- Ten form builders to weigh up for your WordPress site
- The ten entries in more detail
- How to choose a WordPress form plugin for your site
- Plugin or hosted form builder: which suits you
- Moving your forms away from Gravity Forms
- Keeping form data tidy and lawful
- Why a lesser-known form plugin can be a good fit
- A quick checklist before you switch form plugins
- Frequently asked questions
A solid Gravity Forms alternative should build the forms you need, send reliable notifications and let you export your entries whenever you like. Check field types, logic and integrations. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers how to choose and how to move.
Gravity Forms is a well-known WordPress form plugin. Plenty of agencies and site owners use it for contact forms, quote requests, registrations and multi-step forms. If you're weighing up other form tools for your own site, perhaps because your needs have changed or you'd like a different editor, it helps to see what else is out there.
Below are ten Gravity Forms alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Most are WordPress plugins and a few are hosted or open-source builders. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website and directory listings, so check current details there before you decide. If you want a wider view first, my guide to online form builders for business is a good starting point.
Ten form builders to weigh up for your WordPress site
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version you can keep using with no time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free version. No means the site states neither. Free versions are often cut down, so read what's included.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Forms | WordPress form plugin | Drag-and-drop contact and survey forms | Yes |
| Fluent Forms | WordPress form plugin | Conditional logic and quizzes | Yes |
| Formidable Forms | WordPress form plugin | Calculators and data displays | Yes |
| Forminator | WordPress form plugin | Forms, polls and quizzes together | Yes |
| Kali Forms | WordPress form plugin | Simple builder with templates | Yes |
| Ninja Forms | WordPress form plugin | Modular add-ons for contact forms | Yes |
| OpnForm | Hosted or self-hosted | Open-source forms with embeds | Yes |
| SureForms | WordPress form plugin | AI-assisted forms inside the block editor | Yes |
| WPForms | WordPress form plugin | Beginner-friendly contact forms | Yes |
| WS Form | WordPress form plugin | Developer-friendly layouts | Yes |
The ten entries in more detail
Everest Forms
Best for: WordPress site owners who want a drag-and-drop form plugin with ready-made templates for contact, survey and payment forms.
Fluent Forms
Best for: Site owners who want a fast form plugin with conditional logic, multi-step forms and quizzes.
Formidable Forms
Best for: Site owners who want calculators, quote forms and ways to display submitted entries on the site.
Forminator
Best for: Site owners who want contact forms, polls and quizzes from one plugin inside the dashboard.
Kali Forms
Best for: Beginners who want a tidy WordPress form builder with templates and a short learning curve.
Ninja Forms
Best for: Site owners who like starting with a simple core plugin and adding only the extras they need.
OpnForm
Best for: People who want an open-source builder they can run themselves or use online and embed anywhere.
SureForms
Best for: Block editor users who want forms that feel native to WordPress, with an optional AI starting point.
WPForms
Best for: Beginners who want a popular WordPress builder with a large template library and plenty of tutorials.
WS Form
Best for: Designers and developers who want grid layouts, conditional logic and hooks for custom behaviour.
How to choose a WordPress form plugin for your site
Start with the job the form has to do. A simple enquiry form is a very different task from a multi-step application or a quote calculator. Write down the three things you couldn't live without, then judge every option against that short list rather than a long feature table.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
- Field types. Check it handles file uploads, dates, signatures or whatever your form really needs.
- Conditional logic. Can fields appear or hide depending on earlier answers?
- Notifications. You'll want email alerts to you and a confirmation to the person who filled it in.
- Where entries live. Some plugins store submissions inside WordPress, while hosted tools keep them on their own servers.
- Integrations. Check it connects to your email platform, spreadsheet or CRM.
- Spam protection. Look for a honeypot, a CAPTCHA option or a similar filter.
- Accessibility. Labels, keyboard use and clear error messages matter to real visitors.
Plugin or hosted form builder: which suits you
A plugin runs inside your own WordPress install. That keeps entries under your control and the look close to your theme, but updates and compatibility become your job. A hosted builder runs on someone else's servers and you embed the form on your page. That's often quicker to set up and works on any site, though your entries sit with a third party and you rely on their service.
Neither is better in every case. If you run WordPress and want everything in one dashboard, a plugin tends to feel natural. If you also need the same form on several sites or on a non-WordPress page, a hosted or open-source option may be easier.
Moving your forms away from Gravity Forms
Moving is mostly a matter of order. Here's a sensible sequence.
- Export your existing entries so you keep a copy of every submission.
- List each live form, what it asks and where its notifications go.
- Rebuild the most important form first, usually your main contact form.
- Test submissions with a fresh address and check the emails arrive.
- Switch any integrations over and test them again.
- Remove the old forms from your pages only once the new ones work.
Keeping form data tidy and lawful
Whatever tool you pick, you're responsible for the personal data your forms collect. In the UK and EU that generally means a clear reason for collecting it, a link to your privacy policy and a sensible retention habit. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation. Asking for fewer fields also tends to help completion, which is why I like my cheat sheet on trimming form fields.
Why a lesser-known form plugin can be a good fit
Smaller teams often respond quickly and focus on a few jobs done well. You may find a simpler screen, fewer menus and a developer who answers your question directly.
Check when the plugin was last updated, read its documentation and make sure you can export your entries whenever you wish. Try it on a staging copy or a low-stakes form first. If you're also reviewing the rest of your site tools, my roundup of WordPress plugins may help.
Do you make a WordPress form plugin or form builder? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
A quick checklist before you switch form plugins
- Name the form that matters most and rebuild it first.
- Confirm entries can be exported and imported.
- Test on a phone as well as a desktop.
- Check the confirmation email lands in the inbox, not spam.
- Keep the old setup until the new one has handled real submissions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WordPress form plugin?
It's an add-on that lets you build and manage forms inside your WordPress dashboard, with entries and email notifications handled for you.
Why would someone look for a Gravity Forms alternative?
Reasons vary: a different editor, a different style of support, a simpler interface or a different set of features. Start by listing what your forms must do.
Can I move my existing entries to a new tool?
Entries can usually be exported as a spreadsheet file. The forms themselves normally need rebuilding by hand, so list them first and move the most important ones first.
Do I need a plugin, or will a hosted builder do?
A hosted builder is often enough for one or two simple forms. A plugin suits you if you want entries and design managed inside WordPress.
Is a free version enough to start with?
It can be for a simple contact form. Read what's included, because some free versions leave out payments, file uploads or conditional logic.
Do my forms need a privacy notice?
If you collect personal data, you generally need to tell people why and how it's used. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules that apply to you.


