking for:

• Nigerian Data Residency: Can the platform guarantee that data collected from Nigerians is stored within Nigeria?

• Granular Security: Does it offer advanced access controls, data masking, and strong encryption?

• Comprehensive Audit Trails: Can you track who accesses data and what they do with it?

1. Walla: The Compliance-First Platform for Nigeria

Walla is designed from the ground up not just as a form builder, but as a secure data management platform for businesses operating under strict data protection laws like the NDPA.

• Why it's the top choice for NDPA:

  • Guaranteed Nigerian Data Residency: This is Walla’s biggest advantage. It is the only platform on this list that allows you to definitively store your data on secure servers located within Nigeria, eliminating any ambiguity around international data transfer rules.

  • Advanced Security Controls: Walla offers granular, role-based access permissions, so you can control exactly who on your team sees what data. Features like built-in data masking and end-to-end encryption provide layers of protection that basic tools lack.

  • Immutable Audit Logs: Walla provides detailed, unchangeable audit trails for full accountability, making it easy to demonstrate compliance to the NDPC.

• Best for: Businesses of all sizes in Nigeria that prioritize ironclad NDPA compliance and building customer trust.

2. Jotform: The Versatile All-Rounder

Jotform is an incredibly powerful and popular form builder with thousands of templates and integrations. It's a significant step up from Google Forms in terms of functionality.

• Where it shines: It has strong security features, including encryption and options for HIPAA compliance (a US healthcare law), which shows a commitment to privacy.

• The NDPA Caveat: Data residency is its primary challenge for Nigerian businesses. While you can choose to host your data in the US or Europe, a dedicated Nigerian server location is not a standard option. This means you still have to navigate the NDPA's complex international data transfer requirements.

• Best for: Businesses needing highly complex form logic and integrations, who are prepared to manage the legal aspects of international data transfers.

3. Typeform: The User Experience Champion

Typeform is famous for its beautiful, conversational forms that feel more like a chat. This approach can dramatically increase completion rates for surveys and marketing forms.

• Where it shines: Unmatched user experience and design. It's excellent for engaging with customers and gathering feedback. It also has solid security measures.

• The NDPA Caveat: Similar to Jotform, Typeform's servers are located outside Nigeria (primarily in the US). For any personal data collected, your business is responsible for ensuring the legality of that international transfer under the NDPA.

• Best for: Marketing-focused teams aiming to maximize user engagement, who understand the data transfer obligations.

4. Microsoft Forms: The Integrated Enterprise Choice

For companies already embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Microsoft Forms is a natural and convenient option that integrates seamlessly with Teams, SharePoint, and Excel.

• Where it shines: Deep integration with other Microsoft products. It benefits from the robust security of the Microsoft Azure cloud.

• The NDPA Caveat: Data residency can be complex. While Microsoft offers regional data centers, ensuring your form data is specifically pinned to a compliant region can require higher-tier enterprise plans and careful administrative configuration. It is not as straightforward as a simple "store in Nigeria" option.

• Best for: Large organizations that are already heavy users of Microsoft 365 and have the IT resources to manage cloud configurations.

Comparison at a Glance

Conclusion: Choose a Partner, Not Just a Tool

While many international tools offer great features, NDPA compliance adds a crucial local context that they weren't built for. The issue of data residency alone is a compelling reason to seek a purpose-built solution.

Don't just choose a form builder; choose a compliance partner. Walla is the only platform on this list specifically designed to address the challenges Nigerian enterprises face under the NDPA.

Nigerian Pidgin English

Correct Alternatives to Google Forms for Nigerian Bizness under NDPA

For our last post, we talk say to dey use Google Forms collect personal data na big compliance risk for Nigerian bizness under NDPA. So di next question na, "If we no use Google Forms, wetin we go come use?"

