Pipeback: an open-source alternative to Tally
Compare Pipeback and Tally: both build forms like a doc. Pipeback is open source, and its Pro plan includes data retention, verified emails and 90 days of versions.
No credit card. Unlimited forms and submissions on Free.
When Pipeback is worth comparing with Tally
Tally and Pipeback both let you write a form like a doc, and both have a generous free plan. Pipeback is open source, so you can host it yourself, and its Pro plan includes controls Tally keeps for Business.
Open source, yours to host
Pipeback is open source under the AGPL. Host it on your own server for free, with every feature unlocked. Tally is a hosted service.
Business controls at the Pro price
Pipeback Pro is $25/month and includes data retention control, verified emails, 90 days of version history and an audit log. Tally lists data retention, email verification and 90-day version history on Business, at $89/month.
A free plan that stays free
Pipeback Free has no time limit: unlimited forms and submissions under fair use, logic, calculations, hidden fields, every integration, the REST API and the MCP server. Tally's free plan is generous too, so compare the details you use.
Pipeback vs Tally feature by feature
| Feature | Pipeback | Tally |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | Write the form like a doc | Write the form like a doc |
| Free plan | Unlimited forms and submissions (fair use) | Unlimited forms and submissions (fair use) |
| Open source | Yes, AGPL; self-host with every feature | No, hosted only |
| Data retention and verified emails | Pro | Business |
| Version history | 90 days on Pro | 30 days on Pro, 90 days on Business |
| Payments | Not available | Payments, on Free |
| Integrations | Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Slack, webhooks and more | Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Zapier, Make, webhooks and more |
| Pricing comparison | ||
| Unlimited forms and submissions | $0, Free | $0, Free |
| No branding, your own domain, your team | $25/month, Pro | $29/month, Pro |
| Data retention, verified emails, 90 days of versions | $25/month, Pro | $89/month, Business |
| Hosted on your own server | $0, self-hosted | Not available |
Pipeback
- Editor
- Write the form like a doc
- Free plan
- Unlimited forms and submissions (fair use)
- Open source
- Yes, AGPL; self-host with every feature
- Data retention and verified emails
- Pro
- Version history
- 90 days on Pro
- Payments
- Not available
- Integrations
- Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Slack, webhooks and more
- Unlimited forms and submissions
- $0, Free
- No branding, your own domain, your team
- $25/month, Pro
- Data retention, verified emails, 90 days of versions
- $25/month, Pro
- Hosted on your own server
- $0, self-hosted
Tally
- Editor
- Write the form like a doc
- Free plan
- Unlimited forms and submissions (fair use)
- Open source
- No, hosted only
- Data retention and verified emails
- Business
- Version history
- 30 days on Pro, 90 days on Business
- Payments
- Payments, on Free
- Integrations
- Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Zapier, Make, webhooks and more
- Unlimited forms and submissions
- $0, Free
- No branding, your own domain, your team
- $29/month, Pro
- Data retention, verified emails, 90 days of versions
- $89/month, Business
- Hosted on your own server
- Not available
USD before taxes, billed monthly, from each pricing page in November 2026. Both products have a free plan with no time limit.
Switch if you...
- Want a form builder you can host yourself, with its source code open
- Need data retention or verified emails without paying for a Business plan
- Want 90 days of version history and an audit log on Pro
Stick with Tally if you...
- Collect payments in your forms: Pipeback has no payment question
- Rely on Tally's Zapier or Make integrations
- Are happy on Tally's free plan and have no need to self-host
Moving over
Rebuild in minutes from a template
Pipeback doesn't import Tally forms. Most forms take a few minutes to rebuild: start from a template or a blank page and type your questions like a doc.
Start from a template- Pick a template, or start blank
- Type your questions and add logic where you need it
- Share the new link, or swap the embed on your site
Connects to the tools you already use
Send each submission to Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Slack, Discord, Coda, Linear or Attio, and work on your forms from Claude or ChatGPT over MCP.
Your next form is a few keystrokes away
Create an account and publish your first form today.
No credit card. Unlimited forms and submissions on Free.