--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Epicollect5" developer_entity: "University of Oxford" bundle_id: "uk.ac.imperial.epicollect.five" app_store_id: "1183858199" category: "Productivity" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: true market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-04-08" report_date: "2026-06-21" last_verified: "2026-06-21T16:50:22.667Z" report_version: "88.8.1" total_reviews: 824 overall_rating: 4.2 sentiment: "Excited" sentiment_score: 75 confidence: "medium" confidence_score: 0.8 top_praise_theme: "Efficient field data collection workflows allow researchers to gather information without relying on spreadsheet entry" top_complaint_theme: "Inability to edit previously submitted entries directly within the mobile application creates significant workflow friction" top_request_theme: "In-app editing capabilities for downloaded entries would improve efficiency for multi-centric research projects" review_sample_size: 66 total_review_count: 66 analyzed_review_count: 60 data_age_days: 10 momentum_velocity: "maintenance" intelligence_version: 5 competitor_count: 6 tags: ["productivity", "free", "excited sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "researchers,", "public", "health"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/epicollect5" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Epicollect5 App Audit ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Productivity · Free - **Signal**: Rating 4.2 · Sentiment Excited - **Recent focus**: Inability to edit previously submitted entries directly within the mobile application creates significant workflow friction (top complaint) · Efficient field data collection workflows allow researchers to gather information without relying on spreadsheet entry (top praise) · In-app editing capabilities for downloaded entries would improve efficiency for multi-centric research projects (top request) > **TL;DR:** Epicollect5 is a productivity app by University of Oxford, rated 4.2/5 by 824 users, with Excited user sentiment (75/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Epicollect5 maintains Excited user sentiment (4.2/5 from 824 reviews), with users consistently praising efficient field data collection workflows allow researchers to gather information without relying on spreadsheet entry. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.2/5 (824 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Excited | | **Category** | Productivity | | **Developer** | University of Oxford | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | Medium (0.8/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** University of Oxford - **Category:** Productivity - **Target Audience:** Researchers, public health professionals, and field workers requiring mobile data collection and genomic surveillance tools. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Audited:** 88.8.1 - **Audit Date:** 2026-06-21 - **Signal Count:** 66 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Medium (0.8/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 1183858199 - **Bundle ID:** uk.ac.imperial.epicollect.five - **Google Play ID:** uk.ac.imperial.epicollect.five - **Performance Trend:** Stable - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-06-21 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Epicollect5 is a free, open-source mobile data-gathering platform for researchers and field workers to create custom forms and collect GPS-tagged data. **Why users hire it:** Researchers hire this platform to capture field data in remote, offline environments without the cost or complexity of proprietary enterprise software. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Drag and Drop Form Builder:** Web-based interface for creating custom questionnaires without coding requirements. * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences. - **[Differentiator] Offline Data Collection:** Captures GPS, media, and form inputs on mobile devices without active internet connectivity. * *User Intent:* Users want uninterrupted access without internet dependency. - **[Standard] Centralized Data Server:** Aggregates inputs from multiple devices into a single web-based dashboard for map, table, and chart visualization. ## Market Position {#market-position} Epicollect5 maintains a stable niche in the Productivity category, currently holding 817 Android ratings. Its lack of monetization relative to commercial field-service competitors signals a focus on institutional adoption over revenue growth. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Fully free platform with no paid tiers or in-app purchases - **Analysis:** The platform operates as a free, open-access tool funded by institutional research grants and partnerships rather than direct user monetization. ## 🟢 User Sentiment (Medium Confidence: 60 of 66 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.2/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.4/5 (7 ratings) | Android 4.2/5 (817 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Excited ### Top Praises - **Efficient field data collection workflows allow researchers to gather information without relying on spreadsheet entry** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Inability to edit previously submitted entries directly within the mobile application creates significant workflow friction** ### Top Requests (What Users Want) - **In-app editing capabilities for downloaded entries would improve efficiency for multi-centric research projects** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Grant-funded open-access model removes cost barriers for academic research - Offline-first architecture ensures data continuity in remote field environments **Critical Frictions:** - Mobile-side entry editing is absent, forcing reliance on web-based workflows - Bulk media download options are missing, complicating large dataset extraction **Growth Levers:** - Develop sector-specific templates to increase institutional lock-in - Integrate wearable devices for hands-free data capture in field research **Market Threats:** - Specialized field-service apps with automated reporting are siphoning professional users - Maintenance-mode update cadence risks technical debt against active competitors ## Recent Changes (v4 → v5) {#recent-changes} The platform's competitive position remains stable, with no new features or pricing changes, though the SWOT analysis now more clearly identifies technical debt and bulk media management as critical weaknesses. **Overall trend**: Stable **Compared at**: 2026-06-21 ### High-impact changes - **[Shifted] Threat Profile Update** (swot) — Threat profile shifted to explicitly include maintenance-mode update cadence as a risk factor for technical debt against active competitors. ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] New Opportunity: Wearable Integration** (swot) — Added opportunity to integrate wearable devices for hands-free data capture in field research. - **[Added] New Weakness: Bulk Media Management** (swot) — Added weakness regarding the lack of bulk media download options, which complicates large dataset extraction. ## What's New - **Latest (v88.9.6, 1 months ago):** Added Archive Sharing for compressed exports and Local Export to Documents for direct third-party data access. ## App Momentum (Maintenance) {#momentum} - Shipped Capacitor 8 performance update. - Added compressed archive export functionality. - Improved barcode scanner hint detection. > **Cadence:** 2 total versions · 2 majors in last 6 months · 37 days since last update · 61 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Epicollect5 is a market-leading productivity app that is completely free. With a 4.2/5 rating from 824 reviews, it delivers strong user satisfaction. > **Bottom Line:** Epicollect5 retains its research base through reliable offline data collection, but the lack of mobile-side editing creates a competitive vulnerability, so the team must prioritize in-app data management to prevent churn to more integrated field-service tools. **Best for:** Researchers, public health professionals, and field workers requiring mobile data collection and genomic surveillance tools. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] [HIGH IMPACT] Ship in-app entry editing because it is the top-requested feature → reduce workflow friction — *User sentiment analysis identifies the inability to edit entries as the primary bottleneck for field teams.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Push the bulk media download feature to Q4 — editing is a higher-frequency daily pain point.)_ - [ ] [MAINTAIN] [MEDIUM IMPACT] Audit server synchronization logic because intermittent connectivity is a cited failure point → improve data reliability — *Reports of server connectivity issues disrupt critical field operations and erode trust in the platform.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Same-quarter capacity available — no major lever displaced.)_ ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Biometric verification (available in ExakTime Mobile but absent here) - Automated geofence punch prompts (available in Timesheet Mobile but absent here) - Integrated payment collection (available in Vision RFS but absent here) ### Outlook: Stable The field-data market is consolidating around tools that offer automated administrative workflows, putting pressure on passive data-gathering platforms. Epicollect5 remains stable due to its free, open-access nature, but it must address mobile-side editing to prevent professional users from migrating to more integrated commercial solutions. - 🔴 Inability to edit entries on mobile devices creates persistent workflow friction, which forces researchers to seek more flexible alternatives. - 🟢 Recent performance updates via the latest build demonstrate active maintenance, ensuring the platform remains viable for current institutional users. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | | Total Reviews | 824 | | Sentiment | Excited (75/100) | | Confidence | Medium | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Stable | | Outlook | Stable | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Epicollect5** (this app) | 4.2/5 | Excited | University of Oxford | | [Vision RFS - Emerald](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/vision-rfs-emerald) | 2.0/5 | N/A | ECi Software Solutions | | [Leadership Notes](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/leadership-notes) | 5.0/5 | N/A | SARAH ELIZABETH WALKER | | [TSheets](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/tsheets) | N/A/5 | N/A | claus Mugabe | | [ExakTime Mobile–Time Clock App](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/exaktime-mobile-time-clock-app) | 3.7/5 | Upset | Arcoro Holdings Corp. | | [Ranchr - Cattle Record Keeping](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/ranchr-cattle-record-keeping) | 4.8/5 | Mixed | Ranchr Software LLC | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** University of Oxford - **Website:** [https://www.pathogensurveillance.net/our-software/](https://www.pathogensurveillance.net/our-software/) - **Social:** [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/TheCGPS) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epicollect5/id1183858199?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.ac.imperial.epicollect.five&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.pathogensurveillance.net/our-software/) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Vision RFS - Emerald*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/vision-rfs-emerald) (ECi Software Solutions) — 2.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Leadership Notes*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/leadership-notes) (SARAH ELIZABETH WALKER) — 5.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*TSheets*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/tsheets) (claus Mugabe) — N/A Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*ExakTime Mobile–Time Clock App*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/exaktime-mobile-time-clock-app) (Arcoro Holdings Corp.) — 3.7/5 Rating | Terrible Sentiment - [*Ranchr - Cattle Record Keeping*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/ranchr-cattle-record-keeping) (Ranchr Software LLC) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Timesheet Mobile™*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/business/timesheet-mobile) (Timesheet Mobile™) — 4.4/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Mitsu: AI Life Coach*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/mitsu-ai-life-coach) (C2 Insights) — N/A Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*ChatGPT*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/chatgpt) (OpenAI OpCo, LLC) — 4.8/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Pattrn - Discipline Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/pattrn-discipline-tracker) (Pedro Schott) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Whats In The Box*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-asp-whatsinthebox) (Arron Penfold) — N/A Rating | N/A Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting. 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.8/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 66 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/epicollect5) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.