The Best Online Form Builders

Whether you are a small business seeking customer feedback, an educator crafting quizzes, or an organization streamlining administrative processes, online forms are the backbone of efficient data collection.

Yet, with an array of form-building tools available, how do you choose the right fit? Here are some online form builders you should try if you’re unsure.

The Best Online Form Builders

1. Google Forms

Need to build a form from scratch within a tight deadline? Google Forms has got you covered. It is a feature-rich form builder that only requires a free Google account and is excellent for taking surveys.

Google Forms supports multiple formats for data exporting, including CSV, Excel, PDF, and HTML. You will be able to anonymize responses before sporting your data. By removing values like names and emails, you ensure data privacy, even though this may limit the data’s value for analysis.

Since privacy is crucial when choosing a form builder, Google Forms offers multiple sharing options to control data access. You can also use automatic deletion to control how long the form retains specific data values.

Google Forms offers seamless integration with other Google tools like Sheets, Docs, and Data Studio. You can even use third-party add-ons to extend its functionality. The service provides an API connection for programmatic data access, which could benefit advanced users.

Given the benefits, it’s not surprising that Google Forms is one of the best Typeform alternatives.

Pros

• Google Forms is a part of Google Workspace and integrates easily with other Google services.
• Google Forms allows you to redesign certain parts of your form, such as the header image, theme color, and fonts.
• Like Google Docs, Google Forms allows you to collaborate with other users, making it ideal for team projects and collaborative research.
• Respondents can upload documents or information from various sources, like PDFs, MS Word docs, MS PowerPoint slides, Image files, Google sheets, etc.
• This form service offers multiple question types, such as multiple-choice questions, checkboxes, brief answers, paragraphs, checkboxes, and multiple-grid questions.
• It offers charts with real-time response data updates, allowing for deeper data analysis.

Cons

• Google Forms does not integrate with third-party mailing services like MailChimp and does not support payment processors such as PayPal or Stripe.
• Google Forms has no advanced customization options.
• Support is only available with a paid plan.
• It does not have the necessary features and functionality to build applications, lead generation, and payment forms.

Pricing

Forms for Work:

• $6 per user/month, with a one-year commitment for the Business Starter plan.
• $12 per user/month, with a one-year commitment for the Business Standard plan.
• $18 per user/month, with a one-year commitment for the Business Plus plan.

Free Trial: The product is available for free to general users.

→ Google Forms

2. Typeform

Typeform is an online form builder that allows you to create fun and aesthetically pleasing forms. It is mainly used to create interactive surveys but can be adapted for other forms, such as contact lists, shopping carts, and quizzes.

It has excellent data export functionality, including PDF, CSV, Excel, JSON, and other Slack-friendly formats, and offers granular control over what data elements are exported.

Typeform is GDPR and CCPA-compliant and, like Google Forms, offers anonymity. You can grant guest access to your data. You reserve the right to revoke the access at any time.

The form service offers third-party integration, including a vast library of zaps and webhooks for advanced users.

Pros

• Typeform is compatible with modern web browsers and ensures a seamless user experience across different platforms.
• It integrates well with products like Zapier and Intercom, allowing streamlined workflows and automation.
• The calculator tool on Typeform makes it easy to incorporate complex calculations into your forms.

Cons

• Typeform’s user interface is not intuitive and can be confusing, particularly when creating forms or navigating the platform.
• The customization options for Typeform are limited, making it challenging to create surveys or forms outside the provided question options. This further hampers their ability to collect specific information.
• Outside of Zapier and Intercom, Typeform does not offer integrations to any other services.

Pricing

• Basic plan – $25 per month, billed yearly.
• Plus plan – $50 per month, billed yearly.
• Business plan – $83 per month, billed yearly.

Free trial: Yes

→ Typeform

3. Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is a form builder designed with simplicity and collaboration in mind. Although not as popular as all other Microsoft products, Forms is intuitive and plays well with Excel. It focuses on getting a good form in your reader’s hands as fast as possible.

Microsoft Forms offers a wide range of export options, allowing you to choose from Word, Excel, PDF, CSV, and even SharePoint Lists. You may choose to export specific questions and responses.

For data analysis, you will enjoy seamless integration with Power BI. Since Microsoft Forms is GDPR and CCPA-compliant, you are guaranteed data privacy. You have control over data access since you control permissions for users and groups.

While the service integrates easily with Microsoft Flow, it goes beyond offering integration with Mailchimp, Salesforce, and social media platforms.

Pros

• Navigating Microsoft Form Builder is relatively easy.
• Unlike most other form builders, Microsoft Forms offers many advanced features for free, making it ideal for budget-conscious form creators.
• Microsoft Forms is tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, which includes popular tools like Microsoft Excel, OneDrive, and SharePoint. This integration simplifies data storage, analysis, and sharing.

Cons

• Microsoft Forms cannot be natively integrated with products outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Jotform does not provide extensive branding options.
• To use Microsoft Forms, you must subscribe to Microsoft 365.

Pricing

• Microsoft 365 Family – $99.99/year.
• Microsoft 365 Personal – $69.99/year.
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic – $6.00 user/month.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard – $12.50 user/month.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium – $22.00 user/month.
• Microsoft 365 Apps for business – $8.25 user/month.

