Top 10 Features Every Forms Designer Should Know

Comparing the Leading Forms Designer Platforms in 2025Creating and deploying effective forms is a core part of modern digital workflows — from capturing leads and processing payments to running surveys and onboarding users. In 2025 the market for forms designer platforms is mature and varied: drag‑and‑drop builders now coexist with low‑code solutions, AI‑assisted form creation, and enterprise platforms that integrate deeply with CRM, analytics, and automation stacks. This article compares the leading forms designer platforms in 2025, focusing on features, ease of use, integrations, security and compliance, pricing, and best‑use cases to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

What to expect from leading forms designers in 2025

By 2025 top forms designers commonly offer:

• AI-assisted field suggestions and content generation (labels, validation messages, conditional logic) to speed up creation.
• Prebuilt templates and industry‑specific form libraries.
• Advanced conditional logic, repeating sections, and multi‑page workflows.
• Native payment processing and secure file uploads.
• Deep integrations with CRMs, analytics, marketing automation, and low‑code platforms.
• Accessibility tooling and automated testing for WCAG compliance.
• GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA (where applicable) and enterprise security features including SSO, audit logs, and data residency controls.

Below I compare eight representative platforms across core dimensions: usability, advanced features, integrations, compliance/security, extensibility, and pricing model.

Platforms compared

• Typeform (conversational forms, strong UX)
• Jotform (feature-rich, templates, HIPAA options)
• Google Forms (free, simple, collaboration)
• Microsoft Forms + Power Platform (enterprise integration)
• Formstack (enterprise workflows, data management)
• Wufoo (simple builder, Zapier-centric integrations)
• Paperform (rich content + forms, customizable design)
• Cognito Forms (powerful calculations, conditional logic)

Usability & design flexibility

• Typeform: Exceptional conversational UX and branching; best for surveys and high‑engagement forms. Editor is polished; form pages feel like natural conversations.
• Paperform: Rich WYSIWYG editor that mixes content and forms — great for landing‑page style forms and order pages with full design control.
• Jotform: Drag‑and‑drop with tons of widgets and templates; steeper menu density but highly flexible.
• Google Forms: Extremely simple and collaborative; limited styling and logic.
• Microsoft Forms: Similar to Google for simplicity, but integrates better with Office/Teams environments.
• Formstack: More utilitarian editor focused on complex workflows and data capture; less flashy but powerful for enterprise use.
• Wufoo: Easy for basic forms with a straightforward builder; fewer advanced features than Jotform.
• Cognito Forms: Powerful for forms that require calculations, repeating sections, and complex conditional logic; UI is functional rather than stylish.

Advanced features & automation

• Conditional logic and branching: All platforms listed support branching, but complexity varies: Cognito Forms and Formstack handle deep nested logic best.
• Repeating sections / sub-forms: Cognito, Jotform, and Formstack support repeating groups natively.
• Calculations and data transforms: Cognito Forms leads here for embedded calculations; Jotform also strong with calculation widgets.
• Payment processing: Jotform, Paperform, Typeform, Formstack, and Wufoo offer native payment integrations (Stripe, PayPal, Square).
• File uploads (large files, virus scanning): Jotform and Formstack provide robust file handling and security; enterprise tiers offer larger limits and scanning.
• AI assistance: By 2025 many platforms include AI for suggesting fields, writing copy, and automatically generating conditional logic. Typeform, Jotform, and Paperform have prominent AI features.
• Multi‑page forms, progress saving: Supported across platforms; Formstack and Jotform offer advanced session persistence useful for long workflows.

Integrations & extensibility

• CRM & marketing: All major platforms integrate with Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and common CRMs — Formstack and Jotform have the most enterprise connectors.
• Low‑code & automation platforms: Microsoft Forms ties into Power Automate and Power Apps; Google Forms connects with Apps Script and Workspace. Zapier, Make (Integromat), and native APIs cover the rest.
• Developer APIs & webhooks: Jotform, Formstack, Typeform, and Cognito provide robust APIs and webhook support for real‑time workflows.
• Embedding & design control: Paperform and Typeform provide flexible embedding and styling; Google and Microsoft are limited but acceptable for internal use.

Security, privacy & compliance

• HIPAA: Jotform and Formstack offer HIPAA‑compliant plans with BAAs; others may not.
• Enterprise security: SSO (SAML/OAuth), audit logs, role-based access: Formstack, Jotform, and Microsoft Forms (via Microsoft 365) lead.
• Data residency & encryption: Enterprise tiers often provide data residency options and enhanced encryption. Large orgs normally choose Formstack or Microsoft for these controls.
• Privacy: For public-facing data capture, Paperform, Typeform, and Jotform provide cookie‑light embeds and GDPR tools; check specific plan features for data retention controls.

Pricing & value

• Google Forms: Free with Google Workspace (limited features).
• Microsoft Forms: Included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions (enterprise features depend on plan).
• Typeform: Mid‑tier pricing; charges by responses and features — excellent for conversion‑focused and branded forms.
• Jotform: Broad plans from free to enterprise; strong value with many templates and high limits at paid tiers.
• Paperform: Priced toward SMBs wanting rich design; includes content and payment features.
• Formstack: Enterprise pricing — higher cost but justified for workflow automation, compliance, and data handling.
• Wufoo: Affordable for basic needs; fewer advanced features in modern comparison.
• Cognito Forms: Competitive pricing for power features like calculations and repeating sections.

Use this quick table to compare core strengths:

Choosing the right platform: scenarios

• You need HIPAA compliance and clinical workflows: choose Jotform or Formstack (confirm BAA and plan details).
• You want the best conversational experience and high conversions: choose Typeform.
• You require deep calculations, repeating groups, or advanced conditional logic: choose Cognito Forms.
• You need tight Microsoft 365 integration and centralized admin: choose Microsoft Forms + Power Platform.
• You’re on a tight budget or need simple collaborative forms: Google Forms.
• You want publishable, content‑rich forms that double as landing pages: Paperform.
• You need many prebuilt templates and an extensive widget ecosystem: Jotform.

Implementation tips & best practices

• Map your data model before building: fields, types, validations, and where data flows (CRM, DB, analytics).
• Use progressive profiling for better conversion: ask for minimal info upfront, then request more in later interactions.
• Test conditional logic thoroughly — simulate edge cases and long form resumes.
• Implement server‑side validation for critical fields, not only client validation.
• For long forms, enable autosave and allow users to resume.
• Verify accessibility (WCAG) — use platform tools and manual checks with screen readers.
• Review privacy and retention settings to meet GDPR/CCPA requirements.

Final recommendation

There’s no one best platform for every situation in 2025. Choose by matching platform strengths to your priorities:

• For UX and conversions: Typeform.
• For design + payments: Paperform.
• For enterprise workflows and compliance: Formstack or Jotform.
• For advanced logic and calculations: Cognito Forms.
• For free, collaborative internal use: Google Forms or Microsoft Forms.

If you tell me your primary use case (survey, payment/order form, HIPAA/medical intake, CRM lead capture, or internal workflows), I’ll recommend the single best choice and a 30‑day rollout checklist.