form.io

Self-Hosted

Open-source form builder and auto-generated API management platform

Overview

Form.io is an open-source platform combining drag-and-drop form building with auto-generated REST APIs. It allows users to create custom forms, generate secure data APIs instantly, and manage submissions with role-based access control. Deployable via Docker or self-hosted on your server, it supports MongoDB integration, conditional form logic, file uploads, and webhooks. Ideal for developers needing form-driven apps without manual API setup, ensuring data privacy and full control when self-hosted. It balances no-code ease with developer flexibility for customizations.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  form_io:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: form-io
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Drag-and-drop form builder with conditional logic
Auto-generated REST APIs for form data
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Docker deployable for self-hosting

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is form.io hard to install?

Form.io is easy to install via Docker—just pull the official image and run it alongside a MongoDB container. For custom setups, you can clone the GitHub repo and deploy on your server, but basic self-hosting is straightforward with containerization.

? Is it a good alternative to Typeform?

Yes—form.io offers similar drag-and-drop form building but with open-source flexibility and self-hosting options. Unlike Typeform, it auto-generates APIs for your forms, giving you full control over data storage and integration with custom apps.

? Is it completely free?

The core form.io platform is open source and free to self-host with no licensing costs. They offer paid cloud plans for managed hosting and additional features like priority support, but self-hosted users get full access to all core functionalities at no charge.

Top Alternatives

Typeform Search Google

Wufoo Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Software Development - API Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data control via self-hosting
⊕ Reduces API development time significantly
⊕ No-code interface with developer-friendly customization options

Cons

⊖ Requires server setup for self-hosting
⊖ Advanced features have a learning curve
⊖ Limited pre-built templates compared to SaaS alternatives