privateforms.com

What It Is

Private Forms is an online form-building SaaS designed for privacy-sensitive use cases. Its key differentiator is not complex marketing forms or automation workflows, but the use of PGP public-key encryption to protect form submissions: submissions are encrypted in the user’s browser before being sent to the cloud server, and only the party holding the private key can decrypt them. The company emphasizes that “even we can’t see it.”

Core Features and Security

The product offers a drag-and-drop form builder for creating contact forms, surveys, job applications, event registrations, RSVPs, satisfaction surveys, quizzes, and more. Forms can be integrated into your own website via embed code, submissions can be received instantly by email, or they can be viewed and downloaded from the dashboard. On the security side, Private Forms uses PGP public-key encryption, applies 256-bit SSL at the transport layer, and says it has received an A+ rating in Qualys SSL Labs testing. Its servers are hosted in DigitalOcean data centers in the United States, and the documentation describes physical security measures such as on-site security, cameras, biometrics, and two-factor authentication.

Pricing and Trial

Pricing is tiered by number of forms, monthly submissions, number of fields, and support level, ranging from $7.99/month for Starter to $199.99/month for Maximum. Annual pricing ranges from $79/year to $1999/year, advertised as equivalent to getting two months free. All plans include a 14-day free trial, but there does not appear to be a permanently free plan. For small and mid-sized scenarios involving sensitive data collection, the entry-level pricing is reasonable; however, costs increase if you need a high volume of submissions.

Pros and Cons

The main advantages are its clear privacy-first design, client-side encryption of submissions, and the fact that even the service provider’s administrators cannot read plaintext data. The drag-and-drop builder and embed code also lower the barrier to entry, while the plan information is clear and there are no third-party ads. The limitations are also apparent: the materials do not mention APIs, webhooks, Zapier/CRM integrations, team members, role-based permissions, audit logs, or workflow features. On the compliance side, there is no disclosure of certifications such as SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA, or GDPR, so enterprise buyers may need to conduct further due diligence.

Who It’s For and Access from China

Private Forms is suitable for individuals, website operators, SMBs, and education or corporate intranet scenarios that need to collect sensitive feedback, application materials, or internal survey data, while keeping functional requirements relatively simple. The materials do not provide information about access from China. Since the servers are in the United States, real-world speed, stability, and payment availability would need to be tested. If localized access, Chinese-language customer support, or domestic payment methods are required, alternatives such as 金数据, 问卷星, or 腾讯问卷 may be worth considering, though whether those alternatives offer equivalent end-to-end encryption should be evaluated separately.