SimplyForms vs Web3Forms vs Formspree
A GDPR-first form backend comparison for EU and privacy-conscious teams
All three let you point an HTML form at a single endpoint and receive submissions by email — no backend code. The real difference is what happens to your visitors' data: whether it is stored, where it is hosted, who operates the service, and whether there is a real Data Processing Agreement behind it.
Get startedShort version: Web3Forms and SimplyForms both relay submissions without storing them; Formspree keeps them in a dashboard. SimplyForms is the only one of the three that is EU-hosted, EU-operated, sends through its own mail servers, and publishes a DPA and sub-processor list — which is what most EU GDPR obligations actually require.
| Feature | SimplyForms | Web3Forms | Formspree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stores your submissions | No | No | Yes |
| Data hosting region | EU | USA (US-East) | USA |
| Operator jurisdiction | EU (Czech Republic) | India | USA |
| Free plan | 50 submissions/day | 250 submissions/mo | 50 submissions/mo |
| Own SMTP (no third-party email processor) | Yes | Not stated | No |
| Published DPA + sub-processor list | Yes | No | Yes |
| Spam protection | Rate limiting, ALTCHA, Turnstile, reCAPTCHA | hCaptcha | reCAPTCHA, hCaptcha |
| Submission dashboard & history | No — by design (inbox only) | No | Yes (30-day history on free) |
| Paid plans | Free-only for now | Pro 10,000/mo | From $10/mo (200/mo) |
When SimplyForms is the right choice — and when it isn't
Choose SimplyForms if:
- You serve EU users and need GDPR to hold up — EU hosting, EU operator, and a published DPA.
- You don't want your visitors' data stored anywhere, by anyone.
- You want to avoid adding a third-party email processor (SendGrid, Mailgun, SES) to your data chain.
- You want a Czech/EU-invoiced service in Czech or English.
Consider an alternative if:
- You need a built-in dashboard to browse and search past submissions — SimplyForms stores nothing, so a storing backend like Formspree fits better.
- You need 10,000+ submissions per month today — SimplyForms' paid tiers are temporarily disabled (free plan only right now).
- You depend on a large catalogue of native third-party integrations.
Frequently asked questions
Is SimplyForms a Web3Forms alternative?
Yes. Both relay submissions to email without storing them. SimplyForms differs by being EU-hosted and EU-operated, sending through its own mail servers, and publishing a DPA and sub-processor list — useful when you must demonstrate GDPR compliance to EU clients or auditors. Web3Forms is hosted in the US and operated from India and does not offer a DPA.
Why move off Formspree for GDPR?
Formspree stores submissions and processes data in the United States. For an EU controller that means relying on international-transfer safeguards and retaining personal data you may not need. A stateless, EU-hosted relay removes both the transfer and the retention.
Do any of them store my form data?
Formspree does — you browse submissions in its dashboard, with 30-day history on the free plan. Web3Forms and SimplyForms do not: each submission is forwarded to your inbox and then discarded.
Which has the best free plan?
It depends on volume shape: Web3Forms allows 250 submissions per month, Formspree 50 per month, and SimplyForms 50 per day. For privacy and EU compliance specifically, SimplyForms' free plan is the only EU-hosted, DPA-backed option of the three.
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Connect your first form in about two minutes. EU-hosted, nothing stored.
Get startedCompetitor details are taken from public sources and product documentation as of June 2026 and may change. Spotted something out of date? Let us know and we'll correct it.