Tally Forms caught fire in 2023 by offering unlimited forms and responses completely free. I started using it for quick surveys and feedback forms, and honestly? The simplicity is refreshing. No pricing tiers to think about, no response limits to hit, just build forms and collect data.
The Notion-style editor feels familiar if you've used block-based tools. Drag blocks around, add questions, customize logic, done. The learning curve is gentle compared to complex form builders like Jotform that have dozens of field types and settings.
But after building maybe 20-30 forms over the past year, some limitations emerged. The design customization is minimal: you get basic color changes and logo upload, but you can't fully brand forms to match your site. Typeform and Paperform offer way more design control if aesthetics matter.
Integrations are another weak point. Tally connects to Notion, Google Sheets, Slack, and a handful of other tools. But compared to Jotform's 100+ native integrations or Zapier support across thousands of apps, Tally feels limited. If your workflow depends on pushing form data to specific systems, Tally might not connect.
Conditional logic works but it's simpler than what power users need. You can show/hide fields based on answers, but advanced branching gets clunky. For straightforward forms, it's fine. For complex surveys with multiple paths, tools like Typeform or Jotform handle it better.
That said, Tally's free tier is genuinely incredible. Unlimited forms, unlimited responses, file uploads, payment processing via Stripe. Most form builder alternatives cap responses or forms on free tiers. For bootstrapped startups, side projects, or anyone watching costs, Tally is hard to beat.
If you're considering alternatives, it's usually because you need more design control, better integrations, or advanced features that Tally intentionally keeps simple. Let's explore what else exists.
Why Look Beyond Tally Forms?
Tally is great for simple forms, but its minimalism becomes limiting for certain use cases. Here's what pushes people toward alternatives.
Design Customization Is Limited
Tally lets you change colors, add a logo, and pick fonts. That's it. You can't fully customize the form layout, add background images, or match your brand's exact design language. The forms look clean but generic. For customer-facing forms that need to feel branded, Typeform and Paperform offer way more design flexibility.
I built a lead generation form for a client and couldn't make it match their site aesthetics. Ended up using Fillout instead because it allowed custom CSS and more layout control.
Integration Ecosystem Is Narrow
Tally connects to maybe 10-15 tools natively: Notion, Google Sheets, Slack, Zapier, and a few others. Jotform has 100+ direct integrations. If your workflow requires pushing data to specific CRMs, email marketing tools, or project management systems, Tally might not connect.
Zapier support helps, but it's an extra subscription and adds complexity. Native integrations are smoother.
Advanced Logic Gets Clunky
Tally supports basic conditional logic: show field X if answer to Y is Z. For simple branching, this works. But complex surveys with multiple paths, calculated fields, or logic that depends on combinations of answers get messy fast. Typeform and Jotform are built for complex logic and handle it more elegantly.
Analytics Are Basic
Tally shows you response counts and individual submissions. That's basically it. No charts, no completion rate tracking, no drop-off analysis. Google Forms has better built-in analytics. Typeform's Insights feature is leagues ahead. If you need to analyze form performance, Tally's reporting is too simple.
File Upload Storage Limits
Tally allows file uploads on free tier, which is awesome. But there's a 50MB limit per submission. For most use cases (resumes, images), that's fine. For video submissions or large design files, it's not enough. Jotform and Paperform have higher limits on paid tiers.
No Phone Support or Priority Help
Tally offers email support and a help center. Response times are decent but there's no live chat, phone support, or dedicated account managers even on paid tiers (Tally Pro is coming but not fully rolled out yet). Jotform and Typeform offer priority support for paid customers, which matters for businesses running critical forms.
What Makes a Good Alternative?
Switching form builders is annoying because you need to rebuild existing forms. Here's what to prioritize to make the switch worthwhile.
Form Complexity Needs
Are you building simple contact forms or complex multi-step surveys? Tally handles simple well. If you need advanced conditional logic, calculated fields, or multi-page forms with complex branching, look for tools built for that. Typeform and Jotform excel at complexity.
Design and Branding Requirements
Does the form need to look like part of your website? Tally's customization is limited. If branding matters, choose tools that offer custom CSS, background images, and full layout control. Paperform and Typeform let you match your brand closely. Google Forms doesn't care about aesthetics at all.
Integration Requirements
What tools does your form data need to connect with? List them before choosing an alternative. Check if your new tool has native integrations or requires Zapier/Make as a middleman. Native integrations are always smoother and faster.
