Which Adobe form solution is right for me (FormsCentral or Acrobat)?

created by Randy Swineford on Nov 20, 2011 7:12 AM, last modified by Randy Swineford on Sep 22, 2012 10:17 PM
Version 11

    Adobe FormsCentral is an easy to use online solution for creating new PDF and HTML web forms from scratch or template. Adobe Acrobat X is desktop software for creating PDF forms from existing electronic or paper documents. For more details, see the below chart:

     


    Adobe FormsCentral

    Adobe Acrobat X Pro

    Formats supported
    • Online HTML web form
    • PDF Form
    • PDF Form only
    How forms are created
    • Create a form from scratch using a rich drag-and-drop editor
    • Speed up form creation by customizing professional form templates provided for free
    • Import existing  PDF fillable forms
    • Does not support the import of existing paper, electronic or non-fillable PDF forms
    • Scan existing paper forms into fillable PDF forms
    • Convert an electronic file (Microsoft Word, Excel, InDesign, or other file type) to a fillable PDF form.
    • Easily add or edit form field in an existing PDF form
    Distribution methods
    • Send respondents a link to the form or survey in an email or post it to a website, blog, or wiki.
    • Embed form directly within a web page
    • Email the PDF file to respondents or post on your own server/website
    • Email the PDF file to respondents or post on your own server/website
    What recipients need to complete form
    • HTML web form - Recipients need only a web browser and an Internet connection to complete and submit the online form or survey. No plug-ins are required.
    • PDF form - Recipients use free Adobe Reader or Acrobat software to access the PDF form and fill it either online or offline.
    • Recipients use free Adobe Reader or Acrobat software to access the PDF form and fill it either online or offline.
    How you collect form responses 
    • Automatically collect responses from web and PDF form in real time
    • Responses are stored centrally within FormsCentral service for easy access and sharing
    • Payments and attachments can be collected using web forms
    • Manually using email or some other method you have setup independent of Acrobat.
    Features unique to the product
    • Collect payments using PayPal as a payment processor
    • Respndents can upload file attachments as part of their form submission
    • Submission receipts can be sent to respondents to confirm form submission
    • Sip logic rules - skip questions or pages based on the answer to a previous question
    • Field validation
    • N/A
    How form results are presented, and how you can analyze them 
    • Search, sort, and filter on all responses.
    • View all responses online, in a tabular or record view.
    • Export tabulated responses to PDF, XLS, or CSV file formats for further analysis.
    • Invite others to view and collaborate on the responses.
    • Add simple or complex formulas to perform mathematical or statistical analysis.
    • Automatically summarizes results into a report with charts
    • Export responses to XLS spreadsheet formats for further analysis.