Fluent Forms vs Formidable Forms

Fluent Forms and Formidable Forms are two powerful WordPress form plugins that dominate the market. Fluent Forms emphasizes speed, modern AI features, and straightforward pricing across all paid tiers. Formidable Forms is the professional developer's choice for building complex applications and displaying collected entry data. The key difference is often whether you need to collect data or transform and display it dynamically on the front end.

Fluent Forms
Fluent Forms
Ciroapp review
0.0
#5 in WordPress Form Builder

Pros

    Cons

      Pricing
      $47/mo
      Free trial
      Money-back14 days
      Best for
      Small businesses focused on high conversion and simple data capture, Users prioritizing a robust, permanent free version before upgrading, Anyone needing built-in Inventory Management for product sales via forms
      Formidable Forms
      Formidable Forms

      The essential builder for complex web applications.

      Ciroapp review
      4.8
      #2 in WordPress Form Builder

      We reviewed Formidable Forms and found it to be much more than a simple plugin; it's a robust application builder trusted by professionals. The tool excels at dynamic content display (Views) and complex logic, making it suitable for developers managing multiple sites. Overall, its immense flexibility and industry-leading support make it an outstanding investment.

      Pros

      • Transforms entries into dynamic front-end content using Formidable Views.
      • Excellent, rapid customer support that provides customized solutions.
      • Highly powerful and flexible toolkit for complex applications (calculators, user registration).
      • Features extensive capabilities like conditional logic and repeaters.

      Cons

      • Introductory pricing increases substantially after the first year.
      • Core web application features are restricted to the Plus tier and above.
      • Some complex integrations may initially require detailed technical assistance.
      Pricing
      $39.5/mo
      Free trial
      Money-back14 days
      Best for
      Agencies and professional developers building complex front-end applications, Projects requiring dynamic front-end content like user directories (Formidable Views), Users who need advanced input like Repeater Fields or Digital Signatures
      Quick verdict
      Choose Fluent Forms if you need a fast form builder, prioritize a comprehensive free version, and want all premium features included even on the lowest paid license
      Choose Formidable Forms if you are an agency or developer who needs to transform form entries into dynamic front-end content like directories, or require specialized fields like digital signatures

      AboutFluent Forms

      Fluent Forms is a powerful, yet lightweight, visual form builder for WordPress. It’s designed to handle forms of every kind, from simple contact forms to conversational formats and even complex product orders. You can use its Drag & Drop Visual Builder to quickly choose from over 60 customizable input fields. Since it’s built with a clean coding structure, the plugin won’t make your website heavy or slow, ensuring a great user experience. 💡

      AboutFormidable Forms

      Formidable Forms is the essential builder for professional WordPress websites. You can use this tool whether you are building your first site or developing dozens of sites yearly. It’s designed to help you succeed at any scale, handling simple contact forms or complex multi-page forms and calculations. Formidable Forms is far more than a simple form plugin; it’s an integrated application builder that lets you easily transform collected data into powerful content.

      Highlights

      Quick winners by category at a glance.
      Feature Set
      Formidable Forms wins with advanced application features like Formidable Views, Repeater Fields, and Digital Signatures. Its field and template library is extensive.
      Value for Money
      Fluent Forms provides better long-term value via its Lifetime licenses and flat feature access across all paid tiers. It avoids high renewal surprises.
      Ease of Use
      Users report Fluent Forms is exceptionally fast, simple, and intuitive for building forms quickly. Its AI features also speed up initial setup.
      Advanced Applications
      Formidable Forms is designed specifically to operate as a web application builder, utilizing Formidable Views to display form entries dynamically.
      Pricing Transparency
      Fluent Forms has clear, consistent pricing; Formidable Forms relies on heavily discounted, non-transparent introductory rates that dramatically increase.
      Free Access
      Fluent Forms provides a robust, permanent free version for users to utilize basic functionality indefinitely. Formidable Forms requires purchase.

