Forms are some of the most versatile web elements you can use. The best online form builder software can enable you to create surveys, polls, quizzes, contact and payment forms, and dozens of other key features. However, all of that is only possible if you choose the right software.
Fortunately, there’s a broad range of online form builders to choose from, depending on your budget and the types of elements you want to build. If you’re using WordPress, you also have access to a lot of amazing WordPress form builder plugins (although those aren’t the focus of this article).
In this post, we’ll introduce you to the best six online form builder software options you can use. These are all platform-independent tools, so you can embed your form on any type of website (or also share a direct link to the form in most cases).
We’ll discuss their features, pricing, and who should consider using each option. Let’s get to it!
What features to look for in online form builder software
Online form builder software comes in all shapes and sizes. Some tools focus on very specific types of forms, such as quizzes or polls. Your first order of business is to ensure that any online form builder software you’re considering can handle the types of elements you want to build.
After that, here are the features you should be looking for in any online form builder software:
- A visual form builder with drag-and-drop functionality
- Access to a broad library of pre-built fields
- Pre-built form templates that you can use as a starting point
- Data reports for your forms
- The ability to embed forms on other websites, including WordPress
Most online form builders enable you to embed the elements that you create on other websites. A lot of them also offer WordPress integration or plugins. However, that may not be a necessity if you plan to share your forms on social media or other types of websites.
Best online form builder software options in 2021
In this section, we’re going to explore six online form builders you can choose from, both free and premium. Each builder has a unique set of features, so we’ll discuss who should consider using each one. Here’s what we’ll cover:
1. Google Forms
If you’ve ever used Google Docs or Sheets, then you’ll feel right at home with this first option. Google Forms helps you create forms for personal use or for your organization, depending on what type of account you have.
The tool includes templates and elements that you can use to create surveys and polls, organize trips, and more. You can use Google Forms to add multiple choice questions, linear scale fields, regular text fields, and much more. The software also enables you to add images and embed YouTube videos.
You also get built-in options to analyze form responses, along with the ability to save form submissions directly to Google Sheets for more detailed analysis.
One area where Google Forms is lacking is when it comes to styling forms. By default, Google forms look like straightforward documents. They’re easy to interact with, but if you embed them on a website, the dissonance in style can be a bit jarring.
Who should use Google Forms: If you want a free form builder that you can start using in a matter of minutes, Google Forms is a perfect choice. However, if you plan to embed forms on your website and you want access to in-depth style customization, we recommend that you look elsewhere and explore a few Google Forms alternatives.
Price: Google Forms is free for personal use, and you can create as many forms as you want.
2. HubSpot form builder
The HubSpot form builder offers a drag-and-drop interface that you can use to quickly put together complex forms. The software integrates with the HubSpot CRM (customer relationship manager), which makes it an ideal option for collecting data from customers using forms.
You can use the HubSpot form builder to configure reminders and notifications for users who need to submit information. The software supports over one dozen field types, all of which you can add to your forms with just a few clicks.
One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of advanced form features, such as automation and conditional fields, are only available if you sign up for a premium HubSpot Marketing Hub plan. You can embed HubSpot forms anywhere, which makes this a versatile tool. However, the free HubSpot form builder is clearly designed to be used as part of the full suite of software.
Who should use the HubSpot form builder: If your business already uses HubSpot tools, then this form builder should be a front-runner. HubSpot’s form builder integrates with its CRM and other marketing tools, which should make your job easier.
Price: There’s a free version of the HubSpot form builder, and you can get access to advanced features by paying for a Marketing Hub plan. Those start at $45 per month.
3. Typeform
Typeform is somewhat unique among online form builder software. This platform enables you to create forms that feel like an interactive presentation, with plenty of transition effects, background styles, micro animations, and more.
You can use Typeform to create forms, quizzes, surveys, giveaways, and lead capture pages, among many other options. The platform offers a wide range of templates for all of these form types.
One detail to note about using Typeform is that you don’t get access to a drag-and-drop builder. Each question in your form comes on its own slide, and when users answer it they move on to the next one. If you like this effect, that’s a positive. But if you want a more traditional form, then Typeform might not be the right option for you.
