ZeroDeploy vs Netlify Forms
Netlify Forms can't detect JS-rendered forms. ZeroDeploy handles them all.
Last updated: February 20, 2026TL;DR
Netlify Forms is baked into the Netlify platform — convenient if you're already on Netlify. But it can't detect forms rendered by React, Vue, or Svelte at runtime, and submissions draw from a shared credit pool. ZeroDeploy handles any form (HTML or JS-rendered) with dedicated per-site limits. If you're on Netlify and use static HTML forms, Netlify Forms is fine. If you use a JS framework or want dedicated form limits, ZeroDeploy is the better option.
Netlify Forms works by scanning your HTML at build time to detect <code><form></code> tags. That's elegant for static HTML — but it breaks when forms are rendered client-side by React, Vue, Svelte, or Angular. The workaround (a hidden HTML form for bot detection) is fragile and confusing. On top of that, form submissions share a credit pool with bandwidth, deploys, and compute. Heavy form traffic eats into your bandwidth budget. ZeroDeploy takes a different approach: forms are processed at the <code>POST /_forms/:name</code> endpoint, so any form works — HTML or JS-rendered. And submissions have their own dedicated limit, separate from everything else.
Feature comparison
How ZeroDeploy stacks up against Netlify Forms.
| Feature | ZeroDeploy | Netlify Forms |
|---|---|---|
| JS-rendered forms | Work automatically (endpoint-based) | Requires hidden form workaround |
| Form detection | POST endpoint — any form works | Build-time HTML scanning |
| Submission limits | Dedicated per-site limit | Shared credit pool (1 credit each) |
| Free submissions/mo | 100 (dedicated) | 100 (shared with bandwidth, deploys) |
| Pricing | $29/mo — dedicated limits | $20/member/mo — shared credit pool |
| Spam prevention | Honeypot field | Honeypot + Akismet |
| CSV export | Pro plan (CLI + API) | Not available natively |
| CLI access | Full CLI for forms | Dashboard only |
| File uploads | Not available | Supported (uses credits) |
| Platform lock-in | Forms are standard HTML | Requires Netlify platform |
Pricing
Netlify Forms is bundled into Netlify's credit-based pricing. Free tier: 100 submissions (shared credits). Pro ($20/member/month): more credits, but form submissions still compete with bandwidth, deploys, and serverless functions. ZeroDeploy Pro is $29/month with 1,000 dedicated form submissions — they don't affect your bandwidth or deploy budget. For a solo developer with a form-heavy site, ZeroDeploy's dedicated limits are simpler and cheaper.
The verdict
Different tools for different needs.
Choose ZeroDeploy if...
- Your forms are rendered by React, Vue, Svelte, or Angular
- You want dedicated form limits, not shared credits
- You want CLI and API access for form submissions
- You want simpler pricing ($29 vs $20/member/mo)
- You want per-site limits instead of per-account
Choose Netlify Forms if...
- You're already on Netlify and use static HTML forms
- You want file upload support in forms
- You prefer the Netlify ecosystem (Functions, Identity, plugins)
- Your forms are in static HTML, not JS-rendered
- You don't need dedicated form limits
What's included with ZeroDeploy
Features that come standard — no add-ons, no extra bills.
Built-in Forms
Add action="/_forms/contact" to any HTML form. No third-party service, no API keys. Works with React, Vue, and plain HTML.
Privacy Analytics
Cookieless, first-party analytics on every site. No setup required, no cookie banners, no extra bill. Included on every plan.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Why don't Netlify Forms work with React?
Netlify Forms detect forms by scanning your HTML at build time. React renders forms in the browser at runtime — so Netlify never sees them. The workaround is adding a hidden HTML form with the same fields, which is fragile and breaks if you change your React form. ZeroDeploy processes forms at the endpoint level, so React, Vue, and Svelte forms work without workarounds.
Is ZeroDeploy a good Netlify Forms alternative?
If you use JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte), yes. ZeroDeploy forms work with any framework, have dedicated submission limits, and cost less ($29/mo vs $20/member/mo). If you only use static HTML forms and are already on Netlify, Netlify Forms is convenient enough.
How do submission limits compare?
Netlify uses shared credits — form submissions compete with bandwidth, deploys, and functions. ZeroDeploy gives you a dedicated form limit: 100/month on Starter ($9/mo), 1,000/month on Pro. Your form usage never affects your other resources.
Can I migrate from Netlify Forms to ZeroDeploy?
Yes. Remove the data-netlify attribute from your forms and change the action to /_forms/your-form-name. Deploy on ZeroDeploy and submissions start flowing. No hidden form workaround needed.
Other comparisons
See how ZeroDeploy compares to other platforms.
Use cases
From the blog
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