When evaluating online form builders for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, it's essential to consider tools that offer robust features, seamless integrations, and pricing structures that align with business needs. Cognito Forms and Fillout are two such platforms that cater to these requirements.
Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms is an online form builder that provides payment processing and conditional logic capabilities.
Features
- Unlimited Forms and Fields: Create as many forms as needed with a variety of field types.
- Conditional Logic: Show or hide fields based on user input, enhancing form interactivity.
- Payment Processing: Accept payments through integrations with Stripe, Square, and PayPal.
- Data Management: Utilize features like calculations, repeating sections, and document generation.
Pricing Approach
Cognito Forms offers a tiered pricing model:
- Individual: Free plan with 100 entries per month.
- Pro: $19 per month for 2 users and 2,000 entries.
- Team: $39 per month for 5 users and 10,000 entries.
- Enterprise: $129 per month for 20 users with unlimited entries.
Each plan includes unlimited forms and fields, with higher tiers offering increased storage and advanced features. (cognitoforms.com)
Pros
- Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of functionalities suitable for complex forms.
- Flexible Pricing: Multiple plans cater to different business sizes and needs.
Cons
- Learning Curve: The extensive feature set may require time to master.
- User Interface: Some users find the interface less intuitive compared to competitors.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Ideal for businesses needing advanced form capabilities, such as payment processing and complex workflows, and that can invest time in learning the platform.
Fillout
Fillout is a modern form builder known for its native integrations with Airtable and Notion.
Features
- Unlimited Forms: Create an unlimited number of forms.
- Native Integrations: Seamlessly connect with Airtable and Notion for data management.
- Custom Branding: Customize forms to align with brand identity.
- File Uploads: Allow users to upload files directly through forms.
Pricing Approach
Fillout offers a free plan with unlimited forms and 1,000 submissions per month. Paid plans include:
- Starter: $15 per month for 1,000 submissions.
- Pro: $40 per month for 5,000 submissions.
- Business: $75 per month for 10,000 submissions.
All plans include native Airtable and Notion integrations. (automationatlas.io)
Pros
- Modern Integrations: Ideal for teams using Airtable and Notion.
- Competitive Pricing: Offers a free tier and affordable paid plans.
Cons
- Limited Integrations: Fewer integrations compared to some competitors.
- Feature Set: May lack some advanced features found in other form builders.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Suitable for businesses already utilizing Airtable and Notion, seeking a straightforward form builder with essential features.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Cognito Forms | Fillout |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Forms | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional Logic | Yes | No |
| Payment Processing | Yes (Stripe, Square, PayPal) | No |
| Native Integrations | Limited | Airtable, Notion |
| Custom Branding | Yes (higher tiers) | Yes |
| File Uploads | Yes (higher tiers) | Yes |
| Free Plan | Yes (100 entries/month) | Yes (1,000 submissions/month) |
| Starting Paid Plan | $19/month (2 users, 2,000 entries) | $15/month (1,000 submissions) |
Which to Choose
Choose Cognito Forms if: You require advanced form features like payment processing and conditional logic, and have the resources to manage a more complex platform.
Choose Fillout if: Your team relies on Airtable and Notion for data management and seeks a straightforward form builder with essential features and a competitive pricing structure.
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
If you're evaluating options for online form builders, Zigpoll is also worth a look. It's a Shopify survey app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys, with zero-party data collection and a clean, Shopify-native setup.
