WPForms vs Elementor Forms: Which Form Builder is Better?

Choosing between WPForms vs Elementor Forms when building your WordPress website can significantly impact your lead generation strategy and user engagement. Both form builders offer robust solutions for creating contact forms, but they serve different needs within the WordPress ecosystem.

WPForms functions as a standalone plugin with extensive form-building capabilities, while Elementor Forms integrates directly into the Elementor page builder environment. This fundamental difference shapes how you’ll approach form creation on your site.

For WordPress users seeking the right form solution, understanding each plugin’s distinct advantages matters. WPForms excels with its drag-and-drop interface and rich template library, making it accessible for beginners while offering advanced features like conditional logic and payment gateway integration for experienced users.

Elementor Forms, conversely, shines through its seamless design integration with the Elementor builder. If you’re already using Elementor for your website design, its native form widget provides consistent styling and workflow efficiency without requiring additional plugins.

Both tools offer critical functionality for handling form submissions, implementing CAPTCHA protection against spam, and creating mobile-responsive designs that work across devices. However, they differ in pricing models, with WPForms offering both free and premium versions while Elementor Forms requires an Elementor Pro subscription.

This comparison will help you evaluate which WordPress form builder best suits your specific needs, whether you’re creating simple contact forms or complex multi-step forms with conditional logic and payment processing capabilities.

Overview of Elementor Forms and WPForms

Elementor Forms

Integration with the Elementor website builder

Elementor Forms works directly within the Elementor page builder, creating a unified workflow for WordPress form creation. Unlike standalone plugins, you can build forms right inside your Elementor editing session, maintaining design consistency across your website.

The visual editor handles both page design and form building simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch between different interfaces.

This integration lets you:

• Place form fields with the same drag-and-drop interface you use for other Elementor widgets
• Apply styling that matches your site’s design system automatically
• Preview form appearance in real-time as you build
• Access form settings from the same sidebar panel as other Elementor elements

For example, if you’re designing a landing page in Elementor and need to add a lead generation form, you can simply drag the Form widget onto your page and configure it without leaving the Elementor interface. This creates a more efficient WordPress form development process.

Form-building capabilities and features

Elementor Forms includes essential features for effective WordPress contact form creation. The form widget comes with:

• Basic field types: Text, email, textarea, select, radio buttons
• Advanced fields: Date, time, file upload, acceptance checkbox
• Multi-step forms: Break longer forms into manageable sections
• Field validation: Set required fields and validation rules
• Conditional logic: Show/hide fields based on user choices
• Form actions: Email notifications, website redirects, and custom messages
• Spam protection: Integration with reCAPTCHA to prevent bot submissions

The dynamic content feature stands out from other form plugins, allowing you to populate fields with data from WordPress posts, custom fields, or even user data. This creates personalized form experiences based on the user’s context or previous interactions.

You can see examples of Elementor forms in action on the official Elementor documentation site.

Use cases and ideal users

Elementor Forms works best for users already committed to the Elementor ecosystem. It’s particularly valuable for:

• Website designers who need visual control over form appearance
• Small business owners maintaining their own sites with Elementor
• Developers creating client sites with consistent UI components
• Marketing professionals building landing pages with integrated lead forms

For example, a freelance designer creating a portfolio website can use Elementor Forms to build a contact form that perfectly matches the site’s aesthetic without needing additional plugins. Similarly, a small business owner can quickly add a product inquiry form to their Elementor-built product pages.

The form builder excels at maintaining visual consistency, since forms inherit styles from your Elementor theme settings. This makes it ideal for branding-conscious projects where form appearance needs to align perfectly with site design.

WPForms

Standalone plugin functionality

WPForms operates as a dedicated WordPress form plugin independent of any page builder. This standalone approach gives it flexibility to work with any WordPress theme or builder, including Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, or the native WordPress editor.

As a standalone solution, WPForms:

• Works consistently across different site environments
• Maintains functionality even if you change themes
• Provides a dedicated dashboard for form management
• Offers specialized features focused exclusively on form functionality

For example, if your website uses multiple content creation tools or you’re considering switching themes in the future, WPForms provides stability since it’s not tied to a specific page builder.

You can learn more about WPForms’ plugin functionality on the WordPress.org plugin directory.

Drag-and-drop form-building features

WPForms built its reputation on its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. The form building experience includes:

• Visual builder: Create forms by dragging fields from the sidebar
• Pre-built templates: Start with form templates for common scenarios (contact, registration, payment)
• Field options: Configure each field with extensive customization options
• Layout options: Arrange fields in multiple columns for better space utilization
• Conditional logic: Show or hide fields based on user selections
• Form preview: See how your form will appear on the frontend while editing

The WPForms interface is particularly helpful for users who aren’t technically inclined. For instance, a small business owner with minimal WordPress experience can still create professional-looking forms without touching code or learning complex interfaces.

Beyond standard contact forms, WPForms handles:

• Payment forms (with PayPal and Stripe integration)
• User registration forms
• Survey and poll forms
• File upload forms
• Multi-page forms with progress indicators

Best use cases and target audience

WPForms serves a broad audience, particularly those who want dedicated form functionality regardless of their WordPress setup:

• WordPress beginners who need an intuitive form solution
• Businesses collecting leads or payments through forms
• Non-profit organizations accepting donations
• Educational institutions handling registrations or applications
• E-commerce sites using forms for product customization or pre-orders

For example, an educational institution might use WPForms to create a multi-step student application form that collects personal information, academic history, and file uploads for transcripts. The form could use conditional logic to show different fields based on program selection.

WPForms offers tiered pricing with its Lite (free) version available on WordPress.org, making it accessible to users with various budgets and needs.

In-Depth Comparison: Elementor Forms vs. WPForms

Ease of Use

Elementor’s drag-and-drop form widget

Elementor’s form widget integrates directly into the page building experience. If you’re already using Elementor, adding a form works exactly like adding any other widget:

1. Click the plus icon in your Elementor editor
2. Search for “Form” in the widget menu
3. Drag the form widget to your desired section
4. Configure form fields and settings in the sidebar panel

This approach means zero learning curve for current Elementor users. You’ll see immediate visual feedback as you build your form, with real-time previews showing exactly how the form will appear on your page.

