Compare/Google Forms
Google Forms is the default incumbent for accelerators and schools. Unformal is Conversations when a spreadsheet of answers is not enough.
Best for Google Forms
Default free forms inside Google Workspace
Best for Unformal
Program screening and intakes that need a real Conversation
| Google Forms | Unformal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free with a Google account; Workspace for admin controls | 50 starter credits, then one-time credit packs |
| Approach | Static form → Sheets | Adaptive AI Conversation |
| Follow-ups | Basic branching | AI probes based on the answer |
| Collaboration | Native Google ecosystem | Share a Pulse link; API + webhooks |
| Insight | Summary charts in Forms / Sheets | Echo extraction + Resonance themes |
| Voice | No | Speak or type |
| Respondent experience | Familiar form UI | Chat-style Conversation |
| Lock-in | Google account / Workspace | Magic link; export via API |
Price snapshot: 2026-08-21
Unformal: Start with 50 free credits. One-time packs: Starter €9 / 100 credits, Growth €29 / 500, Scale €79 / 2,000, Enterprise €249 / 10,000. Credits never expire. Every purchase unlocks Pro permanently. A completed conversation costs 1 credit, or 2 with research enabled. No subscription. Competitor numbers are public list prices, not negotiated deals. Check Google Forms's current pricing before choosing a plan.
Standard conversations use 1 credit; research uses 2. Pack purchases and subscriptions have different billing periods. Currencies are shown as listed, without conversion.
| Scenario | Google Forms | Unformal |
|---|---|---|
| Any volume of simple forms | €0 with Google account | Not competing on free static forms |
| 100 applicant screenings | €0 as Forms (manual review cost is the real price) | €9 Starter pack (100 credits, plus 50 starter credits if unused) |
| 500 program intakes | €0 + staff time reading shallow answers | €29 Growth pack (500 credits, one-time purchase) |
| Workspace admin needs | Google Workspace seat pricing (org-dependent) | Credit packs do not provide Google Workspace admin controls |
For teams who outgrew Forms on depth, yes. For quick free surveys inside Google, stay on Google Forms.
Yes for standard use with a Google account. Workspace plans add admin and org controls. Unformal is not free-forever; it starts with 50 free credits.
It is the default: free, familiar, and lands in Sheets. The tradeoff is shallow answers and heavy manual review.
Yes via structured extraction and the API / webhooks. The point is better inputs before the export.
No. Respondents use a Pulse link. Creators sign in with a magic link.
RSVPs, simple internal polls, and anything where IT mandates Google-only tooling and depth is optional.
Google Forms is free. Unformal charges for Conversations after the free tier because each Conversation costs AI inference. Compare staff review time, not only software price.
An application or screening Conversation that asks follow-ups on motivation, fit, and constraints. Start from /use-cases/accelerators or the demo CTA.
Two minutes. See adaptive follow-ups instead of another static form.