Although Typeform is a very user-friendly online form builder, this slide approach might not be optimal for long surveys or quizzes. It’s also worth noting that Typeform forms are designed to be viewed in their own pages. You can embed them on a website, but the experience is a lot more organic in a full-page design.
Finally, Typeform works with Zapier, which means you can integrate your forms with hundreds of third-party services. That includes CRMs, email marketing services, rewards platforms, and more.
Who should use Typeform: If you want your quiz and survey forms to feel like a presentation, Typeform is definitely worth a look.
Price: Typeform offers a free plan that enables you to create unlimited forms, but it limits you to ten questions per form and only ten responses per month. Premium Typeform plans start at $25 per month.
4. Microsoft Forms
If you’re an Office 365 user or your business relies on Microsoft products, Microsoft Forms should be at the top of your list. The tool helps you create simple forms and quizzes, which can include text and multiple choice answers, as well as ratings, dates, and Likert scales.
Although the field selection is limited, Microsoft Forms is remarkably simple to use. Plus, you get quick access to response data, you can preview forms on mobile devices, and the platform offers multiple themes that you can use for each project.
The Microsoft Forms builder doesn’t include drag-and-drop functionality. However, you can move fields up or down to re-arrange them. You also get access to a broad range of templates for all types of occasions, including event registrations and customer feedback surveys.
Who should use Microsoft Forms: This form builder software doesn’t offer a lot of field options for your projects. It’s a good option if you’re already using Microsoft products or you’re only interested in creating simple forms.
Price: You need an Office 365 subscription to gain access to Microsoft Forms, and plans start at $69.99 per year.
5. Growform
Growform is a form builder designed for landing pages. This software uses a style similar to Typeform, enabling you to create multi-page forms that almost feel like presentations.
The main difference is that Growform is focused on helping you use forms for increasing conversions on landing pages. Using Growform, you can create forms with conditional logic that enable users to set up appointments, request quotes, ask for the right services, and more.
Growform offers a huge range of form templates for all kinds of lead generation pages. Among them, you’ll find options for web design service intake forms, life insurance appraisals, mortgage calculators, and many more.
The Growform builder provides you with plenty of customization options, although it’s not a drag-and-drop tool. You can easily embed Growform forms in WordPress, as well as multiple other content management systems (CMS).
Who should use Growform: If you’re looking to create forms for a lead generation page, Growform should be able to help.
Price: Growform plans start at $34.99 per year. There’s also a 14-day free trial that lets you test it out.
6. Pabbly
Pabbly is as close to a WordPress form builder plugin as you can get with third-party software. This platform enables you to use a drag-and-drop form builder with plenty of pre-built field options.
You can use Pabbly to build contact and payment forms, surveys, quizzes, giveaways, and more. The service supports conditional forms and integrates with a broad range of third-party services. Moreover, you can easily embed Pabbly forms on any website.
Pabbly offers a sizable library of form templates, including several options for payment forms. The ability to help you process payments makes Pabbly a unique form builder software option. However, it’s worth noting that its per-form payment model makes Pabbly a poor choice if you want to set up a large number of projects.
Who should use Pabbly: If you need a versatile, drag-and-drop form builder that enables you to process payments, Pabbly should be a top choice.
Price: Pabbly plans start at $10 per month per form.
What about WordPress form builders?
As you might expect, there is no shortage of WordPress form builder plugins. If you’re planning to create forms that you’ll primarily use on your website, form builder plugins may be a better option than third-party software.
If that sounds like what you need, you can check out our comprehensive write-up on the best WordPress form builder plugins. This roundup covers prices, features, and everything that you need to know about form builder plugins, so you can decide which one suits your needs.
Create your first form today
There are plenty of options when it comes to online form builder software. If you know what kind of forms you want to create and what features you can’t live without (such as drag-and-drop functionality) choosing the right tool is relatively simple. A lot of form builders also offer free plans, which means they can fit into any budget.
Overall, if you’re in the market for online form builder software, we recommend using either Google Forms or Typeform. The former offers a more streamlined experience for collecting data, whereas the latter is designed for building user-friendly, engaging forms.
If you have a WordPress site, we have guides on embedding forms from both tools in WordPress:
Do you have any questions about online form builders? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below!
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