Table of contents

What is Gravity Forms?Key featuresHow to installHow to create formHow to embed a formManaging form entriesUsing conditional logicIntegrating with third-party servicesBest add-onsAlternativesFAQsGetting startedAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Plugin → Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms plugin for WordPress: a complete guide

Looking for a powerful WordPress form builder that can do more than just contact forms? Gravity Forms is one of the most flexible and feature-rich options available—trusted by developers, agencies, and businesses of all sizes.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started, from installation to advanced features and must-have add-ons.

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What is Gravity Forms?

Gravity Forms is a premium WordPress plugin that lets you create advanced forms using a drag-and-drop interface. It’s built for flexibility, so you can use it for everything from contact forms and surveys to job applications, user registrations, quizzes, and even payment forms.

Unlike many free form builders, Gravity Forms is built with developers in mind but remains easy enough for non-coders to use. It’s especially popular with marketing teams, ecommerce sites, and service businesses that rely on lead generation or data collection.

Key features of Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms packs a long list of features, many of which are designed to save time, reduce errors, and boost conversions. Here are the key highlights:

Drag-and-drop form builder that’s beginner-friendly but robust.
Conditional logic to show or hide fields based on user input.
Multi-page forms with progress indicators.
File upload fields and advanced input validation.
Save and continue functionality for longer forms.
Spam prevention with Google reCAPTCHA, Akismet, and honeypot fields.
Advanced calculations and dynamic field population options.

How to install and activate Gravity Forms

Since Gravity Forms is a premium plugin, it isn’t available in the WordPress Plugin Directory. You’ll need to install it manually after purchase:

Go to gravityforms.com and choose a license plan.
Log in to your account and download the plugin ZIP file.
In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
Upload the ZIP file, install, and click Activate.
Once activated, go to Forms > Settings and enter your license key to unlock updates and add-ons.

You’ll now see a Forms menu item in the left-hand sidebar of your dashboard.

How to create your first form

Building a form in Gravity Forms takes just a few minutes:

Click Forms > New Form and give your form a name and optional description.
You’ll be taken to the drag-and-drop builder. From here, select the fields you want to include.
Customize each field’s label, description, placeholder, validation rules, and whether it’s required.
Reorder fields by dragging them into place.
Click Save Form when you’re done.

To embed the form on your site, copy the shortcode or use the dedicated Gutenberg block.

How to embed a form in posts or pages

There are multiple ways to display Gravity Forms on your site:

Gutenberg block: Search for the “Gravity Forms” block and select the form you want to display.
Shortcode: Use [gravityform id=”1″ title=”false” description=”false”] in any post, page, or widget.
PHP template files: Developers can use do_shortcode() or gravity_form() directly in theme files for custom placements.

Managing form entries

Gravity Forms stores all submissions in your WordPress database by default, making it easy to view and manage responses:

Go to Forms > Entries to view individual submissions.
Filter or search by form, field, or date range.
Mark entries as read, star them for follow-up, or delete them.
Export entries to CSV for offline use or to import into a CRM or spreadsheet.

You can also set up email notifications to receive submissions directly in your inbox.

Using conditional logic and advanced settings

Conditional logic is one of Gravity Forms’ most powerful features. It lets you personalize forms based on how a user responds.

For example:

Show a “Company Name” field only if the user selects “Business.”
Skip a page if the user answers “No” to a qualifying question.
Display a custom message based on a calculated field value.

You’ll find conditional logic settings inside each field’s options panel. There are also advanced settings for:

Field visibility (admin-only, hidden, etc.)
Dynamic field population using query strings or hooks
Running calculations based on user input

Integrating with third-party services

Gravity Forms supports dozens of integrations through official and third-party add-ons. These extend your forms into a complete marketing and operations tool.

Popular integrations include:

Email marketing: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Campaign Monitor
CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho
Ecommerce & payment: Stripe, PayPal, Square
Automation: Zapier, Webhooks, Make (formerly Integromat)
Miscellaneous: Slack, Trello, Dropbox, Help Scout

Note: Some integrations require a Pro or Elite license.

Best Gravity Forms add-ons for extra functionality

Want to go beyond basic forms? These popular Gravity Forms extensions can help you do more without switching plugins.