Response Volume and Storage
Tally offers unlimited responses free. Most alternatives cap responses on free tiers: Google Forms is unlimited (but lacks features), Typeform caps at 10 responses/month free, Jotform allows 100 submissions/month. If you collect high volume, check the limits and calculate costs.
Pricing Reality Check
Tally is free (with Pro tier coming eventually). Alternatives range from free with limits (Google Forms, Jotform) to expensive subscriptions (Typeform starts at $25/month, Paperform is $24/month). Run the annual cost: $25/month is $300/year. Is better design and features worth $300? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Ease of Migration
Most form builders don't import Tally forms automatically. You'll manually rebuild them. Budget time for this. Complex forms with lots of logic might take hours to recreate. Simple contact forms take minutes.
Typeform
Typeform pioneered the one-question-at-a-time form experience and remains the gold standard for beautiful, engaging forms.
The design is what sets Typeform apart. Forms feel like conversations: one question appears, you answer, the next slides in. The animations, transitions, and overall polish make filling out forms actually pleasant. Tally shows all questions on one page (or sections); Typeform's approach is more engaging and typically gets higher completion rates.
Customization options are extensive. Custom fonts, background images, full branding control, even custom CSS on higher tiers. You can make Typeform forms that perfectly match your site's aesthetics. Tally can't compete here.
Conditional logic is powerful and intuitive. Create complex branching surveys with multiple paths based on answers. The logic jump interface makes it easy to visualize and build. Tally's logic works but feels clunkier in comparison.
Integrations are solid: connects to Google Sheets, Slack, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce, and dozens more. Zapier support extends this to thousands of apps. For workflow automation, Typeform beats Tally.
The analytics dashboard (Insights) shows completion rates, drop-off points, and aggregated data in charts. This helps optimize forms for better conversion. Tally has none of this.
Where Typeform frustrates: the pricing is aggressive. Free tier caps you at 10 responses per month. That's borderline unusable for any real use case. Basic is $25/month (annual billing) for 100 responses. Tally is completely free with unlimited responses. For high-volume forms, Typeform gets expensive fast. See our Typeform vs Tally comparison.
Performance can lag with very long forms. The one-question-at-a-time approach is engaging but adds load time between questions if your connection is slow.
Use Typeform if completion rates and design quality matter enough to justify the cost. Stick with Tally if volume is high and budget is tight.
Jotform
Jotform is the Swiss Army knife of form builders. It does everything, which is both its strength and weakness. The interface is cluttered, but the feature set is unmatched.
The form builder offers over 400 templates and a drag-and-drop editor that's more powerful than Tally's. You get conditional logic, calculated fields, payment processing, e-signatures, file uploads, multi-page forms, the works. If you can imagine a form feature, Jotform probably has it.
Integrations are where Jotform really shines. Over 100 native integrations with CRMs, email tools, payment processors, project management apps, storage services. Plus Zapier support. Tally's ~10 integrations feel limiting in comparison. For businesses with complex workflows, Jotform's connection ecosystem is valuable.
The form types are diverse: standard forms, card forms (Typeform-style one-at-a-time), classic forms, all with different UX approaches. You can build exactly what you need. Tally has one form style; Jotform has many.
Pricing is middle-ground: free tier allows 100 submissions per month, 5 forms, 10MB storage. Starter is $34/month for 1,000 submissions. More expensive than Tally (free unlimited) but cheaper than Typeform for similar response volume.
Where Jotform struggles: the interface is dated and overwhelming. There are so many options, settings, and features that finding what you need takes effort. Tally's simplicity is refreshing by comparison. For casual users, Jotform's complexity is overkill.
Performance can lag with complex forms. Load times are slower than Tally or Typeform. The forms work fine but don't feel as snappy.
The design aesthetics are functional but not beautiful. You can customize extensively, but even customized Jotform forms don't look as polished as Typeform. Tally's default design is cleaner.
Use Jotform if you need advanced features, tons of integrations, and don't mind interface complexity. Stick with Tally for simplicity and cost savings.
Fillout
Fillout is the newer alternative that's basically Tally but with more features and design flexibility. It's become my go-to for projects that outgrow Tally.
The editor feels similar to Tally's block-based approach, so the learning curve is minimal if you're switching. But Fillout adds capabilities Tally lacks: more field types, better conditional logic, custom CSS for design control, and embedded forms that blend into your site seamlessly.
