Despite being 100% free, Google Forms is an online form builder that is packed with features like pre-designed templates, excel integration, conditional logic, and more. However, Google Forms can’t be labeled as the perfect form builder for advanced needs. The survey logic you get with it is not the best, and customization options are also somewhat limited. 

That said, Google Forms shines through when it comes to assisting in developing polls, surveys, and quizzes. Some of the question types available are dropdowns, multiple choice, checkboxes, linear scale, and more. All file uploads to Google Drive are encrypted, so security is not going to be a concern. 

The forms adhere to robust data protection with regulatory standards like GDPR compliance. It ensures the collected data is handled following the legal guidelines. Now, let’s dig into the pricing, features, interface, support, and more to see if Google Forms is the form builder you have been looking for.

Google Forms: Plans and pricing

You don’t need any subscription to access Google Forms. It allows you to create unlimited forms and collect infinite responses for free — all you need is either a personal Google account (which is, of course, free) or a business plan. 

With the Personal plan, you get to create forms, docs, sheets, slides, and more, along with secure cloud storage of 15 GB per user without any costs. However, you’ll have to rely on self-service and community forums for support with the personal plan.

The Business Standard plan, at $12 per user monthly, comes with a larger cloud storage of 2 TB per user. Access 24/7 online support with it, and contact the community forum for additional queries. 

Google Forms: Features

Google Forms offers a great set of features for a builder that is free to use. While it does miss the advanced features like integrations, field types, and customization tools, it meets most of your personal or basic business needs. Also, there’s no limit to the number of questions that can be added to the forms. Let’s discuss the features in detail.

Templates 

Similar to other form builders, Google Forms offers quite a few templates to prevent building a form from scratch. There are about 17 templates in the gallery, like Contact Information, RSVP, Party Invite, Event Registration, Event Feedback, Order Form, and more. The templates can be further broken down into three categories — personal, work, and education. You can edit and customize these templates a bit to suit your needs.

Question types 

There are several question types that you can add to your Google Forms to make them interactive. The first one is the short answer using which the respondents can answer a question in a single line. The paragraph type lets the users respond in multiple lines for an in-depth response.

The checkbox question type is similar to an MCQ, where respondents can select from multiple checkboxes. The file upload question type allows for the upload of an image or resume. There are also question types that allow you to select a time and date. 

Practically, you wouldn’t need more question types than what Google Forms offers to customize a survey for basic needs.

Conditional logic

Using conditional logic allows the questions on the forms to change based on the previous user’s response. How? Suppose the question is, “Are you satisfied with our service”? Answer A is “Good,” and answer B is “Bad.” 

Upon selecting answer A, the respondents will be directed to a different set of questions like “ Glad for the response! What did you like most?” However, if the user selects the second option, they might be redirected to another question asking for the reasons for their response.

This relatively advanced feature makes Google Forms unique while being a free form builder. However, Google Forms’ conditional logic is comparatively simpler than the conditional logic or logic branching of the paid form builders. Besides, you can only apply it to drop-down or multiple-choice questions. 

Form approvals

Although the number of integrations is not abundant, the Form Approvals integration certainly comes in handy. Once you’ve installed the Form Approvals add-on, you'll be able to view it through a “puzzle-like” button at the top right of the form. Simply click on the “light-plus” icon once the “Form Approvals” setting opens, and enter the email ID of the approver. You’re all set — each response will now be sent for approval. It’s ideal for forms like “leave approvals.’

You can even set an “approval workflow”, where each form can be sent to different approvers according to their hierarchy. This comes in handy when a particular proposal requires multi-level approval from, say, the team leader, the area manager, and then the zonal manager.

Reporting and analytics

Google Forms will automatically generate reports in the form of graphs that convey information like how many people answered each question in the forms and more. Pie charts are also available to communicate the results of the survey or campaign in a visually appealing manner. 

Want a more thorough analysis? Google Sheets will be your friend. You will find the response tab on Google Forms on the right side of the editor. Click on the Google Sheets icon to further sort and analyze the data. How? For example, you can sort the respondent’s ages from sorting it from highest to lowest on an Excel sheet.

Quiz features 

The quiz features of Google Forms are an excellent deal for users in the education sector. You can turn your survey into a quiz by simply making a few changes. You can even assign a point value to each question for an easy job. 

Upon doing so, the grades will be automatically calculated with the form submission. The auto-grading feature is ideal for teachers as well as students — the respondent gets back results instantly, saving a lot of time. 

Google Forms: Interface and in use

Like every other Google app out there, using Google Forms too is a cakewalk. It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners. Since it’s really basic and does not have any complicated advanced tools, it’s so much easier to navigate and learn than other complex and highly configurable form builders.

There are not too many settings to tweak and you can build a simple form in just a few minutes. Besides, you can also copy the previous questions while creating new forms to save time. The easy-to-use theme customization menu makes it effortless to change the form’s color and fonts. The drag-and-drop allows you to rearrange the questions in a few clicks. This is hands down one of the easiest form builders I have come across.

