Formidable Forms vs Ninja Forms
Choosing between Formidable Forms and Ninja Forms is a battle between power and price. Formidable Forms is the heavyweight application builder for complex projects. Ninja Forms offers unmatched modularity and a fantastic, genuinely free option. We'll show you exactly how to pick the right one for your budget and goals.
The essential builder for complex web applications.
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.
Robust Builder, Inconsistent Service
We appreciate Ninja Forms for its robust core plugin and highly modular payment structure, offering genuine value for growing businesses. However, external feedback shows severe inconsistency in technical support responsiveness, particularly regarding critical bug fixes. Overall, the product is feature-rich and reliable for core functions, but we urge caution for users dependent on immediate priority support for premium add-ons.
Pros
- Generous free Core plan includes unlimited forms and submissions.
- Flexible modular pricing lets users purchase individual add-ons as needed.
- The drag-and-drop builder makes form creation straightforward.
- Strong commitment to compliance (GDPR/HIPAA) and accessibility (WCAG2).
Cons
- Technical support can be inconsistent or slow to address critical bugs.
- Users report a lack of transparency regarding timelines for fixes to paid add-ons.
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.
AboutNinja Forms
Ninja Forms is a robust, reliable WordPress forms plugin. Over 50,000,000 downloads show it is a foundation of the WordPress platform. This tool is built to handle anything from simple contact forms to advanced industrial applications. The drag-and-drop builder makes form creation straightforward and highly customizable. It’s perfect for growing businesses, organizations, and professional developers doing client work. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Application Builder
Formidable Forms excels at dynamic data display using integrated Views. Ninja Forms focuses purely on form creation and submission collection.
Formidable Forms transforms collected entries into front-end content. You can create searchable directories, user profiles, or event calendars easily. Ninja Forms focuses heavily on submissions and data collection in the backend. It lacks the integrated 'Views' feature needed to display form data dynamically on the front end. This is the biggest separation: Formidable Forms is a web application builder, not just a form tool. If you aim to create listings or complex display reports, Formidable Forms is essential.
Pricing Flexibility
Ninja Forms offers a generous free plan and allows individual add-on purchases. Formidable Forms operates on bundled annual subscriptions only.
Formidable Forms requires a paid subscription starting at the Basic level ($39.50/yr introductory price). Features progress through fixed tiers; you must upgrade the whole plan to unlock single add-ons. Ninja Forms provides a genuinely free Core plan with unlimited forms and powerful calculations. Its modular system lets users buy just one specific feature, avoiding expensive bundles. If you only need PayPal payments and conditional logic, Ninja Forms provides huge initial value. Formidable Forms is a better value if you need the entire suite of advanced tools right away.
Customer Support
Formidable Forms' support is consistently rapid and highly praised for quality. Ninja Forms' support has been criticized for slow transparency on bugs.
Formidable Forms users describe the support team as knowledgeable, friendly, and very responsive. Supporters often reply within hours and provide customized solutions like code snippets. Ninja Forms support strives to respond within 24 hours but reviews cite recent critical issues. Users report waiting six weeks for updates on known bugs within paid premium add-ons. Formidable Forms appears more committed to rapid, quality resolution, bolstering customer trust. For mission-critical forms or client sites, dependable support is a major deciding factor.
Advanced Form Fields
Formidable Forms includes repeaters and enhanced logic earlier in its tiers. Ninja Forms offers advanced features like calculations in its free core plan.
Formidable Forms includes critical developer features like Repeater Fields starting in its Basic plan. Repeaters allow users to add unlimited repeating sections, simplifying complex registrations. Ninja Forms includes advanced data calculations inside its free Core plugin. This is perfect for building self-scoring quizzes or simple instant quote forms at no charge. Formidable Forms is the winner for overall complexity and handling multi-person data efficiently. However, Ninja Forms wins on initial value by making calculations free for all users.
