Enketo Express is an open-source web application that renders XForms into interactive web forms for the ODK ecosystem, serving as the full-fledged Enketo implementation for form servers and developers.
What is Enketo Express?
Enketo Express is the complete Enketo Smart Paper web application, initiated in 2009 by Martijn van de Rijdt as a web-based alternative or complement to ODK Collect. It takes XForms as input and produces interactive web forms that work in standard browsers. As of 2022, the project is maintained by the ODK team, primarily Trevor Schmidt, with founder Martijn van de Rijdt offering advice and continuity.
Key Features
- XForm rendering — Converts XForms into interactive web forms usable on desktop and mobile browsers, with increasing alignment with ODK Collect for submission edits.
- Form server integration — Can be used directly by form servers or as a reference for building applications that wrap Enketo Core; a diagram on enketo.org/develop shows how the Enketo components relate.
- Multilingual UI — The user interface has been translated into over 25 languages via Transifex, including Ukrainian, Swedish, German, Turkish, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.
- ODK ecosystem alignment — Maintained by the ODK team, with priorities set in collaboration with the Technical Advisory Board and discussion on the ODK forum.
- Automated release process — GitHub Actions publish releases to npm; maintainers follow a documented checklist including Dependabot alerts,
npm audit, andnpm update. - Security and dependency checks — The repo uses Dependabot security alerts and runs
npm auditto apply fixes, including verifying encrypted submissions whennode-forgeupdates. - Customizable branding — Apps using Enketo are required to show a "Powered by Enketo" footer unless an exemption is granted; logos can be replaced in
/public/images.
Who is it for?
Enketo Express is for developers and organizations working with ODK-based data collection. Form server developers can use it as a ready-made web form engine or as a code reference. Organizations like KoBo Toolbox and OpenClinica, past funders of the project, integrate Enketo to offer browser-based data entry. Researchers and humanitarian groups benefit from a multilingual, standards-based form rendering application.
What can you do with Enketo Express?
- Form server developers: Embed Enketo Express to render XForms directly or study it to build your own Enketo Core wrapper.
- Survey designers: Deploy web forms that work in browsers, with translation support for dozens of languages.
- ODK ecosystem users: Use it as a web-based alternative to ODK Collect for contexts where mobile apps aren't feasible.
How does Enketo Express work?
Enketo Express runs as a web application that takes XForms from a connected form server and renders them as interactive web forms in the user's browser. Developers can integrate the app directly or use its source as inspiration for custom wrappers around Enketo Core. Technical documentation is hosted at enketo.github.io/enketo-express.
Pricing
Enketo Express is open-source and free to use under the license in its repository. Its development is funded by customers of the ODK Cloud hosted service, with past funding from KoBo Toolbox, iMMAP, OpenClinica, LSHTM, and Enketo LLC.
Alternatives
ODK Collect, an Android app for offline mobile data collection, is a complementary alternative to Enketo's browser-based approach within the ODK ecosystem.
FAQ
Is Enketo Express free?
Yes, it is open-source and free to use. Some third-party libraries bundled with the app may have different licenses, so review the license document and the project dependencies before distributing an app that embeds Enketo.
What does Enketo Express do?
It renders XForms into web forms, providing a full-fledged Enketo web application for the ODK ecosystem. It accepts XForms as input and produces browser-renderable forms, making it useful for form servers and custom data collection projects.
Who maintains Enketo Express?
Since 2022, the ODK team has maintained the project, primarily Trevor Schmidt. Founder Martijn van de Rijdt remains involved as an advisor, and the ODK Technical Advisory Board helps set project priorities.
Are there contribution opportunities?
Yes. Feature requests and project discussions are welcome on the ODK forum. Translations are coordinated through a Transifex project, and the development process is documented in the repository's release checklist.