Google Forms: Support

Since it’s a free-form builder, the absence of a one-to-one support system is reasonable. However, competitors like Feathery provide basic email support even with its free plan. 

That said, the support documents and step-by-step guides are enough to help you navigate a simpler product like Google Forms. However, if you have access to the premium subscription, you can expect some technical support. The support team assures to be available 24/7 through email, chat, and phone. 

Google Forms: The competition

While there are several competitors for Google Forms, the top two are probably JotForm and Survey Monkey. Both JotForm and Google Forms are excellent form builders that let you create surveys and simple forms for free. 

If you’re looking for a free, easy-to-use builder with basic requirements, Google Forms is the answer. On the other hand, JotForms is perfect for individuals looking for advanced features like thousands of templates and hundreds of integrations.

Now, Survey Monkey too offers a free plan. However, the number of surveys you can create remains limited in Survey Monkey. On its paid plans, Survey Monkey offers features like branching logic for advanced surveys. Overall, if you want to create forms for personal or small-scale use, Google Forms is a great fit. 

Google Forms: Final verdict

The availability of unlimited forms and responses makes Google Forms an unmissable product. From collaborating with other G suite ecosystems like Excel to using conditional logic, you could not have asked for more at no cost. If you’re already in a Google workspace and want to create forms without advanced logic or question types, Google Forms will get the job done. 

However, it isn’t meant for large-scale or even mid-scale businesses — you’ll have to look at some other forms like JotForm and Feathery. The final decision comes down to your needs and budget when deciding. 

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Over recent years, there's been a surge in the popularity among the best website builder software. No need to learn how to code, just use these services, drag and drop images, type in some text, et voila! Your website is ready in next to no time.

Creating websites can be a challenging and rewarding task, but it can also be intimidating, especially if you don't have experience with coding. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available to help you build a website, and CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is one of them. 

This software is designed to make the process of creating a website more accessible. This review will take a closer look at CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor, exploring its features, performance, and pricing, and help you determine if it is the right tool for your website-building needs.

• Want to try CoffeCup Free HTML Editor? Check out the website here

What is CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor?

CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is a software application designed for creating and editing HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) files. It provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to write and modify HTML code without requiring extensive technical knowledge. 

The editor offers features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and a preview mode that displays the rendered webpage as you make changes. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor helps you build and customize websites by providing a convenient and accessible tool for working with HTML files.

Features

As a user of CoffeeCup free HTML editor, It offered me access to a range of features that made website creation and design easier than ever before. One of my favorite features is the Site designer feature, which allowed me to create stunning websites visually using drag-and-drop tools and intuitive controls. With this editor, I started my website in seconds, thanks to its speedy performance and various start options. Whether you want to create new HTML or CSS files from scratch or utilize existing themes and layouts, the editor provides a seamless starting point.

To ensure organization and smooth functioning, CoffeeCup free HTML editor offers website Projects, which allows you to maintain a logical structure for your website. This feature helps eliminate issues such as broken links and images, providing you with complete control over your website's organization.

The editor also prioritizes clean code, making coding a confident and efficient process. It includes a comprehensive Tag Reference section, placing the correct tags at your fingertips. With Code Completion, you receive automatic suggestions for tags as you type, along with smart suggestions from referenced CSS files. Also, the built-in Validation Tool enabled me to check codes of all types, ensuring my pages are perfectly valid.

CoffeeCup free HTML editor further enhances your workflow with its live preview functionality. You can utilize the split-screen preview, allowing you to see your webpage displayed beneath your code in real-time. Alternatively, you can use the external preview option to view your page in another window or on a second monitor. This live preview feature provides you with instant feedback, showing you exactly how your design will look as you work and experiment with code.

How easy is CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor to use?

CoffeeCup free HTML editor aims to provide a user-friendly experience for anyone, regardless of their level of experience with web design and coding. Getting started with CoffeeCup free HTML editor is a straightforward process. To begin, you can sign up on the CoffeeCup website. 

Navigating to the top right-hand side of the screen, you'll find the "Sign In" or "Sign Up" option. If you already have an account, enter your email and password to sign in. If you don't have an account, you can click on "Create Account" and follow the prompts. After signing up, you'll need to verify your account by confirming the message sent to your email. Once that's done, return to the CoffeeCup website and click on "Get Started." From there, you can select the free version of CoffeeCup free HTML editor and proceed with the installation process.

Installing CoffeeCup free HTML editor is relatively easy and swift. Once you've completed the installation, launch the software. You'll be greeted by a menu bar at the top, featuring options like "File," "Edit," "View," "Library," "My Websites," "Documents," "Insert," "Format," "Tools," and more. These options provide you with various functionalities and tools to work with.

Within the interface of CoffeeCup free HTML editor, you'll find options to create something new. These options include starting with a new HTML page with a quick start, a new HTML page, a new CSS file, a new PHP page, a new JavaScript file, a new website project, or starting with a template. These options allow you to choose the appropriate starting point based on your needs.

For beginners who are new to web design and coding, CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor may initially appear overwhelming and slightly challenging to navigate and use. The multitude of options and tools can seem daunting. However, the software provides resources and assistance to help beginners gradually familiarize themselves with the interface and gain confidence in using it effectively.

