Surveys · head to head
Formstack vs Paperform
Formstack
Surveys
Form builder with document generation and e-signature
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Paperform has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Formstack more expensive than form builders that only collect, which is the fair comparison for simple use; Paperform free plan limited to 30 submissions per month
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Formstack and Paperform actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Surveys).
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 Formstack
- Form builder
- Document generation
- E-signature
- Workflow routing
- Salesforce integration
- Compliance features
Only in Paperform
Nothing recorded that Formstack does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Formstack
- Processes where a submitted form must become a signed documentnot Paperform
- Regulated intake needing HIPAA-capable handlingnot Paperform
- Salesforce shops wanting forms and documents inside the CRMnot Paperform
Paperform
- Creating multi-step application forms with conditional field displaynot Formstack
- Building payment collection forms for online invoicingnot Formstack
- Setting up appointment scheduling with calendar integrationnot Formstack
- Collecting customer signatures on contracts and agreementsnot Formstack
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Formstack
- More expensive than form builders that only collect, which is the fair comparison for simple use
- Document generation and signature sit in higher tiers, so the headline price is not the working price
- The interface has accumulated features over a long life and shows it
- Overkill where a form only needs to collect an answer
Paperform
- Free plan limited to 30 submissions per month
- Additional submissions beyond plan limits incur overage fees
- Custom domains require additional $20 per month fee on Pro plan
Pricing, plan by plan
Formstack
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Formstack review.
Paperform
Free- FreeFree
- 1 user
- 30 submissions per month
- 5 payment submissions per month
- Essentials$24/month
- 1 user
- 1,200 submissions per year
- 240 payment submissions per year
- Pro$49/month
- 3 users
- 12,000 submissions per year
- 3,000 payment submissions per year
- Business$99/month
- 5 users plus $9 per additional user (up to 25)
- 120,000 submissions per year
- 30,000 payment submissions per year
Which should you pick?
Choose Formstack if
- You need form builder.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want document generation.
Questions people ask
- Is Formstack or Paperform better?
- Neither clearly leads. Formstack starts at On request and Paperform at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Formstack or Paperform?
- Paperform has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Formstack and Free for Paperform.
- Does Formstack or Paperform run on more platforms?
- Formstack runs on Web, Cloud. Paperform runs on Web.
- Can I use Paperform for free?
- Yes. Paperform has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Formstack starts at On request.
- What is Formstack best used for?
- Formstack is most often used for processes where a submitted form must become a signed document, regulated intake needing hipaa-capable handling, salesforce shops wanting forms and documents inside the crm. Of those, processes where a submitted form must become a signed document and regulated intake needing hipaa-capable handling are not what Paperform is typically brought in for.
- What can Formstack do that Paperform cannot?
- Formstack covers Form builder, Document generation, E-signature, Workflow routing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Formstack: What does Formstack cost?
It publishes tiered monthly pricing; document generation and e-signature sit in higher tiers, and HIPAA-capable plans are priced separately.
Paperform: Is there a free version of Paperform?
Yes, Paperform offers a free plan with 1 user, 30 submissions per month, and 100 MB storage at no cost.
SourceFormstack: What makes it different from a plain form builder?
It generates documents from submissions and collects signatures on them, which is the step that otherwise involves retyping form data into a template.
Paperform: Does Paperform offer a free trial for paid plans?
Paperform offers a 7-day unrestricted trial for all paid plans without requiring a credit card.
SourceFormstack: Is it HIPAA compliant?
It offers HIPAA-capable plans for regulated data. That is a plan-level feature, not the default.
Paperform: What payment processing options does Paperform support?
All Paperform plans include payment processing via Stripe, Square, Braintree, or PayPal.
SourcePaperform: When does Paperform charge for custom domains?
Custom domains are available on the Pro and Business plans, with an additional $20 per month fee for this feature.
SourceRelated pages
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