Cognito Forms

Getting started with Cognito Forms is straightforward. You can jump straight into building a form.

When creating a new form, you have several starting points: use the AI form generator, choose from 100+ templates organized by industry, or start from scratch. The template library is genuinely helpful, covering specific use cases like "job application with references" or "HIPAA-compliant patient intake form."

The AI form generator works, but it's slow. Unlike some competitors, where AI feels instant, Cognito's AI takes its time processing requests. When it does deliver, the results are functional, but the wait can be frustrating. It's a useful feature that needs performance improvements.

The form builder itself is decent. The interface uses a drag-and-drop system with field placeholders that make sense once you get used to it. One standout feature: placing two questions side by side is easier and more prominent than in most form builders. This makes creating efficient, compact forms simpler than competitors.

However, the dashboard feels sluggish and could use optimization. Navigation between forms and managing multiple projects isn't as smooth as it should be. Once you're in the form builder, things improve, but that initial dashboard experience needs work.
The learning curve is steeper than simple form builders like Typeform, but that's because Cognito offers more sophisticated features. For users who need calculations, complex conditional logic, lookup fields, or multi-step workflows, the extra complexity is justified.

Cognito Forms deserves a perfect score for features. This is where the tool truly shines and justifies its position among top-tier form builders.
Workflow automation is exceptional. You can set up approval processes, route forms to different people based on conditions, trigger actions at specific stages, and manage complex multi-step processes; all built into the platform. This isn't a bolt-on feature; it's core to how Cognito thinks about forms.

Calculations and conditional logic are industry-leading. You can perform complex mathematical operations, reference data from other fields, create dynamic pricing, and build forms that behave like small applications. The expression builder is powerful enough for developers but usable enough for non-technical users who take the time to learn it.

Repeating sections and tables let users add multiple rows of data dynamically, perfect for job applications with multiple employers, event registrations with multiple attendees, or any scenario where you don't know how many items someone needs to submit.

HIPAA compliance is available on paid plans without requiring custom pricing ($129). This is rare and valuable for healthcare organizations, therapists, medical practices, and anyone collecting protected health information in US.

Payment integrations include Stripe, PayPal, and Square. While the selection isn't as extensive as Jotform's, it covers the main providers most businesses need.

Client Portal and Guest Access (available on Team and Enterprise plans) provides a secure, self-service hub where clients can submit forms, view previous submissions, and track progress. It's excellent for ongoing client relationships.

The platform integrates well with other tools through Zapier and JSON webhooks, giving you flexibility to connect with your existing tech stack.

What's missing? Advanced analytics and reporting could be stronger. Data enrichment features aren't built-in. Design customization is somewhat limited.

Cognito Forms looks dated. There's no way around that. The forms are functional, but they won't make you look good. So, if you need forms that look modern and premium out of the box, you'll be disappointed.

The default form styles feel like they're from an earlier era of web design. You can customize colors, fonts, and layouts, but even with customization, achieving a truly modern aesthetic requires CSS knowledge and effort.

The good news: if your priority is function over form, Cognito delivers. The forms work well, they're mobile-responsive, and they're clear and readable. For internal forms, workflow processes, or situations where design is secondary to functionality, this isn't a dealbreaker.

For customer-facing forms where first impressions matter (like lead generation or event registration) you'll need to invest time in styling or accept that your forms will look basic.

Cognito Forms offers some of the most competitive pricing in the form builder space. This is where it truly outshines many competitors.

The free plan is genuinely useful. Unlimited forms with 100 submissions per month work for many small businesses, nonprofits, and personal projects. Having payment processing on the free tier is particularly generous.

The main consideration: if you need extensive team collaboration or very high submission volumes, costs can increase. But compared to competitors, Cognito remains significantly more affordable for similar capability levels.