The moment a form collects a card number, it enters the world of PCI DSS, the security standard every organization handling card data must meet. Fall short and you risk fines, lost processing privileges, and breaches. Meet it, and you can collect payments online with confidence. The safest tools keep card data out of your own systems entirely by tokenizing it through a trusted gateway.
The best PCI-compliant payment forms pair secure processing with the flexibility to handle one-time and recurring payments, and ideally sync each transaction to your CRM. Below are strong options and where each fits, from enterprise-grade Salesforce integration to simple, low-volume collection.
How we evaluated these tools
We judged each tool on how safely and flexibly it handles payments:
✓ PCI DSS compliance and secure card handling.
✓ Integration with trusted payment gateways.
✓ Tokenization so card data never touches your systems.
✓ Support for one-time and recurring payments.
✓ Sync of transaction data to your CRM.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | PCI + payments | Standout strength |
| FormAssembly | Payments into Salesforce | PCI DSS Level 1; Stripe; CRM sync | Compliance and data quality |
| Formstack | Multi-gateway payments | Several gateway options | All-in-one |
| Jotform | Broad payment integrations | Many gateways supported | Ease of use |
| Cognito Forms | Budget-friendly payments | Secure processing | Value |
| 123FormBuilder | Configurable payment forms | Enterprise options | Configurability |
| Wufoo | Simple payment forms | Gateway integrations | Simplicity |
The best PCI-compliant payment form tools
1. FormAssembly: best for payments into Salesforce
FormAssembly provides PCI-compliant payment form software that processes payments securely while keeping card data protected. It adheres to PCI DSS Level 1 requirements across all plans. It integrates with processors like Stripe, supports one-time and recurring payments, and syncs transaction data (including payment IDs) to Salesforce across standard and custom objects. Every payment becomes a clean, connected record against the right account or contact rather than a loose receipt. For regulated industries like financial services, that combination of compliance and integration is exactly the point.
Standout features
Secure processing through trusted gateways, tokenized card handling, one-time and recurring payments, PCI DSS Level 1 password and security requirements on all plans, and multi-object Salesforce mapping so transactions land on the right records.
✓ Compliant payments (PCI DSS Level 1) tied directly to Salesforce.
✓ One-time and recurring payment support.
✓ Enterprise governance, encryption, and security.
– More setup than a simple payment form.
– Priced for depth.
Best for: organizations that need compliant payments connected to Salesforce.
2. Formstack: best multi-gateway option
Formstack supports multiple payment gateways within its forms and pairs payments with documents and signatures for complete transactions. That gateway flexibility helps teams that already use a specific processor. It also connects payments to its broader document and workflow suite.
✓ Several gateway choices.
✓ Payments plus documents and signatures.
✓ Suite integration.
– More than payment-only needs require.
Best for: teams wanting gateway flexibility plus documents.
3. Jotform: best for broad integrations
Jotform integrates with a wide range of payment gateways and handles PCI-compliant processing, making it flexible for many payment scenarios. Its large selection of processors means most teams find their preferred one supported. CRM depth trails the Salesforce-native tools.
✓ Many gateway integrations.
✓ Easy to use.
✓ Flexible across payment scenarios.
– CRM depth trails Salesforce-native tools.
Best for: teams that need wide gateway choice.
4. Cognito Forms: best value
Cognito Forms offers affordable, secure payment forms suitable for smaller organizations collecting one-time or recurring payments. It covers the essentials of compliant payment collection at a low price. Enterprise features are lighter, which fits its target users.
✓ Affordable with secure processing.
✓ Recurring payment support.
✓ Simple to set up.
– Fewer enterprise features.
Best for: small organizations on a budget.
5. 123FormBuilder: best for configurable forms
123FormBuilder provides configurable payment forms with enterprise options, fitting teams that need tailored, compliant collection. Its flexibility supports more involved payment workflows. Realizing that flexibility takes some setup effort.
✓ Highly configurable.
✓ Enterprise options.
✓ Supports tailored payment workflows.
– Setup effort for advanced forms.
Best for: teams needing configurable payment forms.
6. Wufoo: best for simple forms
Wufoo offers straightforward payment forms with gateway integrations, a fit for simple, low-volume collection. It’s quick to set up for basic needs. For complex or high-volume payment processes, the deeper tools are a better match.
✓ Simple and quick to build.
✓ Gateway integrations.
✓ Good for low-volume needs.
– Limited for complex or high-volume needs.
Best for: simple, low-volume payment collection.
How to choose the right one
Insist on tokenization. The safest approach keeps card data off your systems entirely by tokenizing through the gateway. Confirm your tool does this.
Check your gateway. Make sure the tool supports the payment gateway you use or plan to use.
Consider recurring needs. If you collect subscriptions, donations, or installments, confirm recurring payment support.
Connect to your CRM. Payments synced to your CRM become usable records; standalone receipts create reconciliation work.
Frequently asked questions
What does PCI DSS compliance mean for a form?
It means the form handles card data according to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, typically by processing through a compliant gateway and never storing raw card numbers on your systems.
Do I have to store card numbers to take payments?
No, and you shouldn’t. Compliant tools tokenize card data through a gateway so the sensitive numbers never touch or stay in your systems, which reduces your compliance burden.
Can these forms handle recurring payments?
Many can. Several tools here, including FormAssembly, support recurring billing for subscriptions, donations, or installment plans.
Do payment forms sync with Salesforce?
Some do. FormAssembly syncs transaction data, including payment IDs, to Salesforce so each payment is recorded against the right account or contact.
What is PCI DSS Level 1?
Level 1 is the most rigorous PCI DSS validation tier, applied to organizations handling the largest volumes of card transactions. A vendor meeting Level 1 requirements signals a high standard of payment security; FormAssembly adheres to Level 1 requirements across its plans.
The bottom line
When payments must be both compliant and connected to your CRM, FormAssembly stands out: PCI DSS Level 1 security, recurring support, and direct Salesforce sync in one tool. Formstack and Jotform offer broad gateway flexibility, Cognito Forms and Wufoo suit simpler or budget-conscious needs, and 123FormBuilder fits configurable enterprise forms. Confirm tokenization and gateway support before you commit.
