Both Formstack and SurveyMonkey are leading players in the online form and survey creation space.
Formstack focuses on providing a comprehensive platform for creating versatile online forms, while SurveyMonkey specializes in survey creation and data analysis.
Here’s the difference:
The main difference is that Formstack is primarily a form-building platform designed for diverse use cases, while SurveyMonkey specializes in creating and analyzing surveys, making it the go-to tool for in-depth data collection and analysis.
Key Features at a Glance
Here’s a table chart showing the overview of the main features of these form building and survey tools.
| Feature | Formstack | SurveyMonkey |
|---|---|---|
| Versatility | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Advanced Features | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Ease of Use | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Integration Capabilities | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Mobile Responsiveness | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Analytics & Reporting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Customer Support | ✔️ | ✔️ |
What is Formstack and How Does it Work?
Formstack is a versatile online form builder that simplifies the form creation process. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design forms for various purposes, including lead generation, event registration, and customer feedback.
Formstack excels in providing a user-friendly experience and offers advanced features like conditional logic and integrations.
Pros of Formstack:
- User-Friendly Interface
- Versatile Form Creation
- Advanced Form Features
- Robust Integration Options
- Excellent Customer Support
Cons:
- Pricing Tiers Can Be Costly
- Learning Curve for Advanced Features
- Limited Analytics and Reporting Features
What is SurveyMonkey and How Does it Work?
SurveyMonkey is a renowned survey creation and data analysis platform. It allows users to design surveys, collect responses, and analyze data to derive meaningful insights.
With a focus on survey-related functionalities, SurveyMonkey offers various question types, survey templates, and robust reporting tools for comprehensive analysis.
Pros of SurveyMonkey:
- Specialized in Survey Creation
- Extensive Survey Templates
- Advanced Analytics and Reporting
- User-Friendly Survey Builder
- Collaborative Features for Team Use
Cons:
- Limited Form-Building Capabilities
- Pricing Can Be High for Advanced Features
- Some Advanced Features May Have a Learning Curve
Formstack vs. SurveyMonkey: Side-by-Side Comparison
In this section, we’ll delve into a detailed comparison of the key features above.
1. Ease of Use:
Formstack: Formstack boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making form creation a breeze. Its drag-and-drop builder simplifies the process, allowing users to add and customize form fields effortlessly. The platform’s user-centric design caters to both beginners and advanced users, providing a seamless experience.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey also offers an easy-to-use platform, guiding users through the survey creation process with a straightforward interface. The intuitive survey builder and predefined question templates make it accessible for users with varying levels of experience.
Verdict: Both Formstack and SurveyMonkey excel in ease of use, providing intuitive interfaces. However, Formstack’s versatility in form creation gives it a slight edge for users looking for a broader range of applications.
2. Customization:
Formstack: Formstack allows for extensive customization, enabling users to tailor the look and feel of their forms. From branding elements to conditional logic, users have the flexibility to create highly personalized forms that align with their specific requirements.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey offers customization options with the ability to personalize survey themes and layouts. Users can incorporate their brand elements and modify question styles. While it provides a degree of customization, the extent may not match the versatility offered by Formstack.
Verdict: Formstack takes the lead in customization, providing more comprehensive options for tailoring forms to specific needs.
3. Integration Options:
Formstack: Formstack integrates seamlessly with various third-party applications and tools, enhancing its functionality. Users can connect their forms to CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and other business applications, streamlining data flow and improving workflow efficiency.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey also offers integration options, allowing users to connect with popular platforms. However, the range of integrations may not be as extensive as Formstack’s, particularly for applications beyond the survey realm.
Verdict: Formstack wins in integration options, providing a wider array of possibilities for connecting with other business tools.
4. Advanced Features:
Formstack: Formstack stands out with its advanced features, including conditional logic, payment form capabilities, and dynamic form fields. These features empower users to create sophisticated forms tailored to complex requirements.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey offers advanced features for survey creation, such as skip logic and question branching. While these are valuable for survey-specific needs, the range of advanced features may not match Formstack’s versatility.
Verdict: Formstack emerges as the winner in advanced features, catering to a broader spectrum of form-building requirements.
5. Analytics and Reporting:
Formstack: Formstack provides basic analytics and reporting features, allowing users to track form submissions and view basic insights. It offers downloadable reports for offline analysis.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey excels in analytics and reporting, offering robust tools for analyzing survey data. Users can generate detailed reports, visualize responses, and derive actionable insights from survey results.
Verdict: SurveyMonkey takes the lead in analytics and reporting, providing comprehensive tools for in-depth data analysis.
6. Mobile Responsiveness:
Formstack: Formstack ensures mobile responsiveness, allowing users to create forms that adapt seamlessly to various devices. This feature is crucial for reaching a broader audience and enhancing user experience.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey also prioritizes mobile responsiveness, ensuring that surveys are accessible and user-friendly on smartphones and tablets. Mobile participants can engage with surveys effortlessly.
Verdict: Both Formstack and SurveyMonkey excel in mobile responsiveness, making it a tie in this category.
7. Customer Support:
Formstack: Formstack offers excellent customer support, providing users with various resources such as documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer service channels. Users can access help articles and submit support tickets for prompt assistance.
SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey provides comprehensive customer support, including a knowledge base, FAQs, and responsive customer service. Users can find valuable resources and reach out for assistance when needed.