On the other hand, experienced developers and individuals with prior knowledge of web design and coding will likely find CoffeeCup free HTML editor intuitive and straightforward to navigate. They can leverage their existing skills and experience to make the most of the software's features and tools without encountering significant issues.

Performance

CoffeeCup free HTML editor delivers solid performance in terms of responsiveness and functionality, providing you with a reliable tool for HTML editing and website development.

The software maintains a smooth and responsive interface, allowing you to navigate through menus, access tools, and make edits without significant lag or delays. It offers efficient code editing features, such as syntax highlighting and code completion, which enhance productivity and accuracy during HTML coding.

CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor's drag-and-drop functionality and visual site designer contribute to its performance by simplifying the process of creating and arranging elements on webpages, making it intuitive and time-saving. The software handles large HTML files and complex projects reasonably well, ensuring that you can work on extensive websites without experiencing significant performance issues or slowdowns.

It integrates a built-in FTP functionality, enabling seamless file transfers and updates to remote servers, enhancing efficiency in managing website files.

While individual performance can be influenced by factors such as hardware specifications and the size of the project being worked on, overall, CoffeeCup free HTML editor provides a stable and efficient performance for HTML editing and website development tasks.

Pricing

The pricing for CoffeeCup HTML Editor is straightforward and offers you flexibility in accessing the software. The HTML Editor is available for purchase at a price of $29. This one-time payment grants you access to the full features and functionality of the HTML Editor. You can make this purchase to own the software outright, allowing you to use it indefinitely without any recurring fees.

In addition to the purchase option, CoffeeCup also provides you with the opportunity to try the HTML Editor for free. This allows you to experience the software firsthand, explore its features, and determine if it meets your needs before making a purchase. The free trial provides you with an opportunity to evaluate the software's capabilities and compatibility with its requirements.

It's important to note that the CoffeeCup free HTML editor requires Windows 7 or higher to operate. You should ensure that your operating system meets this requirement in order to utilize the software effectively.

That said, CoffeeCup provides you with both a paid purchase option and a free trial option, allowing you to choose the most suitable approach based on your preferences and requirements.

Support

CoffeeCup provides customer support options to assist you with your inquiries and concerns. One of the avenues for support is the "My Support Room," which offers you a personalized space to seek assistance. You can ask questions and expect prompt responses from CoffeeCup's support team, who are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to provide helpful answers.

For anyone who prefers written communication, an email support channel is available. You can reach out to the support team by sending an email to helpme@coffeecup.com. This allows you to describe your issues or inquiries in detail and receive support via email.

To save time, CoffeeCup also maintains a comprehensive collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on its website. These FAQs cover a wide range of topics related to the software, addressing common concerns and providing solutions to common issues. You can refer to this resource to find answers to your questions quickly and independently.

Furthermore, CoffeeCup maintains an online presence on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. You can connect with CoffeeCup through these social media channels, where you can find updates, announcements, and additional avenues for support.

In situations where physical mail is preferred or necessary, CoffeeCup provides a mailing address. You can send letters or documents to CoffeeCup Software at the following address: CoffeeCup Software, 3317 S Higley Rd., STE 114 PMB 414, Gilbert, AZ 85297-5437, USA.

CoffeeCup's office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). During these hours, you can expect availability and support from the CoffeeCup team.

Is CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor right for you?

Whether CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is the right choice for you depends on your level of experience and specific needs. While the software offers a range of features and functionalities, it may not be considered beginner-friendly. The interface and tools provided in CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor are primarily aimed at users who have a certain level of familiarity with web design and coding concepts. If you are a beginner without prior knowledge of HTML or web development, you may find the software initially overwhelming and challenging to navigate.

However, if you are an experienced developer or someone who has a solid understanding of HTML and coding principles, CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor can be a powerful tool to enhance your web development workflow. The software provides features such as code editing assistance, visual site designer, web form builder, and live preview, which can greatly streamline your development process and boost productivity.

Furthermore, CoffeeCup free HTML editor's ability to support multiple coding languages like HTML, CSS, and PHP allows for versatile web development. The availability of web templates and pre-made components can be a valuable resource for speeding up your project creation process.

• Check out our full guide to the best free website builder providers

If you’re looking forward to creating custom online forms and simplifying your data collection process, Formstack can be a smart choice. This drag-and-drop online form builder combines powerful features with an easy-to-use interface and makes it possible to create custom forms within a few clicks – plus it claims to save 18 hours per week.

The only thing that sometimes holds it down is the absence of a free plan. However, the 14-day free trial allows you to take advantage of and dig deep into its features. Used by big names like Business Insider, NBA, Netflix, and Twitter, Formstack has established a name of its own. Could it be your ideal form builder? Let’s explore it in depth to know the answer. 

Formstack: Plans and pricing

Once you’ve tried out the free trial and decided that Formstack is a good fit for you, there are four pricing plans to choose from. The low-tier plans have limited functionalities, while the top ones let you build a form using advanced tools. 

