Makeform vs Paperform: a free Paperform alternative (2026)
By the Makeform editorial team · Last updated November 7, 2026 · Pricing verified November 2026
Verdict: Pick Makeform for unlimited free submissions; pick Paperform if its included AI workflow builder is central to your needs.
Makeform is a free AI form builder: describe what you want to collect and it builds the form for you, with unlimited forms and submissions on the free plan. As of November 2026, Paperform also has a free forever plan with AI form creation and an AI workflow builder, but it allows 30 submissions per month. The free submission allowance is the clearest difference for someone collecting responses regularly.
Free plan limits at a glance
Paperform details are as of November 2026, according to its pricing page. Makeform's upload figure is a per-file limit; Paperform's is storage, so they measure different things.
| Makeform Free | Paperform Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $0; free forever |
| Forms | Unlimited, within fair use | Not stated |
| Responses / submissions | Unlimited, within fair use | 30 per month |
| File uploads | 20 MB per file | 100 MB file upload storage |
| Branding | Powered by Makeform | Paperform branding; cannot be removed on Free |
| AI form building | Free; prompt to form and chat edits | Free; AI form creation and AI workflow builder |
| Cheapest paid plan | Pro: $29/month monthly or $19/month billed yearly | Pro: $59/month monthly or $49/month billed annually |
| Remove branding from | Pro | Pro |
Feature comparison
Paperform availability is as of November 2026.
| Feature | Makeform | Paperform |
|---|---|---|
| AI form creation | Free | Free |
| Unlimited submissions | Free, within fair use | Pro, within fair use |
| File uploads | Free; 20 MB per file | Free; 100 MB storage |
| Paid upload allowance | Pro; 1 GB per file | Pro; 10 GB storage |
| Remove branding | Pro | Pro |
Where Makeform is the better fit
- You expect more than 30 submissions per month and want a free plan. Makeform offers unlimited submissions within fair use; as of November 2026, Paperform Free allows 30 per month.
- You want to describe a form, then refine it by chatting or editing visually. Makeform includes that workflow on Free, with up to 50 AI-generated questions in one go and more questions available through manual editing.
- You want a lower published price for removing branding. Makeform Pro is $29/month monthly or $19/month billed yearly; as of November 2026, Paperform Pro is $59/month monthly or $49/month billed annually.
- You want a verified way to create and manage forms from an AI assistant. Makeform's hosted MCP server supports ChatGPT, Claude, and other MCP clients, with confirmation required before publishing.
Where Paperform is the better fit
- You specifically want an AI workflow builder alongside AI form creation. As of November 2026, Paperform includes both on Free. If AI-built workflows matter more to you than submission volume, Paperform's free plan is worth trying.
- You want to try Paperform's paid plans before choosing one. As of November 2026, it offers a 7-day free trial, which can help you evaluate its paid offering against your requirements.
Pricing compared
Makeform offers Free, Pro at $29/month billed monthly or $228/year ($19/month), and Business at $89/month billed monthly or $708/year ($59/month). According to Paperform's pricing page, as of November 2026 it offers Free, Pro at $59/month billed monthly or $49/month billed annually ($588/year), and Business at $149/month billed monthly or $124/month billed annually. Paperform Pro includes unlimited submissions within fair use, 10 GB storage, and branding removal; Makeform includes unlimited submissions within fair use on Free, while branding removal needs Pro. See plans and pricing for Makeform's tier details.
How to switch from Paperform to Makeform
- Open Create a form with AI. Describe your existing form or paste its questions, including any rules and the ending you want.
- Review the draft and ask for edits through chat, or adjust it visually. Check conditional logic, file uploads, and any payment questions against your requirements.
- Create a free account to save and publish. Share the hosted form or embed it, then connect the supported integrations you need, such as Google Sheets or webhooks.
FAQ
Is Makeform really free?
Yes, Makeform Free includes unlimited forms, submissions, and questions within fair-use guidelines. It includes AI form building, conditional logic, and file uploads up to 20 MB per file. Free forms display Makeform branding.
Does Paperform have a free plan?
Yes: as of November 2026, Paperform has a free forever plan with 30 monthly submissions and 100 MB of file upload storage. AI form creation and an AI workflow builder are included. Its separate 7-day trial is for paid plans.
Which tool has the larger upload allowance?
The verified free limits are not directly comparable: Makeform states 20 MB per file, while Paperform states 100 MB of storage as of November 2026. Those figures do not establish Paperform's per-file limit or Makeform's total storage allowance. Choose based on both your file sizes and storage needs, without treating one measure as the other.
Can I remove branding on a free plan?
Makeform requires Pro to remove branding. As of November 2026, Paperform Free branding cannot be removed, while Pro includes branding removal. Makeform Pro also includes your own logo and a custom domain.
Can I use Makeform from ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Makeform is in ChatGPT's app directory; in Claude you add it as a custom connector (mcp.makeform.ai). Both use OAuth account linking through its hosted MCP server. You can create and edit forms and work with submissions, with explicit confirmation required to publish. You can also start a draft directly at Create a form with AI without an account, then sign up to save and publish it.
More comparisons
Sources
Pricing verified November 2026.