When evaluating form and survey builders for Shopify Plus merchants, it's essential to consider tools that integrate seamlessly with Shopify, offer robust features, and cater to the specific needs of e-commerce businesses. Cognito Forms and Paperform are two such platforms that provide comprehensive solutions for creating customized forms and surveys.
Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms is an online form builder that enables users to create forms with advanced features such as payment processing and conditional logic.
Features
- Data Collection: Supports various field types for gathering and validating data.
- Workflow Automation: Allows the creation of flexible workflows to engage users effectively.
- Data Management: Provides tools for organizing, configuring, and transferring data, along with report and document generation.
- Security & Compliance: Ensures compliance with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA.
- Online Payment: Facilitates secure transactions through integrations with payment partners.
Pricing Model
Cognito Forms offers tiered pricing based on features and usage:
- Individual Plan: Free for 1 user, includes unlimited forms, up to 100 entries per month, and 100 MB of storage.
- Pro Plan: Approximately $19 per month for 2 users, includes unlimited forms, up to 2,000 entries per month, and 1 GB of storage.
- Team Plan: Approximately $39 per month for 5 users, includes unlimited forms, up to 10,000 entries per month, and 10 GB of storage.
- Enterprise Plan: Approximately $129 per month for 20 users, includes unlimited forms, unlimited entries, and 100 GB of storage.
Note that payment processing fees may apply, especially on lower-tier plans. For instance, the Individual plan incurs a 2% fee on payments processed through Stripe. (cognitoforms.com)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers a free tier suitable for small-scale operations.
- Provides advanced features like conditional logic and workflow automation.
- Ensures compliance with major privacy regulations.
Cons:
- Higher-tier plans may be cost-prohibitive for small businesses.
- Payment processing fees can add up, especially on lower-tier plans.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Cognito Forms is ideal for businesses that require advanced form functionalities, such as complex workflows and conditional logic, and are willing to invest in higher-tier plans for these capabilities.
Paperform
Paperform is a form builder that allows users to create forms resembling custom-designed landing pages, offering a high degree of customization and design flexibility.
Features
- Design Flexibility: Enables the creation of forms that mimic landing pages, providing a seamless user experience.
- Payment Processing: Supports secure transactions through integrations with Stripe and other payment gateways.
- Integrations: Offers over 2,000 integrations with various platforms, enhancing functionality and workflow automation.
- Templates: Provides access to a vast library of templates for various use cases.
Pricing Model
Paperform offers several pricing tiers:
- Free Plan: Suitable for individuals and small teams just getting started.
- Essentials Plan: Approximately $24 per month, billed annually, includes 1 user, 1,200 submissions per year, and 1 GB of storage.
- Pro Plan: Approximately $49 per month, billed annually, includes 3 users, 12,000 submissions per year, and 10 GB of storage.
- Business Plan: Approximately $99 per month, billed annually, includes 5 users, 120,000 submissions per year, and 100 GB of storage.
Additional users can be added for an extra fee per user per month. (paperform.co)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable forms that can match brand aesthetics.
- Extensive template library to expedite form creation.
- Supports a wide range of integrations, enhancing functionality.
Cons:
- Higher-tier plans may be expensive for small businesses.
- The free plan has limitations on submissions and features.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Paperform is well-suited for businesses that prioritize design and user experience, and require a high level of customization in their forms.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The following table summarizes the key features and pricing models of Cognito Forms and Paperform:
| Feature | Cognito Forms | Paperform |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | Various field types for data gathering and validation. (cognitoforms.com) | Highly customizable forms resembling landing pages. (paperform.co) |
| Workflow Automation | Supports complex workflows and conditional logic. (cognitoforms.com) | Offers integrations with over 2,000 platforms for workflow automation. (paperform.co) |
| Payment Processing | Integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and Square; fees may apply. (cognitoforms.com) | Supports secure transactions through Stripe and other gateways. (paperform.co) |
| Integrations | Limited integrations; primarily focuses on form functionalities. | Extensive integrations with over 2,000 platforms. (paperform.co) |
| Pricing Model | Tiered pricing based on features and usage; free plan available. � |
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.
