Elevating your data collection strategy and boosting customer engagement is pivotal in today's competitive market.
The right form builder can be your game-changer, streamlining operations and amplifying user interaction.
In this comprehensive review, we delve into an in-depth comparison of three online form-building powerhouses - Typeform, Formstack, and Feathery.
As we journey through the strengths, quirks, and distinguishing factors of these form-building platforms, you'll understand the best use cases for each tool and decide which one is best suited for your business needs.
A quick comparison of the tools
Want the TL;DR version? Check out this quick comparison table.
Typeform
Typeform's brand is built on its conversational approach to form-building.
Conversational forms are designed to ask one question at a time, almost like a chat, which makes the process feel more human and less robotic.
Creating a form on Typeform is a smooth and intuitive process. A clean and well-structured interface greets you, with a clearly visible "New Typeform" button on the dashboard.
Once you've selected a template or chosen to build a form from scratch, you're taken to the form builder screen, where you're free to add, remove, or edit questions as you see fit.
Each question appears on a new page, creating an engaging, conversation-like experience for the end user.
The interactive, one-question-per-page nature of Typeform works well for the most part, but forms with a large number of questions can sometimes suffer from slower loading times.
Additionally, Typeform requires an active internet connection to fill out forms. So, if your respondents are in areas with poor connectivity, they may find it challenging to complete the form.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- High-quality, interactive survey design
- Variety of question types and customization options
- Seamless integration with popular marketing tools
- Offers an initial free plan to test its features
Cons
- Higher cost for more customization features
- Lacks flexibility in pricing plans for occasional users
- Initial setup can be somewhat complex
- Limitations in controlling user's navigation through the form (branching logic)
- Analysis of the correlation between questions could be improved
- Direct integrations with some CSM tools could be expanded
Formstack
With Formstack, you're able to create professional-looking forms that can adapt to a wide range of needs.
The drag-and-drop editor allows you to add a variety of field types to your form.
Unlike Typeform's one-question-per-page style, Formstack forms show multiple fields on the same page, providing an overview that many users may find less overwhelming and more suitable for longer forms.
Each field can be individually configured and edited. You're free to create as simple or as complex a form as you need, with the option to add conditional logic, integrate payment collection systems, or connect to various other apps for data collection or processing.
If you’re looking for highly customized aesthetics, you may find Formstack a bit restrictive.
Formstack offers around 40 pre-made templates, and the design customization is somewhat limited compared to other form builders.
Another area where Formstack may let some users down is in its pricing model. The platform doesn’t offer a freemium version. Instead, it provides a 14-day free trial period, allowing prospective users to test out the full range of Formstack's functionalities and features before deciding to commit financially.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy form building process
- Supports online payments and other automations
- User-friendly design with easy data export
- Wide range of integrations, including Google Docs, Dropbox, and web applications
- Easily embeddable in websites
Cons
- Outdated user interface compared to competitors
- Occasional errors with integrations
- Extra payment for partial submissions and conversion kit
- Issues with recovery for forgotten/lost passwords
Feathery
Feathery is an innovative, feature-rich platform that caters to more advanced and tailored form-building needs.
The tool was designed for teams that crave the flexibility to create intricate form flows, like sign-up processes, onboarding experiences, and payment procedures.
When you first open Feathery, it's clear that customization is king. From its advanced rules and actions to open-source SDKs, Feathery is built to provide a level of personalization that's a cut above other mainstream form builder tools.
With its comprehensive CSS customization options, you can adjust everything down to the minutest detail.
But, Feathery isn't just about making your forms look pretty; it's about creating bespoke forms that work exceptionally well.
Unlike many form builders, Feathery forms are designed to be fully branded and self-hosted, providing a seamless user experience that aligns perfectly with your brand's aesthetics and tone.
One particular standout feature of Feathery is its robust analytics capabilities. With Feathery, you're not just launching forms into the void but actively learning and optimizing.
Its ability to conduct native A/B tests offers valuable insights that help fine-tune the form's design, content, and structure for maximum effectiveness.
Feathery feels like a breath of fresh air, especially for those used to clunky form builders with limited customization options.
It's an ideal solution for teams needing a low-code platform that doesn't compromise on flexibility or functionality.