Free trial: Yes

→ Microsoft Forms

4. Jotform

Jotform is an online form builder that empowers users to easily create a wide range of forms with its intuitive interface and numerous features. This makes Jotform suitable for both individuals and businesses.

The form builder offers many export options, including Word, Excel, CSV, PDF, JSON, and text files.

As a developer, you will find Jotform’s robust API an excellent programmatic data retrieval and manipulation option.

Like other services in this guide, Jotform is GDPR and CCPA-compliant, ensuring your data is protected based on specific regional requirements. Additionally, you have options for data deletion policies, respondent anonymity, and access restrictions.

Jotforms offers an overwhelming list of integrations with over 100 popular tools and services, including Zapier, for additional advanced configurations and functionality.

Pros

• You can register for free on Jotform and gain access to the entire library of Jotform templates, 100 MB of storage space, 100 form submissions per month, and more.
• The pricing and features allocated to each plan make Jotform a good fit for most businesses and budget sizes.
• Robust template list that takes the guesswork out of form building.
• Jotform offers HIPAA-compliant forms, making it suitable for those in industries with strict data requirements, such as Healthcare, Law, and finance.
• It offers integration with CRMs, email marketing platforms, and more.

Cons

• The free plan is restrictive, allowing you to create five forms and plasters, and you can only receive ten payments.
• Mastering its advanced functions is often a steep learning curve.

Pricing

• Bronze plan – $34 per month, billed annually.
• Silver plan – $39 per month, billed annually.
• Gold plan – $99 per month, billed annually.
• Enterprise plan – Piced based on specific requirements.

Free Trial – Yes

→ Jotform

5. Feathery

Feathery is a unique form-building tool that helps startups and product teams build customizable, developer-friendly forms.

The advanced logic capabilities take it from simple data collection to building flows (core processes of an app or web service, helping you connect scattered databases, simplify login processes, and perform data checks as your audience interacts with the form)

While Feathery offers basic export formats like CSV, Excel, and PDF, it lacks the diversity of competitors like Typeform and Jotform. You also get limited granular control over data export.

Feathery offers a good layer of data security by encrypting data in transit and at rest. It is SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliant, making it the perfect form builder for industries dealing with confidential information.

You can seamlessly integrate Feathery with Zapier and several apps and tools such as HubSpot, Stytch, Webhooks, Zapier, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Calendly.

Pros

• Feathery offers multiple handy integrations and allows you to process payments using Stripe.
• Feathery’s conditional logic flows let you create unique form experiences tailored to each individual’s responses.
• You customize your form’s appearance to match your brand or project theme.
• Feathery secures its system with two-factor authentication.

Cons

• Although Feathery is an excellent form building, it’s not easy to use, and there’s a steep learning curve for people not used to more advanced form builders.
• The free plan is minimal.

Pricing

• Basic plan – $49/month.
• Plus plan – $99/month.
• Enterprise – Business requirements determine price.

Free Trial – Yes.

→ Feathery

6. Formstack

Formstack is a cloud-based form-building solution for organizations focusing on data security and compliance. It allows users to build powerful web forms with zero coding knowledge.

Formstack supports various data export formats, including JSON, Excel, PDF, CSV, Word, text, and Google Sheets. Its robust API allows for programmatic data retrieval, manipulation, and advanced automation.

It is a GDPR and CCPA complaint and ensures data protection and security. Plus, there’s a layer of security as the data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.

Formstack integrates with more than 650 popular tools and services, and you can use Zapier for more advanced and automated workflows. You can use Formstack to create an online fillable form.

Pros

• Formstack can integrate with over 50 web applications, including CRM management, email marketing, payment processing, and email management apps.
• Despite being feature-rich, Formstack is intuitive and easy to use.
• The support staff is knowledgeable, easy-going, and quick to respond.

Cons

• In comparison to other competitors, Formstack costs quite a lot.
• Although customer care is responsive, they cannot be reached by phone.

Pricing

It has two pricing options: the Core Plans and the Salesforce native Plans.

Core Plans

• Sign – $18 per month, billed annually.
• Forms – $50 per month, billed annually.
• Documents – $92 per month, billed annually.
• Suite – $191 per month, billed annually.

Salesforce Native Plans

• Starter – $225 per month, billed annually.
• Pro – $585 per month, billed annually.
• NativeCloud Pro – Book a call for pricing.

Free Trial: Yes

→ Formstack

Which Form Builder Is Best for You?

There are plenty of form builder services you can choose from. If you are heavily invested in Google’s ecosystem, use Google Forms. And if you pay for Microsoft 365, you can try Microsoft Forms. 

FAQs

Q: What Does a Form Builder Do?

A: Form builders allow you to create and manage digital forms. These forms may be used to gather feedback or conduct surveys for a business.

Q: Is There a Free Form Builder?

A: There are several free-form builders. We have shared some, like Google Forms, in this guide. However, using its paid plans, you will generally get more from the service, as they often include new features and extended functionality.

Q: Is It Possible to Extract Data Collected Through Forms?

A: A form builder will generally allow you to extract data collected from the form. However, you will have varying formats, especially if you need to download or export the data.

Q: How Can I Guarantee Security for Data Collected Through Forms?

A: You must first choose the right form builder. This one should be GDPR and CCPA compliant since this guarantees a commitment to security and data privacy.