Compliance & Accessibility
Ninja Forms explicitly targets HIPAA, GDPR, and WCAG2 accessibility standards. Formidable Forms includes standard spam and security methods.
Ninja Forms helps users meet complex requirements for GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and PCI standards. They provide granular controls for managing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) efficiently. Formidable Forms includes reCAPTCHA v2 and honeypot for spam prevention and general security. While secure, Formidable Forms does not explicitly name WCAG2 accessibility commitments. If you sell services to healthcare, education, or government, Ninja Forms is slightly safer. Its explicit commitment to full accessibility ensures forms are never a barrier for users.
Payment Options
Ninja Forms accepts PayPal earlier (Plus plan). Formidable Forms is better structured for complex e-commerce integrations via WooCommerce.
Ninja Forms users can accept payments via PayPal starting with their low-cost Plus plan. Stripe and other advanced gateways require upgrading to the higher-priced Pro plan. Formidable Forms includes Stripe and PayPal starting at the Business tier. Its Elite plan offers a specific, deep WooCommerce Form Action integration. Ninja Forms offers a lower entry point for basic payment collection. Formidable Forms provides a more robust solution for those integrating forms directly into e-commerce flows.
Our Verdict
Choosing between Formidable Forms and Ninja Forms means deciding between raw application power and budget flexibility. If you need a fully functional form builder right now without spending a penny, Ninja Forms wins easily with its free Core plan. Formidable Forms is the undisputed champion if your goal is building advanced web applications. Its unique Formidable Views feature transforms submissions into beautiful, dynamic front-end content and searchable directories. Plus, Formidable Forms' customer support consistency is top-tier, solving technical problems quickly. Ninja Forms shines for modularity and compliance. You can start free and buy only the specific add-ons you need, like PayPal integration or conditional logic. Ninja Forms also makes serious commitments to accessibility and helps manage GDPR/HIPAA-level compliance. The deciding factor is your output: Do you just need to collect data, or do you need to display that data? If displaying entries is critical (listings, profiles), Formidable Forms is mandatory for its Views feature. Pick Formidable Forms if you run an agency or build complex calculators and listings. Choose Ninja Forms if you need a flexible free entry point, value compliance, or want to purchase premium features one by one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more budget-friendly: Formidable Forms or Ninja Forms?
Ninja Forms is more budget-friendly as it offers a genuinely powerful Core free plan. If you only need a few premium features, Ninja Forms lets you buy those add-ons individually. Formidable Forms requires an annual bundle purchase to start accessing any premium features.
Does Formidable Forms have a feature like Ninja Forms’ free core plugin?
No, Formidable Forms does not offer a permanent free core plugin for continuous use. Formidable Forms operates on paid annual subscriptions. However, both Formidable Forms and Ninja Forms offer a 14-day, money-back guarantee for risk-free testing of their paid plans.
Which form builder is better for creating searchable front-end listings?
Formidable Forms is significantly better for front-end listings because of its powerful Formidable Views feature. Formidable Views is an integrated application builder that turns form entries into dynamic content. Ninja Forms cannot perform this function without a separate third-party plugin.
Is Ninja Forms or Formidable Forms better for agencies handling multiple client sites?
Formidable Forms and Ninja Forms both offer an Elite plan with unlimited site licenses. Formidable Forms has an edge for agencies due to its White Labeling feature. Ninja Forms offers modularity which might be appealing if clients only need basic features.
Which platform offers better data compliance tools for HIPAA or GDPR?
Ninja Forms is better for managing high compliance requirements like HIPAA and GDPR. They offer specific tools for managing PII and are explicitly committed to WCAG2 accessibility standards. Formidable Forms includes standard security but lacks this specific compliance focus.
Why are some users complaining about Ninja Forms' premium customer support?
Reviews indicate inconsistency and a severe lack of transparency on critical bug fixes in paid add-ons. Some users were told, 'Sorry, I do not have an update,' even after six weeks of waiting. Formidable Forms, in contrast, consistently earns high marks for rapid, knowledgeable support.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.