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CoffeeCup Review 2024 -Why There Are so Many Mixed Reviews

Barbara Harris Written by: Barbara Harris

CoffeeCup Form Builder is a straightforward program with minimal learning required. As long as your web host supports PHP, you can create complex web forms with the help of this simple drag-and-drop interface. Unlike certain form builders, CoffeeCup caters well to a wide range of users. Beginners get a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows them to create and publish forms without any programming knowledge. However, more advanced users also have the ability to customize their forms further with the help of split-screen and cross-browser previews of raw code.

Overview

coffeecup-overview1

Fun and Stylish Forms With a Free Version

CoffeeCup Form Builder is a straightforward program with minimal learning required. As long as your web host supports PHP, you can create complex web forms with the help of this simple drag-and-drop interface. Put in checkboxes, radio buttons, text fields, drop-down lists, or even fields for payment details: you can customize your form however you’d like and control how it looks to your users. The free Lite version is sufficient for most users, though additional features are available with the higher-tiered plans.

Unlike certain form builders, CoffeeCup caters well to a wide range of users. Beginners get a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows them to create and publish forms without any programming knowledge. However, more advanced users also have the ability to customize their forms further: the software allows split-screen and up to 11 cross-browser previews of raw code, so users can test and edit their forms in multiple formats.

Why Choose CoffeeCup?

  • Build powerful web forms in minutes without coding
  • Forms styled with HTML5 and CSS3S
  • Easily integrate your form with popular payment providers
  • Host forms on S-Drive or your own server

Want to know if CoffeeCup is right for you?
Let’s check it out!

4.0

Templates

coffeecup-templates

Design From Templates in a Snap

You can easily create a form from a template by choosing File>New From Template.

Template Selection: There are approximately 2 dozen templates, ranging from the the most basic/essential forms, through to eCommerce forms.  All templates are very cleanly designed and easy to use.

Customization: You can customize the individual templates to your heart’s content. The Lite version comes with a dozen quirky themes to help you get your form noticed/filled out. More are available for purchase or are included with the paid version.

4.0

Features

coffeecup-features

CoffeeCup Brewing With Features

CoffeeCup comes with a good amount of features, even at the Lite level, to help you quickly build incredible forms.

When you come to creating a form you can access all the tools and features down the right hand-side of the screen, all broken down into well-thought out categories. The higher the tier plan, the more features will become available, but most users will find the free version good enough.

4.5

Ease of use

coffeecup-ease-of-use

A Dream to Use With Straightforward Publishing

If you’re a beginner, you’ll appreciate an easy-to-navigate interface that’s free of clutter and offers minimal tools and features to assist you in building a form. Fortunately, CoffeeCup excels in this aspect, ensuring that creating and publishing forms is as straightforward as can be, just like a piece of cake.

Downloading and installing the app is quite easy, but a separate step is required to configure/create your S-Drive. The S-Drive website itself is easy to use and manage.

The best part is the intuitive interface which makes it a perfect choice for beginners. And if you’re someone with more coding skills under your belt- then you have plenty of opportunity to take your forms to the next level! With multiple ways of viewing your work including Split-screen and up to 11 cross-browser previews- you will really be prepared for any format by the time you publish your site.

4.8

Support

coffeecup-support

Toll-Free Support for Everyone!

CoffeeCup is one of the few providers to offer toll-free support to all of their users. On top of that, they encourage users to get priority support from their Support Room, where they promise to answer within 24 hours.

An extensive knowledgebase has a variety of articles as well as tips and tricks.
CoffeeCup has a blog with all the latest news, and there is also a forum where they encourage suggestions for features and products. A 63-page user guide for the Builder is included with download/purchase.

  • Email Support
  • Forum – plus separate Ambassador Program for enthusiasts
  • Support Center
  • Phone Support
  • Blog
  • Video Tutorials
  • Live Chat
3.0

Pricing

Two Types of Pricing: Software and S-Drive

Pricing for CoffeeCup is multi-faceted. On the one hand you have the Web Form Builder which is a pricey after a 2-week trial, that includes the form builder along with a variety of other tools for PC users, and a Lite version which is free. Then, you have S-Drive, which is kind of essential if you don’t want to upload everything manually  to your own website. While the software is good, coupling it with the S-Drive fees can give you a real advantage over your competitors. There is a 30 day money-back guarantee and a 2 weeks free trial, so there is really nothing to lose.

Comparison

How does CoffeeCup match up to the competition?

1JotformCompareOur Score4.9Compare
1Cognito FormsCompareOur Score4.8Compare
1CoffeeCupCompareOur Score4.1Compare
1EmailMeFormCompareOur Score2.5Compare

CoffeeCup REVIEW: BOTTOM LINE

CoffeeCup is a tantalizing brew of software and service, with a couple of caveats in terms of pricing. It’s costly for the builder unless you can get by with the Lite version. However, you barely have any form usage/storage with the Free plan. Power users with their own servers might best take advantage of the Lite plan, but upgrading to any one of the premium versions will give you fully featured forms, providing good value for your money.

