If you run a SaaS, you know the pain of handling subscriptions: failed payments, messy spreadsheets, and customers who drop off because your signup process is clunky. This guide is for founders, ops folks, or product managers who just want to set up a simple, reliable recurring payment form using Jotform — without buying into a full-blown billing platform.
Let’s be clear: Jotform isn’t a Stripe or Chargebee replacement. But it is a fast, no-code way to start collecting recurring payments. This guide will walk you through the real steps (and the gotchas) so you can get up and running quickly — and know what to expect.
Why use Jotform for SaaS subscriptions?
Here’s when Jotform makes sense: - You’re pre-launch, MVP, or early-stage and don’t want to code a billing system yet. - You don’t need fancy upgrades/downgrades, metered billing, or proration. - You just need to collect recurring payments and know who paid.
Jotform is not for you if: - You need to handle complex pricing, seat management, or automatic refunds. - You want deep integration with your app (webhooks and APIs are pretty basic). - You expect to scale to thousands of customers without switching platforms.
But if you’re just starting, or you want a simple way to test pricing and plans, it’s hard to beat Jotform for speed and ease.
Step 1: Know your payment processor options
Jotform doesn’t process money itself. It connects to third-party payment gateways. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Stripe (most popular, recommended for SaaS)
- Square
- PayPal (Standard, Business, or Personal)
- Authorize.Net
- Others (mostly for specific regions)
Pro tip: If you want subscriptions and the smoothest setup, use Stripe. It’s the most reliable for recurring payments and works well with Jotform’s forms.
Step 2: Get your accounts set up
You’ll need: - A Jotform account (free plans have limits; paid plans allow more submissions and storage). - A Stripe (or other gateway) account set up and verified. - Basic company info (business name, logo, support email, etc).
Ignore: Jotform’s “Starter” plan if you expect even modest volume — you’ll hit their submission/storage limits fast.
Step 3: Build your recurring payment form
Here’s where you actually make the thing your customers will see.
- Create a new form
- Log in to Jotform, click “Create Form,” and pick “Start From Scratch.”
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Choose “Classic Form” (single page, works well for payments).
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Add your fields
- Typical SaaS signup: Name, Email, maybe Company Name.
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Keep it short — every extra field means fewer signups.
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Add the payment integration
- Click “Add Form Element,” choose “Payments,” and select Stripe (or your gateway).
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Connect your account (you’ll need your Stripe login).
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Set to ‘Sell Subscriptions’
- In the payment element settings, change “Payment Type” to “Sell Subscriptions.”
- Create your plans: Name, price, billing interval (monthly, yearly, etc).
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Optional: Add trial periods or setup fees.
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Tweak and preview
- Drag and drop to move fields around.
- Jotform forms are mobile-friendly by default, but always preview to be sure.
Pro tip: Don’t overload your form with up-sells, add-ons, or legalese. Simpler forms convert better.
Step 4: Set up notifications and receipts
You want to know when someone pays — and they want a receipt.
- Set up email notifications for yourself or your team (so you know about new signups).
- Set up autoresponder emails for the customer (so they get a receipt/confirmation).
Both are under “Settings” > “Emails” in the form builder.
Watch out: Jotform’s default receipts are basic. For a more branded experience, customize the email template. You can add your logo, support info, and even a “Manage Subscription” link (but see below about limitations).
Step 5: Test your form (seriously, do this)
Before you go live: - Switch your payment integration to “Test Mode.” - Run a few test transactions using Stripe’s test cards (or PayPal’s sandbox). - Check the whole flow: Does your team get notified? Does the customer get a receipt? Does the subscription show up in your Stripe dashboard?
Don’t skip this. Payment flows are notorious for breaking in subtle ways, and nothing kills trust faster than a messed-up signup.
Step 6: Embed or share your form
You’ve got options: - Embed it directly on your website (Jotform gives you copy-paste embed codes). - Use a Jotform-hosted link (handy for quick launches or email campaigns). - Add as a popup or button.
Heads up: If you embed, test it on mobile and in incognito mode. Some site builders (like Wix or Squarespace) add weird iframes or block scripts that can break the form.
What Jotform gets right (and what to watch out for)
What works well
- Fast setup: You can go from zero to working form in under an hour.
- No code required: Drag-and-drop, mostly WYSIWYG.
- Handles the basics: Recurring billing, simple plan choices, and payment collection.
Where it falls short
- Subscription changes: Customers can’t upgrade/downgrade/cancel from your form. You’ll have to handle this manually or send them to Stripe’s customer portal (which isn’t integrated out of the box).
- Limited automation: No native dunning (automatic emails for failed payments), no in-depth reporting.
- Weak integrations: Webhooks, Zapier, and API exist, but they’re basic. Don’t expect deep CRM or product syncing.
- Branding: Receipts and confirmation emails are pretty plain unless you put in extra work.
Ignore the hype
- Don’t get sucked into Jotform’s “all-in-one” messaging. It’s a form builder, not a billing platform. If you outgrow it, migration isn’t automatic — you’ll have to move your subscribers to Stripe, Paddle, or another billing provider eventually.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Not telling customers how to manage their subscription: Add a line in your confirmation email explaining how they can cancel or update billing (even if it’s just “Email us at support@yourcompany.com to make changes”).
- Forgetting about taxes: Jotform doesn’t handle VAT/GST calculation. If you sell internationally, you’re on your own.
- Assuming it’ll scale forever: Jotform is great for dozens or a few hundred customers, not thousands. Plan for a migration path once you hit product/market fit.
Quick checklist before you go live
- [ ] Tested live and in test mode
- [ ] Team notifications set up
- [ ] Customer receipts customized
- [ ] Instructions for managing subscriptions included
- [ ] Embedded/tested on all devices
- [ ] Legal and tax info sorted
Keep it simple — and be ready to iterate
Jotform is a solid way to get recurring payments working today, especially if you’re pre-product or just validating pricing. Don’t overthink it. Ship your form, see how real customers use it, and be ready to switch tools as you grow. Focus on what matters: getting paid and keeping the signup flow painless.
If you hit the limits of what Jotform can do — that’s a good problem. It means you’ve got real traction. Until then, keep it simple and keep moving.