Are you having a hard time finding the right online form builder? Choosing what’s best for you should not be such an arduous task. Right?

Believe it or not, the team and I had a brainstorming session on Formstack vs Jotform the day before, and it was fun! No complications, no code-stuffed analysis. It was just a bunch of friends sharing facts. And that’s precisely what I’m going to do with you— sign over the insights we gathered!

(Oh Yes…Research can be fun!)

Let’s start with…

What is Formstack?

Formstack is a workflow automation software that lets you create forms and surveys, streamline document preparation, and gather eSignatures effortlessly. The best part? All this is done using no-code workflows suitable for all skill levels.

Formstack has evolved as a form builder since being founded in 2006 by Ade Olonoh.

Let’s see how:

Key Features

1. Form Building

Switch providers effortlessly with Form Importer, design mobile-friendly surveys, and minimize abandonment with Save and Resume. Manage evolving options with Smart Lists, enhance brand recognition with custom Subdomains, and create dynamic forms using Conditional Logic.

2. Data & Analytics

Automate data flow with Advanced Integrations, collect various files with File Uploads and optimize forms with the Conversion Kit. Confirm submissions with Email Notifications, auto-verify data with Field Validation, and capture real-time data with Partial Submissions.

3. Payment

Process transactions securely with Payment Processors, enhance customer experience with Discount Codes and ensure PCI compliance with PCI Compliant Forms.

4. Security

Access enhanced security with Form Security, ensure GDPR compliance with GDPR Compliant Forms and facilitate HIPAA-friendly data collection. Seamlessly manage users with SCIM and enhance security with Invisible reCAPTCHA.

5. Team

Efficiently manage access with User Permissions, create dynamic Workflow, and streamline approvals with Approvals. Organize data with bundled forms using Portals.

G2 Rating: 4.4/ 5

Pros

Ease of Use: Formstack forms are pretty much self-explanatory. Anyone who goes through it once can get a hang of the form builder. A customer on a G2 review praises the platform for its responsiveness.

Cons

Customer Support: Some customers think that they lack in the customer service and support arena.

If you’re looking for Alternatives: 10 Best Formstack Alternatives

What is Jotform?

This San-Francisco based company, just like its contender here, was founded by Aytekin Tank in 2006.

With the intuitive interface, Jotform simplifies the form-building process. You need not be a tech wizard to handle the tool. Yes! You heard it right. No need to be a coder! Whether you need a simple survey or a detailed registration form, the platform covers it.

Well, who wouldn’t like a personal form-building assistant? 

Key features

1. Conditional Logic

Conditional logic makes Jotform intuitive and responsive. You can customize user experiences by showing or hiding form fields, sending targeted emails, and personalizing the entire interaction based on user responses.

2. Advanced Form Options

Create conversational forms with the drag-and-drop form builder. You can automatically enable and disable your forms when it hits your chosen limit. Plus, you’ll never lose progress with the “Save & Continue Later” feature. You can also enable autofill and never lose data.

3. Form Translation

Break down the language barrier! The Form Translation feature lets you open your forms to a global audience. How? By offering translations! It enables users to fill them out comfortably in their preferred language.

4. Customization

Easily customize URLs. You get custom CSS code for precise styling, ensuring form fields, widgets, and positioning align perfectly with your brand aesthetics. Also, you can effortlessly embed your forms into your website. Features like answer piping add a personalized touch as well.

G2 Rating: 4.7/ 5

Pros

User-Friendly Versatility: Jotform’s drag-and-drop Form Builder makes creating various forms a breeze, from surveys to payment forms.

Cons

Expensive: Though it offers advanced features, some users on G2 find the pricing plan a little over their budget.

If you’re looking for alternatives, here’s Top 10 Jotform Alternatives and Competitors

Formstack vs Jotform: A 7-Point Comparison

We already saw the form features. So, why don’t we start with the next most important point? How much do they cost you?

• Pricing
• Design and Customization
• Integration
• Templates
• HIPAA Compliance
• Security
• Offline Forms

1. Pricing

We will look into this a little too deep. You can’t commit unless you know what’s in it for you. Right? 

Formstack

Formstack’s pricing model is signed to accommodate diverse user needs. While Formstack’s plans come with comprehensive features, it’s essential to note that some users might find the pricing relatively higher, especially if they need advanced functionalities.

