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.
Paperform
Paperform is a versatile online form builder that combines the ease of a document editor with powerful checkout, scheduling, and automation features to help you create beautiful, functional forms.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cognito Forms | Paperform |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cognitoforms.com | paperform.co |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $24/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 14 days 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 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Columbia, USA | Sydney, Australia |
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.
Paperform
Paperform is a flexible online builder that feels more like writing a document than configuring a database. You can create everything from simple contact forms and surveys to complex payment pages and booking systems. By simply clicking and typing anywhere on the page, you can add images, videos, and styled text to make your forms look like high-end landing pages rather than boring data entry points.
The platform is designed for small business owners, marketers, and freelancers who need more than just a basic form. You can manage inventory, process payments via Stripe or Square, and sync your data with over 3,000 integrations. Whether you are running a boutique agency or a local gym, you can automate your entire customer intake process without writing a single line of code.
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.
Paperform Features
- Free-text Editor. Type anywhere on the page to add questions, images, and videos just like you would in a standard word processor.
- E-commerce & Payments. Sell products, manage subscriptions, and process secure payments directly through your forms using Stripe, Square, or PayPal.
- Native Scheduling. Connect your Google or Outlook calendar so your clients can book appointments and meetings while they fill out your form.
- Advanced Calculations. Create custom logic to calculate prices, scores, or dates in real-time based on the answers your users provide.
- Conditional Logic. Show or hide specific questions and content to create a personalized path for every person who interacts with your form.
- Guided Mode. Switch your layout to show one question at a time to increase completion rates and reduce user fatigue.
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
Paperform Pricing
- Unlimited forms
- Up to 1,000 submissions/month
- 1 payment account
- 6 months data storage
- Standard support
- 10MB file uploads
- Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Unlimited submissions
- 3 payment accounts
- Custom PDF receipts
- Remove Paperform branding
- Advanced calculations
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
Paperform
Pros
- Highly customizable design options for branded forms
- Intuitive document-style editor is easy to learn
- Excellent customer support with fast response times
- Powerful calculation fields for complex pricing needs
Cons
- No forever-free plan available for small users
- Learning curve for advanced logic and calculations
- Submission limits on the entry-level tier