How to Choose the Best Online Form Builders in 2024

Choosing the best online form builder, with many available options and features, can be challenging. It’s essential to find a tool that meets your specific needs such as ease of use, functionality, integrations, and pricing. You can select a form builder that not only meets your immediate requirements but also scales with your business growth. Whether you’re looking to create simple contact forms or complex surveys, make sure you choose the best form builder for your business in 2024.

What Do Online Form Builders Do and Why Do You Need Them?

Online form builders are cloud-based software solutions that allow users with no prior coding knowledge to design and integrate interactive forms to collect data. They simplify data collection, improve user experience, and organize data management.

How to Create Online Forms

You can’t start looking for an online form builder before learning the basics of creating an engaging form. Otherwise, the forms will be useless regardless of the builder. Here are the fundamental six steps to creating successful online forms:

Step 1: Identify Your Goals

Identify the information you need to collect. Are you building an email list, gathering product feedback, or managing event registrations? Understand your goals to shape your questions and the overall form structure.

Step 2: Pick a form builder tool

Consider your needs and budget. Some form builders offer free plans with basic features, while others have paid plans with better features. Research different form builder options and compare their pricing structures to find the best fit.

Step 3: Inquire About Personal Details & Contact Information

Prioritize collecting essential details, including contact information like name and email address. Captur names to personalize communication later. Email addresses are important for building mailing lists or sending targeted responses.

Step 4: Ask For Essential Demographic Information

Consider including demographic questions in your form. This information provides valuable insights about your audience and helps you refine your offerings.

Step 5: Figure out which fields are must-have vs. nice-to-have

Differentiate between must-have and nice-to-have fields. Must-have fields are important for achieving your goals. This could be contact information for follow-up, specific feedback questions on a product, or key details for event registration.

Step 6: Create A Follow-Up Message

Include a brief “Thank you” message to show appreciation and encourage future user engagement. You can consider offering a discount or free resource to motivate users further to stay connected and continue interacting with your brand.

How to Pick the Best Online Form Builder Software for Your Business

Simple To Use

Look for a drag-and-drop form builder with a clear interface to create forms without coding knowledge. Make sure the platform offers intuitive navigation and user-friendly design to save time and reduce frustration.

Ease Of Implementation

A smooth onboarding process and readily available templates can get you started quickly. Check if the software offers tutorials or guides to help you understand and utilize its features effectively.

Conditional logic

This feature in online form builders allows you to show or hide new questions based on previous answers. It helps to create a more dynamic form experience. The conditional logic is easy to set up and customize for various scenarios.

App Integrations

Connect your form creator with marketing tools, email platforms, or payment gateways to smooth workflows. Look for compatibility with the tools you already use to improve your form’s functionality and efficiency.

Affordable

Compare features and pricing plans to find a builder that fits your budget, with free options available for basic needs. Consider any additional costs for premium features or higher usage limits to avoid unexpected expenses.

Customer support

Reliable customer support ensures you have help if you encounter issues while building or using your forms. Look for platforms that offer multiple support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, to get timely assistance when needed.

Best Online Form Builders for 2024

Here’s a breakdown of the best online form builders in 2024 to help with your decision-making process:

Google Forms

Google Forms is a free and user-friendly online form builder that is included in Google Workspace.
It allows you to create polls, surveys, quizzes, and more with real-time data collection and analysis.

Features

Here are five key features of Google Forms:

• Add multiple choice, checkboxes, dropdown menus, paragraphs, file upload, and more.
• Work with others in real-time to build and edit forms and share them via link, email, or embed them on your website.
• See response summaries and charts automatically generated as responses come in.
• Personalize your forms with themes, fonts, and images to match your branding.
• Create, access, and edit forms and respond to surveys from any device, anywhere.

Jotform

Jotform is a popular online form creator known for its user-friendly interface. It allows individuals and businesses to create simple contact forms as well as complex applications.

Features

Here are five key features of Jotform:

• Add and arrange various question types with a visual interface; no coding is required.
• Use various question types, and widgets for signatures, payments, and geolocation tracking.
• Connect with popular tools like Google Sheets, Mailchimp, and Salesforce.
• Show or hide new questions based on previous user answers to create a personalized form experience.
• Make sure your forms look great and function smoothly on any device, desktop or mobile.

Formidable Forms

Formidable Forms is a WordPress-specific form builder that offers complex data collection and management features.

Features

Here are five key features of Formidable Forms:

• Build multi-page forms, utilize repeaters for collecting data lists, and use conditional logic.
• Create custom views to display form data in tables, and charts, or even integrate with Google Sheets for further analysis.
• Accept online payments directly through your forms with integrations for Stripe and PayPal.
• Improve user experience with a conversational-style format; it makes form-filling feel more like a dialogue.
• Track users who start but don’t complete the forms to follow up and potentially recover lost leads.

