What is Simple Poll? It is a specialized Discord bot designed to create instant, no-nonsense polls using slash commands.
“Skip the debate. Show me the numbers.”
While Discord has released its own native polling feature, Simple Poll remains the industry standard for power users and large communities. By stripping away complex settings and unnecessary UI clicking, it allows you to launch surveys in seconds using a single command: /poll.
Whether you are deciding on a raid time, choosing a lunch spot, or running a community feedback survey, this guide covers why Simple Poll is still the “sharpest blade” for decision-making.
🆚 Simple Poll vs. Discord Native Polls: Why Use the Bot?
In 2024, Discord introduced a built-in poll feature. However, veteran servers and efficiency-focused admins still prefer Simple Poll. Here are the three major barriers that the native feature hasn’t overcome:
1. The “10-Option” Barrier
- Discord Native: Limited to 10 choices.
- Simple Poll: Supports 20+ choices.
- Why it matters: If you are voting on which game to play next or where to eat, 10 options often aren’t enough for a large group.
2. The “Anonymity” Barrier
- Discord Native: Voter identity is often visible or settings are limited.
- Simple Poll: Features a robust Anonymous Mode.
- Why it matters: For sensitive topics like “Was the raid leader’s strategy correct?”, people are more honest when their names are hidden.
3. The “Speed” Barrier
- Discord Native: Requires clicking the “+” button, selecting “Poll,” and manually typing into UI boxes.
- Simple Poll: Entirely keyboard-based.
- Why it matters: A power user can type /poll “Game tonight?” “9PM” “10PM” “Pass” and hit enter in seconds. It is significantly faster than navigating menus.
🚀 How to Install Simple Poll (5-Second Setup)
There are no complex dashboards to configure. It works the moment it joins.
- Invite the Bot: Visit the Simple Poll official site or a directory like Top.gg and click “Invite.”
- Authorize: Allow basic permissions (Send Messages, Add Reactions).
- Done: You can immediately start using it in any channel.
💻 Essential Commands List
Since the Discord update, Simple Poll runs entirely on Slash Commands (/). Here is everything you need to know.
1. The Basic Yes/No Poll
Use this for quick consensus checks.
- Command: /poll question:[Your Question]
- Result: The bot automatically adds 👍 and 👎 reactions.
- Example:
/poll question:”Are you free tomorrow?”
2. The Multiple Choice Poll
Use this when you have specific options.
- Command: /poll question:[Question] choice_a:[Option 1] choice_b:[Option 2]…
- Tip: While typing, press Tab on your keyboard to instantly generate the next choice field (choice_c, choice_d, etc.).
- Example:
/poll question:”What role will you play?” choice_a:”Tank” choice_b:”Healer” choice_c:”DPS”
3. Advanced Settings (Optional Flags)
You can toggle these options right before hitting “Enter” on your command.
| Option | Setting | Effect |
| allow_multivote | False | One person, one vote. Prevents users from selecting multiple options. |
| anonymous | True | Secret Ballot. Hides who voted for what, showing only the percentages. |
❓ FAQ: Common Questions
Q: Is it safer to use the official Discord poll feature?
A: Both are safe, but the official feature is “lighter.” Bots rely on external servers, so on rare occasions, Simple Poll might have a slight delay.
- Expert Verdict: Use Native Polls for small, casual questions (under 10 options). Use Simple Poll for complex, large-scale, or anonymous voting.
Q: How do I close/end a poll?
A: While there are commands to close a poll via the bot, the fastest community method is to simply right-click the poll message and Delete it, or use the /poll results command (if available) to display the final tally. Speed is key!
Q: Can I use this on Mobile?
A: Yes. Slash commands allow for auto-completion on iOS and Android. However, if you are creating a massive poll with 20 choices, it is generally faster to type it out on a Desktop PC.
🌟 Conclusion
Simple Poll didn’t disappear when Discord launched their own version; it cemented its status as the Pro Toolfor community management.
If you want to reduce endless meetings, stop the arguments, and get immediate data to make decisions, Simple Poll is the most efficient tool in your arsenal.
Next Step for You: Go to your server right now, type /poll question:”Do we like Simple Poll?”, and see how fast your community reacts!