Forminator vs Jetpack Forms: An In-Depth Comparison for WordPress Users

Posted by Josh Blackburn, in Contact Form Plugins

Form plugins are essential tools allowing us to gather information, receive feedback, and interact with our users seamlessly. These add-ons integrate into WordPress sites to create various forms, including contact forms, surveys, polls, and more.

When we consider WordPress form plugins, we focus on how they enhance user engagement and streamline data collection across websites. With drag-and-drop editors, creating custom forms has become more accessible than ever. These tools do not require deep coding knowledge; hence, they are favored by beginners and experienced developers alike. Our priority is to ensure that the forms are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.

Here’s a brief look at what form plugins typically offer:

• Customizability: Tailor forms to fit the unique needs of our websites.
• Integration: Connect with third-party services for improved workflows.
• Ease of use: Simplified interfaces that do not compromise on functionality.

In our toolset, WordPress forms serve multiple purposes: collecting email subscribers, facilitating transactions, obtaining customer feedback, and more. The choice of a form plugin can significantly impact the effectiveness of these interactions.

Two popular form plugins that stand out are Forminator and Jetpack Forms. Each brings unique features to the table, which we will explore to help you make an informed decision for your WordPress site. With our expertise, we aim to guide you through these options with a clear and objective approach.

Forminator: Features and Capabilities

Forminator is a versatile WordPress plugin designed for form building and data collection. It is equipped to handle a variety of forms, including contact forms, payment forms, and interactive polls, quizzes, and surveys.

Form Templates and Customization

Forminator offers a wide array of pre-built form templates that serve as starting points for various needs. Users can customize these templates using a drag-and-drop editor, making form creation a breeze. Custom CSS can also be applied for more control over the design.

Payment Processing Integrations

Payments can be easily handled via Forminator with its Stripe and PayPal integrations for secure transactions. Users can set up single or variable payments within their forms without the need for a Pro upgrade.

Advanced Form Features

Forminator boasts advanced form features like conditional logic, which allows for dynamic form experiences based on user input. This enables the creation of smart, interactive forms that respond to how users interact with them.

Marketing and CRM Integrations

Integration with marketing and CRM tools is simplified within Forminator. It supports connection with platforms such as MailChimp, AWeber, and HubSpot, aiding in lead generation and customer relationship management.

Submissions and Spam Protection

To manage submissions, Forminator provides a streamlined process that includes storage and export options. It employs spam protection measures like Google reCAPTCHA to keep forms secure from unwanted spam entries.

Support and Documentation

We understand the importance of reliable support, and Forminator delivers with comprehensive documentation and a support team. This ensures users can fully utilize the plugin’s capabilities and troubleshoot any issues.

Pricing and Pro Version

Forminator is available at no cost, providing a robust feature set without the need for a subscription. For users who need enhanced functionalities, a Pro version is available, offering expanded capabilities beyond the free version.

Forminator’s fusion of comprehensive form building tools, ranging from templating to integrations and support, establishes it as a formidable form solution for WordPress users.

Jetpack Forms: Overview and Functionality

Jetpack Forms provides a suite of tools for WordPress users to create, manage, and embed forms. Known for its all-in-one approach, it supports a variety of functionalities from basic contact forms to email marketing integrations.

Ease of Use and Gutenberg Integration

Jetpack Forms boasts a user-friendly interface that’s closely integrated with the WordPress Gutenberg editor, enhancing our ease of use. With its drag-and-drop interface, we can readily insert forms into posts and pages without needing a deep understanding of coding.

Form Building and Management

Creating forms with Jetpack is straightforward. The form builder manages to balance functionality with simplicity, allowing us to assemble everything from simple contact forms to detailed feedback surveys. Form management is centralized, which means we can monitor and handle form submissions efficiently.

Email Marketing and Service Connections

Email marketing is simplified with Jetpack Forms. It offers various integrations with email services like Mailchimp, allowing us to connect our forms to our mailing lists easily. This ensures a seamless flow of data from form submissions into our email marketing campaigns.

Jetpack Forms Security Features

Security within Jetpack Forms is bolstered by connections to Akismet for spam protection. This ensures that the forms we use are not only efficient but also protected against unwanted spam, keeping our data clean and our site’s integrity intact.

Pricing and Add-on Services

Jetpack Forms is a feature within the free version of Jetpack, but there are premium tiers that provide additional functionality. Pricing varies depending on the tier, with each offering more advanced features, such as analytics and improved downtime monitoring.

