Wondering what is the best free form builder to use on your WordPress website? Here's a list of some of the best free form plugins for WordPress.
Approximate read time: 11 minutes
Web forms are essential for any website, from a corporate business site to a blog.
They give your customers a quick and easy way to get in touch and let you accept online payments or grow your mailing list. And lead-generation forms are great for sales teams too.
When done right, forms can be the most valuable part of your website.
Luckily, plenty of free WordPress plugins create a form in just a few clicks. Most of these plugins can also build all kinds of forms: contact forms, registration forms, order forms — you name it.
However, each has different strengths and weaknesses, so which plugin should you use?
We know picking through the WordPress.org plugin directory is a pain, so we've rounded up WordPress' best free form plugins for you!
Let's get started.
Best free WordPress form plugins
1. Formidable Forms
Formidable Forms is a free plugin that lets you quickly create contact forms, payment forms, newsletter signups, and more.
Its unique built-in form styler lets you match your forms to your WordPress theme. You can customize colors, fonts, and borders without writing any code. Your forms are fully responsive and mobile-friendly, so they look great on any device.
And, Formidable's drag and drop form builder makes building forms easy for users of any skill level!
If you're looking for more advanced features, such as a WordPress calculator plugin or survey tools, you'll find them in the premium version of Formidable Forms. Formidable can even be used as an application builder. For example, its WordPress directory plugin has everything you need to create a complete directory site.
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But if you're not ready to commit, don't worry. You can do plenty with the Lite version of Formidable Forms, including accept credit card payments online for free!
Free features
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Unlimited forms
- Basic form templates
- Form customization
- Autoresponders
- WordPress spam protection
- Save form entries to a database
If you need any form for your WordPress site, Formidable Forms has you covered. Its robust features, ease of use, and powerful Lite version put it firmly at the top of any list of the best free WordPress form plugins.
The premium version adds many more features. You can create online exams and quizzes, payment forms, conversational forms, directories, plus more. It's also highly customizable, with more than 125 hooks, and comes with forms that allow file uploads and gated content.
Pros
- The most powerful and advanced WordPress form plugin available.
- The simple drag-and-drop interface requires no coding knowledge.
- Customizable forms look great on all devices and complement your WordPress theme.
- Multiple features allow you to expand beyond basic contact forms.
- Integrates seamlessly with popular email marketing platforms.
- An online community for Formidable Forms allows you to "crowdsource" ideas and know-how.
- When your need for forms turns into a need for an application builder, you won't need to switch to another plugin.
Cons
- Complete beginners might be overwhelmed by all of the Formidable Forms options.
Pricing
Formidable Lite is completely free, while the premium plans range from $39.50 for the first year to $599 for the Elite plan. It also comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee to try out the free options.
2. WPForms
WPForms is a user-friendly, free form creator. Like Formidable Forms, it offers a drag-and-drop interface, meaning you don't need to be an expert in coding to create attractive and functional forms.
But sometimes, plugins that say they're free come with some caveats. So, is WPForms really free? Yep! So if you're looking for a basic form builder, the WPForms Lite plugin is an appealing and user-friendly choice.
Going further, this plugin is particularly useful for those who are new to WordPress. WPForms sacrifices some of the more advanced features you'll find with other plugins on this list in favor of overall ease of use.
That said, if you need more than just a basic contact form builder, you may be better off using a more flexible, full-featured option like Formidable Forms.
Free features
- Drag-and-drop form builder interface
- Pre-made templates for basic contact forms and suggestion forms
- Import and export forms
- reCAPTCHA field to block spam
- Integration with Constant Contact
You can customize the templates to suit your website's needs, however, some fields (such as a website URL) aren't included in the free version. Also, the Lite version of WPForms doesn't save form submissions to the database. This makes email notifications ultra-important.
In addition, the premium version adds many great features like instant NPS fields, email integrations, conversational forms, and more. WPForms presents its dashboard in a very simple way with minimal options.
Pros
- Simple-to-use functionality is beginner-friendly.
- The free version includes premade templates for simple contact forms.
- You can use a reCAPTCHA field to block spam.
- Integrates with Constant Contact.
- It offers a premium version with some great features for beautiful forms.
Cons
- You can't save form entries with the free version.
- The free version includes fewer options than other form plugins.
- Forms are less customizable to keep the options minimal.
Pricing
WPForms Lite is free, while paid plans range from $79-$599 per year. WPForms also offers a free trial.
Read More: Formidable vs WPForms
3. Contact Form 7
Contact Form 7 may be the grandfather of all free WordPress form plugins. It's the oldest plugin on this list and still one of the most popular. This plugin is free; you can install it on as many sites as you'd like.
