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Best Form and Survey Builders in 2026

Form builders differ in where responses are stored, whether they take payments and how much logic they support. Google Forms and Microsoft Forms cover most simple surveys for free, while paid tools add branding, analytics and payments. LimeSurvey is the open-source choice for teams that want the data on their own server.

8 products ranked Updated October 2026 How we rank

The ranking

  1. Tally92.5
  2. Google Forms89.0
  3. Typeform88.0
  1. 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

    92.5of 100
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  2. 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

    89.0of 100
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  3. 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

    88.0of 100
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  4. 4

    Jotform

    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

    WebFree plan, paid upgrades

    86.5of 100
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  5. 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

    84.0of 100
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  6. 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

    82.5of 100
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  7. 7

    SurveyMonkey

    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

    WebFree plan, paid upgrades

    80.0of 100
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  8. 8

    LimeSurvey

    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

    74.5of 100
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At a glance

ProductScorePricePlatformsSelf-hosted optionCollects paymentsWhere responses are stored
Tally92.5Free plan, paid upgradesWebNoYesTally's servers
Google Forms89.0FreeWebNoNoGoogle Sheets (linked)
Typeform88.0Free plan, paid upgradesWebNoYesTypeform's servers
Jotform86.5Free plan, paid upgradesWebNoYesJotform's servers
Microsoft Forms84.0FreeWebNoNoMicrosoft cloud, Excel export
Fillout82.5Free plan, paid upgradesWebNoYesFillout's servers
SurveyMonkey80.0Free plan, paid upgradesWebNoYesSurveyMonkey's servers
LimeSurvey74.5Free and open sourceWebSelf-hostedYesNoYour own server

How to choose form and survey builders

Where responses go
Google Forms and Microsoft Forms write to a spreadsheet you already use; most other tools keep responses on their own servers.
Payments
Google Forms and Microsoft Forms do not collect payments; Tally, Jotform and Fillout do, as do Typeform and SurveyMonkey on their plans.
Logic and branching
Most tools here offer conditional logic, and survey platforms such as SurveyMonkey add advanced logic on higher tiers.
Hosting control
Only LimeSurvey runs on your own server; choose it when response data must stay within your organization.

What the scores weigh

  • Free plan and usage limits
  • Logic and question types
  • Payments and integrations
  • Response data control
  • Analysis and reporting

Scores are editorial, from 0 to 100, and use these criteria. Full method · Disclosure

About form and survey builders

Most form builders are hosted services, so responses sit on the vendor's servers and the free plan sets the limits. Google Forms and Microsoft Forms are free tools that store responses in a spreadsheet, which keeps simple surveys easy to share. Tally, Fillout and Jotform add payments, scheduling and conditional logic, while Typeform and SurveyMonkey focus on the respondent experience and survey analysis.

LimeSurvey is the exception. It is open-source software that runs on a server the organization controls, which suits research teams with data rules. Its interface is more technical, and setup needs a host and ongoing upkeep.

The scores below are editorial judgments against the criteria, not measurements. Plan limits and prices change, so check each pricing page before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free form builder?
Google Forms and Microsoft Forms are free for most simple surveys and export to spreadsheets. Tally is the stronger free choice for payments and logic, since its free plan includes unlimited forms and submissions.
Which form builder is open source?
LimeSurvey is open source under GPL-2.0-or-later and runs on your own server. Its interface is more technical than the hosted tools, and the server and upgrades are the owner's job.
Which form tools take payments?
Tally, Jotform, Fillout, Typeform and SurveyMonkey can collect payments on their plans. Google Forms and Microsoft Forms do not, so use a hosted form tool when payment is part of the form.
Is SurveyMonkey worth paying for?
SurveyMonkey suits research teams that need advanced logic, statistical tools and AI analysis. Its free Basic plan works for a single survey, but its response cap and data deletion rule apply after a downgrade.