Verdict: It’s a tie in customer support, as both Formstack and SurveyMonkey prioritize providing valuable resources and responsive assistance to users.
Overall Verdict: Formstack proves to be a more versatile solution with its extensive customization options, advanced features, and a broader range of integrations, while SurveyMonkey shines in analytics and reporting.
Use Cases for Formstack:
- Lead Generation Form: Formstack excels in creating lead generation forms with its customizable fields and conditional logic. Businesses can capture and qualify leads seamlessly.
- Event Registration Form: Formstack’s versatility allows users to design event registration forms with ease. The platform’s integration options further enhance event management workflows.
Use Cases for SurveyMonkey:
- Customer Satisfaction Survey: SurveyMonkey is well-suited for crafting in-depth customer satisfaction surveys. Its analytics and reporting tools provide actionable insights for improving customer experience.
- Employee Feedback Survey: SurveyMonkey’s collaborative features make it ideal for creating and analyzing employee feedback surveys. The platform supports team collaboration in designing and interpreting survey results.
Formstack vs. SurveyMonkey Pricing
Below is a summarized breakdown of the pricing for Formstack and SurveyMonkey:
| Feature | Formstack | SurveyMonkey |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based pricing with tiered plans | Subscription-based pricing with tiered plans |
| Starting Price | $19 per month (Essentials plan) | $25 per month (Standard plan) |
| Free Trial | 14-day free trial available | Free plan with limited features; paid plans for advanced |
| Basic Plan | Essentials plan starting at $19 per month | Standard plan starting at $25 per month |
| Mid-Tier Plan | Professional plan starting at $49 per month | Advantage plan starting at $75 per month |
| Advanced Plan | Premium plan starting at $99 per month | Premier plan starting at $149 per month |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom pricing for enterprise solutions | Enterprise plan available, contact for custom pricing |
| Form Limit (Essentials) | 20 forms | Not specified |
| Response Limit | Unlimited responses | Varies based on plan; up to 5,000 responses per month |
| Advanced Features | Available in mid-tier and advanced plans | Available in mid-tier and advanced plans |
| Analytics & Reporting | Basic analytics included; more in advanced plans | Comprehensive analytics in mid-tier and advanced plans |
| Customer Support | Email and ticket support; higher tiers get priority | Email and chat support; phone support in higher tiers |
| Additional Costs | Payment processing fees may apply for certain plans | Additional costs for add-ons and advanced features |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Formstack and SurveyMonkey
Keep these factors in mind when choosing a form builder and survey tool.
1. Use Case Specificity:
Consider the specific use cases for which you need forms or surveys. Formstack excels in versatile form creation, making it ideal for businesses needing customized and interactive forms for diverse purposes. On the other hand, SurveyMonkey caters specifically to survey needs, offering specialized features for collecting and analyzing survey data. Evaluate your primary use case to determine which tool aligns better with your goals.
2. Integration Requirements:
Assess your integration needs with other business tools. Formstack provides extensive integration options, making it suitable for businesses that require seamless data flow between forms and other applications. SurveyMonkey, while offering integrations, may have limitations compared to Formstack. If robust integrations are crucial for your workflow, weigh this factor in your decision.
3. Budget Considerations:
Evaluate your budget constraints against the pricing plans of Formstack and SurveyMonkey. Formstack offers tiered plans catering to different budgets, while SurveyMonkey follows a similar model. Consider the features included in each plan, ensuring you choose one that aligns with your requirements without unnecessary expenses.
4. Form Customization Needs:
Determine the level of customization required for your forms. Formstack stands out in this aspect, providing extensive options for branding, conditional logic, and dynamic fields. If you need highly tailored forms for various purposes, Formstack is a strong choice. SurveyMonkey, while offering customization, may not match the depth of customization provided by Formstack. Assess your customization needs to make an informed decision.
5. Analytical Depth:
Consider the depth of analytics and reporting needed for your data analysis. If your primary focus is on in-depth survey analysis, SurveyMonkey’s robust analytics tools may be preferable. It offers advanced features for visualizing responses and deriving actionable insights. Formstack provides basic analytics, suitable for straightforward form submissions. Align your choice with the level of analytical depth required for your business goals.
FAQs About Formstack and SurveyMonkey
- Can I create payment forms with Formstack? Yes, Formstack supports the creation of payment forms, making it convenient for businesses to collect payments online.
- Is SurveyMonkey only for surveys, or can I create other types of forms? SurveyMonkey is primarily focused on survey creation, but it can be used for various types of forms. However, if your primary need is versatile form creation, Formstack may offer more tailored features.
- Do both platforms provide analytics and reporting features? Yes, both Formstack and SurveyMonkey offer analytics and reporting tools to help users analyze form or survey responses and derive meaningful insights.
- Can I customize the look and feel of my forms and surveys? Yes, both platforms allow users to customize the appearance of their forms and surveys. Formstack and SurveyMonkey offer design options to match the branding and style preferences of users.
- Do these platforms provide customer support? Yes, both Formstack and SurveyMonkey offer customer support to assist users with any issues or inquiries they may have during the form or survey creation process.
Is Formstack Better than SurveyMonkey?
Each tool offers specific functions to businesses. For example, if you require a versatile platform for creating various forms with advanced features, Formstack is a strong contender.
However, if your focus is on in-depth survey creation and analysis, SurveyMonkey’s specialized tools and collaborative features may make it the better fit for your requirements.
Consider your use case, budget, and team collaboration needs when making the final decision.