Fluent Forms vs WPForms: The Ultimate Showdown (2024)

Fluent Forms vs WPForms

Fluent Forms is the better choice for users seeking advanced features at a lower price point, while WPForms excels in ease of use and premium support for large-scale projects. Both plugins are excellent, but your choice will depend on your specific needs.

When it comes to WordPress form builder plugins, Fluent Forms and WPForms are two of the most popular options. Both are packed with features that cater to beginners and advanced users alike, but they differ in pricing, functionality, and user experience.

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In this article, we’ll dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of these two plugins to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Fluent Forms vs WPForms: Quick Comparison Table

FeaturesFluent Forms logo
Fluent Forms
WPForms logo
WPForms
Free Version FeaturesExtensiveBasic
Drag-and-Drop Builder
Conditional Logic
Multi-Step Forms
Payment IntegrationsPayPal, Stripe, etc.PayPal, Stripe, etc.
Survey & Polls
Conversational Forms
Entry Management
Pricing (Starting)$79 $47/year (1 site)
$159 $95/year (5 sites)
$299 $179/year (unlimited)
$99 $49.50/year (1 site)
$199 $99.50/year (3 sites)
$399 $199.50/year (5 sites)
$599 $299.50/year (unlimited)
Lifetime Pricing$349 $244 (1 site)
$599 $419 (1 site)
$899 $629 (unlimited)
Not Available
Get Special PricingGet Fluent Forms (40% discount)Get WPForms (50% discount)

Price Comparison: Fluent Forms vs WPForms

Fluent Forms Pricing

Fluent Forms: Affordable and Flexible

Rating: 9/10 Stars

One of Fluent Forms’ biggest selling points is its flexible pricing structure. The plugin offers both annual subscriptions and lifetime licenses, catering to users who want long-term value without recurring costs.

For example:

  • Single Site Annual Plan: $79 $47/year (special pricing)
  • Unlimited Sites Annual Plan: $299 $179/year (special pricing)
  • Lifetime Plans: Start at $349 $244 for a single site, scaling up to $899 $629 for unlimited sites.

This lifetime option is a game-changer for developers, agencies, and businesses managing multiple websites. Once purchased, you won’t have to worry about annual renewals, which can save a significant amount over time.

The free version of Fluent Forms also stands out because it includes features like conditional logic, multi-step forms, and integrations with email marketing tools—features that are often locked behind paywalls in competing plugins.

WPForms Pricing

WPForms: Premium Pricing for Premium Features

Rating: 7/10 Stars

WPForms takes a more traditional approach with its yearly subscription model. Here’s how their pricing breaks down:

  • Basic Plan: $99 $49.50/year (1 site)
  • Plus Plan: $199 $99.50/year (3 sites)
  • Pro Plan: $399 $199.50/year (5 sites)
  • Elite Plan: $599 $299.50/year (unlimited sites)

While WPForms doesn’t offer lifetime licenses, its annual plans are designed to cater to different user tiers, from individual bloggers to large-scale enterprises.

However, advanced features like form abandonment recovery and surveys are only available in higher-tier plans like Pro or Elite.

Price-to-Value Analysis

Fluent Forms provides more bang for your buck, especially if you’re looking for advanced features at an affordable price point or a one-time payment option.

WPForms justifies its higher cost with excellent customer support and user-friendly design but may feel overpriced for small businesses or hobbyists.

In terms of pricing, Fluent Forms wins hands down due to its affordability and lifetime licensing options.

Key Features: Fluent Forms vs WPForms

Fluent Forms settings in WordPress

Fluent Forms: A Feature-Packed Powerhouse

Rating: 9/10 Stars

Fluent Forms doesn’t hold back when it comes to features. Even in the free version, you get access to tools that many plugins lock behind premium plans.

Some standout features include:

  • Advanced Conditional Logic: Create dynamic forms that adapt based on user input.
  • Form Calculations: Perfect for creating order forms or quizzes with real-time calculations.
  • Conversational Forms: Engage users with interactive forms that feel like a chat conversation.
  • PDF Generation: Automatically generate PDFs from form submissions—a must-have for legal or business documentation.
  • Third-party Integrations: Seamlessly connect with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, CRMs like HubSpot, and payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
  • Pre-built Templates: Over 65 templates make it easy to get started without designing forms from scratch.

The Pro version adds even more depth with features like SMS notifications, webhook support, and integration with automation tools like Zapier.

WPForms settings in WordPress

WPForms: Simplicity Meets Functionality

Rating: 8/10 Stars

WPForms is designed with ease of use in mind but doesn’t skimp on essential features:

  • Drag-and-Drop Builder: Build forms visually without touching a single line of code.
  • Conditional Logic: Customize form behavior based on user responses.
  • Surveys & Polls Add-on: Gather feedback with detailed reporting tools.
  • Form Abandonment Recovery: Capture partial submissions to reduce lost leads.
  • Geolocation Data Collection: Track where your users are filling out forms.
  • Post Submissions Add-on: Allow users to submit guest posts directly through your site.