Users should carefully assess the features included in each plan to make an informed decision based on their budget and specific use case.

Forms: $50/month

• 20 Digital Forms, 1,000 Submissions Per Form.
• Form Integrations and Payment Integrations are included.

Documents: $92/month

• 10 Document Templates, 150 Merges.
• Session Management and Data Routing features.

Sign: $18/month

• Unlimited eSignatures, Mobile Signing, Custom Signing Experience.

Recommended Suite: $191/month

• Bundle all tools into one comprehensive plan.
• 25 Digital Forms, Unlimited Document Templates, Unlimited eSignatures.
• Advanced features: Copilot, Dynamic Task Assignment.

Enterprise: Customized

• Tailor an enterprise-ready solution.
• Dedicated Support, Single Sign-On, Security, Compliance, Account Management, HIPAA Compliance.

Salesforce Native Plans:

• Starter – $225/month
• Pro – $585/month
• NativeCloud Pro – Custom Pricing

Jotform

The platform provides a free plan with essential features, making it an excellent starting point for budget-conscious users. Jotform also offers paid plans for users who require additional features and increased usage limits. This flexibility enables users to begin with a cost-effective solution and scale up as their needs evolve.

Let’s take a look at their plans:

Starter – Free

• All features included.
• 5 Forms with a monthly submission limit of 100.
• 100 MB available space.

Bronze – $34/month

• 25 Forms with a monthly submission limit of 1,000.
• 1 GB available space.

Silver – $39/month

• 50 Forms with a monthly submission limit of 2,500.
• 10 GB available space.

Gold – $99/month

• 100 Forms with a monthly submission limit of 10,000.
• 100 GB available space.
• HIPAA compliance features are available.

Enterprise – Custom Pricing

• Unlimited forms, submissions, and available space.
• HIPAA compliance features are available.
• Custom domain, priority real-time support, SLA, and Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations.

Additional Information:

Jotform extends its support beyond the plans with:

• Nonprofit Discount: 50% off for nonprofits.
• Education Discount: 50% off for educational institutions.
• Cancel Anytime: Jotform is a recurring subscription service; you can cancel or change plans anytime.
• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee: Full refund within 30 days of payment.

2. Design and Customization

Formstack

• With Formstack, you can level up your forms using the Theme Editor and play with CSS tools for that extra flair.
• Save time with pre-set field options for things that you frequently use. Oh, and the forms? They look good on any screen, big or small.
• The forms are accessible to all, and they comply with Section 508.

Jotform

• It’s a no-coder! Whether it’s themes, images, fonts, or colors, personalize every detail without needing to code.
• Dive into complete form customization by adding your own CSS code. Personalize form fields, widgets, positioning, and more to match your unique style and preferences.
• Who doesn’t want to add a personal touch to their forms? Infuse personality into your forms by changing backgrounds. Add photos and videos or choose new colors effortlessly with Jotform’s drag-and-drop form designer.

3. Integrations

Formstack

If you want a comprehensive outlook, check Formstack integrations.

• For payment, Formstack has Brainfree and Chargify.
• For communication, you can use Slack and Zoom, to name a few.
• When it comes to data management, Airtable, and Google Sheets

Jotform

Jotform has around 100+ categories of integrations. We’ll look into some of the major players here. If you want to know all about their integrations, check out their website.

• For payment, you have Square, PayPal Business, PayPal Personal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net.
• For communication, you have Slack.
• And Google Drive and Airtable are there for data management.

4. Templates

Formstack

• Formstack offers prebuilt templates for both forms and documents to save time and energy. They have a 300+ versatile list of templates that fit your varied project needs.

Jotform

• Jotform leads here with a rich library of 10000+ pre-designed e-sign compatible templates. Plus, they have PDF templates.

5. HIPAA Compliance

Formstack

• Formstack ensures HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).
• You can also get a custom-made account with HIPAA-compliant features, including data encryption and enhanced security.
• And you have dedicated support and onboarding for a seamless experience in creating secure forms and workflows.

Jotform

• Patients can conveniently book appointments through the form, automatically syncing with your Google Calendar.
• Collect informed consent forms with electronic signatures and enable online bill payments through integrated processors like Square and Stripe.
• The platform ensures HIPAA compliance by encrypting form data, obtaining electronic signatures, and securely storing patient information backed by a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

(But mind it, it could be a little costly for some users as the HIPAA-compliant forms are available in the Gold Plan and the Enterprise Plan)

6. Security

Formstack

• Formstack plays by the rules. The platform utilizes multiple security methods, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, and WCAG standards.
• Your forms are Fort Knox certified. They’ve got invisible reCAPTCHA and secret passwords for extra security.
• Documents are under lock and key. SSL, encryption, and firewalls stand guard to keep them safe.

