Supercharge Your Forms: The Best Form Builder Tools for Developers
Creating online forms from scratch can be tedious and time-consuming for developers. Why hand code all the HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and logic when you can use an intuitive form builder instead?
In this post, we'll compare some of the top-rated form building tools to help you find the right one to supercharge your workflow.
We'll evaluate the leading form creators across several criteria:
- Ease of use
- Mobile friendliness
- Customization capabilities
- Built-in features
- Integrations
- Pricing
You'll also get tips on choosing a form maker based on your specific needs.
Let's dive in to find the ideal form builder to help you create better forms faster.
What Are Form Builders and Why Use Them?
Form builders provide drag-and-drop editors and templates to quickly build web forms without coding them by hand.
Here are some of the key benefits developers can gain from using form builders:
- Save time by avoiding manually coding forms in HTML/CSS/JavaScript. Just drag, drop, and customize!
- User-friendly editors with minimal learning curves help you visually build forms faster.
- Professionally designed templates give you a running start on styling attractive forms.
- Built-in logic like conditional fields, calculations, data validation removes the need to code complex features.
- Easy third-party integrations connect your forms to email services, databases, payments, and more with minimal setup.
- Cross-browser compatibility is handled for you so forms work perfectly across devices.
The top-rated form building tools make creating even complex web forms a breeze!
Key Criteria for Evaluating Form Builders
When reviewing form creators, here are the most important criteria to evaluate:
- Intuitive interface - How easy is the drag-and-drop editor to use?
- Mobile optimization - Do forms render well on mobile devices?
- Customization - What design options do you have to tweak forms?
- Built-in capabilities - Does it include useful features like validation, logic, etc?
- Integrations - What third-party services can you connect?
- Pricing - What are the costs? Limitations of free plans?
- Embedding forms - How easily can you embed them on your site?
Now let's compare some of the top contenders for best form builder tools.
Comparison of Leading Form Builder Tools
Here's an overview of key strengths and limitations of top-rated form building options:
DevHunt Forms
Pros: Very intuitive drag-and-drop editor. Mobile responsive templates. Lots of custom CSS/JavaScript control. 1000+ integrations via Zapier. Unlimited free plan.
Cons: Less built-in form logic features than some competitors.
Typeform
Pros: Gorgeous conversational forms. Advanced branching logic. Media enhancements. Slack/Gmail integrations.
Cons: Steeper learning curve. Limited free plan, paid plans start at $35/mo.
Wufoo
Pros: Simple interface. Flexible pricing tiers. Zapier integration. Basic plan free up to 100 entries.
Cons: Fewer built-in features than other builders. Limited customization options.
Formidable Forms
Pros: Advanced form logic capabilities. Payment integrations. Full WordPress customization.
Cons: Only free for 1 site. Steeper learning curve than some builders.
Formstack
Pros: A/B testing. Partial saving of entries. Tight integrations with apps like Salesforce.
Cons: More expensive paid plans starting at $14.95/mo.
For an expanded feature-by-feature comparison, check out this matrix:
| Tool | Interface | Customization | Mobile Friendly | Integrations | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DevHunt | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1000+ via Zapier | Free |
| Typeform | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Slack, Gmail, Hangouts | $35+/mo |
| Wufoo | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Zapier | Free for 100 entries |
| Formidable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | WordPress plugins | Free version limited |
| Formstack | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Salesforce, MailChimp, etc | $14.95+/mo |
Choosing the Right Form Builder For You
With so many excellent form building tools available, here are some tips for choosing the right one for your needs:
Consider your budget - Form builders range from free plans like DevHunt up to paid plans around $15+/mo. Factor in costs versus features.
Evaluate ease of use - If you're new to form builders, prioritize an intuitive interface like Wufoo or DevHunt over a steep learning curve.
Determine customization needs - Need to tweak HTML/CSS/JavaScript? Formidable Forms is fantastic for developers.
Review mobile requirements - If mobile responsiveness is critical, ensure the builder fully optimizes forms across devices.
Compare built-in capabilities - Some tools include more validation logic, payments, scheduling, etc than others.
Consider expandability - Pick an option that allows upgrading plans as your needs grow.
Try before you buy - Most form builders offer free trials. Test drive workflow before deciding.
Here are my top picks based on common needs:
Beginner-Friendly
For first-time users, I'd recommend DevHunt Forms or Wufoo. Both have an easy drag-and-drop experience. DevHunt offers more features on the free plan.
Most Customization
If you need to heavily customize forms, Formidable Forms is fantastic. The premium version even allows raw HTML/CSS/JS tweaks.
Top Value
DevHunt Forms offers the most capabilities for free. JotForm's free plan is also generous. For affordable paid plans, check out Formstack.
Optimize Form Conversions With These Pro Tips
Here are some tips to optimize your forms for higher conversions after you've built them in your chosen form tool:
- Write clear, benefit-driven confirmation messages like "Thanks! Check your email for the download."
- Make all required fields clearly visible with asterisks or highlighting.
- Use minimal required questions to reduce abandonment.
- Test different form button copy like "Submit" vs "Get Instant Access"
- Ensure forms are mobile-friendly across devices.
Start Building Better Forms Today
That sums up our comparison of the top form builders for developers. With the right tool, you can create mobile-friendly, customized forms with advanced features quickly and easily.
The best one depends on your specific needs and budget. I hope these tips help you find the ideal fit to supercharge your workflow.
Have you used any of these leading form creation tools? DevHunt Forms offers an easy interface with the most features for free. I'd love feedback on your experience with any of the top form builders compared here.