GravityKit

Display form submissions on the frontend. Great for job boards, directories, and user dashboards.

Frontend display of entries
Multiple layout types (table, list, map)
User role restrictions

Best for: displaying collected data

Starting at: $119/year

Gravity Flow

Adds automation and approval workflows to your forms.

Drag-and-drop workflow builder
Email-based approval/rejection
User input and conditional steps

Best for: internal processes and approvals

Starting at: $99/year

Gravity Perks, by Gravity Wiz

A collection of 45+ mini-plugins that enhance native Gravity Forms functionality.

Populate Anything, Preview Submission, Limit Dates
Better UI and UX features
Developer-friendly

Best for: users who want granular enhancements

Starting at: $59/year (core plugin + individual perks)

Gravity PDF

Generate downloadable PDFs automatically after form submission.

Customizable templates
Automatic email delivery
Developer API for customization

Best for: generating reports, receipts, or confirmations

Starting at: Free (pro version available)

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Gravity Forms alternatives

While Gravity Forms is a powerful premium plugin, it’s not the only option for creating forms in WordPress. Depending on your needs and budget, you might prefer a free plugin or one that offers different integrations or design tools.

Here are some popular alternatives:

WPForms

One of the most popular drag-and-drop form builders for WordPress, with a free version available. It’s beginner-friendly and offers advanced features like conditional logic, payment integrations, and spam protection.

Free version with core features
Excellent UI for non-technical users
Pro version adds marketing and ecommerce tools

Best for: beginners and small business websites

Formidable Forms

A powerful plugin designed for more advanced use cases like calculators, directories, and data-driven applications. It supports front-end views, conditional logic, and complex field types.

Advanced calculations and logic
Form-to-view builder for frontend displays
Great for developers and data-heavy use

Best for: power users and developers

Ninja Forms

Flexible and modular, with a free core plugin and paid extensions. Great for sites that want to pick and pay only for the features they need.

Free base plugin with à la carte add-ons
Pay only for what you use
Clean interface and Gutenberg-friendly

Best for: users who want selective upgrades

Fluent Forms

A fast-growing plugin known for its speed, UI polish, and generous free version. It includes conditional logic, multi-step forms, and integrations out of the box.

Fast and lightweight
Many features in the free version
Affordable pro plans

Best for: users who want lots of functionality without paying upfront

Here’s a clean version of the Gravity Forms alternatives comparison table formatted for easy pasting into a document (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.). Just copy the section below and paste it into your doc — it should retain proper spacing and alignment:

Plugin	Free Version	Best For	Key Features	Starting Price
Gravity Forms	❌ No	Developers, marketers, agencies	Conditional logic, multi-page forms, third-party integrations	$119/year
WPForms	✅ Yes	Beginners and small businesses	Drag-and-drop builder, email marketing, spam protection	$99/year
Formidable Forms	✅ Yes	Developers and data-heavy sites	Calculations, directories, views, advanced logic	$79/year
Ninja Forms	✅ Yes	Modular upgrades, flexible pricing	Free core plugin, à la carte add-ons, Gutenberg-compatible	Free / $99/year Pro
Fluent Forms	✅ Yes	Budget-conscious, fast builders	Fast UI, multi-step forms, marketing integrations	$79/year

Frequently asked questions

First, purchase and download the plugin from gravityforms.com. Then, in your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, select the ZIP file, install it, and click Activate. Once activated, enter your license key to unlock all features.

Yes, Gravity Forms is a premium WordPress plugin specifically built for creating flexible, custom forms on WordPress websites.

Once installed, you’ll see a new “Forms” menu in your WordPress dashboard sidebar. From there, you can create, edit, and manage forms and entries.

No, Gravity Forms is a paid plugin with Basic, Pro, and Elite licenses. However, you can test it with a live demo on their website before committing.

Next steps for using the Gravity Forms plugin

Gravity Forms is one of the most versatile plugins you can add to your WordPress site. Whether you’re collecting leads, processing payments, or building user workflows, it’s powerful and beginner-friendly.

If you’re ready to build smarter forms, your next step is choosing the right license and exploring which add-ons match your needs.

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