Jotform

They exceed industry standards, mind you!

• Your forms are served through a robust 256-bit SSL connection, ensuring top-tier protection for data transfer, with a SHA256 Certificate.
• Plus, your submission data enjoys an extra layer of protection through RSA 2048 encryption at the user’s end, followed by secure storage on our servers, making it a double-lock system.
• Rest easy about payments. Jotform is PCI DSS Service Provider Level 1 compliant, the pinnacle of security when handling credit card transactions.

7. Offline Forms

Formstack

• No more paper forms! With Offline Forms paired with Formstack Go, your team can complete tasks seamlessly, even in the remotest corners.
• You can stay plugged into your favorite integrations. Your data smoothly syncs between apps when team members reconnect to the web.
• Data collection made easy! Their offline forms let your team gather crucial information without an internet connection. It’s accessible, integrated, and efficient.

Jotform

• No internet? No problem! Jotform Mobile Forms app lets you gather responses even in the remotest locations. Once you’re back online, everything syncs up magically.
• Whether at a trade show, in the field, or anywhere off the grid, our offline forms feature ensures you can collect, edit, and submit responses without sweat.
• If you run an event or survey at a spot with no Wi-Fi, Kiosk Mode will come to the rescue! It refreshes the form automatically after each submission.

Now, did you get a clear idea of which one is perfect for your needs? Before that, what if I tell you there is a better alternative? If you want the best of both worlds, you should try SurveySparrow. Why? Let me show you.

Why Is SurveySparrow a Better Alternative?

SurveySparrow stands out as an innovative and user-friendly form builder, offering more than just a tool to create forms. This tool is designed to make your life easier by introducing smart features that go beyond traditional form creation.

Key Features

• Single Page Forms: Say goodbye to lengthy forms! SurveySparrow keeps it simple with single-page forms, making it easy for users to breeze through questions without feeling overwhelmed.
• Conversational Forms: Engage your audience with forms that feel like a chat. Conversational forms not only make the process enjoyable but also boost response rates.
• 1000+ Templates: Choose from a vast collection of templates designed for various purposes. Whether surveys, feedback forms, or registrations, SurveySparrow has a template for every need, saving you time.
• AI Form Builder: Let artificial intelligence lend a hand. SurveySparrow’s AI surveys, with the Wing feature, suggest improvements for optimized engagement and better results.
• CX Module: Elevate your customer experience with the CX module. You get NPS, CSAT, and CES! Use advanced surveys to understand customer sentiments, preferences, and expectations, enhancing the customer journey.

Why don’t you try it out and see for yourself? You get a 14-day free trial. And worry not! Nobody will ask for your credit card details. Take it for a spin today!

Table of Comparison – SurveySparrow | Formstack | Jotform

What To Look For In An Online Form Builder

Keep these points in mind before you make a decision:

Ease of Use: Look for an online form builder with an intuitive interface, drag-and-drop features, and simple navigation to streamline the survey creation process.

Customization Options: Choose a tool that allows for easy customization of survey questions, themes, and branding to ensure your surveys align with your brand identity.

Response Analysis: Opt for one that provides robust analytics and reporting features, enabling you to gain valuable insights from survey responses and make data-driven decisions.

User Engagement: Seek features like conversational forms or interactive elements that enhance user engagement, leading to higher response rates and more meaningful feedback.

Wrap Up!

There’s no winner in the battle of Formstack vs Jotform. The right tool fits right. SurveySparrow, Formstack, and JotForm are versatile form-building platforms with unique features.

SurveySparrow stands out with its conversational forms and AI form builder, making it suitable for various business sizes. Formstack excels in workflow automation and customization, which is ideal for medium to large businesses. JotForm offers a no-code builder and diverse integrations catering to small to large businesses.

Each platform has strengths, so the choice depends on specific requirements and preferences.

And hey, if you have any queries on SurveySparrow, reach out. Our support team is just a chat away!

Happy exploring!

Kate Williams

Content Marketer at SurveySparrow