In fact, the first two plans, Signature and Document, priced at $18/month and $92/month, respectively, don’t offer any form functionalities. The former is made exclusively for obtaining e-signatures on documents, while the latter serves multiple document needs, such as integrations, session management, and templates.

If you want to access robust form-building features, you’ve got three options:

The basic Forms plan, priced at $50/month (billed annually), allows 20 digital forms with 1,000 submissions per form. It also comes with payment integrations and custom themes.

Next up is the Suite plan, which essentially merges the benefits of all three plans – the Signature plan, the Document plan and the Forms plan. However, you’ll get access to only 10 digital forms with 500 submissions per form. It’s priced at $66/month (billed annually).

Formstack also offers an Enterprise plan that you can customize entirely as per your needs. Its cost will depend on your chosen features, so you’ll have to contact the Formstack team for that. 

All in all, if your business has exclusive form needs, the Forms plan makes more sense. However, if you value other document and signature functions as well, the Suite plan is pretty much the only option you’ve got.

Payments for these plans can be made on a monthly or yearly basis. Formstack accepts all major credit cards – you can get up to two months free by paying annually. 

Formstack: Features

Formstack impresses with features like custom branding, form importer, smart lists, HIPAA compliance, and more. The number of forms you can build on Formstack is limited, unlike its competitors like Wufoo and JotForm. However, it offers perks like multiple options for sharing your forms and having your own subdomain. TIme to explore Formstack features in detail.

Form building features 

You’ll love Formstack’s theme builder if you want to match your forms to your branding. It gives you complete control over the appearance of your form with the help of headers, backgrounds, colors, animations, and whatnot. The easy-to-use form importer makes it convenient to import forms quickly. All you need to do is plug in your old form’s URL or paste it into its HTML – Formstack will quickly recreate it in the builder interface.

The Smart List option further simplifies creating lists for multiple field types. You can use it to create different checkboxes, radio buttons, or dropdowns and simplify form management. For instance, you can store the catalogs and directories information at a single location and edit and update as needed, either individually or in bulk. 

Improved data and analytics 

You can use Formstack’s advanced data and analytic tools, like conversion kit, data routing, and the like to generate actionable insights from your data. Insights, like the number of views or abandonments, are crucial for improving conversion rates and modifying your marketing strategy. The conversion kit feature will enhance your form’s conversion rates – track campaigns, test different form elements, and determine which fields are causing discord.

You can also use data routing to transfer your data where you need it upon form submission. For example, you can customize routing by setting up confirmation emails or email notifications. The confirmation email will inform the user that the form has been successfully submitted and direct them toward the next steps, if any. 

Try the Formstack GO mobile app to collect offline submissions if this is not enough. Besides, the partial submissions feature provides real-time data of when the users abandoned your form without submission. This information can be used to improve conversion rates by making required changes.

Payment features 

The payment functionalities offered by Formstack allow you to create reliable and secure payment collection methods. You can connect your Formstack form with popular online payment processors like Paypal, Stripe, Authorize.net, WePay, ProPay, and more. 

Formstack payment forms adhere to the secured standard like PCI compliance and offer flawless data routing. PCI compliance reduces any risk and ensures payment data is collected safely. You can redirect users to external URLs or payment gateways to complete the process. The payment features enable businesses to collect recurring payments, accept coupons and discounts, and sell products in different quantities. 

Enhanced security 

Formstack offers the highest levels of security. They ensure your data is safe and compliant with the regulation standards. For instance, healthcare organizations can benefit from HIPAA compliance by eliminating paperwork and reducing risks. HIPAA, or Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act, shields sensitive information or patient data and makes it easier to manage healthcare data.

Data encryption can be used to protect sensitive data like credit card details gathered from form submissions. It allows you to add a password to ensure only a group of people can access the information. When it comes to security, invisible reCAPTCHA is unmissable, which prevents spammers from submitting irrelevant information and keeps your data error-free. 

Formstack: Interface and in use

Even with advanced features, Formstack is one of the easiest form builders to use. You’ll love the builder tour while creating your first form – it’ll introduce you to all the essential features.

I also liked the sheer amount of walkthroughs offered by Formstack. You can access it from the editor, which will provide you with step-by-step guides on the builder’s features, explaining how to use them plus why they are important. There’s also a large library of video tutorials for a deeper understanding of advanced features like approvals. Note that the approval workflow features allow the creation of a seamless system for hiring, PTO requests, proposals, and the like. 

The form-building process is fairly intuitive. You can simply click on the template you want from the template picker and select a theme that can also be changed later. With these simple steps, your form will appear in the editor. You can change the field settings from the left-hand sidebar of the form field. This drag-and-drop editor makes creating forms simpler and faster. Features like these make the builder user and beginner-friendly.

Formstack: Support

Formstack has a community forum to help you with queries. However, getting active answers on the community forum may take some time. Nonetheless, you can get direct support from the Formstack team via email during normal working hours, i.e., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST (Monday to Friday). 

