Formstack vs HotDocs:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Formstack had more branded searches than HotDocs among document automation platforms worldwide. Formstack had about 27,100 branded searches, while HotDocs had 18,100. Formstack made up 11.1% of all document automation platform searches we track, and HotDocs accounted for 7.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about document automation platforms, Formstack and HotDocs each appeared in three of the five answers. Formstack and HotDocs were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Formstack, about 50% more searches than HotDocs
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top document automation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Formstack was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. HotDocs was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Formstack and HotDocs were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
PandaDoc1st
Conga2nd
Power Automate3rd
HotDocs4th- Formstack5th
Ironclad6th
Nintex–
Tungsten Automation–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PandaDoc5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Formstack3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- HotDocs3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Power Automate3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Conga3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Ironclad2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Nintex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Tungsten Automation0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about document automation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which document automation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best document automation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best document automation platform for business documents?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“document automation platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“contract automation software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Formstack or HotDocs more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Formstack and HotDocs by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight document automation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Formstack, HotDocs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PandaDoc | Formstack | HotDocs | Power Automate | Nintex | Tungsten Automation | Ironclad | Conga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 63.4% | 12.7% | 7% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.38% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 61.5% | 12.3% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 5.5% | 3.7% | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 62.5% | 12.6% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.41% | 0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 66.6% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 4% | 3.3% | 0.52% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 66.5% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 4% | 3.3% | 0.64% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.4% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 63.2% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 0.5% | 0.08% |
| May 2026 | 65.8% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 0.64% | 0.08% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.7% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 0.76% | 0.08% |
| Jul 2026 | 69.7% | 9.4% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 0.8% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.7% | 12.8% | 8.5% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 0.9% | 0.08% |
| Sep 2026 | 67.4% | 11.1% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 0.65% | 0.07% |
How has the Formstack and HotDocs comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Formstack was ahead of HotDocs in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Formstack’s share of searches among document automation platforms worldwide moved from 12.7% to 11.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HotDocs’ share of searches among document automation platforms worldwide moved from 7% to 7.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 18.1K.
How did search popularity change for document automation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Formstack lost share of searches among document automation platforms worldwide, from 12.8% to 11.1%.
In September 2026, HotDocs lost share of searches among document automation platforms worldwide, from 8.5% to 7.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Formstack’s and HotDocs’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among document automation platforms
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