Field configuration happens in the same sidebar where you adjust other Elementor elements, maintaining workflow consistency. For instance, when adding a form to a landing page, you can design the surrounding content and the form itself in one continuous session.

WPForms’ intuitive interface and form builder

WPForms provides a dedicated form builder interface accessed through the WordPress admin menu. The builder uses a three-panel layout:

1. Left panel: Available form fields
2. Center panel: Form preview and field arrangement
3. Right panel: Field settings and properties

This focused environment helps you concentrate specifically on form creation without distractions. You can easily:

• Drag fields from the left panel into your form
• Arrange fields by dragging them up/down
• Configure field properties in the right panel
• Preview the form as you build

WPForms makes multi-column layouts simple with its “Layout” fields, allowing you to place fields side-by-side without CSS knowledge. For example, you could place “First Name” and “Last Name” fields in a two-column row to save vertical space.

The interface uses familiar WordPress styling, making it comfortable for users already accustomed to the WordPress admin area.

Learning curve for beginners

Both form builders aim for user-friendly experiences but present different learning paths:

Elementor Forms:

• Almost no learning curve for existing Elementor users
• Steeper initial curve for those new to Elementor who must learn the page builder first
• Learning investment pays off if you use Elementor for other site elements

WPForms:

• Focused learning experience specific to forms
• Shorter initial learning time for WordPress users new to form building
• Templates provide quick starting points for common form types

A WordPress beginner might find WPForms easier to get started with since it’s purpose-built for forms. However, someone already comfortable with Elementor will likely prefer the familiarity of Elementor Forms.

Features and Functionality

Form fields and customization options

Elementor Forms fields include:

• Text input (single line)
• Textarea (multi-line)
• Select dropdown
• Radio buttons
• Checkboxes
• Date
• Time
• HTML (custom content)
• Hidden fields
• File upload

Field customization happens through Elementor’s standard control panel, with options for field labels, placeholders, default values, and validation rules.

WPForms fields include:

• All standard fields (text, email, number, etc.)
• Advanced fields like file uploads and password
• Payment fields (for PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
• Layout fields (section dividers, page breaks)
• Specialty fields (signature, ratings, likert scale)
• Custom HTML

WPForms offers more field types out of the box, especially in its premium version. For example, if you need a rating field for customer feedback, WPForms includes this natively while Elementor would require custom development.

Multi-step forms and conditional logic

Elementor Forms multi-step capabilities:

• Split forms into discrete steps
• Add “Next” and “Previous” navigation
• Show step indicators
• Apply different styling to each step

Elementor’s conditional logic allows you to show or hide fields based on user responses. For example, you could show a shipping address section only if the user checks “Ship to different address.”

WPForms multi-step approach:

• Page break fields create natural divisions
• Progress indicators show completion percentage
• Each step can have custom headings
• Form navigation buttons are customizable

WPForms excels with conditional logic, offering more advanced rules and triggers. You can create complex scenarios like “Show field C only if field A contains ‘Yes’ AND field B is greater than 10.” This makes WPForms better suited for complex form logic.

Payment gateway integrations

Elementor Forms payment handling:

• Basic PayPal integration
• Accepts payments through form submissions
• Limited payment field options
• Requires Elementor Pro subscription

WPForms payment capabilities:

• Multiple payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Square)
• Subscription payments
• Product fields with quantities and options
• Tax and total calculation
• Payment receipt emails

WPForms clearly leads in payment processing capabilities, making it better suited for e-commerce forms, donation forms, or any scenario involving financial transactions.

For example, a non-profit organization could use WPForms to create a donation form with suggested amounts, custom amount field, recurring donation options, and automatic thank-you emails.

Spam protection and security measures

Elementor Forms security features:

• reCAPTCHA integration (v2 and v3)
• Honeypot fields to trap bots
• Basic form validation

WPForms security features:

• reCAPTCHA support
• Custom CAPTCHA questions
• Honeypot technology
• Form entry limitations
• Country restriction
• GDPR compliance features

Both solutions offer essential spam prevention, but WPForms provides more comprehensive security options. This makes WPForms preferable for forms dealing with sensitive information or those on high-traffic sites where spam is a serious concern.

Customization and Design Flexibility

Elementor’s design integration with the page builder

Elementor Forms inherits styling from your Elementor theme settings, ensuring visual consistency with the rest of your page. You can adjust:

• Field spacing and margins
• Input styles (border, background, text formatting)
• Button styling and positioning
• Label typography
• Error message appearance
• Success message design

This tight integration means your forms automatically match your site’s design language. If you update your site colors or typography in Elementor, your forms update too.

The visual nature of Elementor also allows you to place form elements alongside other content with precise control. For instance, you could position a contact form next to a Google Map widget or company information block, creating a cohesive contact section.

WPForms’ standalone customization tools

WPForms provides its own styling options independent of your theme:

• Form container styling
• Field appearance settings
• Label positioning and formatting
• Submit button customization
• Custom CSS classes and IDs
• Advanced CSS input for precise control

While not as visually intuitive as Elementor’s styling, WPForms offers flexibility to match your site’s design. The CSS Heroes addon for WPForms adds visual styling capabilities for those who prefer not to write CSS.

WPForms also provides layout tools like multi-column fields and custom spacing that help create professional-looking forms regardless of theme.

Styling and layout options for both plugins

Elementor Forms styling strengths:

• Real-time visual feedback as you style forms
• Consistent appearance with other page elements
• Responsive controls specifically for form elements
• Style controls grouped logically in the Elementor panel

WPForms styling strengths:

• Style templates to quickly change the entire form appearance
• Form-specific styling independent of theme changes
• Embedded CSS option for custom styling
• Visual style editor (with CSS Heroes addon)

Which offers better styling depends on your workflow. If you value consistency with page design and visual editing, Elementor Forms wins. If you need forms to maintain consistent styling across different parts of your site regardless of theme or builder, WPForms has the advantage.

Integration and Add-ons

Third-party integrations (CRMs, email marketing, etc.)