Fillout

Fillout is an easy-to-use form builder with an intuitive user interface, powerful logic, a flexible designer, and advanced capabilities. You can create any type of custom forms, surveys, and quizzes that could involve payments, bookings, calculations, e-signatures, PDF generation, and workflow automations.

Features

Here are five key features of Fillout:

• Effortlessly create forms with the intuitive drag-and-drop editor that comes with 40+ customizable fields.
• Add page and conditional logic to build dynamic forms that adapt to your respondents’ preferences.
• Fully customize the design to match your brand with the advanced designer
• Integrate with popular work tools such as Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets, Slack, and more.
• Incorporate Stripe payment gateways, Google Calendar booking pages, and add automations via Workflows to streamline the process.

Fillout pricing

• Free plan: Yes
• Starter plan: $15 per month
• Pro plan: $40 per month
• Business plan: $75 per month
• Enterprise plan: available upon request

Formstack

Formstack is an online form builder for creating, managing, and automating forms and documents. It’s good for businesses of all sizes to collect customer feedback.

Features

Here are five key features of Formstack:

• Create forms easily with various question types, including conditional logic, for a dynamic experience.
• Collect electronic signatures on contracts, agreements, and other documents directly within Formstack.
• Generate custom documents like invoices, proposals, or reports by automatically populating them with data collected through forms.
• Connect with popular tools like Salesforce, Google Drive, and Zapier.
• Organize and analyze form data with powerful reporting tools, data filtering, and export options.

Typeform

Typeform focuses on creating visually engaging and interactive customer experiences. It’s known for its conversational format and question-by-question flow, making it feel less like a traditional form and more like a dialogue.

Features

Here are five key features of Typeform:

• Ask one question at a time, creating a more engaging and user-friendly experience.
• Create visual forms with themes, images, and multimedia elements to capture attention.
• Direct respondents to specific sections of the form based on their answers.
• Offer different follow-up questions based on previous responses.
• Connect Typeform with tools like Mailchimp, Google Sheets, and Zapier to automate workflows.

WPForms

WPForms is a popular form builder specifically designed for WordPress websites. It has a user-friendly interface and offers key features to create simple contact forms or more complex ones.

Features

Here are five key features of WPForms:

• Add and arrange various question fields with a visual interface.
• Start with pre-built templates for common forms like contact forms, surveys, and payment forms.
• Show or hide new questions based on user responses to create a dynamic form experience.
• Receive email alerts when someone submits a form, allowing you to respond quickly to inquiries or feedback.
• Connect WPForms with popular marketing and payment platforms like Mailchimp, PayPal, and Stripe for streamlined workflows.

HubSpot Form Builder

HubSpot Form Builder offers a user-friendly and marketing-focused approach to creating online forms. It integrates seamlessly with HubSpot’s CRM system, making managing leads captured through your forms easy.

Features

Here are five key features of HubSpot Form Builder:

• Create forms with various question types and customization options using the intuitive interface.
• Trigger automated email sequences, and workflows, or assign tasks based on form submissions.
• Connect captured leads with your HubSpot CRM, which centralizes contact information and simplifies lead management.
• Create targeted pop-up forms to capture leads at specific moments on your website, increasing conversion rates.
• Track form performance with detailed analytics, understand how visitors interact with your forms, and optimize them for better results.

Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms is a powerful online form builder plugin specifically designed for WordPress websites. It creates all types of forms, from simple contact forms to complex applications with data collection, management, and automation features.

Features

Here are five key features of Gravity Forms:

• Create forms with ease using the visual interface. Add and arrange various question fields without coding knowledge.
• Build multi-page forms, utilize repeaters for collecting data lists, and leverage conditional logic to create branching pathways within the form.
• Accept online payments through your forms with integrations for popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
• Set up automated email notifications for confirmations, and data routing based on user input, streamlining workflows.
• Gravity Forms offers a huge library of official and third-party add-ons, extending its functionalities to include features like surveys, quizzes, file uploads, and integrations with various marketing and CRM platforms.

Pabbly Form Builder

Pabbly Form Builder is a form creator offering unlimited features and functionality in its plans. It aims to be an all-in-one solution for your form creation needs.

Features

Here are five key features of Pabbly Form Builder:

• Enjoy no restrictions on usage, including unlimited form submissions, uploads, storage, and even payment integrations.
• Collect payments through your forms with integrations for popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
• Personalize the form experience by showing or hiding questions based on previous answers.
• Connect Pabbly Form Builder with various marketing tools to automate workflows and manage leads.
• The user-friendly interface allows for easy creation of forms with various question types and customization options.

Forminator

Forminator is a WordPress-specific form builder plugin available in free and premium versions. It offers an easy-to-use interface and caters to a range of needs, from simple contact forms to complex ones with lead capture, payments, and data management features.

Features

Here are five key features of Forminator:

• Create forms with a visual interface, allowing you to add and arrange various question fields without coding knowledge.
• Build a variety of forms beyond just contact forms, including polls, quizzes, payment forms, and even user registration forms with login functionality.
• Personalize the form experience by showing or hiding questions based on user responses.
• Accept online payments directly through your forms with Stripe and PayPal integrations.
• Capture leads through your forms and manage them within the plugin, or integrate with popular CRM platforms.