As we dey for September 2025, market full with tools to collect data, but to choose di right one no be about features alone—na about compliance. Nigerian enterprises need platform wey no be only say e go build correct form, but e go still respect di rules of NDPA, especially for matter of where data dey stay (data residency), security, and who-do-wetin (accountability).

See di breakdown of di best alternatives to Google Forms, wey we check specifically for NDPA compliance.

How We Take Check Them for NDPA Compliance:

Before we enter di main tori, see di things wey we dey look for:

• Nigerian Data Residency: Di platform fit guarantee say di data wey dem collect from Nigerians go stay inside Nigeria?

• Correct Security: E get advanced control for who see wetin, data masking, and strong encryption?

• Proper Audit Trail: You fit track who touch data and wetin dem do with am?

1. Walla: Di Oga Patapata for Compliance for Nigeria

Dem no just build Walla as form builder, dem design am from scratch as secure data management platform for bizness wey dey operate under strong data protection law like NDPA.

• Why e be number one choice for NDPA:

  • Guaranteed Nigerian Data Residency: Dis one na Walla biggest power. Na only Walla for dis list fit give you guarantee say your data go dey on top secure servers wey dey inside Nigeria. E comot any doubt about international data transfer rules.

  • Advanced Security Control: Walla get granular, role-based access permission, so you fit control exactly who for your team see which data. Features like data masking and end-to-end encryption give you protection wey basic tools no fit give you.

  • Solid Audit Log: Walla dey give detailed audit trail wey nobody fit change, so everybody go dey accountable. E go make am easy to show your compliance to NDPC.

• E good for: All sizes of bizness for Nigeria wey want make their NDPA compliance dey iron-tight and wey wan build trust with customer.

2. Jotform: Di Versatile All-Rounder

Jotform na very powerful and popular form builder with thousands of template and integration. E pass Google Forms well well for wetin e fit do.

• Where e sabi pass: E get strong security features, including encryption and option for HIPAA compliance (one American law), wey show say dem take privacy serious.

• Di NDPA K-leg: Where data dey stay na di main challenge for Nigerian bizness. Even though you fit choose to host your data for America or Europe, to get server for Nigeria no be normal option. E mean say you still gats find your way around di NDPA international data transfer rules.

• E good for: Bizness wey need complex forms and integrations, and wey ready to handle di law matter of international data transfer.

3. Typeform: Di Champion for User Experience

People know Typeform for their fine-fine, conversational forms wey be like say you dey chat. Dis style fit make people complete your survey well well.

• Where e sabi pass: User experience and design wey no get rival. E correct for engaging customers. E get solid security too.

• Di NDPA K-leg: Just like Jotform, Typeform server dey outside Nigeria (mainly for America). For any personal data wey you collect, your bizness go make sure say di international transfer follow di law of NDPA.

• E good for: Marketing teams wey want make users engage well, and wey understand di wahala of data transfer.

4. Microsoft Forms: Di Choice for People Wey Dey Use Microsoft

For companies wey don already dey inside Microsoft 365 world, Microsoft Forms na easy choice wey dey connect well with Teams, SharePoint, and Excel.

• Where e sabi pass: Deep connection with other Microsoft products. E enjoy di strong security of Microsoft Azure cloud.

• Di NDPA K-leg: Data residency fit get as e be. Even though Microsoft get data centers for different regions, to make sure say your form data dey specifically for compliant region fit require higher plan and careful setup. E no easy like just to "store for Nigeria."

• E good for: Big-big organizations wey don already invest heavily inside Microsoft 365 and wey get IT people to manage cloud configuration.

See Di Comparison Quick Quick

Conclusion: Choose Partner, No Be Just Tool

Even though many international tools get correct features, NDPA compliance add local K-leg wey dem no build them for. Di matter of data residency alone na enough reason to find solution wey dem build for us.

No just choose form builder; choose compliance partner. Walla na di only platform for dis list wey dem design specifically to solve di challenges wey Nigerian enterprises dey face under di NDPA.