PRO’S

  • Easy builder for basic forms
  • Instant integration with S-Drive
  • Regular Expressions add powerful features

CON’S

  • Full version software expensive
  • Separate cost for S-Drive
Barbara Harris Barbara Harris
Barbara is an expert in Performance Marketing. She leads WebsitePlanet PPC and SEO teams, and she mentors SMBs on the use of Search Advertising as well as Social Marketing.
2.0
User reviews
Based on 17 reviews in 3 languages
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It is a nightmare!

Used it for 1 year now. Slow processing, error saving projects (especially grid layouts) and exports, no valid support, publishing files to my ftp almost impossible (did it manually), missing links after updates (that typically have no real improvement)... Good to make your blood pressure rise. New utility to create forms is ridicolously complicated to use (used the old webform app). Requires a lot of insight to do simple things (such as drop-down menus). Interface is very confusing and complicated, almost cryptic. It is very easy to do mistakes changing properties or styles, compared to other apps I used.

1 avatar
Massimo Canonaco, Switzerland
May 06, 2022
1
Warning about CoffeeCup – they failed to renew my website it’s lost now

I paid CoffeeCup to renew my website and then failed to register it. By the time I figured out it wasn't working a poacher had seized it. Instead of helping to fix the problem they caused, they've passed the buck, saying they'll work to prevent this in the future. A disgrace. Zero customer service

1 avatar
GaryS, USA
January 04, 2022
1
Nightmare – Don’t do it

I purchased a domain. Since I did I have been constantly harassed with phone calls, emails, and texts. They did not even have my phone number. Coffee cup sold my information, my purchase details, and then somehow gave them enough information to get my cell phone number. The people that have been harassing me are relentless. All-day long nonstop. Don't buy anything unless you want to be tortured to death.

1 avatar
Shelley Harris, USA
August 04, 2021
1
BEWARE: CANNOT UNINSTALL

I tried the trial, did not like it, and then found it was impossible to uninstall --- even the workarounds didn't work. Eventually, I had to simply delete the program files and do a registry finesse. Apparently, Coffeecup had known about this issue for years.

1 avatar
Tom, Great Britain
June 06, 2021
1
Useless Software … Not as described

#1. I am not able to install the software anywhere else except under the "OneDrive" #2. When I do and load a new project to include my local website files... It does not allow me to edit any of them,.. #3. I cannot connect to my remote Namecheap server Regardless of what I do ... Using the same credentials with FileZilla, and/ or WinScp, or other FTP programs I am more than able to do so... I have tried every conceivable configuration such as FTP, SFTP, Tls Explicit; you name it.. NOTHING works.. #4. I tried Direct FTP, but it only allows the S-Drive Bottom-Line: CoffeeCup software is Totally Useless ! in so far as connecting and uploading files to a remote server.

1 avatar
anonymus, USA
February 07, 2021
1
However, Coffeecup never listens to their loyal customers

I have been a loyal customer at Coffeecup Software for almost 15 years. The products from the past are very good. The products I am talking about Site Designer 4.0 / 5.0 as well as Visual Form Designer 4.0 are very below par. They really don't do anything to the core of their program (more css3 features, more HTML5 capabilities, Javascript capabilities, no plugins which is a shame. What many customers asked for is to modify the code, such as a buildin css3 / html / js editor, we don't get that either. It is really not a professional product but rather for hobbyists. I have now moved away from it for 3 years and switched to wordpress and pinegrow 10,000 times better. n short, Coffeecup is junk

1 avatar
Steven, USA
December 19, 2020
1
I gave up on it.

I used to use Coffee Cup software a lot. But now I paid for the site designer 4.0 and it has so many bugs, it is worthless. I did submit a ticket and it was the usual check your firewall and antivirus. And my website disappeared when they were hosting my domain.

1 avatar
anonymus, USA
February 08, 2020
1
Disappointed with Site Designer

I've been using Coffeecup Software for years. Every program was easy to use and inexpensive. Then after a short gap, I was searching for a simple program, that I could use to make a quick responsive website with. I am competent in Html, Javascript and W3.css, but wanted something different and looked at Coffeecup Software which I've always been most happy with in the past. I downloaded their Site Designer trial, but unfortunately, because of a family crisis, I only actually got to use the trial session for a day or so. As I did not get a response from my email asking for a further few days to explore its inner functions, I brought the product with the trust of the Coffeecup brand. Now that I have given Site Designer a proper trial, I sadly have to say that I am very disappointed with the software. I find it extremely complicated and not user friendly. The online help videos are not very helpful, they show how to acheive your task but is very difficult to understand. Will I purchase Coffeecup Software in the future?

1 avatar
Nick Harvey, Great Britain
October 29, 2019
1
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