Elementor Forms integrations:

• Email service providers (Mailchimp, etc.)
• Zapier connection for wider integration
• Webhook support
• Basic CRM connections

WPForms integrations:

• Comprehensive email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, GetResponse, etc.)
• CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, Square)
• Marketing platforms (Google Analytics, Facebook)
• Communication tools (Slack, Trello)
• Document services (Google Docs, Dropbox)

WPForms offers significantly more native integrations, especially with marketing and business tools. For example, a business collecting leads could have form submissions automatically create contacts in their CRM, add subscribers to email lists, and notify the sales team via Slack.

WPForms’ extensive add-ons vs. Elementor’s built-in features

WPForms add-ons include:

• User registration and login forms
• Post submissions from frontend
• Surveys and polls
• Form abandonment tracking
• Conversational forms
• Form locker (password protection, scheduling)
• Geolocation tracking
• Offline forms
• Signature fields

Elementor features (with forms):

• Form functionality included in Elementor Pro
• No separate add-ons specifically for forms
• Relies on Elementor ecosystem for extended functionality

WPForms uses a modular approach, allowing you to activate only the add-ons you need. This keeps your site leaner by avoiding unnecessary features. Elementor takes an all-in-one approach, where form features come bundled with other Pro functionality.

Automation tools and workflow optimization

Elementor Forms automation:

• Email notifications to multiple recipients
• Conditional emails based on form fields
• Success messages and redirects
• Webhook support for custom automation
• Zapier integration for workflow automation

WPForms automation:

• Notification routing based on form selections
• Confirmation emails to users
• Custom redirects based on form data
• Entry management system
• Form scheduling and expiration
• User journey tracking

WPForms offers more built-in workflow optimization tools. For instance, a contact form could route inquiries to different departments based on the subject selected, send personalized confirmation emails to users, and create different admin notifications based on inquiry priority.

Performance and Speed

Elementor Forms’ impact on site performance

Elementor Forms runs as part of the broader Elementor plugin, which means:

• You’re loading the Elementor framework even if you only need forms
• Form processing happens within Elementor’s system
• Performance depends partly on how efficiently Elementor is configured

Sites heavily using Elementor may not notice additional performance impact from adding forms. However, if you only need form functionality, Elementor brings substantial overhead compared to dedicated form plugins.

A typical Elementor page with a form might add 100-200KB to page size, though actual impact varies based on configuration and optimization efforts.

WPForms’ lightweight structure

As a purpose-built form plugin, WPForms focuses on efficiency:

• Loads only form-specific resources
• Scripts load only on pages containing forms
• Form processing is streamlined for forms specifically
• Database interactions are optimized for form submissions

The WPForms Lite version adds minimal overhead to pages, typically under 30KB of additional resources. Even with advanced features enabled, WPForms generally maintains better performance metrics than full-featured page builders.

Server load and page speed considerations

Elementor Forms server considerations:

• Shares processing resources with other Elementor elements
• May increase server response time on complex pages
• Caching can be more complicated with dynamic form elements

WPForms server considerations:

• Dedicated form processing pathway
• Optimized database operations for form submissions
• More predictable server resource usage
• Better compatibility with caching solutions

For high-traffic sites or those on limited hosting plans, WPForms generally presents a lighter server footprint. This becomes more significant when collecting large numbers of form submissions, as WPForms handles form data storage and retrieval more efficiently.

Page speed tests typically show WPForms loading faster than Elementor Forms, though the difference may be negligible on well-optimized sites with good hosting.

Other Contact Form Plugins for WordPress

Overview of Leading Alternatives

Criteria for selecting the best contact form plugins

Choosing the right WordPress form plugin requires looking at specific factors that match your project needs. Key selection criteria include:

• Ease of use – How quickly can you build forms without technical knowledge?
• Field options – Does it include all the form fields you need?
• Customization depth – Can you adjust the form’s appearance to match your site?
• Integration capabilities – Will it connect with your email marketing or CRM tools?
• Performance impact – How does it affect your page load speed?
• Mobile responsiveness – Do forms work well on all devices?
• Cost vs. features ratio – Does the price justify the functionality you get?

Different websites have different form requirements. An e-commerce store needs payment forms with Stripe or PayPal integration. A photography business might prioritize file upload fields for client images. A restaurant needs booking forms with date and time selectors.

The WordPress plugin directory lists over 1,300 plugins when searching for “forms,” making it crucial to evaluate options based on specific project requirements rather than just popularity.

Brief overview of the top contenders

Beyond WPForms and Elementor Forms, several other form builders serve different niches in the WordPress ecosystem:

• Formidable Forms – Powerful for data manipulation and displaying user submissions
• Fluent Forms – Fast-growing option with conversational forms
• Ninja Forms – Modular approach with free core and paid add-ons
• Kali Forms – Lightweight alternative with good free features
• Gravity Forms – Premium-only with advanced functionality
• Contact Form 7 – The original WordPress form plugin with wide support

Each plugin approaches form building differently. Some prioritize visual interfaces while others focus on extensibility or performance. Your choice depends on specific project requirements, technical comfort level, and budget constraints.

Detailed Analysis of Each Plugin

WPForms

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths:

• Truly beginner-friendly drag-and-drop interface
• Extensive template library to jumpstart form creation
• Strong integration ecosystem for email marketing
• Responsive support team with extensive documentation
• Active development with regular updates
• Optimized for performance compared to competitors

Weaknesses:

• Premium required for more advanced features
• Multi-step forms only available in higher plans
• Conditional logic limited to paid versions
• Some marketing features like form abandonment require top-tier plans
• Limited styling options in the free version

WPForms balances user-friendliness with powerful features. The interface feels intuitive even to WordPress beginners, with field options clearly labeled and form settings logically organized. The drag-and-drop form builder works similarly to popular page builders, making it familiar to many WordPress users.

Best use cases

WPForms fits perfectly for:

• Small business websites needing standard contact forms
• Blogs collecting reader feedback or newsletter signups
• Online stores requiring order forms or product customization requests
• Agencies building client sites that clients will maintain themselves
• Membership sites with registration forms

For example, a local bakery could use WPForms to create a custom cake order form with conditional fields that show different options based on cake type selection. The form could calculate pricing in real-time and send automatic confirmation emails to customers.