      Feature Comparison

      Compare key features side by side
      Core Value Proposition
      Fluent Forms:Speed, ease, flat pricing model
      Formidable Forms:Advanced application builder, dynamic views
      Tie
      Lifetime License Option
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:
      Fluent Forms
      All Features on Lowest Paid Tier
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:
      Fluent Forms
      Form Entry to Front-end Content
      Fluent Forms:Basic Visual Reporting
      Formidable Forms:Advanced (Formidable Views)
      Tie
      AI Form Generation
      Fluent Forms:True (Builder & ChatGPT)
      Formidable Forms:True (Quota, max 3000/mo)
      Tie
      Numeric Calculation/Calculators
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:True (Business tier+)
      Tie
      Inventory Management (E-commerce)
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:
      Fluent Forms
      Repeater Fields (Repeating Rows)
      Fluent Forms:Not explicitly listed
      Formidable Forms:
      Formidable Forms
      Digital Signatures
      Fluent Forms:Not explicitly listed
      Formidable Forms:True (Business tier+)
      Formidable Forms
      Form Submission to PDF
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:Not explicitly listed
      Fluent Forms
      Advanced CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot)
      Fluent Forms:General CRM Connect
      Formidable Forms:Elite Plan only
      Tie
      White Labeling
      Fluent Forms:
      Formidable Forms:True (Elite Plan only)
      Formidable Forms
      Max Domain Licenses Offered
      Fluent Forms:Unlimited
      Formidable Forms:Unlimited
      Tie
      Trial/Free Plan Availability
      Fluent Forms:Robust Free Version
      Formidable Forms:14-Day Money Back Only
      Tie
      Pricing Model for New Customers
      Fluent Forms:Standardized Annual
      Formidable Forms:50% Off Introductory Rate
      Tie
      Feature Comparison Summary
      4
      Fluent Forms
      8
      Ties
      3
      Formidable Forms

      Features Overview

      We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

      Application Builder

      Formidable Forms transforms entry data into usable front-end content.

      Formidable Forms

      Fluent Forms focuses on efficient, high-performance data collection into your secure WordPress database. It provides excellent visual reporting on submissions but keeps the data internal. Formidable Forms includes a unique feature called Formidable Views, an integrated application builder. This tool lets you expertly turn collected entries into dynamic content like directories, lists, or user profiles. If you need form data displayed publicly or dynamically on the front end, Formidable Forms is the undisputed leader. Choose Formidable Forms for serious application building and displaying user-submitted information.

      Pricing & Value

      Fluent Forms offers better long-term pricing with lifetime options.

      Fluent Forms

      Fluent Forms’ pricing is transparent and includes affordable Annual and Lifetime Licenses. Critically, all paid Fluent Forms licenses include access to every single premium feature available. Formidable Forms plans rely heavily on introductory discounts, meaning your renewal price will be substantially higher. Formidable Forms also restricts critical features like payments and advanced CRMs to higher, more expensive tiers. Fluent Forms provides better overall value and exceptional long-term savings via its popular Lifetime plan options.

      AI Functionality

      Fluent Forms uses AI for general form creation without usage limits.

      Fluent Forms

      Fluent Forms offers an AI Form-Builder and ChatGPT integration designed to accelerate content creation and setup time. This AI integration appears to have unlimited access for generation and messaging assistance. Formidable Forms also includes AI Forms but imposes a monthly quota, maxing out at 3,000 monthly requests on the Elite plan. Users needing high-volume AI prompting for numerous forms will find Fluent Forms is more flexible. The quota-free approach of Fluent Forms gives users more freedom in experimentation.

      Advanced Data Fields

      Formidable Forms includes specialized fields like Repeater sections and signatures.

      Formidable Forms

      Fluent Forms supports 60+ input fields and robust Conditional Logic for dynamic form flow design. Formidable Forms offers highly specialized fields crucial for complex registrations and applications. These include Repeater Fields, which allow users to add unlimited repeating sections of data easily. Formidable Forms also supports integrated Digital Signatures starting at the Business plan level. If your project demands capturing highly structured, repeated, or legally binding data, Formidable Forms has the edge. Repeater Fields alone are often a deciding factor for complex multi-person registrations.

      Agency Tools

      Formidable Forms offers White Labeling for professional agencies.

      Formidable Forms

      Both Fluent Forms and Formidable Forms offer Unlimited Domain licenses, making them suitable for agencies managing many client sites. However, Formidable Forms caters specifically to agencies using its top-tier Elite plan. The Elite plan includes necessary features like White Labeling and WordPress Multisite support for developers. Fluent Forms does not explicitly offer the specialized White Labeling function. For agencies aiming to deliver fully branded, scalable solutions to clients, Formidable Forms is the targeted choice.

