A Head-to-Head poll compares exactly two options and asks respondents to pick a winner with a detailed explanation. Use it for classic A/B testing when you need a clear, decisive comparison between two alternatives.
Head-to-Head polls are the simplest comparison format – respondents see two options, choose one, and explain why. You get both quantitative data (vote percentage) and qualitative insights (reasoning behind choices).
This poll type is perfect for quick decisions when you've narrowed your choices down to two finalists.
When should I use a Head-to-Head poll?
Head-to-Head polls work best for direct, binary comparisons. They're ideal for:
A/B testing – which version performs better: A or B?
Final decisions – you've narrowed it down to two; which should you choose?
Before/after comparisons – does the new version outperform the original?
Competitive testing – how does your option compare to a competitor's?
Quick validation – which of these two directions should you pursue?
Choose Head-to-Head when you have exactly two options and want a clear winner with confidence.
Tip: If you want to test more than two options, use Single Select (respondents choose one option from a set of 3-8) or Ranked (respondents rank all options in preference order).
How to create a Head-to-Head poll
Setting up a Head-to-Head poll takes just a few steps:
Start a new poll – Click the New poll button from your PickFu dashboard
Choose Head-to-Head – select it from the Comparison section of the question type menu
Add your two options – upload exactly 2 options (text, images, video, or audio)
Write your question – examples: "Which design do you prefer?" or "Which headline would make you click?"
Target your audience – choose demographics that match your target market
Preview and launch – review your poll, then launch to start collecting feedback
Respondents will view both options side by side, select their favorite, and write a comment explaining their choice.
How to read your Head-to-Head poll results
Once your poll completes, you'll see:
Vote breakdown – clear percentage showing how votes split between the two options
Winner indication – the preferred option highlighted with its winning margin
Confidence level – statistical confidence in the result based on sample size
Written feedback – detailed comments explaining why respondents chose each option
A decisive winner (70%+ votes) indicates strong preference. Close results (near 50/50) suggest both options perform similarly – read the comments carefully to understand nuanced differences.
Frequently asked questions
Can I test more than two options in a Head-to-Head poll?
No, Head-to-Head polls compare exactly two options. For more options, use Single Select (one winner from 3-8) or Ranked (ordered preferences for 3-8 options).
What content formats can I test?
Head-to-Head polls support text, images, image sets, videos, audio files, and product mockups.
How is Head-to-Head different from Single Select?
Head-to-Head is limited to exactly two options for a focused A/B test. Single Select handles 3 to 8 options when you need to compare a larger set.
What sample size should I use?
For most Head-to-Head polls, 30-75 respondents provides reliable results. For close decisions or high-stakes choices, consider 100+ for stronger statistical confidence.