What is No-code Forms?
No-code forms are tools that let users create and customize online forms without any coding knowledge. They typically feature drag-and-drop interfaces and templates, making form creation accessible to everyone. These platforms often include advanced features like conditional logic, data management, and integrations with other software. Some of the biggest competitors in this space include Typeform, Jotform, Formstack, and Google Forms, each offering unique strengths to cater to different user needs.
Market Structure: Oligopolistic with Competitive Pressures
The no-code form market is dominated by a few established providers that offer comprehensive features and integrations. However, there are also smaller providers that, while offering fewer features, compete on price—sometimes even providing unlimited forms and submissions. Despite the dominance of key players, the market remains open to new entrants who can differentiate themselves.
*some numbers are estimations
Competition: High
Due to the relatively low technical complexity of online form tools, new competitors can easily enter the market. These smaller providers may not offer the extensive feature sets of established players but often attract customers with lower prices and unlimited form options.
*tally offers a very generous free plan, some numbers are estimations
This shows the search trends for the last 5 years. As you can see, there are three dominant players within this space: Formstack, Typeform, and Jotform. These platforms have consistently maintained higher search interest compared to others. Paperform, on the other hand, acts as a challenger in this space, and its presence in the chart highlights the significant scale and market share gap between the leading players and the smaller competitors.
This graph illustrates the lowest and highest prices for each provider's pricing plan (excluding enterprise solutions). As shown, Formstack starts at a premium price point, which reflects the additional services they offer, such as eSigning and automation tools. On the other hand, Typeform has a lower starting price but offers limited features and volume, allowing only 100 submissions per month compared to Jotform’s more generous 1,000 submissions.
Who Uses No-code Forms?
Sales
Sales teams benefit from integration with CRM systems and the ability to sign documents, especially when combined with rule-based automation.
Healthcare
In healthcare, Formstack focuses on digitizing processes by replacing paper forms with secure, compliant digital alternatives, making it well-suited for government and institutional use.
Marketing
Marketing departments primarily use forms to collect and qualify leads.
Product
Product managers use forms to test concepts and conduct surveys, helping them better understand users and improve product development.
Human Resources
Human resources departments rely on forms to measure employee and candidate experiences, as well as to gather feedback.
Complaints
Complexity
Complexity is a significant issue, particularly for first-time users creating their initial forms.
GUI
The user interface can feel clunky, especially in the form-building section where conditional logic is involved. Additionally, some features, such as form duplication, are notably absent.
Design Flexibility
Users frequently express frustration with the limited design options available for their forms.
Opportunities
Developer-First Forms
There is a market gap for a developer-first alternative that prioritizes APIs and webhooks, with form building driven by a JSON configuration file instead of a GUI.
SLA
Webhooks
Data warehouse integrations
Extensive API
SDK
AI Form Generator
No dominant service currently offers AI-generated form flows or designs, which could address complaints about design flexibility and reduce the time needed to create the first form.
It is quite tedious to create forms so everything that could make this processes more smother is welcomed by the community.
Other Niches
The focus of companies like Formstack and Typeform on specific personas within departments suggests there is room for more niche solutions in the no-code form market, such as specialized forms for research purposes.