Quick answer
Static Forms - Static Forms wins for most builders because its free tier is larger, it stays free forever, and it reaches the first paid tier without a big jump in complexity or price.
How the free tiers compare
These two products solve the same basic problem, but they optimize for different free-tier tradeoffs. FormKeep is more about form management as a backend with a visual builder, and its free plan is very small: 50 submissions a month, one month of retention, and no paid-plan features like webhooks or file attachments. Static Forms is more generous on the free side: 500 emails per month, 30-day storage, file uploads up to 4.5 MB, conditional routing, and no card required. On paid plans, FormKeep scales to much higher submission caps, especially at the Premium and Enterprise levels, and its higher tiers add team and retention features. Static Forms has the simpler path for static sites and email-driven workflows, with lower entry pricing and broader free functionality. For most small builders, Static Forms gives more runway before you need to pay.
FormKeep vs Static Forms free tier, side by side
| FormKeepFTV 50 | Static FormsFTV 51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free submissions / emails per monthStatic Forms offers 10x the free-volume ceiling, though the units are described differently. | 50 submissions | 500 emails |
| Free retentionThese are effectively the same retention window. | 1 month | 30 days |
| Free file uploadsStatic Forms includes file uploads on the free plan. | Not included | Up to 4.5 MB |
| Free conditional routingThis is a notable workflow feature in Static Forms' free tier. | Not included | Included |
| Credit card required for free tierBoth inputs explicitly say no credit card is required. | No | No |
| Lowest paid planFormKeep is cheaper at the entry paid tier. | Essential - $4.99 / month | Pro - $7.50/mo ($90 billed yearly, 2 months free) |
| Highest publicly listed planFormKeep has a much higher top-end price and unlimited submissions at Enterprise. | Enterprise - $99.00 / month | Agency - $16/mo ($192 billed yearly, 2 months free) |
After you outgrow the free tier
FormKeep uses flat monthly pricing on its public plans, starting at $4.99/mo and scaling to $59/mo, with an Enterprise option at $99/mo marked contact_sales. Static Forms is also flat-priced, starting at $7.50/mo billed yearly for Pro and $16/mo billed yearly for Agency. FormKeep is cheaper at the lowest paid tier, but Static Forms gives more free capacity before you pay. Once usage grows, FormKeep offers much higher submission ceilings, while Static Forms stays simpler and cheaper at the low end. No usage-based rates were provided, so there are no per-unit scenarios to calculate beyond the tier prices.
When to pick each one
Pick FormKeep when…
- You need a hosted form backend with a visual form builder and want to keep the setup centered on forms, not email workflows.
- You only need a very small number of submissions, since the free tier covers 50 submissions per month.
- You expect to move quickly to higher submission ceilings, especially if you may later need 10k or 100k submissions per month.
- You care about features like team members, permanent retention, or phone support in the higher plans.
Pick Static Forms when…
- You are shipping a static site and want a form endpoint, email notifications, and basic integrations with minimal setup.
- You want a free tier that is usable for real traffic, since 500 emails per month is much higher than FormKeep's 50 submissions per month.
- You need file uploads on the free plan, even with a 4.5 MB cap.
- You want conditional routing rules included before paying.
- You want a no-card free tier with a clearer path into a low-cost paid plan.
Bottom line
For the most common builder, Static Forms is the better free-tier pick: it gives you more room to test, ship, and collect real submissions without paying, and its first paid step is still modest. FormKeep is the better choice if you already know you want a form-specific backend and expect to grow into higher submission limits, team features, or long-term retention. If you are choosing strictly on the free tier, Static Forms is the easier place to start.
Read the full listings: FormKeep and Static Forms. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.