The form’s data could also integrate with popular email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact through direct integration.

Formidable Forms

Advanced form capabilities

Formidable Forms stands out for data manipulation capabilities that go beyond simple form collection. Key features include:

• Views – Display collected form data on the frontend in tables, calendars, or custom layouts
• Calculations – Complex math functions within forms
• Graphs and charts – Visualize form data automatically
• Repeater fields – Allow users to add multiple sets of related fields
• Cascading lookups – Filter dropdown options based on previous selections
• User registration – Create WordPress accounts from form submissions

These capabilities make Formidable suitable for building applications within WordPress, not just simple forms. For instance, you could create a real estate listing system where agents submit property details through a form, and visitors search listings through another form, with results displayed using Formidable Views.

Conditional logic and reporting features

The conditional logic system in Formidable Forms is comprehensive:

• Show/hide fields based on user selections
• Skip entire pages based on user input
• Send different email notifications based on form data
• Apply calculations conditionally
• Display success messages based on submission content
• Redirect users to different pages based on their responses

The reporting system turns form data into actionable insights through:

• Visual graphs of submission data
• Custom report generation
• Exportable data in multiple formats
• Scheduled email reports
• Entry filtering and searching
• User-specific data views

A nonprofit organization could use these features to create a donation form that shows different suggested amounts based on the donor’s past giving history, then generate monthly reports showing donation patterns without needing a separate analytics tool.

Fluent Forms

Multi-step forms and dynamic content

Fluent Forms has emerged as a strong competitor with its efficient approach to multi-step forms:

• Clean, step-by-step navigation
• Progress bar customization
• Conditional page breaks
• Save and resume functionality
• Form analytics for step completion rates

The dynamic content capabilities allow personalized form experiences by:

• Pre-filling fields based on user data
• Showing different content based on user role
• Customizing form text based on referral source
• Adapting form options based on user history
• Personalizing success messages

These features help increase form completion rates by making forms feel relevant to each user. An online course platform could use multi-step forms for student applications, with different questions appearing based on the program selected and the applicant’s educational background.

Conversational forms feature

Fluent Forms pioneered conversational forms in WordPress, offering a chat-like interface where:

• Questions appear one at a time
• Users progress through natural conversation flow
• Keyboard navigation makes completion faster
• Animated transitions create engagement
• Progress indicators show completion status

This approach increases form completion rates by reducing the intimidation factor of long forms. Instead of seeing 20 fields at once, users answer one question at a time in a friendly, conversational format.

Marketing surveys and lead generation forms particularly benefit from this approach, as seen on the Fluent Forms demo site.

Ninja Forms

Free core plugin with paid extensions

Ninja Forms uses a modular architecture with:

• Free core plugin with basic form functionality
• Individual add-ons for specific features
• Bundles of add-ons at discounted rates
• Developer-friendly hooks and filters

This approach lets users pay only for needed features. The core plugin includes:

• Basic field types
• Email notifications
• Anti-spam features
• Multiple column layouts
• Responsive design

Add-ons cover specialized functionality like:

• File uploads
• Save progress
• Conditional logic
• Payment processing
• User analytics
• PDF form generation

A small business with basic needs could use the free version initially, then add specific extensions as requirements grow, rather than paying for a comprehensive package with unused features.

User-friendly drag-and-drop interface

Ninja Forms focuses on user experience with:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop field placement
• Visual field editing
• Organized dashboard for form management
• Import/export functionality for form sharing
• Duplicate form feature for quick iterations

The interface uses standard WordPress UI elements, creating familiarity for users already comfortable with WordPress. Fields are grouped logically, and the editing process follows a clear workflow from adding fields to configuring form actions.

Gravity Forms

Premium-only solution with advanced features

Gravity Forms operates as a premium-only product without a free version, offering:

• Complete feature set without upsells
• Developer license for unlimited sites
• Priority support channels
• Early access to new features
• Regular security updates

Advanced features include:

• Nested conditional logic
• Post content creation from forms
• User registration and profile updates
• Quiz building tools
• Scheduled form availability
• Advanced file upload handling

The premium-only approach ensures consistent development funding and support quality, making it reliable for critical business applications and complex form scenarios.

Extensive integrations and automation tools

Gravity Forms excels in connecting with other platforms:

• CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
• Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, AWeber, etc.)
• Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, Square)
• Project management systems (Trello, Asana)
• Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
• Accounting software (FreshBooks, QuickBooks)

The automation capabilities enable workflows like:

• Creating WordPress posts from form submissions
• Registering users and assigning roles
• Generating PDF documents
• Updating user profiles
• Managing event registrations
• Processing membership signups

These integrations make Gravity Forms suitable for business process automation. For example, a consulting firm could use it to create client intake forms that automatically create project records in their CRM, set up billing in their accounting software, and add tasks to their project management system.

Contact Form 7

Free and widely used option

Contact Form 7 remains popular despite newer alternatives because:

• It’s completely free with no premium version
• Most hosting companies pre-install it
• Extensive third-party add-on ecosystem exists
• Widespread developer familiarity ensures support
• Minimal resource usage benefits performance
• Regular security updates maintain reliability

The plugin’s longevity (released in 2007) has created a large user base and extensive documentation across the web. While not as user-friendly as newer options, it remains the most-installed form plugin on WordPress.

Customization through shortcodes and HTML

Contact Form 7 uses a different approach from visual builders:

• Forms created through shortcodes and HTML
• CSS customization for styling
• Custom validation through regular expressions
• Template tags for dynamic content
• JavaScript hooks for custom behaviors
• PHP filters for backend customization

This approach offers ultimate flexibility for developers comfortable with code. For example, a developer could create a completely custom form layout that matches a design mockup precisely, with custom validation for specialized fields like product serial numbers.

The learning curve is steeper, but the customization ceiling is higher than many visual form builders.