Integrations are stronger than Tally. Native connections to Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets, Slack, plus Zapier and Make support. Not as extensive as Jotform but better than Tally's limited options.
The design customization is a big step up. You can adjust layouts, add custom CSS, control spacing and sizing, and create forms that actually match your site's branding. Tally gives you color and logo; Fillout gives you control.
Conditional logic is more flexible than Tally's. You can build complex branching, show/hide sections based on multiple conditions, and create dynamic forms that adapt to user input. Still not as powerful as Typeform's logic but noticeably better than Tally.
Pricing is competitive: free tier is generous (unlimited forms, 1,000 submissions per month), Pro is $29/month for 10,000 submissions. More expensive than Tally but the feature set justifies it if you need what Fillout offers.
Where Fillout falls short: it's newer, so the template library and community resources are smaller than Jotform or Typeform. You're building more from scratch. Also, analytics are still basic (better than Tally, not as good as Typeform).
Use Fillout if you like Tally's simplicity but need more design control and better integrations. It's the natural upgrade path from Tally.
Paperform
Paperform takes a unique approach: forms that look like landing pages. Instead of question-answer format, you get a document-style layout with inline form fields.
The design flexibility is incredible. Add images, videos, headings, paragraphs, product showcases, all mixed with form fields. This makes Paperform great for lead generation pages, event registrations, or product orders where you want to sell and collect info simultaneously. Tally's minimal design can't do this.
Customization is extensive: custom CSS, fonts, colors, layouts, even your own domain. You can make Paperform forms that look exactly like your website. The level of control rivals Typeform and exceeds Tally by a mile.
Conditional logic and calculations are powerful. Show/hide sections, calculate prices based on selections, create quote generators or booking forms with dynamic pricing. This is way beyond Tally's capabilities.
Integrations are solid: connects to payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, Square), email tools, CRMs, and has Zapier support. Not as many native integrations as Jotform but enough for most workflows.
The landing page features are unique. You can build entire conversion pages with forms embedded, not just standalone forms. This is powerful for marketing teams who want to combine content and data collection.
Where Paperform gets expensive: $24/month for Essential (1,000 submissions), $49/month for Pro. That's pricey compared to Tally's free tier or even Jotform. For small teams or individuals, the cost is hard to justify unless you really need the landing page features.
The learning curve is steeper than Tally. The document-style editor requires thinking about layout and content flow, not just questions. For simple forms, this is overkill. For marketing funnels, it's perfect.
Use Paperform if you need forms that double as landing pages and have budget for premium tools. Stick with Tally for straightforward data collection.
Google Forms
Google Forms is the default form builder for anyone with a Google account. It's completely free, unlimited responses, and integrates perfectly with Google Workspace. It's also incredibly basic.
The interface is simple: add questions, pick types (multiple choice, short answer, etc.), send the form. Responses flow into Google Sheets automatically. If you're already using Google Workspace, this integration is seamless. Tally requires you to set up a Google Sheets integration; Google Forms does it natively.
The free tier has no limits. Unlimited forms, unlimited responses, unlimited storage (within your Google Drive quota). For high-volume data collection on zero budget, Google Forms and Tally are the only real options.
Where Google Forms is painfully limited: design customization is minimal. You get theme colors and header images, that's it. The forms look generic and dated. Tally's default design is cleaner. If branding matters at all, Google Forms doesn't cut it.
Conditional logic exists but it's clunky. You can create sections that show based on answers, but building complex branching is tedious. Tally's logic editor is more intuitive.
Integrations outside Google Workspace are basically non-existent. You can use Zapier to connect Google Forms to other tools, but there's no native integrations beyond Google's ecosystem. Tally has more built-in options.
Analytics are surprisingly decent. Google Forms shows response summaries with basic charts and breakdowns. Better than Tally's individual submission view, though not as powerful as Typeform's Insights.
Use Google Forms if you're fully in Google Workspace and need unlimited free responses with decent analytics. Use Tally if you want better design and more flexibility.
Google Forms is a form-building software developed by Google for individuals & teams.
Zoho Forms
Zoho Forms is part of Zoho's massive suite of business tools. If you're already using Zoho CRM or other Zoho products, the integration makes it compelling. Otherwise, it's harder to recommend.
The form builder is capable: drag-and-drop editor, conditional logic, payment processing, approval workflows, all the enterprise features you'd expect. Comparable to Jotform in power, though the interface isn't as polished.
