Choosing the right online form builder can feel overwhelming—especially when options like Jotform and Formstack both promise to simplify your workflow. If you’re wondering which platform will suit your needs best, you’re not alone.
As more businesses and organizations go digital, picking the right tools makes all the difference in collecting data, connecting with customers, and staying organized.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Jotform and Formstack, sharing practical insights to help you decide which is the best fit for you.
Jotform vs Formstack: Which Form Builder is Right for You?
Choosing the right online form builder can have a huge impact on how smoothly your business collects data, processes leads, handles registrations, and more. Two of the most popular platforms in this space are Jotform and Formstack. Both offer powerful tools for creating forms, automating workflows, and integrating with your favorite apps. But how do they compare, and which one should you choose for your needs? Let’s break it down step by step.
Jotform vs Formstack: Quick Overview
Jotform and Formstack are designed to help you create online forms without requiring coding skills. They both offer:
- Versatile drag-and-drop form builders
- Pre-built templates for various use cases
- Conditional logic (showing/hiding fields based on answers)
- Integration with third-party apps
- Security features for sensitive data
However, each platform shines in different areas. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you make the best choice.
Key Features Compared
1. Ease of Use
Jotform
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder, suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.
- Hundreds of modern, professional templates for everything from event registrations to customer surveys.
- Responsive, real-time preview so you always know what your form will look like.
Formstack
- Drag-and-drop builder with a clean layout.
- Slightly steeper learning curve, especially for advanced features or workflow automation.
- Strong emphasis on workflow and business process automation, which may suit teams with complex needs.
Bottom Line: If you want to hit the ground running and build great-looking forms fast, Jotform is generally more beginner-friendly.
2. Templates and Customization
Jotform
- Offers thousands of templates across many industries (education, healthcare, HR, events, etc.).
- Deep customization options: fonts, colors, layouts, branding, custom CSS for tech-savvy users.
- Widgets to enhance forms (calculators, e-signatures, image sliders, etc.).
Formstack
- Provides a robust set of templates, though not as extensive as Jotform.
- Customization is strong, especially for workflow logic and business processes.
- Advanced users can build complex, multi-step forms, ideal for internal company workflows.
Bottom Line: If variety and design flexibility are important, Jotform leads for templates. Formstack is excellent if your focus is on custom business processes, not just simple forms.
3. Integrations and Automation
Jotform
- Integrates with 100+ popular apps, including Google Sheets, PayPal, Stripe, Dropbox, Slack, and more.
- Automation options include email notifications, conditional logic, and approvals.
- Connects with CRM tools, marketing platforms, and cloud storage solutions.
Formstack
- Deep integrations with business and productivity tools (Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, HubSpot, etc.).
- Strong in workflow automation—route submissions for approvals, trigger document generation, automate CRM updates.
- Supports powerful API connections for custom integrations.
Bottom Line: If you need enterprise-grade automation and native connection to tools like Salesforce, Formstack may offer the edge. For broader app choices and straightforward integrations, Jotform is a winner.
4. Security and Compliance
Jotform
- SSL encryption by default for all forms and data.
- HIPAA-compliant forms available on higher-tier plans, great for healthcare providers.
- GDPR compliance and data localization options.
Formstack
- Advanced security: encryption, audit trails, PCI compliance for accepting payments.
- Full HIPAA compliance and other industry certifications.
- User access control settings for large teams.
Bottom Line: Both platforms take security seriously. Formstack is ideal for larger organizations or those with strict regulatory needs; Jotform is a solid choice for most small businesses, nonprofits, and solo professionals.
5. Reporting and Analytics
Jotform
- Built-in reporting dashboard tracks form views, responses, and conversion rates.
- Export data to Excel, PDF, or Google Sheets.
- Visualize submissions via charts and graphs for clearer insights.
Formstack
- Powerful analytics and reporting tools.
- Track form abandonment, bottlenecks in workflows, and user activity for process improvement.
- Integrate with analytics platforms for in-depth data analysis.
Bottom Line: Both are strong, but Formstack’s analytics go deeper for process-heavy environments. Jotform makes quick data visualization a breeze.
Pricing: Which Offers the Best Value?
