Formtorch is a developer-first form backend that lets you collect form submissions from static sites and web applications without writing any server code. Point an HTML form or API request at a Formtorch endpoint, and the service handles validation, spam filtering, secure storage, email notifications, and webhook delivery — replacing custom backends or services like Formspree and Netlify Forms.
What is Formtorch?
Formtorch is a form backend service that accepts submissions from any framework or plain HTML and delivers them via email, webhook, or dashboard. It takes form data as input (HTTP POST, AJAX, or JSON payloads) and outputs stored submissions, instant notifications, and integrations with tools like Slack, Zapier, Make, and Google Sheets. The platform is built and maintained by an independent team and runs on encrypted Postgres storage with field-level encryption.
Key Features
- No backend required — Works with plain HTML
actionattributes or any framework (React, Next.js, Astro, Vue, Svelte, etc.). No server setup, database, or DevOps needed. - Built-in spam protection — Combines honeypot fields, rate limiting (per-IP, per-form, per-project, monthly quotas), and CAPTCHA support (Cloudflare Turnstile, hCaptcha, reCAPTCHA, Friendly Captcha, Altcha). TorchWarden automates real-time scoring.
- Instant notifications — Every submission triggers email alerts to customizable recipients. Webhooks with exponential backoff retries. Slack integration available.
- Free tier with 150 submissions/month — Unlimited forms and projects on the free plan. Paid plans (Starter and above) increase limits and add file uploads, team access, and priority support.
- Dashboard and exports — View submissions in a clean UI, search across all data, export CSV for any date range with cursor-based pagination. GDPR-ready.
- Team access — Role-based permissions (owner, admin, viewer) per project.
- Encrypted storage — Submissions stored in Postgres with field-level encryption. SOC 2 in progress.
- Integrations via webhook — Connect to Slack, Zapier, Make, Google Sheets, or any HTTP endpoint. View examples.
Who should use Formtorch?
- Indie developers and freelancers building portfolio or client sites who need a simple contact form without maintaining a server.
- Startups and small teams that want to capture leads, waitlist signups, or NPS feedback without deploying a form API.
- Agency owners managing multiple client sites — Formtorch supports multiple forms per account and team access for delegation.
- Jamstack and static site users using Astro, Next.js, Hugo, or plain HTML who want form handling without a backend.
What can you do with Formtorch?
- Add a contact form to any static HTML page — Drop in an endpoint and start collecting messages with redirect support. See the Basic HTML Contact Form template.
- Build a newsletter signup — Use the single-field capture template (React, Next.js, Astro) and pipe submissions to email or Google Sheets via webhook.
- Collect file uploads — Accept PDFs, images, and documents (PRO feature) with per-file metadata.
- Run NPS surveys — Deploy a 0–10 scale form with optional comments, stored and exportable.
How does Formtorch work?
- Connect your form — Set your form's action or fetch URL to a Formtorch endpoint (e.g.,
https://formtorch.com/f/xK9a2b). - Collect submissions — Formtorch accepts HTML POST, AJAX, or JSON. It runs built-in validation, honeypots, rate limiting, and CAPTCHA automatically.
- Get notified instantly — Receive email alerts, view submissions in the dashboard, trigger webhooks, or export CSV. Set up email notifications.
Pricing
Formtorch is freemium. The free tier offers 150 submissions/month, unlimited forms and projects, and core features (spam protection, notifications, CSV export). Paid plans (Starter, etc.) increase submission limits and unlock file uploads, team access, and priority support. No credit card required to start.
Alternatives
- Formspree — Has a lower free tier (50 submissions/month) and fewer features on the free plan; Formtorch offers more free submissions and includes exports, search, and file uploads on free. Full comparison.
- Netlify Forms — Tied to Netlify hosting; Formtorch works with any host.
FAQ
Is Formtorch free?
Yes. The free plan includes 150 submissions per month, unlimited forms and projects, spam protection, email notifications, and CSV export. No credit card required.
What frameworks does Formtorch work with?
Any framework that can send an HTTP request: plain HTML, React, Next.js, Astro, Vue, Svelte, and more. Quickstart guide.
How does Formtorch prevent spam?
It uses a multi-layer approach: honeypot fields, per-IP and per-form rate limiting, and CAPTCHA integration (Turnstile, hCaptcha, reCAPTCHA). TorchWarden scores submissions in real-time. Details.
Can I send submissions to multiple emails?
Yes. You can add multiple recipients per form directly from the dashboard. Email notifications.
How do I get started?
Sign up at app.formtorch.com, create a form endpoint, and point your HTML form or fetch request to it. Submissions appear instantly. Contact support if needed.
Formtorch is already trusted by 200+ active users, handling over 300 submissions daily with 99.99% uptime. For more templates and examples, visit the form templates page.
