Microsoft Forms vs Google Forms: Which One is Right for You in 2024 ?
74% of companies use web forms for lead generation, with 49.7% stating their online forms are their highest converting lead generation tool.
In the present times, the main focus of every business owner should be to gather information, collect responses, and conduct surveys. Online form builders have become essential tools for various purposes, from managing events to capturing leads.
Two leading players in this domain are Google Forms and Microsoft Forms. Both of these have become go-to options for several people. If you are looking for the best choice for your unique business requirements, this guide is perfectly designed to cater to your needs.
Here, we will discuss Microsoft Forms vs Google Forms to help you make the right choice. However, we will also inform you about a new upcoming player who has entered the arena, i.e., Stackby Forms.
Key Features of Microsoft Forms
- Interface and Usability: Microsoft Forms has a user-friendly interface streamlining the form creation process. It possesses an intuitive design, which makes it well-suited for users of almost all levels.
- Integration with Microsoft Suite: It can integrate with Microsoft's suite of applications which ensures a cohesive workflow for those users heavily relying on these tools.
- Advanced Customization Options: Microsoft Forms is known for offering many different customization options. It allows users to tailor their forms to suit their data collection and branding needs.
Key Features of Google Forms
- User-Friendly Interface: Like Microsoft Forms, Google Forms also has an intuitive and simple interface that appeals to many users.
- Collaborative Features: Real-time collaboration is supported in Google Forms. This particular feature allows multiple users to edit and analyze forms effectively simultaneously.
- Smooth Integration with Google Workspace: Google Forms can seamlessly integrate with Google Workspace. It helps in improving collaboration and productivity for teams who are involved in making use of Google's ecosystem.
Pricing and Availability
- Microsoft Forms Pricing: You will find the availability of basic features of Microsoft Forms free of cost. However, you will need Microsoft 365 subscriptions to use its premium features.
- Google Forms Pricing: Every Google account user gets free access to Google Forms. So, in this case, you will get access to basic features without extra costs.
Data Management and Analytics
- Microsoft Forms Data Insights: Microsoft Forms is involved in offering basic data insights and analytics. It provides users with a glimpse into their collected data.
- Google Forms Data Analysis: Google Forms offers basic data analysis tools. It enables users to visualize and interpret their form responses.
Use-Cases and Scenarios
- Business and Professional Use: Google and Microsoft Forms are commonly employed for business-related tasks. It includes lead generation, customer feedback, and employee surveys.
- Education and Classroom Applications: These platforms find extensive use in educational settings for quizzes, assignments, and student feedback.
- Event Planning and Surveys: Microsoft and Google Forms are popular for event registration and post-event surveys.
Comparing User Experiences
Microsoft Forms
Pros:
- Integration with Microsoft Suite, advanced customization options.
Cons:
- Limited analytics may feel restrictive for non-Microsoft users.
Google Forms
Pros:
- Seamless Google Workspace integration and user-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Basic analytics may lack advanced customization.
No. | Criteria | Microsoft Forms | Google Forms |
1 | Interface and Usability | Microsoft Forms offers a clean and intuitive interface with a layout that is familiar to users of Microsoft Office products. It provides a straightforward user experience that is easy to navigate. | Google Forms, on the other hand, offers a familiar, user-friendly interface with a Google Workspace look and feel. |
2 | Collaboration | Microsoft Forms simplifies form sharing and collaborative editing, and seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for enhanced collaboration in Microsoft 365. | Google Forms excels in real-time collaboration, particularly for Google Workspace users. It enables simultaneous editing with automatic saving, edit tracking via version history, and easy data management through integration with Google Drive and Sheets. |
3 | Customization Options | In terms of customization, Microsoft Forms offers basic question types and branching logic. However, it has relatively limited options for changing the form's appearance and theme. The range of templates available is also somewhat constrained. | Google Forms provides basic question types and allows logical branching for more tailored form experiences. It provides a wide range of themes, images, and templates for extensive customization in terms of form design, including the ability to add branding elements like images, videos, and logos. |
4 | Use Cases | Business, education, fundraising campaigns, workshops, event planning and more. | Business, education, feedback, petitions, surveys, event planning and more. |
5 | Pricing | Available through Microsoft 365 subscriptions | Included in Google Workspace subscription |
6 | Data Analysis | Robust data analysis with Power BI integration | Integration with Google Sheets for analysis |
7 | Integration | Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Suite | Integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace |
8 | Coding Skills Required | Minimal coding skills required | No coding skills required |
9 | Automation | Microsoft Forms has basic automation features, but by integrating with Microsoft Power Automate, you can enhance automation capabilities for streamlined data collection and processing. | Google Forms allows users to leverage Google Apps Script for custom automation and extensions to enhance form functionality, while also benefiting from a wide range of third-party integrations to enhance its automation capabilities. |
10 | Unique Features | Microsoft Forms specializes in creating polls, quizzes, and surveys. It also offers response analysis with AI-powered insights. For more advanced analytics and reporting needs, Forms Pro is available as a premium feature. | Google Forms focuses on surveys and quizzes, offering automatic grading for quizzes, a library of pre-built templates for rapid form creation, and advanced question types such as date pickers for specific use cases. |
11 | Shareability | Microsoft Forms can be shared via links or embedded codes, allowing for straightforward distribution. However, sharing options for guest users may be limited. | Google Forms, on the other hand, offers various sharing options, like links, email, and social media sharing. It also provides robust access control features through Google Workspace for efficient form management. |
Introducing Stackby Forms
Stackby Forms, within the Stackby platform, is an online form builder with a unique approach that streamlines the form creation and response management process, which makes it a compelling alternative to Microsoft and Google Forms.
You can build forms in database or choose from pre-built form templates and even employ this form layout for collecting responses on a single platform. It helps gather information, get responses, do surveys, and analyze the data for valuable insights and reporting.
Learn how you can create custom forms in Stackby in the video below:
Key Features of Stackby Forms
Seamless Integration:
It seamlessly integrates within the Stackby platform, providing a unified experience for form creation and data management.
Real-time Data Access:
Responses collected through Stackby Forms are instantly populated within your connected table, eliminating manual data entry and enhancing accuracy.
Intuitive Form Creation:
Form creation is as simple as designing a table. Each column title becomes a form label, and the form is generated automatically.
No-Coding Required:
Stackby's no-code platform ensures that users of all skill levels can easily create and manage forms.
Use Cases of Stackby Forms
Stackby forms have versatile applications for multiple use-cases, ranging from:
- Visitor Management
- Campaign Requests
- User Feedback Tracker
- Job Applications
- Maintenance Requests
- Pitch Submissions
- CRM
and many more.
Microsoft Forms vs Google Forms: Which Form Builder to Choose?
Choosing between Microsoft Forms and Google Forms boils down to your existing software environment, specific feature requirements, and personal preference.
If you're deeply integrated into the Microsoft or Google ecosystem, the corresponding form builder might be the smoother choice. Consider your customization needs, data analysis requirements, and collaborative preferences when deciding.
Both platforms offer efficient form creation, but your unique context will determine which one truly shines for you.
Final Words
After reading this blog post, we are sure you can now grasp the key differences between Google Forms and Microsoft Forms, and choose the one that suits your specific project needs.
However, if you want to try your hands on something new, then it is a good idea to choose Stackby Forms. It stands out as a powerful and intuitive tool that caters to various needs. Its seamless integration, real-time data access, and no-code approach make it an excellent alternative to Microsoft and Google Forms.
Whether you're a business professional, educator, or event organizer, Stackby Forms offers a comprehensive solution for efficient data collection and analysis.