Review of RSForm Pro

Posted on by | 21 Replies

RSForm ProThis is a sponsored review of the RSForm extension. For details of having your extension reviewed, please contact us. Note that a sponsored review doesn’t mean I’ll like the product, just that I’ll take the time to review it thoroughly.

I’ve used dozens of form generators for Joomla over the years and even now there’s over 20 to choose from on the Joomla Extensions Directory. I’ve found they come on a curve. They run all the way from super-basic (the old Performs) to super-complex (Fabrik). For me, RSForm is in the middle:

RSForm Advantages

  • Usability: I’ve given RSForm to non-technical clients and they’ve always found it easy to create forms.
  • Database: Unlike other forms extensions its really, really easy to make sure all submissions are recorded in the database and then exported.
  • Support: I’ve had a lot of RSForm questions and always received good support from Mihaela and Alex.
  • Price. At 10 Euros per site for basic version and 19 Euros for the advanced, its very reasonably priced.
  • Developer Website: RSJoomla used to have one of the most awkward developer sites around. Congrats on updating it!

RSForm Disadvantages

  • Design. The default layouts aren’t very pretty. To get a good looking design you’ll need to edit the HTML code, which means the forms won’t update automatically when you make changes.
  • Spam. We still do get a good amount of spam through RSForm Pro, even if the captcha is turned on. I suspect they’ll need to investigate integration with a spam-blocking system.

The Verdict on RSForm Pro

It remains my favorite, hassle-free form creator for Joomla. It doesn’t have the power and huge range of options provided by some others, but its solid, reliable and very easy to use.

Over to You …

I know a lot of have already tried RSForm Pro. What do you think … ?

  • Phil-Taylor.com

    Its only reviewed so much on the JED because he gives/gave free copies in return for a “honest” review.

    A blatant bending of the JED rules – with the full support of the JED Editors – disgusting,

  • Ross Feldman

    I agree completely! I’ve implemented RS Form Pro on 18 sites so far. It’s our forms component of choice.

    While we haven’t had the spam issues you mention, your comment about the layout designs is right on target.

    I also like the pre- and post- form script options, as well as the ability call data from the user class.

  • Brian Teeman

    always avoided this extension as I disliked the way they paid for reviews on the joomla extension directory.

    My form extension of choice has never had any issue with storing submissiones in forms etc and it has excellent spam prevention tools built in.

  • Ross Feldman

    Brian, what is your preferred form extension?

  • Steve Burge

    Hi Phil – I’ve checked and you’re right, so although that was before I joined the JED and wasn’t “with the full support”, I’ve removed that line.

    Brian – you’re talking about BTForms?

  • Brian Teeman

    Sorry forgot to say – my form app of choice is bfForms [url]http://www.joomla-forms.com[/url].

    It has served me well producing some exceedingly large and complex forms (one had over 250 fields).

    And there are features in the new version (still a beta) that no other joomla form generator has.

  • Nirvan Khokhani

    I’ve used RSForm and now the Pro version. Both work well. Yes the form design is horrible. But heh, lots of flexibility from what I can tell.

    As for spam I’m going to try another trick to see if it works. Namely adding a hidden field that bots might see, and if the hidden field is filled out the form submit is doesn’t input.

  • Qasim

    If anyone using http://fabrikar.com/ ? I’m going to check it out later this week to review for my whyjoomla.com ([url]http://whyjoomla.com[/url]) blog… I remember using it right when they launched the project a long time back on 1.0.x

    q./

  • Alexandru Lamba

    Guys, guys.. let’s clear things up.. RSForm!Pro never got a review in exchange of a license code. It’s reviews are the result of an excellent support and ease of use.

    You are talking about RSForm!(the lite version), and while others are publicly asking for reviews, our marketing policy was to give promotional license codes away. BY THE WAY.. AT THAT TIME, THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY ALLOWED. The day it came a rule on extensions, we stopped this commercial promotion, so RSForm!Pro NEVER got a review in exchange of a license.

    Now I can understand why Phil and his friends are so angry.. but please guys.. spend your time into trying to make your product better instead of launching false statements about our product.

  • jv

    I thought the review would be extensive but it wasn’t.

  • Iain M

    Have used RS Forms Pro in a few sites and found it to be very useful. Spam not too much of an issue but the design was.

    Support is great and most issues can be found on the Forum however I would definitely like to see some options on layout and design.

  • Bill Andre

    I have tried several forms programs but I keep coming back to Fabrik. There is a bit of a learning curve but once you get the hang of it, it will do about anything you need to do.

  • Cory Webb

    My new favorite form generator is the Joomla 1.5 API. ;-)

  • Stephen Moseley

    Cory how do you do that? In a content article?

  • Cory Webb

    Hi Stephen,

    I build a simple component for rendering/processing a form. If I need to render the form in a content article, I can build a plugin for that. Not quite as easy as using a form generator component, but it gives me complete control.

  • Leo Lombard

    No Joomla form discussion would be complete without a mention of ChronoForms. Unlike virtually every other form component in the JED, CF doesn’t force any design restrictions on you . With CF you just whip the form together in your favorite editor and drop it into your site unedited (It also has a point and click UI if that’s your preference).

    For someone who wants full control of their form, I think ChronoForms is hands down the best option.

  • Sean Cook

    I’m with Cory and Brian T. on this one. Brian and I are on the same page, but Cory brings up a good point using direct Joomla API. It just depends on your needs, the client and of course, the budget. ;-)

  • Alexandru Lamba

    Of course the Joomla! Api is the ideal solution, but only for experienced programmers. Since the majority Joomla! users are not experienced users, an easy to use form generator such as RSForm!Pro is the alternative.

  • aravot aravot

    I use SmartFormer I was so pleased with the functionality and ease of use

  • Howard Sambol

    What about comparison to JForms? I’d like to hear some comments about the pros and cons of this one as comparied to RSFormsPro.

  • happy

    hi i am new to joomla. can i use the lite RSForm for my website.