However, Contact Form 7 is not recommended for beginners. It lacks a simple drag-and-drop form builder, so you'll have to have knowledge of HTML to use the plugin. If you forget to add a character here or a bracket there, your form won't work at all and you can even risk breaking your website.
There's also no way to see a live preview of your form before it's published.
Despite these drawbacks, Contact Form 7 remains a popular contact form plugin for WordPress thanks to a few important features:
Free features
- Many free add-ons (though you'll have to download them from a third party)
- Many types of form options
Contact Form 7 will do the job if you like to tinker with code. But you can save a lot of time and trouble using one of the more feature-rich plugins on this list.
Pros
- Totally free.
- Several free add-ons you can download to expand functionality.
- Infinitely customizable forms for developers.
Cons
- Requires some HTML knowledge, making it better suited for advanced users.
- Lacks the expansive functions and features of other form builders.
- No drag-and-drop builder.
- No live form preview.
- Relies on third-party developers for additional features.
- Very limited support.
Pricing
Free
Read More: Formidable vs Contact Form 7
4. JetFormBuilder
Discover JetFormBuilder, a WordPress plugin with 24 versatile blocks for seamless form creation. Based on Gutenberg, it extends beyond primary input fields, offering advanced actions like Insert/Update Post, Register/Update User, and integration with services such as GetResponse, Mailchimp, and ActiveCampaign.
Leveraging Gutenberg's block editor, JetFormBuilder simplifies form-building, allowing users to organize elements and create dynamic form layouts. It supports calculator forms with basic and complex formulas, including hidden fields for additional information.
The plugin integrates with payment services like PayPal for secure transactions and connects with mailing services to streamline applicant subscriptions. Upgrade to JetFormBuilder Pro for enhanced features and a more comprehensive range of integrations. Elevate your WordPress form-building experience with JetFormBuilder's intuitive interface and powerful functionalities.
Free features
- Ready-to-use form templates
- Conditional logic
- Calculated content and hidden fields
- Repeater fields and multi-step forms
- Form validation available
- Frontend submissions and user registration forms
Pros
- Free advanced features, like calculated content and conditional logic.
- JetFormBuilder boasts a rich collection of 24 blocks, providing users with a versatile toolkit for creating diverse and complex forms.
- Integration with Elementor page builder and Bricks Builder theme.
- Integration with PayPal for payment processing ensures users a secure and reliable transaction experience.
- The multi-step form feature facilitates a more organized and user-friendly approach to collecting complex information, contributing to a streamlined user experience.
Cons
- Despite its intuitive interface for users familiar with Gutenberg, JetFormBuilder may pose a learning curve for those new to WordPress block editors.
- Some advanced features and integrations are only available in JetFormBuilder's Pro plans (like Stripe integration).
- The level of customization is limited compared to dedicated form design tools, restricting the ability to achieve highly specific or intricate visual designs.
Pricing
JetFormBuilder is a free WordPress form plugin, while paid Pro add-ons range from $39-$79 per year.
5. HubSpot Form Builder
The HubSpot WordPress plugin is a free plugin that lets you access HubSpot's form builder from inside your WordPress dashboard, along with HubSpot's other tools, such as the customer relationship manager (CRM), email marketing, and popup builder.
Because it offers an integrated CRM, it's an especially great option for lead capture forms, email opt-ins, contact forms, etc. But since the drag-and-drop builder lets you fully customize your form's fields, you can use it to make any WordPress form.
The integrated CRM lets you connect with the people who submit forms using email and other methods. For example, you can send one-off notification emails or even automated sequences.
Free features
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Integrated CRM
- 1,000+ pre-defined form fields and dozens of input types
- Actions on form submit - show a thank you page, redirect to another page, or send an email
- Analytics to track user behavior
- Forms can be placed anywhere on your site using blocks or shortcodes
Pros
- The HubSpot WordPress plugin and form builder are totally free.
- The visual drag-and-drop builder lets you create forms without coding knowledge.
- Automatically syncs contacts' details to the free HubSpot CRM.
- Lets you send one-off email notifications or set up automatic sequences, all powered by HubSpot's built-in email-sending service for reliable delivery.
- Let you create inline forms and popups without needing to use a third-party tool.
Cons
- More niche form types, such as WordPress user registration forms and payment forms with built-in payment processing, are only available with a paid HubSpot plan.
Pricing
The HubSpot WordPress plugin with forms is 100% free, as is the core HubSpot CRM.
You'll only need to pay if you want access to more advanced marketing, sales, and customer service features. These plans start at $20-$45 per month, depending on the features.
6. Ninja Forms
Many ask, "Is there a free version of Ninja Forms?" The short answer is, yes, there is a free version of Ninja Forms!
