Formstack Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Formstack is a platform that teams use to build online forms, create documents, collect signatures and run workflows from the answers. If you're reviewing your options, perhaps because you want a simpler tool, a different way of working or something that suits a smaller team, there are plenty of other form tools to consider.

This is a list of ten Formstack alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are well-known names and most are smaller or more specialised. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website, so check the current details there before you decide. If you want an earlier look at the basics, see my overview of online form builders for business.

Form, document and workflow builders at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a plan or level you can keep using without a time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Details change, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
123FormBuilder	Online form builder	Forms with a free starting plan	Yes
Cognito Forms	Form builder with workflows	Forms that route to approvers	Yes
Fillout	Forms and workflows	Connections to the apps you use	Yes
FormAssembly	Data collection platform	Forms, documents and e-signatures	Trial only
Formsite	Online form builder	Long-running builder for forms and surveys	Yes
Heyflow	Funnel and form builder	Multi-step forms for lead capture	Trial only
Jotform	Online form builder	Large template library with e-signatures	Yes
Paperform	Forms and documents	Page-style forms, documents and workflows	Yes
Smartsheet	Work management	Forms feeding sheets and automations	Trial only
Tally	Simple form builder	Unlimited forms in a document-style editor	Yes

Ten online form tools to set beside Formstack

123FormBuilder

Best for: Small businesses who want a long-running form builder with templates and a free plan to start.

Cognito Forms

Best for: Teams who want forms that calculate totals, collect payments and pass entries to people for approval.

Fillout

Best for: Owners who want forms that connect to their other apps and allow unlimited users on the free plan.

FormAssembly

Best for: Organisations who want secure forms, workflows, documents and e-signatures, often alongside Salesforce.

Formsite

Best for: Businesses who want a mature form builder for registrations, orders and surveys, with a free level.

Heyflow

Best for: Marketers who want multi-step forms and quiz funnels for gathering leads on landing pages.

Jotform

Best for: Anyone who wants a big library of form templates, with e-signatures and workflow tools to match.

Paperform

Best for: Owners who like forms that look like web pages and can create documents from submissions.

Smartsheet

Best for: Teams who want form entries to land in sheets that trigger reminders, approvals and reports.

Tally

Best for: Freelancers and small teams who like a clean, document-style editor for building forms quickly.

What to compare when your forms need workflows

A form that only collects answers is easy to find. The harder part is what happens next. Before you switch, follow one real form from the moment someone fills it in until the job is done, and check the new tool can handle each step.

• Routing. Can an entry go to the right person, or through two approvers in turn?
• Notifications. Can the sender and your team both receive a clear confirmation?
• Logic. Can the form show or hide questions depending on earlier answers?
• Connections. Does it send data to your spreadsheet, customer database or calendar?
• Payments. If you take them, does it work with the provider you already use?
• Exports. Can you download all your entries whenever you wish?
• Teams. Can several people build and manage forms without sharing one login?

Where documents and signatures fit in

Some businesses use forms mainly to produce a document, such as a signed agreement, a booking confirmation or a filled-in application. If that's you, check whether the tool creates the document itself or sends data to another one. E-signature rules differ from country to country. This isn't legal advice, so check what applies to your own situation before you rely on signed forms.

Moving live forms without losing submissions

The biggest risk in a switch is a form that quietly stops working. A careful order helps.

1. Export all existing entries and keep the file somewhere safe.
2. List each live form, where it's embedded and where its notifications go.
3. Rebuild the most used form first, including its logic and confirmation message.
4. Test it from a phone and from a second email address.
5. Swap the embed on your website once the test works.
6. Leave the old form switched on for a short overlap, then close it.

Collecting personal data through online forms

Every form gathers names, email addresses and sometimes much more. In the UK and EU you should tell people why you're collecting their details, keep only what you need and delete it when you've finished with it. If your forms ask for health or other sensitive details, look at what protections the tool offers and ask the company directly. This isn't legal advice. My cheat sheet on cutting form fields shows how asking for less helps on both counts.

Which kind of form builder suits which job

• Simple contact and enquiry forms rarely need more than a clean editor and email notifications.
• Registrations and bookings often need payments, limits on places and confirmation messages.
• Approvals and requests usually need routing, statuses and an audit trail.
• Lead capture on landing pages works well with multi-step forms that feel quick.
• Regulated or data-heavy work calls for strong access controls and clear data handling.
• Field teams may need forms that still work with a poor signal, as in my article on submitting forms offline.

Why a smaller form builder can be a smart pick

Smaller form tools often listen closely to their users and focus on a few jobs. You may find a simpler editor, quicker help from the team behind it and fewer menus to wade through.

Look at when the company last updated its product, read the help pages and check you can export your entries whenever you wish. If the site doesn't say, ask. Try it on a low-risk form first before you move anything important.

Do you make a form, document or workflow tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Rebuilding one real form as a test

Pick two options that fit what you need, then rebuild your most used form in each. Include the logic, the confirmation message and the notification. Fill it in yourself from a phone and watch where it feels slow or unclear. Keep the tool that makes the whole journey feel easiest.

Frequently asked questions

What is an online form builder?

It's software that lets you create forms for your website without code, collect the answers in one place and often send them on to other tools or people.

Why would someone look for a Formstack alternative?

Reasons vary and they aren't always about the tool itself: a simpler editor, a smaller team, different integrations or a better fit for the kind of forms you build. Start by listing what you need most.

Can I move my old forms and entries?

Entries can usually be exported as a spreadsheet. Forms themselves normally need rebuilding by hand, so list them first and move the most used ones first.

Do I need to worry about personal data in forms?

Yes, whenever a form collects personal details. Say why you're collecting them, ask only for what you need and delete data you no longer need. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules that apply to you.

Is a free plan enough to start with?

It can be for a small project. Read the limits on forms, entries and features, and check the things you want are included, before you rely on one.