While the support staff responds within a few hours, their contact page says it may take up to two business days. Additionally, the “Submit Request” form is a great way to raise queries and usually offers quick responses.

Formstack: The competition

Formstack has several competitors, including JotForm, Typeform, and Google Forms. JotForm also offers many templates, integrations, and custom reports. While it offers competitive prices, Formstack offers higher flexibility. Only the primary user can create forms using JotForm under their subscription limits. However, Formstacks gives all users more control by assigning them roles to build forms.

Typeform is known for building visually appealing designs and advanced features like data piping and logic branching. While Typeform offers a unique design process, Formstack simplifies your work. For instance, you’ll not require integration such as Zapier to collect signatures with Formstack, unlike Typeform. Formstack also has an electronic signature field that you can put directly on the form, eliminating the need for integration and making things easier.

However, if you’re looking for cheaper form builders with similar perks, Cognito Forms and JotForms would serve you better. 

Formstack: Final verdict

A versatile data collection and survey builder tool, Formstack has carved a name of its own in the industry. It’s a capable form builder with vital features like detailed walkthroughs, a templates library, and advanced insights. While it has no free plans, it’s hard to complain with perks like conversion kits, HIPAA compliance, campaign tracking, and more. 

It even allows you to undo the previous action and access the build history while determining the final output. If you’re looking for a feature-rich, flexible form builder, Formstack can be the right solution.

We've listed the best survey tools.

Jotform is a powerful, yet simple online form builder that prioritizes ease of use and collaboration. 

 From its early days, Jotform's founder, Aytekin Tank, aimed to simplify creating online forms without coding. Over the years, Jotform introduced encrypted forms and form analytics and expanded to 192 countries.

From accepting payments to generating reports, all is possible with one tool. It has kept up with the latest developments in the form of HIPAA compliance and form widgets. However, besides providing advanced options, it also offers a simple and beginner-friendly interface. It has both free and paid plans to help you make the most of it. 

Let’s explore more about its pricing, features, interface, and support to know if it’s built for you. 

Jotform: Plans and Pricing

Starting with the completely free Starter plan, users can enjoy basic form-building functionality with up to 5 forms and 100 monthly submissions. It’s a decent option for individuals or small teams who don’t quite have the budget for a premium form builder.

The Bronze plan is excellent for those seeking more advanced features and increased capacity. Priced at $34 per month (billed annually), this plan offers 25 forms, 1,000 monthly submissions, and 1 GB of available space. It also provides more form views and higher submission storage, making it ideal for growing businesses.

Priced at $39 per month (billed annually), the Silver Plan could provide the best value for money. With 50 forms, 2,500 monthly submissions, and 10 GB of available space, this plan offers an exceptional balance between functionality and affordability.

Lastly, the Gold plan could be the perfect fit for users who require extensive form-building capabilities and have higher submission needs. Priced at $99 per month (billed annually), this plan includes 100 forms, allows 10,000 monthly submissions, and provides 100 GB of storage space. 

But if you’re a large-scale business that wants unlimited everything, the custom-priced Enterprise plan is the one you should be looking at.

Jotform: Features

Jotform isn’t short of action when it comes to features. From the most basic ones to advanced features, this builder has it all. Packed in an extremely beginner-friendly user interface, designing your first basic form is a breeze. 

However, you’d need some time to get the hang of the more advanced features like workflow approvals, CRM integrations, and team management. Let’s explore all of Jotform’s essential features in detail.

Widgets

Jotform offers more than 300 different widgets you could add to your form. For example, the ”Get Form Page URL” widget fetches your form’s page URL when they are embedded in other web page(s). Similarly, the “Get Visitor Location” widget gathers IP-based location data such as user ZIP code and time zone. 

Other popular widgets include Whatsapp Button, PDF Embedder, SMS Confirmation, QR Codes, Adobe Sign, Calculator, Timer, and whatnot.

Analytics

With Jotform's Google Analytics Form Tracking, you can gain valuable insights by connecting your forms to Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics. This integration allows tracking form fields, customizing Thank You pages, and analyzing user behavior. Jotform's Visual Report Builder transforms form submissions into visually appealing reports with charts and graphs. 

UTM Tracking is another notable feature that will help you understand website interactions and optimize campaigns. Jotform also excels in form submission management, offering tools to collect, manage, and share data securely.

Collaboration

Jotform offers collaborative features for efficient form assignments and enhanced productivity – add recipients, customize the content, and set dates and times without any coding. You can assign forms to team members via email invitations, shareable links, or setting up expiration dates. 

Assignees will easily be able to access the forms and fill them as needed. You can also set up automated email reminders for people who need to fill out the forms. However, you’ll need the Enterprise plan to benefit from this feature.

Integration

Jotform offers a robust integration system that allows users to automate their workflow and connect their online forms and surveys with 100+ tools and platforms. 

You can integrate Jotform with popular CRM databases like HubSpot and Salesforce, streamlining lead management and conversion processes. For instance, if you’ve made a lead generation form, you can integrate it with HubSpot. It’ll effectively capture new leads and keep existing contacts up-to-date. 

