Alternatives
Best Cognito Forms alternatives in 2026
Cognito Forms is online form builder with workflow automation, file uploads and approvals. These 10 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.
Ranked alternatives
- 1
Tally
Unlimited forms and submissions on the free plan, with logic, payments and signatures included. Branding removal needs Pro, and responses stay on Tally's servers, unlike Google Forms, which keeps them in a linked spreadsheet.
Best for Free forms that need logic and payments
WebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 2
Google Forms
The default free choice for simple surveys and sign-up forms, with responses written to Google Sheets. Its design options are plainer than Tally or Typeform, and it does not collect payments.
Best for Simple surveys with results in Google Sheets
WebFree
- 3
Typeform
One-question-at-a-time forms with conditional logic, AI-assisted creation and a free plan to start. Paid plans cap responses and users each month, and form data is stored on Typeform's servers.
Best for Conversational forms for leads and applications
WebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 4
Jotform
Also runs on iOS, Android. A large template library, payment processors and many integrations in one hosted builder, with a free plan. The interface offers many options and can feel busy, and paid tiers add responses and features.
Best for Forms with payments, templates and app integrations
WebiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 5
Microsoft Forms
Free quizzes and surveys from Microsoft, with responses in Excel and branching flows. It has fewer design and analysis options than paid tools and requires a Microsoft account to sign in.
Best for Quizzes and surveys for Microsoft 365 users
WebFree
- 6
Fillout
Unlimited forms on its free plan, with payments, scheduling, calculations and PDF output built in. The free plan caps responses at 1,000 a month, and responses stay on Fillout's servers.
Best for Forms with calculations, bookings and PDF output
WebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 7
Formstack
Forms, document generation and e-signature in one suite, with Salesforce-native forms for teams on that platform. Pricing needs a sales conversation, and it is heavier than Jotform or Typeform for simple forms.
Best for Teams routing forms into documents and signatures
WebContact for pricing
- 8
SurveyMonkey
Also runs on iOS, Android. A survey platform for research teams, with advanced logic, statistical tools and AI analysis on higher tiers. Its free Basic plan caps responses per survey, and paid tiers are aimed at teams rather than casual forms.
Best for Research surveys with analysis and reporting
WebiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 9
Formbricks
Is open source. An open-source survey and in-app feedback platform with an AGPL-3.0 core you can self-host. It is aimed at product and research feedback, so simple forms are easier in Tally or Google Forms.
Best for Teams that want self-hosted surveys and in-app feedback
WebSelf-hostedFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source
- 10
LimeSurvey
Is open source. Open-source survey software you run on your own server, with logic and layout controls and no vendor hosting. Setup, upgrades and backups need server skills, and the interface is more technical than the hosted tools.
Best for Self-hosted surveys where data must stay in-house
WebSelf-hostedFree and open sourceOpen source
Narrow the alternatives
Open-source alternatives to Cognito Forms
Cognito Forms alternatives for Android
Cognito Forms alternatives for iOS
Compare Cognito Forms head to head
- Cognito Formsversus
Tally - Cognito Formsversus
Google Forms - Cognito Formsversus
Typeform - Cognito Formsversus
Jotform - Cognito Formsversus
Microsoft Forms
Or build your own comparison table with Cognito Forms and up to three other products.
About Cognito Forms alternatives
- What is the best alternative to Cognito Forms?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Tally, followed by Google Forms. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to Cognito Forms?
- Yes. Free options include Tally, Google Forms, Typeform.
Before you switch
Learning Center
1:16Lock-in and exit costs: check how you leave before you commitLearn what lock-in is, run an export test on real data, compare open formats and local versus hosted storage, and plan an exit with your EU data rights in mind.
1:20How to run a software trial that tells you somethingRun a software trial that answers your question. Set criteria first, use real files, test import, export and sharing, then decide before the end date.