Elementor Forms

Native to Elementor with seamless design integration

Elementor Forms benefits from direct integration within the Elementor page builder:

• Form styling matches your Elementor design system
• Widgets can interact with form elements
• Dynamic content works across forms and other elements
• Visual history tracks form changes with page revisions
• Template system includes forms in saved layouts
• Form elements use the same animation system as other Elementor widgets

This creates a unified design experience where forms become natural page components rather than separate elements inserted through shortcodes or blocks.

Best for Elementor users who don’t need a standalone form builder

Elementor Forms works best for:

• Existing Elementor Pro users
• Simple to moderate form requirements
• Design-focused projects where visual consistency is critical
• Landing pages with integrated lead forms
• Sites already invested in the Elementor ecosystem
• Projects where workflow efficiency outweighs specialized form features

If you’re building a site with Elementor Pro and need forms that perfectly match your design system, the built-in form functionality often eliminates the need for a separate plugin. This reduces plugin conflicts, improves site performance, and creates workflow efficiency by keeping all design elements in one system.

Choosing the Right Form Builder for Your Needs

Factors to Consider

Website type and purpose

Different website categories have specific form requirements:

Business websites:

• Lead generation forms
• Contact forms with department routing
• Quote request forms
• Appointment booking forms
• Job application forms

E-commerce websites:

• Product customization forms
• Customer feedback forms
• Return request forms
• Pre-order forms
• Gift card forms

Blogs:

• Comment forms
• Newsletter signup forms
• Content suggestion forms
• Guest post submission forms
• Reader survey forms

Membership sites:

• Registration forms
• Profile update forms
• Content access request forms
• Feedback forms
• Event registration forms

Educational websites:

• Student application forms
• Course registration forms
• Teacher contact forms
• Scholarship application forms
• Resource request forms

For example, a photography business website would prioritize form builders with strong file upload capabilities and gallery integration, while a coaching business might focus on appointment scheduling and payment processing features.

Required features (payment processing, multi-step forms, etc.)

Prioritize features that directly support your business processes:

Lead generation:

• CRM integration
• Email marketing connection
• Lead scoring capabilities
• Form analytics
• A/B testing

Online payments:

• Payment gateway options (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
• Recurring payment support
• Tax calculation
• Discount code functionality
• Invoice generation

File management:

• File upload capacity limits
• Supported file types
• Storage solutions
• File organization options
• Download protection

Data collection:

• Conditional logic complexity
• Calculation capabilities
• Data export options
• Entry management
• User input validation

User experience:

• Multi-step form support
• Save and continue functionality
• Mobile responsiveness
• Accessibility compliance
• Form abandonment recovery

Match your required features with plugin capabilities to find the best fit. A real estate website might need advanced file uploads for property images, while an online course platform would prioritize payment processing and user registration features.

Budget constraints

Form builder pricing varies widely:

Free options:

• Contact Form 7
• WPForms Lite
• Fluent Forms Free
• Ninja Forms basic
• Kali Forms free

Mid-range options ($49-99/year):

• WPForms Basic
• Fluent Forms Pro
• Formidable Forms Basic
• Kali Forms Pro

Premium options ($159-259/year):

• WPForms Elite
• Gravity Forms
• Formidable Forms Business
• Ninja Forms Agency

Consider not just the initial purchase but the total cost of ownership, including:

• Annual renewal fees
• Add-on costs for specific features
• Integration expenses with other services
• Potential developer costs for customization
• Time investment for learning and setup

A small blog might do fine with a free solution, while a business critical form that processes payments or job applications might justify the investment in a premium option with dedicated support.

Best Options Based on Specific Use Cases

Best for beginners: WPForms

WPForms excels for WordPress beginners because:

• The drag-and-drop builder requires no coding knowledge
• Pre-built templates provide starting points for common forms
• The user interface follows familiar WordPress patterns
• Step-by-step guides appear throughout the form creation process
• Extensive documentation covers basic to advanced usage
• Video tutorials supplement written instructions

The free version (WPForms Lite) provides enough functionality for basic needs, while the premium version grows with user skills. For example, a small business owner with limited technical experience could start with the free version for a simple contact form, then upgrade to add features like file uploads or appointment booking as they become more comfortable with the system.

Best for advanced users: Formidable Forms

Advanced users benefit from Formidable Forms because:

• Views feature allows display of submitted data
• Calculations support complex mathematical functions
• Custom development hooks enable extensive modification
• Data relationships can be established between forms
• API access enables programmatic form creation and management
• Advanced conditional logic handles complex business rules

These features support development of form-based applications within WordPress. For instance, a developer could create a complete event management system where:

1. Event organizers submit event details through a form
2. The data displays on a calendar using Views
3. Attendees register through related forms
4. Reports show attendance statistics
5. Emails automatically send based on dates and registrations

This level of functionality transforms forms from simple data collection tools to application building blocks.

Best for Elementor users: Elementor Forms

Elementor users should consider Elementor Forms when:

• They already have an Elementor Pro license
• Visual consistency with other Elementor elements is important
• Forms need to interact with other Elementor widgets
• The design process prioritizes visual editing
• Forms require dynamic content from Elementor
• Workflow efficiency is a priority

The seamless integration with the Elementor editor creates a unified design experience where forms feel like natural page components. This is particularly valuable for landing pages where form appearance significantly impacts conversion rates.

Best free option: Contact Form 7

Contact Form 7 remains a strong free option because:

• It has no premium upsell limitations
• The lightweight code minimizes performance impact
• Extensive third-party add-ons expand functionality
• Community support offers solutions to common issues
• Compatibility is high due to widespread usage
• Security updates come regularly

Though lacking the user-friendly interface of newer plugins, Contact Form 7’s flexible shortcode system provides complete customization control. It’s particularly suitable for developers who prefer working with code or for simple forms on performance-sensitive websites.

Best for business automation: Gravity Forms

Businesses needing automation should consider Gravity Forms for:

• Comprehensive integration with business platforms (CRMs, etc.)
• Reliable handling of financial transactions
• Advanced conditional workflows
• Detailed user tracking and analytics
• Enterprise-level support
• Developer-friendly API

The premium-only approach ensures consistent development funding and support quality. For example, a service business could use Gravity Forms to create a client intake system that:

• Collects client information
• Processes initial payments
• Creates user accounts
• Schedules initial consultations
• Adds clients to appropriate email sequences
• Generates required documents

This automated workflow reduces administrative overhead and improves client experience through consistent process handling.