Like many other plugins, Ninja Forms is a "freemium" form builder. That means it's free to download and use, but premium features are available for purchase.
So let's look at some of the biggest strengths of the basic free plugin.
Free features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Integrations with Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Campaign Monitor
- reCAPTCHA and honeypot anti-spam options
For creating more than just basic contact forms, the premium add-ons offer more functionality, such as conditional logic, multipart forms, and payment gateways. But by the time you buy all the add-ons, you may spend more than if you'd just bought a more powerful plugin from the start.
Pros
- The drag-and-drop form builder allows for easy side-by-side fields.
- Extensive add-on options cover direct integrations that other plugins don't provide.
Cons
- Add-ons for each feature can become expensive.
- Not all add-ons are compatible with versions 4.0 and up.
Read More: Ninja Forms vs Formidable
Pricing
Free version with paid options starting at $99 per year.
7. Everest Forms
Everest Forms is a free WordPress plugin that lets you drag and drop fields to create responsive forms. It also boasts being meticulously designed for all levels of users.
Everest Forms has plenty of features.
Free features
- Multi-column forms
- reCAPTCHA for spam protection and GDPR-compliant forms
- Lightweight and faster performance
- 100% mobile responsive design
- 11 form field options (less than Formidable and others)
However, like Formidable, it does come with a responsive design, advanced email settings, and editable form validation and success messages.
Read More: Formidable Forms vs Everest Compared
If you need more features, the premium version includes a form style customizer, integration with Mailchimp and PayPal, and conditional logic.
Pros
- Easy drag-and-drop interface with two or three-column forms.
- Free with a variety of features.
Cons
- Only two template options to choose from.
Pricing
Free plugin as well as premium plans starting at $69 per year.
Which is the best free WordPress form plugin?
After comparing all the most popular free form plugins for WordPress, Formidable Forms comes out on top. It offers the most features and customization options while remaining easy to use and powerful at the same time.
In addition, its drag-and-drop form builder lets you fully personalize your WordPress forms without writing a line of code.
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More free form builder comparisons
When looking at the best free WordPress form plugins, there are plenty of good options. Some focus on ease of use, others on functionality or add-on options. Unfortunately, we couldn't go over them all in this post.
You can check out these form builder comparisons with FormStack, Google Forms, and Gravity Forms for other examples. There are also other options like Forminator, HappyForms, and Cognito Forms.
Providing a contact form to your site visitors will improve communication for your business or organization overnight. Whichever WordPress form-building plugin you use, an interactive form will give you a competitive and professional advantage.
Download Formidable Forms and add the perfect form to your website today!
straubstefan89@gmail.com says
tried them all, formidable is the best!
Marc says
I'm looking for a plugin that I can utilize the data entered in the form to publish it on another page. Is this possible?
srwells says
Yep, you came to the right place. That is exactly what our Views do.
Keith Hosking says
Hello ... this post is very informative and helpful in deciding if we can use a form builder on our pickleball club's WordPress site. It looks like Formidable Forms would definitely be the way to for us to go, but I have two questions.
I see that there is a signature field available for the form where you can either digitally sign using a finger or a mouse, or you can type your name. Is this available in the Lite plug-in version of Formidable Forms, or would I have to purchase the premium version? Also, our club has 250 members, so I want to ensure that any and all membership form submissions would be captured somewhere on our database? Thank you for your anticipated response ...
srwells says
Hi Keith,
Thanks for your interest in Formidable Forms. The signature add-on is only included with the Business or Elite premium packages and is not included in the lite version.
All form submissions are saved in the database, so yes, all membership submissions would be captured.
Keith Hosking says
Thanks for the quick responses, Steve. They are appreciated very much!
Marc says
I'm looking for a plugin that I can utilize the data entered in the form to publish it on another page. Is this possible?
srwells says
Hey, Saw your message above and responded there. But yes, You can display your collected data using our Views.
Marc says
How would I do this? Basically I want a user to access a subpage of my website, enter the information in the form and post that information on another page.
srwells says
You would need to check out our documentation for details on using our views. We can't provide support here on our blog, so if you have additional questions, please create a ticket for our support team.
Maria Khan says
Thanks for the great post! Very informative
Vladimir says
Insightful article. Appreciate your effort.
Thomas P says
A lot of good information to help characterize how to best meet your needs with the different products. It really helps one cut through the chaff to zero in on what you need.
AVK says
useful and informative
Rahul Bagdai says
I truly have come to believe Formidable Forms is the best WordPress forms plugin ever.
Jamie says
I haven't heard of Everest so I'll check that out but I doubt it will compare to Formidable!
Daniel T. says
Formidable Forms is #1, just as it's listed in this article
Iulia Garaz says
interesting article, thanks for making it