Zuko Form Builder

Zuko Form Builder is a cloud-based form builder designed to focus on optimizing user experience (UX) and high conversion rates. It uses data from millions of form interactions to provide design patterns that minimize form abandonment and improve completion rates.

Features

Here are five key features of Zuko Form Builder:

• Zuko offers live inline validation, custom error messages, and mobile-responsive design to create a user-friendly form experience.
• Understand how users interact with your forms, leading to increased completion rates.
• The user-friendly interface allows for easy creation of forms with various question types and customization options.
• Publish your forms as standalone webpages or embed them within your existing website.
• Gain insights into form performance, track user behavior, and identify areas for optimization with Zuko’s built-in analytics.

Paperform

Paperform is a feature-rich online form builder that allows you to create forms and interactive experiences. It caters to businesses that want to collect data in a user-friendly and visually appealing way.

Features

• Go beyond simple questions with features like product pickers, rating scales, and even logic jumps for a more engaging experience.
• Collect a wide range of data types through forms, then organize and analyze them with built-in features or integrations.
• Personalize the form flow by displaying questions or sections based on user responses.
• Accept online payments directly through your forms with integrations for popular payment gateways.
• Gain insights into form performance, understand user behavior, and identify areas for improvement with built-in analytics or data exports.

Cognito Forms

Cognito Forms is an online form creator designed to empower you with data collection, workflow automation, and security features. It helps businesses streamline data gathering and management processes.

Features

Here are five key features of Cognito Forms:

• Capture a wide range of data through various question types, including electronic signatures, file uploads, and conditional logic for a dynamic experience.
• Automate tasks triggered by form submissions, such as sending notifications, generating reports, or integrating with other tools.
• Ensure the safety of your data with features like secure data encryption, two-factor authentication, and compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.
• Connect Cognito Forms with popular applications like Google Sheets, Zapier, and payment gateways to expand functionality.
• Analyze collected data with built-in reporting tools, organize submissions, and export data for further analysis in other platforms.

Formsite

Formsite is a user-friendly online form creator with advanced data collection, payments, and integration features.

Features

Here are five key features of Formsite:

• Create forms easily, allowing you to add and arrange various question fields without coding knowledge.
• Use order forms, payment integrations, and HIPAA compliance to collect sensitive medical information.
• Access and manage form submissions, and generate reports with tables and charts.
• Connect Formsite with popular tools like Google Sheets, Mailchimp, and Salesforce.
• Personalize the look and feel of your forms with custom branding, themes, and conditional logic.

HappyForms

HappyForms is a user-friendly WordPress plugin specifically designed to create forms that convert visitors into leads or subscribers. It provides a positive user experience focusing on ease of use and features that encourage form completion.

Features

Here are five key features of HappyForms:

• Build forms visually with an intuitive interface.
• Include features like progress bars, star ratings, and conditional logic to engage users.
• Connect HappyForms with popular email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign.
• Built-in features like Captcha and honeypot traps help prevent spam submissions.
• Ensure your forms look great and function smoothly on any device.

Zoho Forms

Zoho Forms is a secure and feature-rich online form builder from Zoho, a well-established company offering a suite of business applications. Zoho Forms allows you to create various forms for data collection, surveys, and more.

Features

Here are five key features of Zoho Forms:

• Create various forms beyond contact forms, including surveys, polls, payment, and even multi-page forms.
• Personalize your forms with themes, branding elements, and conditional logic to create a dynamic user experience.
• Analyze form submissions with built-in reporting tools, generate charts and graphs, and export data.
• Automate actions triggered by form submissions, such as sending notifications, and integrating with other Zoho applications.
• Secure your data with features like encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulations like HIPAA.

Ninja Forms

Ninja Forms is a popular and beginner-friendly WordPress form builder plugin. It allows you to create a variety of forms for your landing pages without needing any coding knowledge.

Features

Here are five key features of Ninja Forms:

• Create forms with a user-friendly interface by adding and arranging various question fields through drag-and-drop functionality.
• Build various forms for complex data collection, including surveys, polls, and even multi-page forms.
• Set up automated email notifications, sending confirmation messages, lead captures, or other updates.
• Built-in features help block spam submissions and protect your forms from malicious bots.
• The free version of Ninja Forms allows you to receive unlimited form submissions on your website.

Conclusion

An ideal form builder is not just about picking a tool that fits your budget. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes understanding the specific features you need, such as customization options, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness. Therefore, consider the pricing structure to ensure it offers good value for the services provided. Make sure to include form tracking to monitor your forms’ performance, ensuring they work properly. Most importantly, align your choice with your unique business requirements and long-term goals. If you evaluate these factors thoroughly, you can select a form builder that will not only meet your current needs but also grow your business.