Best Practices for Form Optimization

UX-Focused Form Design

Keeping forms short and user-friendly

Short forms get more submissions. Period. Users abandon lengthy forms, so focus on collecting only necessary information. Ask yourself: “Do I actually need this field?”

Key principles to follow:

• Eliminate optional fields when possible
• Merge related fields (like first and last name into a single “Name” field for non-legal forms)
• Remove redundant information requests
• Use smart defaults to reduce user input
• Break long forms into logical sections if you can’t reduce fields

Real-world example: A lead generation form with 3 fields (name, email, question) will typically convert at 25% or higher, while a form with 8+ fields might see conversion rates below 10%. The WPForms analytics dashboard can help track your completion rates.

When building forms in either Elementor Forms or WPForms, resist the temptation to add “nice to have” fields. A contact form doesn’t need a phone number unless you plan to call the person. A newsletter signup needs only an email address, not a full name or address details.

Logical field placement and grouping

Form fields should follow a natural flow that matches how people think about information. Group related fields together using these approaches:

• Place address fields in a single section
• Group payment details together
• Keep personal information fields as a unit
• Arrange fields in expected order (name before email)
• Use field labels that clearly relate to each other

Both WPForms and Elementor Forms offer section dividers or field grouping. WPForms has dedicated “Section” fields while Elementor Forms allows column layouts to visually group related inputs.

Form layout significantly impacts completion rates. When a local restaurant switched from a disorganized reservation form to one with logical groupings (guest info, date/time, special requests), completion rates increased by 28%.

Enhancing Conversion Rates

Using compelling call-to-action buttons

The submit button text matters more than most people realize. Vague text like “Submit” fails to motivate users to complete forms. Instead, use action-oriented text that:

• Describes what happens next
• Creates clear expectations
• Aligns with user goals
• Connects to the form’s purpose
• Feels personal and engaging

Examples of compelling button text:

Both WPForms and Elementor Forms let you customize button text. In Elementor Forms, you can adjust the button through the Style tab, while WPForms provides button settings under the “Settings” tab.

A B2B software company changed their demo request button from “Submit” to “Show Me How It Works” and saw a 34% increase in form completions.

Implementing progress indicators for multi-step forms

Long forms work better when broken into steps with clear progress indicators. These visual cues:

• Reduce form abandonment by showing a clear path to completion
• Create a sense of achievement as users advance through steps
• Make complex forms feel more manageable
• Help users understand how much more time they need to invest
• Allow logical grouping of related questions

Effective progress indicators include:

• Numbered steps (Step 1 of 4)
• Percentage completed (25% Complete)
• Progress bars
• Breadcrumb trails
• Step labels that describe each section’s purpose

WPForms includes built-in progress indicators with their multi-step forms, while Elementor Forms requires some custom work to create effective progress displays.

When a university implemented a progress bar on their student application form, they reduced abandonment rates by 38% and increased overall submissions by 22%.

Optimizing mobile responsiveness

More than half of form submissions now come from mobile devices. Mobile-friendly forms are no longer optional. Key mobile optimization techniques include:

• Touch-friendly inputs with adequate spacing
• Appropriate input types (number pad for phone numbers, etc.)
• Single-column layouts that avoid horizontal scrolling
• Minimal typing requirements through selection elements
• Properly sized fields that don’t require pinch-zooming

Test your forms on actual mobile devices, not just browser simulators. Forms may render differently on iOS versus Android devices.

Both WPForms and Elementor Forms create mobile-responsive forms by default, but Elementor Forms offers more visual control over mobile layouts through Elementor’s responsive design controls.

A nonprofit organization switched to fully responsive donation forms and saw mobile conversion rates double, with a 27% increase in average donation amount from mobile users.

Security and Spam Prevention

Implementing CAPTCHA and honeypot techniques

Form spam can overwhelm your inbox and corrupt your data. Effective spam prevention combines multiple techniques:

CAPTCHA Options:

• Google reCAPTCHA v3: Invisible to users, works in background
• Google reCAPTCHA v2: “I’m not a robot” checkbox
• Custom questions: Simple questions only humans can answer
• Math problems: Basic arithmetic challenges

Honeypot Technique: This method adds invisible fields that humans can’t see but bots automatically fill out. When these hidden fields contain data, the form submission is marked as spam. Both WPForms and Elementor Forms include honeypot functionality.

Implementation in WPForms vs Elementor Forms:

• WPForms: Offers built-in reCAPTCHA, custom CAPTCHAs, and honeypot
• Elementor Forms: Includes reCAPTCHA integration and honeypot fields

An e-commerce website implemented a combination of honeypot and reCAPTCHA v3, reducing spam submissions from 200+ daily to nearly zero without affecting legitimate user submissions.

SSL encryption for secure data transmission

Form security protects sensitive user information. SSL encryption creates a secure connection between the user’s browser and your server, preventing data interception.

Key points about SSL and forms:

• SSL certificate: Required for secure form submission (https://)
• Padlock icon: Appears in browser, building user trust
• Data protection: Encrypts information during transmission
• SEO benefit: Google gives preference to secure sites
• Legal compliance: Required for many data protection regulations

Both WPForms and Elementor Forms support SSL, but your site needs an SSL certificate installed for this security to work. Most web hosts now offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.

Forms that collect sensitive information (payment details, personal data) without SSL encryption violate privacy regulations in many countries and risk user data exposure.

Compliance with Data Protection Regulations

GDPR and privacy policies

Form data collection falls under privacy regulations like GDPR (European Union), CCPA (California), and others. Non-compliance risks serious penalties. Essential compliance elements include:

• Explicit consent checkboxes for data collection
• Clear purpose statements explaining how data will be used
• Links to privacy policies within forms
• Data access and deletion options for users
• Minimal data collection (only what’s necessary)

Both WPForms and Elementor Forms offer GDPR compliance features:

WPForms:

• Dedicated GDPR agreement fields
• Consent checkboxes with customizable text
• User data export and erasure tools

Elementor Forms:

• Agreement fields for consent
• Integration with privacy policy pages
• Custom field retention settings

A marketing agency faced potential GDPR fines after collecting unnecessary personal data without consent. Implementing proper consent mechanisms and data minimization practices through WPForms’ GDPR features resolved the compliance issues.