Additional features include integrations with third-party apps such as Google Sheets, Trello, Slack, Mailchimp, Gmail, and many more.

Advanced form options

Jotform is a versatile form-building tool with advanced features to enhance user experience. Its conditional logic allows for smart forms that adapt based on user input. For instance, when collecting feedback, if a user states dissatisfaction over something, a text box can be added below to let them explain further. The saving and resuming functionality enables incomplete submissions to be completed later. 

You can now view and take action (delete or archive) on submissions from the Jotform “Inbox” and “Tables” options, both of which you’ll find on the “My Forms” page. Downloading all or selected entries in different formats such as CSV, Excel, and PDF is also a breeze.

Payments and security

Jotform provides comprehensive payment and security features to streamline transactions and protect sensitive data. With the seamless integration of 30+ popular payment gateways such as PayPal, Square, and Stripe, users can easily collect payments and set up recurring donations and subscriptions.

The platform also supports ACH payments, check payments, discount coupons, and payment authorization for added convenience. 

Security measures include 256-bit SSL encryption, Google reCAPTCHA, password protection, HIPAA compliance for collecting patient data, encrypted forms, GDPR compliance, and PCI compliance for safe and secure payments. 

Jotform: Interface and in use

As one of the easiest form builders on the market, Jotform empowers you to design personalized forms that meet your unique needs effortlessly. A well-designed interface and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor help rearrange fields by using the settings popping on the right sidebar.

You can also use the form preview slider to review the appearance of the form before finalizing it. All you need to do is toggle the slider to get back to the editor mode. 

The Form Designer, which can be accessed via a brush-like icon on the top-right of the builder, offers various options to enhance form aesthetics and functionality. You can choose from professionally designed themes or customize colors to create visually appealing forms.

Whether you are creating using a blank form or template, all Jotform options are easily navigable and very beginner-friendly. 

Jotform: Support

With Jotform's user-centric approach, submitting a support request is a walk in the park – simply click the Support tab, and select the “Contact Support” option. You can describe your issue, along with form links and screenshots, ensuring a smooth communication process. You can also choose to make the ticket public or private. If you choose the earlier one, it can be viewed by other members of the Jotform community.

Apart from this, you can access hundreds of Jotform blogs, FAQs, and videos for any questions you might have. However, if you require dedicated support, you’d need to purchase the Jotform Enterprise plan.

Jotform: The competition

Jotform is a difficult-to-beat candidate when it comes to templates. However, if you’re looking for survey-oriented forms, Wufoo could be a better option. Jotform stands ahead in terms of security with three CAPTCHA options – an essential feature missing from Wufoo. 

Although Wufoo is more affordable, the user interface seems stuck in the 90s, with fewer field types. All in all, Jotform's vast array of form fields, advanced customization options, and payment integrations make it a preferred choice for organizations demanding flexibility and scalability.

Formstack is a more serious competitor in terms of features.  Formstack is an advanced workflow-oriented form builder, making it a top pick for businesses requiring complex form processes. Jotform, on the other hand, is known for its widgets, reports, templates, and integration, along with an intuitive form builder, at a more competitive price point.

Jotform: Final verdict

Jotform is a robust online form builder that empowers businesses to streamline data collection and form-building processes. With its user-friendly interface, extensive feature set, 10,000 templates, and commitment to innovation, Jotform is an excellent choice for organizations seeking efficiency and productivity gains. 

While some advanced features may require a learning curve, the overall experience Jotform provides is excellent. You don’t have to commit straight away – there’s a completely free plan where you can test it out to see if it’s worth your time and money. 

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Carbonite is a cloud backup service in the style of Backblaze –  protect all the data you've got on as many computers as you need. It doesn't have the sort of user-friendly, consumer-level interface and syncing capabilities of something like Dropbox, but not everybody needs that.

The company has come a long way since it began in 2005, and now offers sophisticated hybrid backup and  disaster recovery services for business clients, alongside its offerings for personal users. Here's what you get with a Carbonite plan, and how you can use it.

• You can sign up for Carbonite here

Carbonite features

Carbonite does offer bare metal backup and restore – where everything is included, operating system and all – with the more expensive enterprise packages, but at the basic consumer level, the focus is on files and folders. With this plan, if you ever need to restore a computer from scratch, you'll need to reinstall the OS and applications yourself (which thankfully these days isn't too onerous of a task).

Once you've got the desktop client for Windows or macOS up and running, you can opt to pick out particular files and folders from your machine, or let Carbonite back up just about all the folders it can find. This is what most users are likely to do, because storage is unlimited - though there is a limit on the number of devices that can be backed up, which in the case of personal plans is just one (25 for business plans). This choice appears straight away when you start up the client for the first time, though you can always change your mind later in the desktop client.

Previously, there was no support for mobile devices at all – Carbonite said it was "working to improve the overall mobile experience for [its] customers" on Android and iOS, which meant users had to log into their Carbonite account in their phone's web browser in order to check up on the files stored in their account.

