When evaluating form and survey builders for Shopify stores, it's essential to consider tools that integrate seamlessly with e-commerce platforms, offer robust features, and align with your business needs. Cognito Forms, Google Forms, and Paperform are three popular options, each with distinct advantages and limitations.
Cognito Forms
Features and Functionality
Cognito Forms is an online form builder that provides payment processing and conditional logic, enabling the creation of complex forms tailored to specific requirements.
Pricing Model
Cognito Forms offers several pricing tiers:
- Individual: Free plan with 1 user, unlimited forms, 100 entries per month, and 100 MB storage.
- Pro: $19 per month for 2 users, unlimited forms, 2,000 entries per month, and 1 GB storage.
- Team: $39 per month for 5 users, unlimited forms, 10,000 entries per month, and 10 GB storage.
- Enterprise: $129 per month for 20 users, unlimited forms, unlimited entries, and 100 GB storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers a free plan suitable for small businesses and nonprofits.
- Competitive pricing for paid plans.
- Supports payment processing on the free tier.
Cons:
- Limited user access on lower-tier plans.
- Higher-tier plans may be cost-prohibitive for small businesses.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses seeking customizable forms with payment processing capabilities.
Google Forms
Features and Functionality
Google Forms is a free, straightforward form and survey builder that integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace applications.
Pricing Model
Google Forms is entirely free to use, with no premium tiers or additional costs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Completely free to use.
- Easy integration with Google Sheets for data analysis.
- User-friendly interface suitable for basic forms and surveys.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like payment processing and conditional logic.
- Limited customization options for form design.
- No direct integration with Shopify.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Suitable for individuals or small teams needing simple forms and surveys without the need for advanced features or e-commerce integration.
Paperform
Features and Functionality
Paperform is a versatile form builder that allows users to create forms resembling custom-designed landing pages, offering advanced customization and payment integration.
Pricing Model
Paperform offers several pricing tiers:
- Free: Unlimited forms, 1 user, 30 submissions per month, and 100 MB storage.
- Essentials: $24 per month for 1 user, unlimited forms, 1,200 submissions per year, and 1 GB storage.
- Pro: $49 per month for 3 users, unlimited forms, 12,000 submissions per year, and 10 GB storage.
- Business: $99 per month for 5 users, unlimited forms, 120,000 submissions per year, and 100 GB storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable form designs.
- Supports payment processing and appointment scheduling.
- Offers a free plan with basic features.
Cons:
- Higher-tier plans can be expensive for small businesses.
- Learning curve due to advanced customization options.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Ideal for businesses seeking highly customizable forms with advanced features and willing to invest in premium plans for enhanced functionality.
Three-Way Comparison
| Feature | Cognito Forms | Google Forms | Paperform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan; paid plans start at $19/month | Free | Free plan; paid plans start at $24/month |
| User Access | 1 user (Free); 2 users (Pro); 5 users (Team); 20 users (Enterprise) | Unlimited users | 1 user (Free); 1 user (Essentials); 3 users (Pro); 5 users (Business) |
| Form Entries | 100 entries/month (Free); 2,000 entries/month (Pro); 10,000 entries/month (Team); Unlimited entries (Enterprise) | Unlimited entries | 30 submissions/month (Free); 1,200 submissions/year (Essentials); 12,000 submissions/year (Pro); 120,000 submissions/year (Business) |
| Storage | 100 MB (Free); 1 GB (Pro); 10 GB (Team); 100 GB (Enterprise) | Unlimited | 100 MB (Free); 1 GB (Essentials); 10 GB (Pro); 100 GB (Business) |
| Payment Processing | Available on all plans | Not available | Available on all plans |
| Conditional Logic | Available on all plans | Not available | Available on all plans |
| Shopify Integration | Native integration available | No native integration | Native integration available |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly interface with a learning curve for advanced features | Extremely user-friendly; minimal learning curve | User-friendly with a steeper learning curve due to customization options |
| Customer Support | Email support; extensive documentation | Community support; limited documentation | Email support; extensive documentation |
| Best-Fit Customer Profile | Small to medium-sized businesses needing customizable forms with payment processing | Individuals or small teams needing simple forms and surveys | Businesses seeking highly customizable forms with advanced features |
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
If you're evaluating options for form and survey builders, Zigpoll is also worth a look. Zigpoll is a Shopify survey app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys, with zero-party data collection and a clean, Shopify-native setup. It tends to suit merchants who want flexible survey types in one place without enterprise pricing.
