CraftForms vs Formidable Forms
Formidable Forms targets advanced users and developers who need forms that do more than collect data — think front-end data display, application builders, and directory sites. Here’s how CraftForms compares.
| Feature | CraftForms ✦ | Formidable Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Platform & Builder | ||
| Free version available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native Gutenberg block builder | ✓ | — |
| Elementor native widget | ✓ | via shortcode |
| Bricks native element | ✓ | — |
| CF7 importer | ✓ | — |
| Fields & Form Logic | ||
| Multi-step forms | Soon | ✓ |
| Repeater field | ✓ | ✓ |
| Conditional logic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Swatches (color, image, text, card) | ✓ | image only |
| Live data display (Info block) | ✓ | via Views |
| Front-end data display (Views) | — | ✓ |
| File uploads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital signatures | — | via add-on |
| Save & resume | — | ✓ |
| Documents & Output | ||
| PDF generation (designed templates) | ✓ | — |
| QR code / barcode field | ✓ | — |
| Layered Image | ✓ | — |
| Email & Delivery | ||
| Email template designer (Gutenberg) | ✓ | — |
| Email delivery log | ✓ | — |
| SMTP per-form configuration | ✓ | via plugin |
| Spam protection — no CAPTCHA | ✓ | via add-ons |
| Commerce & Payments | ||
| Price calculations / formulas | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price matrix (2D lookup tables) | ✓ | — |
| Stripe payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| PayPal payments | Soon | ✓ |
| WooCommerce integration | ✓ | — |
| Stock management | ✓ | — |
| Built-in orders system | ✓ | — |
| Order analytics / reporting | ✓ | — |
| Booking & Scheduling | ||
| Booking datepicker (hotel-style, slots) | ✓ | — |
| Booking calendar view | ✓ | — |
| Per-date / per-slot inventory tracking | ✓ | — |
| Seasonal rates / date-based pricing | ✓ | — |
| iCal sync (Airbnb, Booking.com etc.) | ✓ | — |
| Developer & Integrations | ||
| Submission database / admin panel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhook submit action | ✓ | ✓ |
| Register user submit action | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create post submit action | ✓ | ✓ |
| REST API / headless submissions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embed on external sites (iframe) | ✓ | — |
| AI Features | ||
| AI: Integrated form generation (chat) | Soon | ✓ |
| AI: Prompt guidance in docs | ✓ | — |
✦ Where CraftForms leads
-
• Native Gutenberg form builder — real blocks, not a shortcode wrapper
-
• PDF Builder — design PDF templates and auto-generate documents from submissions; not available in Formidable
-
• Price matrix (2D lookup tables) — not available in Formidable Forms
-
• QR code / barcode field — not available in Formidable Forms
-
• Layered Image — composite live preview images from selected options; Formidable has no equivalent
-
• Full swatch set — color, image, text, and card selectors free; Formidable supports image options only
-
• Bricks native element — Formidable Forms has no Bricks support
-
• Full email infrastructure — template designer, delivery log, SMTP per form
-
• Invisible spam protection — behavioral scoring, no CAPTCHA needed
-
• Complete booking system — hotel-style datepicker, calendar view, slots, seasonal rates, iCal sync
-
• Standalone orders system with analytics — full order lifecycle and reporting without WooCommerce
-
• WooCommerce integration — forms attach to products with stock management
-
• Embed on external sites — self-sizing iframe with full calc & logic
-
• Lifetime deal — $149.99 LTD (unlimited sites); Formidable Forms is annual-only
Where Formidable Forms still has an edge
-
• Multi-step forms — available and well-tested (CraftForms: roadmap)
-
• Front-end data display (Views) — public-facing lists, directories, charts from submissions
-
• AI form builder — AI-assisted form generation built in (CraftForms: roadmap)
-
• Save & resume — return to long forms later (CraftForms: roadmap)
-
• PayPal payments — via official add-on (CraftForms: Stripe now; PayPal awaiting release)
-
• Application-building — Views + calculations + repeater for data-driven WordPress apps
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Choose the plan that works best for you — or start free, no credit card needed.
INDIE
Up to 5 WordPress site activations
- 5 WordPress site activations
- All blocks & form starters
- Email Templates
- Ecommerce / booking functionality
- Online payments
- Annual updates & support
- Priority email support
STARTUP
Unlimited WordPress site activations. Forever.
- Unlimited WordPress site activations
- All blocks & form starters
- Email Templates
- Ecommerce / booking functionality
- Online payments
- Lifetime updates & support
- Priority email support
Community Version
Free, forever
- Visual form builder
- Email templates
- SMTP server manager