More recently, Carbonite has launched iOS and Android apps, which place a focus more on accessing backed up files rather than actually backing up the device. Currently there is no support for mobile backups. Carbonite is first and foremost aimed at desktop backups, and it's always nice to see provision for mobile devices as well, so it's a shame that it's not included here.

Any files that you delete from your Carbonite cloud storage can be brought back from digital death for a period of 30 days afterwards, though oddly, versioning (where you can go back through several versions of a file) is only available on the Windows client and not the macOS one. That's something to bear in mind when comparing Carbonite against the other options on the market. When we reached out to Carbonite for clarification, we were told that the backups keep “up to 12 versions of your changed files and will also keep at least three versions of a file regardless of age.” In contrast, both BackBlaze and Zoolz keep unlimited versions of backed up files, however they are both currently more expensive than Carbonite.

Anything that is deleted from your computer remains in your backup history, and is flagged with a warning icon to let you know that the file no longer exists locally on your computer, which is handy for accidental deletes.

As you would expect from a dedicated cloud backup service, there is no file size limit which means you should be able to back up every file, including large media files. Naturally, there is no support for file sharing because this is primarily a backing up tool and not a storage solution.

Carbonite interface

Carbonite doesn't offer the most intuitive interface we've come across – the method of picking files from disk to back up or ignore takes a few minutes to get used to – but in general, the desktop clients get the job done in a simple and straightforward way.

If you ever need to restore some or all of your files, Carbonite can download them to a single folder (which is useful if you're doing the restore from a different machine), or try and put them back in their original location on your system. Again, these options are simple to access and straightforward to work through, so you won't be wasting time hunting through help screens. Top-tier personal memberships - called Prime - add a courier delivery service of recovered files, too, which is great if you’re trying to restore a lot of data with a poor broadband connection.

You don't get anything as fancy as scheduled backing up here – Carbonite is either busy backing up your files and monitoring your chosen folders, or it isn't. You do get the option to pause the backing up process (or you can of course just close Carbonite down), but under normal circumstances, Carbonite will be running away in the background, quietly copying new data and file changes to the cloud for you.

At least in the macOS client we tested, there was no control over the bandwidth usage. Ordinarily, we like to see this extra level of control to help users manage their system and network usage. Upload and download speeds are hard to calculate given the ambiguity of the progress bar - it’s not clear exactly which files are being backed up and whether they are in the preparation state or are actually transferring to or from the cloud. What we did notice is that it wasn’t as quick as say, Google Drive. That said, it’s a tool that’s designed to run in the background and for that, it is reasonable.

It is possible to log into Carbonite on the web, and to view (and restore) your files from there, but you only get the basics as far as an online interface is concerned. There isn't the option to open or to stream your files from inside a browser, for example. We did find the backing up process was relatively slow, even with our limited upload speeds, but once the first run is complete this isn't too much to worry about.

Carbonite security

The security options available under Carbonite range from pretty secure to extremely secure, depending on what subscription you have. On the personal plan, AES 128-bit encryption is used, but the company keeps a copy of your key so it can unlock your account should you mess up and forget your password. There is also the option for you to keep your own key, but be aware that Carbonite won’t be able to help you get into your account if you lose or forget this.

Should you need it, business customers can deploy AES 256-bit encryption, and Carbonite won't keep a copy of the key (top tier security and hacking protection, but if you forget your password then like above, your files remain encrypted for eternity). It's also good to see two-factor authentication available as an option here, which gives you an extra layer of protection should your username and password be exposed.

Carbonite pricing

Carbonite pricing starts at $95.99 per year for personal users. That lets you back up an unlimited amount of data from a single computer, though you'll need to pay $131.99 per year if you want to throw external drives into the mix, and encryption is capped at 128-bit (you need a business plan for 256-bit encryption). As mentioned above, top-tier Prime memberships, at $161.99 per year, add courier delivery service for recovered files. A free trial was previously available, however there is now no trial period or free account. Carbonite runs various promotions, and at the time of writing there is a 40% discount on all personal plans, meaning that they cost $66.99, $91.99 and $112.99 per year respectively.

Then you've got the small office backup package pricing: if you pay yearly it's the equivalent of $6 a month for basic computer backups and 128-bit encryption on one to three computers, $24 a month for backups on up to 25 computers, and $50 a month for added server backup and optional 256-bit encryption. There are free trials of these plans to help businesses be sure that they have picked the right solution. 

Finally, there’s the business package which includes plenty of added extras like Microsoft 365 backup, though you will need to customize a plan directly with Carbonite.

Carbonite verdict

With support for technology like endpoint security, it seems clear that Carbonite's main focus is on large-scale businesses. With no mobile backups and an interface that's far less friendly than the other tools consumers will be used to (iCloud, OneDrive and the rest), Carbonite is less suitable for the everyday user. That said, it's worth a look if you need unlimited backups from a single computer, as pricing for this is relatively competitive especially when combined with occasional discounts.

The price of admission is fairly cheap if all you want is something to back up your files in the background while you work. Despite a few annoyances (like the lack of versioning support on macOS computers), we found it to be a robust and capable backup solution for keeping your files saved securely in the cloud.

