Forms are the foundation of data collection. It is a link between you and the valuable data you seek.

However, in a world where data security and customization are critical, self-hosted form builders are gaining attention. These are not just tools; they offer autonomy in data management.

Let’s explore the universe of self-hosted form builders, where you can control your data.

What is a self-hosted form builder?

A self-hosted form builder is a software that lets users create and manage online forms on their own servers. This form builder provides greater control over data and the form-building process compared to traditional platforms.

With a self-hosted form builder, users install and run the form-building software on their servers or hosting infrastructure. Users control their data stored on their servers, not on external servers managed by a third-party service provider.

Organizations that value data ownership, privacy, and customization prefer using a self-hosted form builder. The form builder requires more technical setup than cloud-based options. However, many users believe that the control and security benefits outweigh the added complexity.

Benefits of open-source form builders

Open-source form builders offer several advantages, making it a preferred choice for individuals and organizations with specific needs and preferences. Here are some key reasons why someone might choose a self-hosted form builder:

• Ownership: With a self-hosted solution, you have full ownership and control over the data collected through your forms. It is crucial for sensitive information and when compliance with data protection regulations is a priority.
• Increased security: Hosting forms on your servers or trusted hosting lets you customize security measures to fit your needs.
• Custom Solutions: Self-hosted form builders often provide more extensive customization options. You can integrate specific features and adapt them to unique use cases.
• Autonomy: You can reduce dependence on external services. This autonomy means you’re independent of a third-party platform’s changes or limitations.
• Seamless Workflow: Self-hosted solutions often allow easy integration with other tools and systems. That is beneficial for businesses with existing software infrastructure.
• Offline Access: Self-hosted form builders may provide offline access to forms.

Top 5 self-hosted form builders

To help you choose the right open-source form builder, we created a list of top self-hosted form builder software.

1- Formaloo

Formaloo is the ultimate solution to create forms that stand out from the crowd. It is the best free online form builder for businesses of all sizes.

Formaloo is a form and app builder with all the features you need for any business and industry.

It helps you collect all the data and form submissions in one place. You can create custom apps where you add tables, charts, and boards. Share access with your teammates and control their access levels depending on their roles.

Apart from the form-building feature set, you can create custom, secure applications within your on-premise environment.

Formaloo allows for creating smart forms with 30+ validating form fields and conditional logic for accurate data collection. With its drag-and-drop tool and user-friendly form designer, you can improve your business process and user experience.

Its upgraded security measures ensure that sensitive information stays within the fortified confines of your servers, making data privacy essential. With SSO, advanced permissions, and roles, your teams can collaborate securely across your entire organization.

For instance, a business handling complex workflows can customize a self-hosted app through Formaloo, simplifying internal processes. A healthcare institution can create confidential patient information forms within its secured environment, compliant with strict regulations.

Businesses who use Formaloo, replace it with 2+ tools in their organization over 6 months timeline.

Formaloo’s unique combination of dynamic form creation and the empowerment of self-hosted applications is what sets it apart.

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2- LimeSurvey

LimeSurvey is an open-source survey tool that allows you to easily create, publish, and collect survey data.

LimeSurvey offers a range of question types, including multiple-choice, text input, numerical input, and more. Group questions and control survey flow based on user responses using conditional logic.

LimeSurvey is a powerful survey tool, but its user interface can be a bit challenging to learn. Unlike the seamless experience offered by platforms like Formaloo, navigating LimeSurvey might not be as intuitive for some users. Especially if you’re not too tech-savvy, building intricate forms on LimeSurvey could pose a challenge due to its complexity.

While it provides basic analysis and survey results, it’s worth noting that LimeSurvey falls short in terms of advanced analytics features.

3- OhMyForm

OhMyForm is an open-source platform that provides an alternative to creating and managing online forms. With OhMyForm, users can design and deploy various forms, such as surveys, feedback forms, or contact forms on their websites.

OhMyForm is self-hosted, so users can fully control their data and the form-building process.

If you need to create online forms, OhMyForm is a reliable open-source option. However, it’s important to note that it may not offer as many features as other platforms like Formaloo.

With open-source projects, user support mainly comes from the community and isn’t always immediate or comprehensive. OhMyForm’s analytics are also basic, so if you need in-depth data analysis, it may not be the best choice.

4- FormTools

FormTools is an advanced open-source PHP/MySQL framework you can embed on your website to manage your forms and data.

FormTools is a platform that helps you build customizable forms but requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain. Unlike other simple form builders, you must install FormTools on your server, which may require an additional step.

Additionally, FormTools uses a specific programming language and database that may require some technical expertise to configure correctly. Because FormTools is open-source software, the support available may not be as extensive as other alternatives like Formaloo. This means users may need to rely on community support or their problem-solving skills to troubleshoot the issues.

FormTools is a good choice for creating personalized forms. However, it is important to consider the balance between customization and user-friendliness before making a decision.

5- Form.io

Form.io is a form builder and data management platform with a serverless backend.

Despite being user-friendly, Form.io can be somewhat intimidating for beginners, particularly those aiming to create complex forms. The learning curve extends to API management, adding a layer of complexity for users not well-versed in this aspect.

Moreover, while Form.io has customization features, it is not as good as popular form builders like Formaloo. It doesn’t have all the options for highly customized and visually polished forms.

What makes Formaloo special as a self-hosted form builder?

As the demand for software increases, the need for effective form builders grows as well. There are several open-source builders available, each with unique features and benefits.

However, what sets Formaloo apart and makes it worth considering?

Formaloo is a highly secure, self-hosted form builder that offers enterprise-grade security and access control. It supports large data collection and provides advanced reports and analytics. Sync your data and workflows with SQL databases and Big Tables that can handle up to 10 million rows per project.

While all the form builders mentioned are useful for personal use, Formaloo is a great choice for businesses and teams.

The platform offers a safe form and app builder. It is hosted on your own servers. Additionally, it allows team members to access the data they need. It ensures high security for this access.

In conclusion, Formaloo offers a SAML-based Single Sign-On (SSO) for secure access, ensuring elevated authentication standards. What sets Formaloo apart is its provision of self-hosted data-driven tools that can be built and maintained without code.

Formaloo stands out for its commitment to customer success. With a dedicated team, users receive personalized assistance in designing and scaling their Formaloo workspace.

Enterprise customers enjoy additional perks, including priority support and a wealth of resources such as on-demand videos, templates, and tutorials. Moreover, Formaloo facilitates integrations with other business-critical tools and databases to automate your workflows.

For more information, request a demo call with our team and find the best solution for your use case. Follow us on our YouTube channel for more useful content.