Pricing often tips the balance—let’s compare:
Jotform
- Generous free plan with basic features, capped form submissions, and storage.
- Paid plans scale based on submission volume and advanced features (starting from affordable monthly rates).
- Volume discounts for nonprofits and educational institutions.
Formstack
- No free plan, but offers a trial period.
- Paid plans are generally more expensive, reflecting its business-grade feature set.
- Pricing linked to users, forms, and advanced automation features.
Cost Tip:
If you’re a small business, solo entrepreneur, or nonprofit seeking affordable entry, Jotform’s free plan is tough to beat. Larger organizations that need end-to-end workflow automation may justify Formstack’s higher cost for its advanced capabilities.
Use Cases and Best Practices
When to Choose Jotform
- You need to create beautifully designed forms in minutes.
- Your team values ease of use and rapid deployment.
- You require lots of form templates for different scenarios.
- You want strong integration with payment gateways and marketing platforms.
When to Choose Formstack
- Your business relies on document automation, approvals, and multi-step workflows.
- You need granular user roles and access controls.
- You’re integrating with enterprise platforms like Salesforce.
- Security and compliance are top priorities.
Benefits and Challenges
Jotform Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface
- Massive template library
- Free plan available
- Flexible branding and visual customization
- Widely used by SMBs, educators, and nonprofits
Jotform Cons
- Advanced business automation is less robust than Formstack
- HIPAA-compliant forms require higher-tier plans
- Free version includes Jotform branding
Formstack Pros
- Powerful workflow automation and approvals
- Advanced security features and compliance
- Deep integration with enterprise tools
- Detailed analytics and reporting
Formstack Cons
- More expensive, with no permanent free plan
- Slightly higher learning curve for automation features
- Fewer ready-made templates for non-business forms
Tips for Choosing and Using a Form Builder
-
List Your Priorities.
Are quick setup and templates more important than complex workflow? Write down your must-have features. -
Try Before You Buy.
Both platforms offer trials (or a free plan with Jotform). Create a test form and see which feels more comfortable. -
Map Your Workflows.
If you need approval processes or document automation, list your steps so you can compare how each platform handles them. -
Consider Your Integrations.
Check if the form builder natively connects to your CRM, marketing, or document storage systems. -
Review Data Security Needs.
If you handle sensitive data (payments, health information), look at HIPAA and PCI compliance requirements.
Conclusion: Jotform or Formstack?
Both Jotform and Formstack are excellent form builders, but they cater to slightly different users.
- Choose Jotform if you want a user-friendly, visually flexible solution for a variety of form needs—especially as a small or mid-sized business, nonprofit, or educator.
- Choose Formstack if your organization needs advanced workflow automation, enterprise integrations, and enhanced security controls—ideal for larger businesses or those in regulated industries.
Your final choice depends on your workflow complexity, integration needs, budget, and team preferences. Whichever you choose, both platforms will help you collect and manage data much more efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Jotform free to use?
Yes, Jotform offers a robust free plan. It lets you create and publish forms, though with certain limits on the number of forms, monthly submissions, and storage. It’s great for testing the platform or light usage.
2. Can I integrate payment gateways with both Jotform and Formstack?
Absolutely. Both platforms integrate with major payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. However, some payment integrations may require a paid subscription, especially for features like recurring payments.
3. Which form builder is better for HIPAA compliance?
Both Jotform and Formstack can be HIPAA-compliant, making them suitable for handling medical or sensitive personal data. However, you need to be on a specific paid plan for HIPAA features—be sure to check which plan matches your compliance requirements.
4. Which platform works best for advanced workflows and approvals?
Formstack is renowned for its advanced workflow automation features. It lets you build multi-step processes with logic, approvals, and even document generation. If workflow automation is your focus, Formstack may be the more powerful option.
5. Can I migrate my forms from one platform to another?
While you cannot directly transfer forms between Jotform and Formstack with a single click, both platforms allow you to export form data (usually as CSV or Excel files). You will need to rebuild forms manually, but you can often import your data submissions into the new system.
Whether you need simple online forms or a complete business automation solution, both Jotform and Formstack have the tools to fit your needs. Be clear about your priorities, take advantage of trial periods, and you’ll find the perfect match for your workflow.