If you're a growing tech company looking to create tailored, highly functional interactive forms, Feathery will feel like it was crafted just for you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Feature-rich product
- Allows creation of customizable forms with complex logic
- Easy-to-use interface
- Visually appealing forms
- Integrations with collaboration tools
- Highly responsive team for feature and support requests
- Quick development and update turnarounds
Cons
- Requires email access for every login
- Limited form features available in the free plan
Key features comparison
Ready for a deep dive? Let's explore the standout features that set these form builders apart.
Visual interface
Offering a unique balance between user-friendliness and deep customization options, Feathery outshines both Typeform and Formstack. It features a powerful, low-code platform with advanced rules, actions, and intricate CSS customization options that cater to a range of user requirements.
While Typeform boasts a clean, modern aesthetic that appeals to the minimalist, it falls short when handling longer, more complex forms, and its customization options are limited.
On the other hand, Formstack opts for a more traditional approach prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. Its drag-and-drop builder allows users to swiftly create forms but lacks the interactive, engaging feel offered by Feathery and Typeform.
Some users might also find Formstack's interface less visually appealing.
Overall, Feathery's versatile features, sleek interface, and customization capabilities place it as the unrivaled winner in this comparison, positioning it as the top choice for those seeking a dynamic, feature-rich form-building platform.
Conditional logic
Conditional logic is a critical feature for form builders, allowing for a more personalized and interactive user experience. It lets you show or hide questions based on the responses to previous ones.
Typeform refers to conditional logic as Logic Jumps and allows for an intuitive setup. You can create a personalized path through your form or survey based on how people answer questions.
While Typeform's Logic Jumps are user-friendly and meet the needs of most users, they’re relatively basic and don't support complex operations.
Formstack, on the other hand, offers what it calls Conditional Logic. Like Typeform, you can create rules for hidden fields, sections, or even pages based on previous responses.
Feathery introduces an added layer of logic that allows users to add their own JavaScript code, providing incredible flexibility and control over how the form behaves under specific conditions.
With this, you could specify what happens if there's an error, for instance, or any other unique situation you can code for. This makes it extremely adaptable and customizable to meet very specific product team needs.
It's clear that Feathery takes the lead when it comes to conditional logic features. Its combination of standard flows and the added layer of logic with JavaScript code provides a level of customization and control that surpasses what Typeform and Formstack offer.
Customization
Typeform offers a good degree of customization. You can alter the color scheme, font choices and upload images or gifs to your forms. Typeform also provides a host of templates to help you get started.
The distinctive conversational style, however, is where Typeform could fall short for some. It limits how much you can modify the form's structure and behavior, meaning you can't even add two questions on the same page.
Formstack provides a wide range of customization options as well. From changing the colors and fonts to incorporating your logos and images, you can make the forms fit your brand identity.
Moreover, you can design custom themes to maintain consistent branding across all your forms. Formstack's strength lies in the practicality of its form builder, which might lack the design-forward approach of Typeform but offers robust functionality.
After testing all tools, it's safe to say that Feathery lifts the trophy for this feature. Our platform offers extensive customization options, from advanced rules and actions to detailed CSS customization options.
Feathery forms can be fully branded and self-hosted, which means they can integrate seamlessly with your existing digital assets.
This comprehensive approach to customization sets Feathery apart, making it the ideal choice for teams that require complex, highly personalized forms that align perfectly with their branding and specific use cases.
Templates
From customer feedback and quizzes to registration forms and order forms, Typeform provides a wide variety of templates that can be further customized to your liking. This extensive collection gives you plenty of options to choose from and adapt to your needs.
Feathery offers a curated selection of 29 templates, which, although not as extensive as Typeforms, includes some unique ones not typically found in other form builders, such as onboarding and sign-up pages.
Formstack offers around 40 customizable templates that cater to a wide array of industries and needs. These include contact forms, order forms, event registrations, and more.
Given the sheer volume and variety of templates, Typeform would be the winner in this category.
But, it's worth noting that Feathery's selection, although smaller, includes unique and advanced templates like onboarding and sign-up pages, which are difficult to create with other form builders.
Digital signature
Formstack allows users to sign documents electronically, with its built-in signature field, making it a viable choice for forms that require a legal signature.
The digital signature feature is available during the 14-day free trial period, after which you'll need to switch to a paid plan to continue using it.
Feathery also offers a digital signature feature, but it's only available on paid plans.