Integrations within Zoho's ecosystem are seamless. Send form data directly to Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, Zoho Desk, whatever Zoho products you use. For Zoho customers, this tight integration is valuable. For everyone else, it's irrelevant.
External integrations exist but are limited compared to Jotform. Zapier support helps, but native connections are sparse. Tally actually has similar external integration breadth.
Pricing is competitive: free tier allows 3 forms and 500 submissions per month. Basic is $8/month for unlimited forms and 10,000 submissions. Cheaper than Typeform, more expensive than Tally (free unlimited).
Where Zoho Forms struggles: the interface feels corporate and dated. It works fine but lacks the polish of Typeform or even Tally's clean design. For consumer-facing forms, the aesthetics aren't great.
The learning curve is steeper than Tally because there are so many features and settings. For casual users, it's overwhelming. For enterprise teams already in the Zoho ecosystem, the complexity is expected.
Use Zoho Forms if you're already using other Zoho products and need tight integration. Use Tally if you're not in Zoho's ecosystem and want simpler, free forms.
How to Switch from Tally Forms
Migrating form builders is tedious because forms rarely import automatically. Here's how to make it less painful.
Export Your Form Data First
Before switching, export all responses from your Tally forms. Download as CSV or connect to Google Sheets to back up data. Once you cancel Tally or stop using it, make sure you have copies of all submissions.
If forms are still collecting responses, keep Tally active during transition to avoid losing data. Set up your new forms in parallel, test them, then gradually switch over.
Rebuild Forms Manually
Most form builders don't import Tally forms automatically. You'll manually recreate them in your new tool. Start with your most important or frequently used forms, not everything at once.
Screenshot or document your Tally forms' logic and settings before rebuilding. Conditional logic, validation rules, and integrations need to be manually configured in the new tool. It's easy to forget a branch or setting.
Test Thoroughly Before Going Live
Submit test responses to your new forms. Check that logic works, integrations fire correctly, notification emails send, and data appears where expected. Tally and your alternative might handle certain field types or logic differently.
Ask colleagues or friends to test complex forms. Fresh eyes catch issues you'd miss. Better to find problems during testing than after you've sent the form to 1,000 people.
Update Embedded Forms and Links
If you've embedded Tally forms on your website or shared links in emails/documentation, update them. Create a list of everywhere forms are referenced before switching. This prevents broken forms after migration.
Some teams keep old Tally forms live temporarily with messages redirecting to new forms. Gives you time to update all references without breaking user experience.
Reconfigure Integrations
Tally's Notion, Google Sheets, or Slack integrations don't transfer. Set up equivalent integrations in your new tool. Test that data flows correctly. If your new tool lacks a native integration Tally had, you might need Zapier as a bridge.
Communicate With Form Users
If you have recurring users (like event registrations or feedback forms people use regularly), tell them you're switching tools. The form might look different or be at a new URL. Heads up prevents confusion.
Which Tally Forms Alternative Should You Choose?
The right alternative depends on what Tally is missing for your specific needs.
If you need better design and completion rates: Typeform. The one-question-at-a-time experience and customization options create forms people actually enjoy filling out. Expensive, but worth it if conversion rates matter.
If you need tons of features and integrations: Jotform. It's cluttered and dated, but the feature set and 100+ integrations handle almost any use case. Good for businesses with complex workflows.
If you want Tally with more power: Fillout. Similar simplicity with better design control, more integrations, and stronger conditional logic. The natural upgrade from Tally.
If you're building forms that are also landing pages: Paperform. The document-style editor lets you create conversion pages with forms embedded. Perfect for marketing teams.
If you're fully in Google Workspace: Google Forms. Unlimited responses, free forever, automatic Sheets integration. The design is basic but the ecosystem fit is seamless.
If you're already using Zoho products: Zoho Forms. Tight integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho tools makes it valuable for that ecosystem.
Honestly? Tally is still hard to beat if you just need simple forms with unlimited responses for free. The alternatives are better in specific ways: prettier (Typeform), more powerful (Jotform), more flexible (Fillout), more integrated (Google Forms for Google users). But Tally's combination of simplicity and generous free tier keeps it relevant.
The decision comes down to whether the specific thing you need (better design, advanced logic, more integrations) is worth paying for or dealing with more complexity. For many use cases, Tally's limitations aren't actually limiting. For others, they're dealbreakers. Be honest about which camp you're in.