Form building tools to boost productivity
Introduction
Building online forms can be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially when done manually using code. However, forms are a critical part of many popular websites and web applications like Wufoo, Typeform, and Google Forms. They allow collecting user information and data, handling submissions and payments, automating workflows, and more. Choosing the right form building tool can greatly simplify creating responsive forms and integrating them seamlessly into your projects.
Manually coding form markup, styling forms, making them mobile-friendly across devices, adding validation logic, and connecting them to backends requires significant development work. This pulls time away from focusing on your core products and services. Form builders help streamline the process through drag and drop interfaces, templates, and integrations with other tools.
Forms are used ubiquitously across industries and use cases. Common examples include contact forms, surveys, questionnaires, registration forms, order forms with payments, lead generation forms, and applications like job or loan applications. Forms can also enable document signing, gathering consent and approvals, and automating business workflows.
This article explores some of the most popular free and paid form building tools available today. We'll look at their key capabilities, strengths and limitations, top features, and ideal use cases to consider when choosing a form builder for your needs.
Free Form Building Tools
Several capable form builders offer free plans for basic needs, with limits on features. These are ideal for getting started before upgrading for more advanced capabilities.
Google Forms
Google Forms is a simple drag and drop form builder included free with Google Workspace subscriptions.
Key features and limitations:
- Comes included with Google Workspace, no added cost
- Intuitive drag and drop builder to create forms
- Connect form responses directly to Google Sheets
- Mobile responsive form templates
- Limit of 100 form responses for free accounts
- No advanced logic or conditional branching
Ideal for: Simple data collection, surveys, registrations
JotForm
JotForm offers a basic free plan for simple forms with minimal fields.
Key features and limitations:
- Free plan for basic forms with limited fields
- Drag and drop form builder with templates
- Custom themes and form styling options
- Form analytics and response reports
- Integrates with many apps like MailChimp via Zapier
- No conditional logic available on free plan
Ideal for: Contact forms, waitlists, event registrations
Wufoo
Wufoo provides a free option for up to 3 basic forms.
Key features and limitations:
- Free for up to 3 basic forms
- Library of professional form templates
- Accept payments in forms easily with Stripe
- Embed forms on your website with code snippets
- View form analytics and submissions in real-time
- No conditional logic on free plan
Ideal for: Simple contact forms, online orders, event registrations
Formstack
Formstack offers a generous free plan with unlimited forms and 100 monthly submissions.
Key features and limitations:
- 14 day free trial, no credit card required
- Create unlimited forms with drag and drop builder
- 100 form submissions per month for free accounts
- Mobile friendly and responsive form templates
- Integrates with Zapier, Slack, Webhooks and more
- Advanced logic and features require upgraded paid plans
Ideal for: Collecting leads and contacts, surveys, basic data collection
Typeform
Typeform specializes in polished, interactive forms with engaging templates.
Key features and limitations:
- Free basic forms with up to 100 responses
- Visually impressive, interactive templates
- Real-time form and response analytics
- Integrates with Zapier, Slack, and more
- Limited to 10 questions per free form
- No conditional logic on free version
Ideal for: Polished surveys, stylish quizzes, feedback collection
Paid Form Building Tools
Paid form building plans unlock more advanced functionality like conditional logic, unlimited questions and responses, payments and signatures, priority support, and more.
JotForm
JotForm's paid plans start at $16/month with upgraded capabilities.
Key features:
- Paid plans start at $16/month
- Create unlimited forms, questions, and collect responses
- Access all form themes, widgets, and tools
- Accept payments and donations directly in forms
- Advanced conditional logic and branching
- HIPAA compliant forms available
- Priority email support
Wufoo
Wufoo lifts all limits of their free plan with robust paid offerings.
Key features:
- Plans range from $15 to $199/month
- Remove form, field, and response limits
- Accept payments, donations, and bookings in forms
- Webhooks and API access for automation
- Priority email and live chat support options
- HIPAA compliant forms available
Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms charges a one-time fee for unlimited forms and robust features.
Key features:
- $24/month per user, one-time purchase
- Unlimited forms, fields, and responses
- Conditional logic, branching, and calculations
- Signature, file upload, and rating fields
- Partial form saving and approvals workflow
- Zapier integration and webhooks
- HIPAA compliant forms available
Formstack
Formstack provides flexible paid plans starting at $19/month with advanced capabilities.
Key features:
- Paid plans start from $19/month
- Unlimited forms, fields, questions, and responses
- Robust conditional logic for smart forms
- Accept payments, signatures, and upload files
- HIPAA compliant forms available
- Webhooks, Zapier integration, and API access
- Priority email and live chat support
Typeform
Typeform removes all limits of the free plan with paid offerings starting at $35/month.
Key features:
- Paid plans start from $35/month
- Remove response limits of free plan
- Advanced logic, calculations, and scoring
- Integrate with Zapier, Slack, and 1,000+ apps
- White labeled forms to brand as your own
- 99.9% uptime SLA guarantee
- Priority email support
Top Form Building Features
Some key features to look for when evaluating form builders:
- Drag and drop form builder for easy editing
- Mobile friendly, responsive form templates
- Themes and templates to match branding
- Conditional logic enables smart forms that adapt based on user responses
- Calculations perform math automatically based on form inputs
- eSignatures allow collecting legally binding signatures
- Integrations to connect forms to other apps and tools
- Accept payments, donations, or bookings directly within forms
- Embed forms on your website with a code snippet
- Data analytics to understand form performance
Choosing the Right Form Builder
With many capable form building tools available, here are some tips for choosing the right one:
- Consider your budget and expected form volume to pick a plan
- Evaluate if free plans meet your core requirements
- Determine if you need advanced logic or payment capabilities
- Check for integrations with other tools you use like CRMs
- Compare uptime guarantees and support options across vendors
- Review security, compliance, and data privacy needs
- Test some builder free trials before deciding
The ideal form builder depends on your specific use case, feature needs, and budget constraints.
Tools like DevHunt provide a great way to easily find and compare top form building options to determine the best fit for your needs.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Form building tools streamline creating responsive online forms for your website and workflows. Free versions work for basic forms while paid plans unlock advanced functionality and remove limits.
When evaluating form builders, look for key features like mobile responsiveness, conditional logic, payments, analytics, and integrations. Align these capabilities with your specific use case, requirements, and budget.
Trying free trials of multiple vendors is recommended before deciding on the best form builder for your needs. With the right tool, you can create forms rapidly to collect information, facilitate payments, automate workflows, and boost conversions.