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Formstack vs Salesforce Flows

Formstack logo

Formstack

Surveys

Form builder with document generation and e-signature

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Salesforce Flows logo

Salesforce Flows

Automation Integration

Automation inside Salesforce

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Salesforce Flows 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; Salesforce Flows not suitable for highly complex scenarios with intricate decision-making or bulk data processing
  • They diverge on capability: Formstack covers Form builder, Salesforce Flows covers Visual flow builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Formstack and Salesforce Flows actually diverge.

Attributes where Formstack and Salesforce Flows differ
AttributeFormstackSalesforce Flows
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelTiered monthly subscription published on the vendor site; HIPAA-capable plans priced separatelyUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, CloudSalesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile
CategorySurveysAutomation Integration
FoundedUnknown1999

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Salesforce Flows

  • Visual flow builder
  • Approvals
  • Scheduled actions
  • Screen flows
  • Multi-step workflows
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Salesforce native

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 Salesforce Flows
  • Regulated intake needing HIPAA-capable handlingnot Salesforce Flows
  • Salesforce shops wanting forms and documents inside the CRMnot Salesforce Flows

Salesforce Flows

  • Workflow Automationnot Formstack
  • Data Integrationnot Formstack
  • Process Automationnot Formstack
  • App Integrationnot Formstack
  • API Connectivitynot 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

Salesforce Flows

  • Not suitable for highly complex scenarios with intricate decision-making or bulk data processing
  • No automatic record locking, causing conflicts when multiple users update same records
  • Limited error handling compared to Apex
  • Requires Enterprise edition or higher for full capabilities
  • Auto-launched Flows cannot display screens to users
  • Complex dependency management and configuration challenges when deploying between environments

Pricing, plan by plan

Formstack

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Formstack review.

Salesforce Flows

Free
  • Salesforce FreeFree
    • 2 user licenses
    • Basic workflows
    • Limited automation
  • Starter$25/user/month
    • Sales flows
    • Lead routing
    • Email marketing analytics
  • Professional$100/user/month
    • Sales quoting
    • Forecasting
    • AppExchange access
  • Enterprise$165/user/month
    • Full Flow Builder
    • Custom objects
    • Sandboxes

Which should you pick?

Choose Formstack if

  • You need form builder.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want document generation.
Formstack review

Choose Salesforce Flows if

  • You need visual flow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Salesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want approvals.
Salesforce Flows review

Questions people ask

Is Formstack or Salesforce Flows better?
Neither clearly leads. Formstack starts at On request and Salesforce Flows at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Formstack or Salesforce Flows?
Salesforce Flows has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Formstack and Free for Salesforce Flows.
Does Formstack or Salesforce Flows run on more platforms?
Formstack runs on Web, Cloud. Salesforce Flows runs on Salesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile.
Can I use Salesforce Flows for free?
Yes. Salesforce Flows 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 Salesforce Flows is typically brought in for.
What can Formstack do that Salesforce Flows cannot?
Formstack covers Form builder, Document generation, E-signature, Workflow routing. Salesforce Flows covers Visual flow builder, Approvals, Scheduled actions, Screen flows.

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.

Salesforce Flows: Which Salesforce editions include Flows?

Salesforce Flow Builder is included in Enterprise Edition ($165/user/month) and above. Professional Edition lacks advanced automation capabilities and Flow Builder access. Starter and lower editions have limited Flow support.

Source
Formstack: 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.

Salesforce Flows: What are the main limitations of Salesforce Flows?

Flows are limited by DML operations (max 150 data elements that modify data), SOQL queries (max 100 data elements that retrieve data), and are not designed for bulk processing. Auto-launched Flows do not support screens and have limited error handling compared to Apex.

Source
Formstack: Is it HIPAA compliant?

It offers HIPAA-capable plans for regulated data. That is a plan-level feature, not the default.

Salesforce Flows: Can Salesforce Flows integrate with external systems?

Yes, through MuleSoft connectors and Salesforce API Catalog. Pre-built connectors exist for systems like Asana, and admins can create custom connectors. Complex integrations may still require Apex or third-party platforms.

Source
Salesforce Flows: When was Salesforce Flow redesigned?

Flow Builder was introduced in Spring '19 as a replacement for the previous Flow Designer, providing a more familiar interface similar to other Salesforce Lightning Builder tools.

Source
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