      E-commerce & Stock

      Fluent Forms includes built-in inventory tracking for selling products.

      Fluent Forms

      Both plugins integrate major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for processing transactions within forms. A key difference is that Fluent Forms features built-in Inventory Management. This manages product stock in real-time right within the order form. Formidable Forms handles payments but lacks the explicit built-in inventory tracking feature. For selling limited-quantity products directly through a WordPress form, Fluent Forms simplifies the process significantly. Fluent Forms makes basic e-commerce fulfillment easier to manage.

      Data Documentation

      Fluent Forms converts submissions into PDFs for easy record keeping.

      Fluent Forms

      Fluent Forms includes a highly useful Form to PDF feature built right into the platform. It automatically generates a clean, secure PDF from submitted entry data upon completion. This PDF can be downloaded instantly by the user or emailed to administrators for internal records. Formidable Forms focuses more on managing data on the dashboard and through Views displays. The native PDF generation in Fluent Forms simplifies compliance and secure document exchange significantly.

      Our Verdict

      Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and user fit.

      Choosing between Fluent Forms and Formidable Forms feels like picking speed versus application power. Both are indispensable WordPress form plugins, but they target almost entirely different primary goals. For most users, Fluent Forms offers the best mix of simplicity, speed, and feature completeness right out of the box. Its builder is incredibly fast, helping you publish forms quickly. Fluent Forms’ superpower is blazing performance combined with unmatched pricing transparency and value. Every single premium feature, including advanced AI tools and PDF generation, is available on every paid tier. If you plan heavy, long-term use, Fluent Forms’ Lifetime licenses provide huge financial benefits over recurring fees. Fluent Forms also simplifies selling products through forms with built-in Inventory Management. Formidable Forms excels when your specific goal is to build actual web applications using collected data. Formidable Forms’ massive advantage is Formidable Views, which turns collected entry data into dynamic, searchable, front-end content. It also supports specialized needs like Repeater Fields and White Labeling for large agencies. Its strengths lie in providing powerful developer tools for complex data handling. The key choosing factor is dynamic data display capability. If you must have dynamic listings, directories, or searchable public user profiles, Formidable Forms is the only choice. Otherwise, pick Fluent Forms if you prioritize speed, all-inclusive features, and fantastic long-term value via a Lifetime license. Choose Formidable Forms if you earn revenue by building complex data-driven applications.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Which is better for small budgets: Fluent Forms or Formidable Forms?

      Fluent Forms is better for small budgets because it offers a permanent, robust free version for basic functionality. Formidable Forms does not have a free plan and requires an upfront annual purchase. Fluent Forms also makes all features available on its least expensive paid license.

      Does Formidable Forms renew at a higher price than Fluent Forms?

      Yes, Formidable Forms pricing is based on steep introductory discounts, often 50% off the official renewal rate. Your Formidable Forms renewal price will be significantly higher than the initial cost listed. Fluent Forms’ annual pricing is more fixed and offers high-value, non-recurring Lifetime license options.

      Can Formidable Forms display form entries on the front end like a directory?

      Yes, this feature is Formidable Forms’ greatest strength, known as Formidable Views. It transforms collected entry data into dynamic front-end content, such as listings, directories, or calendars. Fluent Forms focuses primarily on data input and reporting, not dynamic front-end display from entries.

      Are the features tiered in Fluent Forms like they are in Formidable Forms?

      No, Fluent Forms is much simpler because all paid licenses include every single premium feature available. Formidable Forms uses feature-based tiers; for instance, you need the top Elite plan for advanced CRM integration.

      Which plugin has better built-in e-commerce tools for product sales?

      Fluent Forms includes better integrated e-commerce tools, specifically its built-in Inventory Management feature. This allows real-time stock tracking for products sold via form. Both Fluent Forms and Formidable Forms seamlessly integrate major third-party payment gateways.

      Which is better for agencies that manage client websites?

      Formidable Forms is superior for specialized agencies requiring the Elite plan’s features. It uniquely includes necessary functions like White Labeling and WordPress Multisite support. Fluent Forms is still a strong contender with its Unlimited Domain license option.

      Ready to Choose?

      Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.