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Software · head to head

Cognito Forms vs Zapier

Cognito Forms logo

Cognito Forms

Software

Powerful forms made easy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

Software

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Cognito Forms individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cognito Forms and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where Cognito Forms and Zapier differ
AttributeCognito FormsZapier
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cognito Forms

Nothing recorded that Zapier does not also cover.

Only in Zapier

  • App integrations
  • Workflow automation
  • Trigger-based actions
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Data formatting
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Team collaboration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cognito Forms

No use cases recorded yet. See the Cognito Forms review.

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot Cognito Forms
  • Data synchronizationnot Cognito Forms
  • Email automationnot Cognito Forms
  • Social media postingnot Cognito Forms
  • Customer onboardingnot Cognito Forms

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cognito Forms

  • Individual free plan caps at 100 entries per month and 1 user
  • Pro plan ($24/mo monthly, $19/mo billed annually) still limits to 2 users and 2,000 entries per month
  • HIPAA compliance and single sign-on are restricted to the Enterprise tier ($174/mo monthly, $129/mo annual)

Zapier

  • The free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • Multi-step Zaps, filters, paths, webhooks and the formatter all require a paid plan
  • Premium app connectors are withheld from the free plan
  • Free Zaps poll for new data every 15 minutes against 2 minutes on Professional and 1 minute on Team
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs 50 percent more, so the 2,000-task Professional plan is $73.50 a month instead of $49

Pricing, plan by plan

Cognito Forms

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Cognito Forms review.

Zapier

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks/month
    • 5 Zaps
    • Two-step Zaps
  • Starter$19.99/month
    • 750 tasks/month
    • 20 Zaps
    • Multi-step Zaps
  • Professional$49/month
    • 2,000 tasks/month
    • Unlimited Zaps
    • Custom logic

Which should you pick?

Choose Cognito Forms if

  • You want to start without paying.
Cognito Forms review

Choose Zapier if

  • You need app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Zapier review

Questions people ask

Is Cognito Forms or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. Cognito Forms starts at Free and Zapier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cognito Forms or Zapier?
Cognito Forms starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does Cognito Forms or Zapier run on more platforms?
Cognito Forms runs on Web. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Cognito Forms for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Cognito Forms do that Zapier cannot?
Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps.
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Related pages

More on Cognito Forms

More on Zapier

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