User consent and data storage best practices

Beyond regulatory requirements, ethical form data handling builds user trust. Follow these best practices:

• Transparent data usage: Clearly explain how information will be used
• Limited retention: Don’t store data longer than necessary
• Secure storage: Protect stored form submissions with proper security
• Access controls: Limit who can view submitted data
• Export options: Allow users to request their data

Implementation specifics:

WPForms:

• Entry management with access controls
• Entry expiration settings
• Secure entry viewing in dashboard
• CSV export functionality

Elementor Forms:

• Storage limitations for submissions
• Submission viewing permissions
• Integration with data management plugins

A healthcare provider implemented strict consent and limited data storage policies for their patient inquiry forms, resulting in higher form completion rates due to increased patient trust and confidence in data handling practices.

FAQ on WPForms Vs Elementor Forms

What are the key features of WPForms?

WPForms stands out with its user-friendly drag-and-drop form builder that requires no coding knowledge. The key features include:

• Pre-built templates: Over 300 form templates for quick startup
• Smart conditional logic: Show/hide fields based on user selections
• Multi-page forms: Break long forms into manageable steps
• File uploads: Allow users to submit documents, images, etc.
• Form abandonment: Capture email addresses before users leave
• Entry management: Store and manage form submissions
• Spam protection: Multiple methods to block automated submissions
• Payment collection: Accept payments via PayPal, Stripe, etc.
• User journey tracking: See how users interact with your forms
• Advanced fields: Signatures, ratings, likert scales, and more

The plugin works with any WordPress theme and doesn’t require technical skills to set up. WPForms Lite (the free version) offers basic form functionality with limited fields, while premium versions unlock advanced features.

How does Elementor Forms integrate with Elementor?

Elementor Forms is built directly into the Elementor page builder, creating a seamless design experience. Key integration points include:

• Native widget: Forms appear in the Elementor widget panel
• Visual editing: Design forms visually with the same interface used for page building
• Style consistency: Forms inherit styling from your Elementor theme settings
• Dynamic content: Connect form fields to dynamic data sources within Elementor
• Global styling: Apply global colors and typography to form elements
• Responsive controls: Design forms differently for desktop, tablet, and mobile
• Revision history: Track form changes alongside page revisions
• Template system: Save forms as templates for reuse

This tight integration eliminates the need to switch between different tools, creating workflow efficiency for Elementor users. Changes to forms appear in real-time as you edit.

Elementor Forms requires an Elementor Pro subscription as it’s not available in the free version of Elementor.

Which option is more beginner-friendly?

Both tools aim for user-friendliness but serve different user groups:

WPForms is more beginner-friendly for WordPress users in general because:

• It works with any WordPress theme or setup
• The dedicated form builder interface is focused and uncluttered
• Step-by-step guides appear throughout the form creation process
• Templates provide ready-made solutions for common form needs
• The interface uses familiar WordPress design patterns
• Visual form building requires no coding or technical knowledge

Elementor Forms is more beginner-friendly for existing Elementor users because:

• If you already know Elementor, there’s zero learning curve
• Form creation follows the same workflow as other Elementor elements
• Changes appear visually as you make them
• The interface is consistent with the rest of your design process
• Form styling matches your existing design system automatically

For someone new to WordPress entirely, WPForms typically provides an easier entry point because it’s focused solely on forms rather than being part of a larger page building system.

Are there payment integrations available?

Both form builders offer payment processing capabilities but with different scopes:

WPForms payment options:

• PayPal Standard integration
• Stripe credit card processing
• Square payment processing
• Authorize.Net payments
• Subscription payment options
• Product fields with quantities and options
• Coupon code support
• Tax calculation
• Multiple currency support
• Payment receipt emails

Elementor Forms payment options:

• PayPal integration
• Stripe integration
• Basic product fields
• Limited payment customization
• Single payment processing (limited subscription options)

WPForms offers more comprehensive payment capabilities suitable for e-commerce forms, donation forms, and membership signups. Elementor Forms provides basic payment functionality adequate for simple product orders or service bookings.

For complex payment forms, like a donation form with recurring options or a product form with multiple items and calculation, WPForms provides more specialized tools and payment gateway options.

How does form customization differ between the two?

The customization approaches reflect the different architectures of these form builders:

WPForms customization:

• Standalone form builder with dedicated styling options
• Field appearance settings independent of theme
• CSS classes can be added to fields and forms
• Advanced CSS input for precise control
• Form theme options for quick styling changes
• Field layout options (multiple columns, etc.)
• Form templates as starting points

Elementor Forms customization:

• Visual styling through Elementor’s design panels
• Real-time preview of style changes
• Drag-and-drop field arrangement within layouts
• Access to Elementor’s full styling capabilities
• Global styles and colors apply to forms
• Responsive design controls for different devices
• Elements can be positioned precisely on the page

Elementor Forms provides more visual design control and better integration with overall page design. WPForms offers more form-specific customization and maintains consistent styling regardless of theme changes.

A business creating custom quote request forms might prefer Elementor Forms if they want precise visual alignment with other page elements. A membership site using forms across multiple pages might prefer WPForms’ consistent styling regardless of which page contains the form.

What are the pricing models?

The pricing structures differ significantly between the two options:

WPForms pricing model:

• WPForms Lite: Free version with basic functionality
• Basic: $39.50/year for one site
• Plus: $99.50/year for 3 sites
• Pro: $199.50/year for 5 sites
• Elite: $299.50/year for unlimited sites
• Feature availability increases with higher-tier plans
• 14-day money-back guarantee
• Regular sales and discounts offered

Elementor Forms pricing model:

• Elementor Free: Does not include forms
• Elementor Pro Essential: $59/year for 1 site (includes forms)
• Elementor Pro Advanced: $99/year for 3 sites
• Elementor Pro Expert: $199/year for 10 sites
• Elementor Pro Agency: $399/year for 1000 sites
• Forms are included with all Elementor Pro plans
• 30-day money-back guarantee

The key difference is that WPForms can be used in a limited capacity for free, while Elementor Forms requires purchasing Elementor Pro. However, if you already use Elementor Pro for page building, you effectively get forms included without additional cost.

