How to Build Your Own Paperform
Replace Paperform with a custom build. Free Online Form Builder & Form Creator for SMBs
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 81 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 81 features
Payments(9 features)
3D Secure authentication for Braintree and Stripe payments
Apply coupons and discounts to payments and subscriptions
Define conditions that manipulate the final price of a product or service
Process refunds directly from the dashboard
Support for Stripe, Square, Braintree, PayPal Business, Google Pay and more
+4 more in this category
Security(8 features)
Encrypted storage of form submissions
GDPR compliant form builder
Choose where your data is stored
Add ReCAPTCHA protection to forms for spam prevention
Enforce two-factor authentication for all users
+3 more in this category
Automation(6 features)
Automatically close form submissions based on number or date
Create conditional and time-based submission redirects
Send emails to anyone including respondents based on form submissions
AI-native workflow automation for routing approvals, handing off tasks and keeping systems in sync
Get notified when new submissions arrive
+1 more in this category
Form Experience(6 features)
Use previous answers to populate subsequent questions
Allow respondents to save progress and resume later
Create custom thank you/success pages with dynamic content
Display one question at a time for a more interactive and approachable form experience
Allow respondents to save and see partial form submissions
+1 more in this category
Integration(6 features)
Connect with 2000+ apps via native integrations, Zapier, Make and webhooks
Advanced API access for enterprise features
Send form data directly to external services without storing in Paperform
Access Paperform via API for custom integrations
Send form data to external services via webhooks
+1 more in this category
Media(6 features)
Access Adobe Creative Cloud assets in forms
Access animated GIFs from GIPHY library
In-app image editor for customizing photos
Add images, GIFs and videos to forms (body, background, products, questions)
Embed videos and other media from popular platforms
+1 more in this category
Form Fields(5 features)
Wide variety of input field types for data collection
Built-in scheduling and booking field for forms
Allow respondents to select colors within forms
Auto-complete address fields using Google's address API
Collect digital signatures within forms
Logic & Automation(4 features)
Write formulas to determine results based on other answers
Show/hide questions, content, emails and summaries based on respondent answers
Mark questions as required and show conditionally
Define rules that add up an overall score for your form
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Paperform
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 81 features at easy complexity.