User Feedback and Review

User reviews often spotlight Jetpack Forms as a flexible tool for small to medium-sized websites. While individual experiences may vary, the consensus is that it’s a reliable and straightforward WordPress plugin.

Comparison with Other WordPress Plugins

When compared to other WordPress contact form plugins like WPForms and Gravity Forms, Jetpack Forms is known for its no-nonsense approach. Though it may lack the advanced features of WPForms or the extensive customization options of Gravity Forms, it serves as a solid alternative for users seeking essential form functionalities integrated within the familiar Jetpack ecosystem. Other notable plugins like Contact Form 7, Ninja Forms, and Formidable Forms also provide form solutions, but each varies in terms of features, ease of use, and pricing.

Comparative Analysis: Forminator vs Jetpack Forms

In our detailed analysis of Forminator vs Jetpack Forms, we focus on the crucial aspects that influence user experience and performance. We examine ease of customization, payment options, advanced functionality, marketing integrations, accessibility, security, support, and overall value to give you a clear understanding of these WordPress form builder plugins.

Form Customization and Templates

Forminator offers a wide selection of templates and extensive customization options, allowing for intricate design tweaks. Templates range from simple contact forms to complex polls and quizzes, and customization is further enhanced with CSS editing. Jetpack Forms, on the other hand, provides a more streamlined selection of templates focused on essential form types, prioritizing simplicity and speed over variety.

Payment Options and Ecommerce Support

Forminator supports various payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe, enabling direct payments from within the forms. This feature is essential for an ecommerce site, order forms, or payment forms. Jetpack Forms lacks native payment support, requiring additional plugins for ecommerce functionality, which may not be as seamless.

Advanced Forms and Interactivity

Both plugins support conditional logic and multi-page forms, but Forminator pulls ahead with more advanced features like calculations, polls, surveys, and a unique feature—BMI calculations. Jetpack Forms offers basic conditional logic and multi-step forms, catering to users who need straightforward interactivity.

Integration with Marketing Tools

When it comes to integrations with marketing tools, Forminator boasts an extensive list that includes HubSpot, AWeber, and Campaign Monitor, facilitating lead capture and marketing activities. Jetpack Forms offers essential connectivity, suitable for users requiring basic integrations for their WordPress site.

User Experience and Accessibility

Both plugins ensure forms are responsive, making them accessible to visitors from various devices. Forminator stands out with its attention to user experience, offering more interactive elements and detailed feedback for form creators. Jetpack Forms focuses on simplicity, providing a user-friendly interface that integrates tightly with the WordPress ecosystem.

Security and Anti-Spam Measures

Forminator comes with built-in Google ReCAPTCHA and Akismet integration to protect against spam, while Jetpack Forms relies on Akismet for spam protection. Both offer strong security features, but Forminator gives users more control over the level of security and spam prevention on their forms.

Technical Support and Resource Availability

Forminator users have access to extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum. Jetpack, being part of Automattic’s suite of tools, provides comprehensive support and resources, catering to a broad WordPress user base with its dedicated team.

Value for Money and Scalability

Forminator is a free plugin with a premium version that adds more features, making it highly scalable for businesses of all sizes. Jetpack Forms is included within the Jetpack plugin, which has free and paid tiers; the decision on value depends on how it complements other Jetpack features used on your site.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Website

When we consider Forminator and Jetpack Forms for our WordPress site, our decision hinges on specific needs and preferences. Forminator shines with its robust feature set and flexibility. It’s an excellent choice for businesses requiring advanced form functionalities such as quizzes, polls, and more intricate contact forms. We find Forminator user-friendly and suitable for those who wish to create custom forms without extensive technical knowledge.

On the other hand, Jetpack Forms offers a straightforward solution for creating basic contact forms. It’s integrated within the Jetpack plugin, which brings various other features related to performance, security, and site management. If we seek simplicity and are already using other Jetpack modules, it aligns well with our workflow.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Forminator:
  • Feature-rich for intricate forms
  • No cost for essential features
  • Good for businesses looking for growth through engaging forms
• Jetpack Forms:
  • Better for simple contact forms
  • Comes with the multi-functional Jetpack plugin
  • Ideal for those who prioritize ease-of-use and are invested in the Jetpack ecosystem

In conclusion, our choice depends on our website’s scale and the complexity of the forms we intend to implement. If our goal is to craft interactive forms that serve as tools for lead generation and user engagement, Forminator could be the go-to option. Should we prefer an uncomplicated approach and require basic contact forms alongside other website enhancements, Jetpack Forms could be more appropriate.