Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms is a versatile online form builder that helps you create powerful, data-driven forms with advanced features like conditional logic, calculations, and secure payment collection.
Stripe
Stripe provides a comprehensive financial infrastructure platform that allows businesses of all sizes to accept payments, manage billing cycles, and automate financial operations through a single integrated API.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cognito Forms | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cognitoforms.com | stripe.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Columbia, USA | South San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms is a flexible online form builder that lets you create everything from simple contact forms to complex inventory management systems. You can build responsive forms that look great on any device using a drag-and-drop editor. It solves the problem of static data collection by allowing you to incorporate advanced logic, perform complex calculations, and even accept secure payments directly through your forms.
You can manage your data efficiently with entry sharing, document generation, and robust reporting tools. Whether you are a small business owner collecting orders or an enterprise managing internal workflows, the platform adapts to your needs. It eliminates the need for coding while providing deep customization options for your specific business processes.
Stripe
Stripe is a complete financial infrastructure platform that helps you accept payments and scale your business globally. You can integrate checkout experiences into your website or app, allowing you to take credit cards, digital wallets, and local payment methods with ease. Beyond simple transactions, the platform helps you manage recurring billing, handle marketplace payouts, and issue physical or virtual cards to your team.
You can also use built-in tools to fight fraud automatically and simplify your global tax compliance. Whether you are a solo founder starting a side project or a large enterprise managing complex global cash flows, you get access to the same high-performance tools. It eliminates the need for separate merchant accounts and gateways by providing everything you need to move money in one place.
Overview
Cognito Forms Features
- Conditional Logic Show or hide fields and sections based on user responses to keep your forms clean and relevant.
- Calculations Perform real-time math on your forms to calculate order totals, scores, or dates automatically without manual effort.
- Payment Integration Collect payments securely through Stripe, PayPal, or Square directly within your forms to streamline your sales.
- Document Generation Transform your form entries into professional PDF or Word documents automatically for invoices, contracts, or receipts.
- Workflow Automation Set up multi-step approval processes and custom email notifications to move data through your organization seamlessly.
- File Uploads Allow your users to upload images, documents, and other files directly to your forms with generous storage limits.
Stripe Features
- Global Payments. Accept 135+ currencies and dozens of popular local payment methods to reach customers wherever they live.
- Stripe Checkout. Deploy a pre-built, high-conversion hosted payment page that automatically adapts to your customer's device and language.
- Subscription Billing. Manage recurring revenue with flexible logic for trials, coupons, and tiered pricing models without manual intervention.
- Radar Fraud Detection. Block fraudulent transactions automatically using machine learning trained on data from millions of global companies.
- Financial Reporting. Access real-time data and automated reports to speed up your monthly closing process and track growth.
- Stripe Tax. Calculate and collect sales tax, VAT, and GST automatically based on your customer's specific location.
Pricing Comparison
Cognito Forms Pricing
- 1 user included
- Unlimited forms
- 500 entries per month
- 100MB storage
- Customer support
- Secure entry management
- Everything in Individual, plus:
- 2 users included
- 2,000 entries per month
- 1GB storage
- Payment integration
- Document generation
Stripe Pricing
- 2.9% + 30¢ per successful card charge
- Access to 100+ features
- Real-time reporting tools
- Global payment methods
- Machine learning fraud protection
- 24/7 phone and chat support
- Volume-based discounts
- Multi-product discounts
- Country-specific pricing
- Interchange pricing available
- Dedicated support team
- Custom onboarding assistance
Pros & Cons
Cognito Forms
Pros
- Extremely powerful conditional logic and calculation features
- Generous free plan includes unlimited forms
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder requires no coding
- Excellent value for money compared to competitors
Cons
- Steep learning curve for very complex calculations
- Limited design customization on lower-tier plans
- Email notification formatting can be tricky to master
Stripe
Pros
- Extensive documentation makes technical setup very straightforward
- Supports a massive variety of global payment methods
- Clean and intuitive dashboard for non-technical users
- Seamless integration with hundreds of third-party apps
- Highly reliable uptime during peak shopping seasons
Cons
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Account freezes can occur during sudden volume spikes
- Advanced features often require significant developer resources
- Dispute fees are non-refundable even if you win