However, many of these features are locked behind higher-tier plans, which could be a drawback for budget-conscious users.

Fluent Forms takes the lead here due to its extensive feature set available at lower price points.

Real-world Performance: Fluent Forms vs WPForms

Fluent Forms website

Fluent Forms: Lightweight and Fast

Rating: 9/10 Stars

When it comes to performance, Fluent Forms is built with speed in mind. The plugin is lightweight, loading less than 30KB of CSS and JavaScript per form.

This ensures that your website remains fast even as you add more forms or receive high volumes of submissions.

During testing on a WordPress site with multiple plugins installed, Fluent Forms maintained excellent page load times without noticeable slowdowns.

This makes it an ideal choice for performance-conscious developers or businesses running e-commerce sites where speed directly impacts conversions.

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WPForms website

WPForms: Reliable but Heavier

Rating: 8/10 Stars

WPForms is also reliable but tends to be slightly heavier due to its extensive feature set and add-ons.

On smaller websites or blogs, this won’t be an issue; however, on larger sites with high traffic or complex setups, you might notice a slight impact on load times.

That said, WPForms is highly stable and handles large volumes of submissions efficiently without crashing or timing out—a critical factor for enterprise-level projects.

Fluent Forms wins this category due to its lightweight design and minimal impact on website performance.

User Experience: Fluent Forms vs WPForms

Fluent Forms: Intuitive but Feature-Rich

Rating: 8/10 Stars

Fluent Forms strikes a balance between usability and functionality. Its drag-and-drop builder is intuitive enough for beginners but includes advanced options that power users will appreciate. However, the abundance of features might feel overwhelming if you’re new to form builders.

One standout aspect is the ability to preview changes in real time. This makes it easier to fine-tune your forms without switching back and forth between the editor and live site.

WPForms: Designed for Beginners

Rating: 9/10 Stars

WPForms excels in user experience thanks to its clean interface and beginner-friendly design. The drag-and-drop builder is straightforward, making it easy to create complex forms without any technical expertise.

Additionally, WPForms offers detailed onboarding tutorials and tooltips throughout the interface—perfect for first-time users who might feel intimidated by other plugins.

WPForms edges out Fluent Forms in this category due to its simplicity and beginner-friendly approach.

Build Quality

Both plugins are built by reputable teams with excellent coding standards:

  • Fluent Forms is developed by WPManageNinja, known for creating high-quality WordPress tools. (Rating: 9/10 Stars)
  • WPForms comes from Awesome Motive, the team behind popular plugins like OptinMonster and MonsterInsights. (Rating: 9/10 Stars)

Both plugins are regularly updated with new features and bug fixes, ensuring compatibility with the latest WordPress versions.

This category ends in a tie as both plugins demonstrate excellent build quality and reliability.

Final Verdict & Recommendations

Total Scores

CategoryFluent Forms logo
Fluent Forms
WPForms logo
WPForms
Price Comparison9/107/10
Key Features9/108/10
Real-world Performance9/108/10
User Experience8/109/10
Build Quality9/109/10
Total Score44/5041/50
Winner: Fluent Forms (44/50 Stars)

FAQ

How do WPForms and Fluent Forms compare to each other?

WPForms is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and beginner-focused simplicity, while Fluent Forms offers greater flexibility, performance, and advanced customization at a more competitive price. The right choice depends on whether ease of use or advanced features is your priority.

Is Fluent Forms a good investment?

Fluent Forms is considered a worthwhile investment, particularly for users who need a fast, feature-rich, and highly customizable form plugin at an affordable price. It offers great value with features like conditional logic, integrations, and multi-step forms, making it a strong alternative to competitors.

Does WPForms have a free version available?

WPForms offers a free version called WPForms Lite. This version provides basic features like simple drag-and-drop form creation, but many advanced features, such as payment integrations and conditional logic, require a paid plan.

Which form plugin is the top choice for WordPress?

WPForms stands out for its ease of use and beginner-friendly design, while Fluent Forms is a top choice for advanced users seeking versatility and affordability. Both are excellent, but the “best” plugin varies based on the project requirements.

Is WPForms compatible with Elementor?

WPForms is fully compatible with Elementor. You can easily embed WPForms into Elementor-designed pages using the WPForms widget or shortcode, ensuring seamless integration and design consistency.

Which WordPress form plugin offers the best free features?

Fluent Forms is often praised for offering the most robust free features among WordPress form plugins. Its free version includes advanced tools like conditional logic, multi-step forms, and integrations, which competitors like WPForms Lite do not provide.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful form builder packed with advanced features like PDF generation and lifetime pricing options, go with Fluent Forms—it’s a perfect WordPress plugin for developers, agencies, or anyone managing multiple sites.

On the other hand, if ease of use and premium support are your top priorities—especially for large-scale projects—WPForms is worth considering despite its higher price point.

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