Which is better for large-scale businesses?

Large-scale businesses have specific needs that influence form builder selection:

WPForms advantages for enterprise:

• Dedicated form solution with specialized features
• More extensive integration ecosystem
• Advanced form fields for complex data collection
• User permission controls for team management
• Entry management system with export capabilities
• Detailed form analytics
• Higher submission volume handling
• Custom API for advanced development

Elementor Forms advantages for enterprise:

• Consistent brand experience across all site elements
• Unified design system implementation
• Workflow efficiency when already using Elementor
• Visual design control important for brand guidelines
• Template system for consistent form deployment

Large businesses typically choose WPForms when they need specialized form functionality, complex data collection, or extensive integrations with business systems. They choose Elementor Forms when design consistency and workflow efficiency within the Elementor ecosystem are the priority.

A global corporation that processes thousands of customer support inquiries would benefit from WPForms’ robust entry management and routing capabilities. A brand-conscious agency creating marketing sites would benefit from Elementor Forms’ visual design integration.

Can both handle conditional logic?

Both form builders offer conditional logic with some differences in implementation and capabilities:

WPForms conditional logic:

• Show/hide fields based on user selections
• Enable/disable fields dynamically
• Skip entire pages based on previous answers
• Send different notification emails based on responses
• Apply calculations conditionally
• Multiple conditions can be combined (AND/OR logic)
• Conditional validation rules
• Nested conditions for complex scenarios

Elementor Forms conditional logic:

• Basic show/hide field functionality
• Condition based on field values
• Multiple conditions for a single field
• Limited complex logic combinations
• Visual setup within Elementor interface
• Real-time preview of conditional behavior

WPForms provides more advanced conditional logic capabilities, especially in complex scenarios with multiple conditions or nested logic. Elementor Forms offers adequate conditional logic for typical use cases with a more visual setup process.

A questionnaire with complex branching paths would work better with WPForms’ conditional logic system. A simple contact form that shows different fields based on inquiry type would work equally well with either solution.

How do they handle spam protection?

Both form builders include spam protection measures to prevent automated submissions:

WPForms spam protection:

• Google reCAPTCHA integration (v2 and v3)
• Custom CAPTCHA questions
• Honeypot technique
• Country filtering
• Keyword filtering
• Anti-spam token verification
• Submission limiting
• Entry blacklisting

Elementor Forms spam protection:

• Google reCAPTCHA integration
• Honeypot fields
• Basic form validation
• Limited submission frequency

WPForms offers more comprehensive spam protection options, especially in higher-tier plans. Elementor Forms provides essential spam prevention suitable for most websites.

Sites experiencing high spam volumes or targeted spam attacks benefit from WPForms’ more extensive protection options. Standard business websites typically find Elementor Forms’ spam protection adequate when properly configured.

What type of support is available?

Support options vary based on the plan and provider:

WPForms support:

• Email ticket support for all paid plans
• Priority support for higher-tier plans
• Knowledge base with detailed documentation
• Video tutorials covering common tasks
• Dev documentation for customization
• Community forum for user questions
• Regular blog with form tips and tutorials

Elementor Forms support:

• Support through Elementor Pro channels
• Email support for Pro users
• Knowledge base articles specific to forms
• Community forum participation
• Documentation integrated with Elementor docs
• Video walkthroughs for form creation

WPForms provides more specialized support focused specifically on forms, while Elementor Forms support comes through the broader Elementor Pro support system. WPForms users report faster response times for form-specific issues, while Elementor Pro provides more holistic support for the entire site building process.

A business relying heavily on forms for critical operations would benefit from WPForms’ dedicated form support. A marketing agency building complete websites would benefit from Elementor’s unified support system covering all aspects of site creation.

Conclusion

Choosing between WPForms vs Elementor Forms comes down to your specific website needs and existing tools. Both form builders offer strong solutions for WordPress users but excel in different areas.

Key Decision Factors

Your decision should consider:

• Current WordPress setup – Already using Elementor Pro? Its form builder adds no extra cost
• Technical comfort level – WPForms offers a more guided experience for beginners
• Form complexity – Complex data collection needs favor WPForms’ advanced features
• Integration requirements – WPForms connects with more third-party services
• Budget constraints – WPForms Lite provides a free entry point Elementor Forms lacks

This isn’t simply about which tool has more features. It’s about which form plugin fits your specific workflow and form requirements.

Best Uses for Each Plugin

WPForms works best when:

• You need advanced form functionality like conditional logic
• Your forms require payment processing through multiple gateways
• You want detailed form analytics and entry management
• Your website uses various themes or page builders
• Form data needs to connect with CRMs or email marketing platforms

Elementor Forms shines when:

• You’ve already invested in Elementor Pro
• Visual design consistency is a top priority
• Your forms need to match your Elementor-built pages perfectly
• You prefer working in a unified design environment
• You’re creating landing pages with integrated lead forms

A small business website might choose WPForms for its comprehensive set of form templates and ease of use, while a design agency already using Elementor Pro for client sites would benefit from the workflow efficiency of Elementor Forms.

Making Your Final Choice

Consider these practical steps before deciding:

1. List your specific form requirements – What fields, integrations, and functions do you actually need?
2. Evaluate your technical resources – Do you have development help or need a simpler solution?
3. Test both options if possible – Try WPForms Lite and Elementor Pro trial to compare interfaces
4. Calculate total cost – Consider initial purchase, renewals, and potential add-ons
5. Plan for future growth – Will your form needs expand as your site grows?

When evaluating WordPress form builders, focus on how they integrate with your existing tools and workflows. The form plugin that aligns with your current setup often provides the most efficient solution.

By weighing these options and exploring how each aligns with your specific goals, you can select the form builder that best supports your digital projects and online strategy. Both WPForms and Elementor Forms offer powerful form building tools for WordPress users, but their different approaches serve distinct needs within the WordPress form plugin ecosystem.