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Head-to-head · Client Intake Software

Intake vs FormsHQ

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Intake #2 in Client Intake Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Intake
FormsHQ #7 in Client Intake Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit FormsHQ

Intake leads on 0 checks, FormsHQ on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIntake · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Intake scores higher on our rubric for client intake software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Intake is the better fit for AI-enabled intake at a low monthly price. FormsHQ is the better fit for workflow-heavy teams using AI-assisted forms.

  • Intake fits best

    AI-enabled intake at a low monthly price

  • FormsHQ fits best

    Workflow-heavy teams using AI-assisted forms

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Intake 9.2/10 Visit ↗ FormsHQ 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Client Intake Software #7 in Client Intake Software
Best for AI-enabled intake at a low monthly price Workflow-heavy teams using AI-assisted forms
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $190/yr $29/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Docs Email, Phone
Integrations 6 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Intake 5/5 · FormsHQ 5/5
Client portal ✓ ✓
E-signatures ✓ ✓
Document uploads ✓ ✓
Payment collection ✓ ✓
Custom branding ✓ ✓
Specs
Workflow automation Conditional Conditional
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes forms, e-signatures, AI classification, and payments
  • Conditional forms, document tracking, and a branded client portal
  • REST API, webhooks, MCP, Zapier, Make.com, and CRM connections
  • AI-assisted form design from plain-language briefs
  • Approval routing, document generation, payments, and signature gates
  • CRM, spreadsheet, email, calendar, and automation handoffs
Cons
  • Payment collection adds a 1% platform fee plus Stripe processing fees
  • Team features require the $49/month Team plan
  • The Free plan includes Intake branding on the portal and emails
  • Web-only access limits platform flexibility
  • The free plan allows one published form and includes FormsHQ branding
  • Advanced workflow features require higher paid tiers
Our verdict

Intake is a client-intake and document-collection platform for businesses and professionals that need to gather information, files, signatures, and payments in a shared workflow. Its drag-and-drop form builder supports conditional fields,…

Read the review →

FormsHQ is a web-based form workflow product for service businesses and operational teams. It combines branded intake forms with conditional pages, submission qualification, reviewer assignment, approval routing, document generation,…

Read the review →
  1. IntakeClient Intake Software 9.2Free plan
  2. FormsHQClient Intake Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Intake — where it wins

    • Free plan includes forms, e-signatures, AI classification, and payments
    • Conditional forms, document tracking, and a branded client portal
    • REST API, webhooks, MCP, Zapier, Make.com, and CRM connections

    Where it doesn't

    • Payment collection adds a 1% platform fee plus Stripe processing fees
    • Team features require the $49/month Team plan
    • The Free plan includes Intake branding on the portal and emails
  • FormsHQ — where it wins

    • AI-assisted form design from plain-language briefs
    • Approval routing, document generation, payments, and signature gates
    • CRM, spreadsheet, email, calendar, and automation handoffs

    Where it doesn't

    • Web-only access limits platform flexibility
    • The free plan allows one published form and includes FormsHQ branding
    • Advanced workflow features require higher paid tiers
  • Intake9.2/10 · Free plan

    A low-cost intake platform with AI classification, payments, signatures, and automation access.

    Visit IntakeFull verdict →
  • FormsHQ8.6/10 · Free plan

    A web-based intake platform for teams that need forms tied to approval and document workflows.

    Visit FormsHQFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update