Typeform doesn’t offer a digital signature feature which can be a limiting factor for those who require legally binding signatures for their forms or surveys.
Although there might be workarounds using third-party integrations, not having this feature built-in can make the process more complex and less secure.
Given these considerations, Formstack and Feathery both come out ahead in providing digital signature capabilities, a crucial feature for many organizations.
Form analytics
Feathery not only tracks basic metrics like submission rates and drop-off points but also lets you run A/B tests natively on the platform. This A/B testing functionality can be especially valuable when optimizing your form for higher completion rates and better user experience.
Typeform provides a solid analytics suite that measures metrics such as the total number of responses, completion rate, average completion time, and a question-by-question breakdown of form responses. You can also integrate with Google Analytics for a more comprehensive breakdown.
One particular feature of Typeform is its ability to present the data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. Even so, it might not have as extensive data breakdown or integration capabilities as Feathery.
Formstack also offers robust form analytics capabilities. You can track conversion rates, user demographics, abandonment rates, and even how long it takes for users to complete the form. This feature can give you a more comprehensive understanding of user behavior and form performance.
In terms of form analytics, all three platforms offer useful capabilities. Feathery comes out ahead, though, due to its advanced tracking, deeper data analysis, and the inclusion of native A/B testing capabilities.
This comprehensive analytics offering allows you to gather more precise insights and make data-driven decisions to optimize your forms.
Pricing
Only Typeform and Feathery offer free versions of their products, which can be advantageous for those wanting to explore basic functionalities without committing to a paid plan.
Formstack doesn't provide a free version, but it does offer a comprehensive 14-day trial that allows prospective users to experience all the features the platform provides.
In addition to its form-building software, Formstack offers other products like document management tools that can be purchased separately or bundled into the Formstack Suite.
When it comes to pricing for paid plans, Typeform is the most affordable, starting at $29 per month for the basic plan, but Feathery seems to offer a more feature-rich package and could be the more popular choice for users.
While pricing is an important consideration, evaluating the capabilities, app integrations, and customer service each tool provides is essential to determine which form builder best suits your specific needs and offers the best value for your investment.
The final verdict: should you choose Typeform, Formstack, or Feathery?
In a nutshell, if you're looking for the best online form creator, it's Feathery. It outshines Typeform and Formstack with its remarkable blend of adaptability, tailored options, high-end features, and beautiful forms.
Feathery's unique strength lies in catering to advanced, product-grade use cases. It offers capabilities that are not just about creating forms but also about integrating these forms seamlessly into your digital products.
This makes it the ideal choice for product teams in tech companies or organizations that need highly personalized forms with advanced functionalities.
While it does require a paid plan for accessing extra features like digital signatures, and it may have fewer templates than Typeform, the quality, flexibility, and level of control Feathery offers more than compensate for these aspects.
Typeform and Formstack have been on the market for a while, and they each shine as excellent form builders.
Typeform's conversational approach, excellent user interface, and visually engaging templates make it a suitable choice for individuals or organizations seeking an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing form builder that can facilitate more personal, engaging interactions with users.
On the other hand, Formstack's robust functionality and practical design could be great for those seeking a powerful form builder that can handle complex workflows and advanced data collection needs.
But Feathery’s capabilities supersedes the offerings by these traditional form builders. The low-code bespoke forms that Feathery brings to life are just something you can't get with other tools.
FAQ
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Typeform's interface is generally considered more intuitive, particularly for beginners. That said, if you're looking for an alternative with excellent user experience and quick feature implementation, you might want to consider Feathery.
Typeform and Feathery offer free versions of their form-building platforms. Formstack, on the other hand, doesn't offer a free version but provides a 14-day free trial.
Typeform offers engaging design, while Formstack excels at complex forms. However, for a blend of design and advanced customization, Feathery could be the top choice.
Typeform's lowest-paid plan is $29 per month, while Formstack's starts at $50. Typeform is generally the more affordable option, but if you're looking for a tool that offers significant value for its price, Feathery starts at $49 per month and provides a range of robust features.
Both Typeform and Formstack allow extensive customization and branding of forms. They provide options to add your own logo, choose from a palette of colors, and tailor form fields to your needs. Feathery also offers an impressive level of customization for forms. You can modify everything from layout to color scheme to individual form fields.
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