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GPSTrackit, founded in 2002, is a Roswell, GA-based company that offers comprehensive fleet management solutions. It is one of the industry's pioneers and has served over 12,000 fleets to date. It is also listed on Deloitte's Technology Fast-500 list.

GPSTrackit, a low-cost telematics provider, offers services such as Electronic Logging Device (ELD) compliance, safety features, and vehicle diagnostics. However, like many other companies in the market, GPSTrackit does not offer customers a transparent pricing and package structure. Despite this, features such as easy-to-install hardware, free training and hardware, monthly billing without contracts, and more, make it one of the most popular fleet management services on the market.

The company is proud of its customer support, which is evident in the many positive reviews that users have given it on various platforms, such as TrustPilot.

GPSTrackit: Pricing

GPSTrackit previously listed its basic fleet management plan at $23.95 per vehicle per month, making it one of the cheapest services in the business. However, now there is no pricing provided, and rather a custom quote process is required. Other selling points include monthly billing without a contract, no limitation on the minimum number of devices, and free GPS hardware with free installation. We did find a current offer for a commercial dashcam for $29.95, but it is unclear if that is for the hardware acquisition, or that is the monthly price for the service. 

The company previously offered a 30-day money-back guarantee, but we did not find that offer recently. Although GPSTrackit does not offer a free trial, it does provide users with a free demo which can be accessed by getting in touch with a sales representative- or Fleet Advisor, as the company prefers to call them. 

The basic plan includes live vehicle tracking, time and driver management, asset protection and management, maintenance planning and alerts, as well as free hardware and training. 

There are additional features available, such as video telematics, which include video footage, asset tracking, ELD compliance, and more. These features can be purchased separately with different plans. The company also offers custom solutions based on specific requirements, but contact is needed to get pricing on any of these features.

GPSTrackit: Features

GPSTrackit offers a sturdy tracking solution at a reasonable price. The fact that the company provides its services at an affordable cost does not mean that it sacrifices quality. Although GPSTrackit's prices are significantly lower than those of other companies, its telematics solutions are comparable to those offered by premium-priced products.

The cloud-based software from GPSTrackit automates the creation of optimum routes, making it easier and taking less time to schedule and map out vehicles. Businesses may significantly reduce the number of miles that fleet drivers travel, reduce idle times, service more customers faster, and even reduce vehicle wear and tear with the use of the system's insights. 

Some of the features of the software are:

Route Planning & Tracking: Route planning based on data helps to minimize costs while keeping all stakeholders informed of daily routes, route status, and more.

Driver Communication Portal: This allows for two-way communication between drivers and administrators, while also keeping the mobile workforce connected at all times. Real-time communication helps to provide route updates, changes, delays, job site updates, and other important information.

Form Creation & Data Collection: Customized forms can help reduce paperwork and allow workers to submit data electronically. This is because customized forms can be designed to collect only the data that is needed, and they can be made available online so that workers can submit them from anywhere.

Mobile apps: The company has native mobile applications for Android and iOS in addition to its cloud-based software, allowing fleet management on the go.

GPSTrackit's software integrates Google Maps for precise vehicle tracking. It is ideal for both large and small fleets, as it has a lower upfront cost, flexible customization options, and no contract. The integrated fuel tracking feature allows administrators to track fuel expenses using fuel cards.

The software updates the vehicle's location every 30 or 60 seconds, depending on the plan you have chosen, and also sends alerts based on incidents such as speeding, harsh braking, geofencing breach, and unauthorized use.

The system also offers a variety of reports, including driver scorecards that track speed, reports that identify speed patterns, fuel usage, distance traveled, real-time temperature, and more. Additionally, users can customize reports and have them automatically delivered to their preferred inbox based on preset triggers.

While GPSTrackit offers a cost-effective basic package, businesses needing ELD compliance solutions must choose a separate plan that allows drivers to digitize their Hours of Service (HoS) reporting. The company has a separate mobile app for drivers who need ELD compliance to file their reports on the go.

GPSTrackit: Support

While many other companies take the DIY approach to support by offering an online knowledgebase or tutorial videos, GPSTrackit offers unlimited training- for no additional cost. Although online video guides are also available, live training takes the customer support experience to a whole new level. There is also self help in the form of ebooks and guides, webinars, a blog, and a searchable knowledge base.

For direct assistance, phone and email support are available on a 24/7 basis. A dedicated sales team is also available between 8am and 5pm ET on weekdays.

GPSTrackit: Final verdict

GPSTrackit is one of the few companies that offers low-cost GPS tracking solutions without sacrificing quality. The feature-rich reports prepared with the vast amount of vehicular and route data collected by the software provide businesses with a wealth of insights as they are needed.

The number of positive reviews on various user business review websites suggests that customers are happy with the service, and especially with the 24/7 support offered. We also like the number of self help resources available, and the numerous software features available, although we wish that the pricing was more upfront. At any rate, consider calling for the custom quote as this is one of the better options available.

Also see:

• The best fleet tracking solutions.
• How to choose the best fleet management software for your business
• Everything you need to know about fleet management