Netlify Forms alternative for any host
Netlify Forms is convenient as long as the site is hosted on Netlify. Move elsewhere and you have to rewire the form. Netlify, Inc. is based in San Francisco and states no storage location in the EU. Mailiy does not care where you host, Netlify included.
Mailiy and Netlify Forms compared
| Feature | Mailiy | Netlify Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | 26LAB.IO, Mettmann (Germany) | Netlify, Inc. (USA) |
| Server location | Hetzner in Germany, own mail server | No EU storage location stated |
| Storing submissions | Encrypted, retention of your choice down to “Don't store” | Yes, in the Netlify account |
| Free | 100 submissions a month, 1 website | Included in the credit-based plans, only for sites on Netlify |
| Paid plans | From €9 a month | Netlify Personal from $9, Pro from $20 |
| Spam protection | Honeypot, rate limits, content filter, optional captcha (self-hosted ALTCHA, hCaptcha, Turnstile, reCAPTCHA) | Akismet, honeypot, reCAPTCHA 2 |
| File uploads | Up to 5 files, 10 MB, encrypted in the EU | Up to 8 MB per request |
| Webhooks | From Developer | Yes |
| DPA under Art. 28 GDPR | Concluded when you sign up | Apparently Enterprise only; transfers under SCCs and the DPF |
As of 2 November 2026, based on the provider's public pages. Prices and plans change, so check them there before you switch: docs.netlify.com/manage/forms/setup, www.netlify.com/pricing.
When Netlify Forms is the better fit
- Your site is on Netlify, will stay there, and the data may go to the USA.
- You want forms detected at build time without another account.
Switch from Netlify Forms to Mailiy
- Create a free account and copy your form's key.
- Replace the fields in your form using this table:
| Netlify Forms | Mailiy |
|---|---|
data-netlify="true" | action="https://mailiy.com/api/submit" method="POST" |
name="form-name" | access_key |
netlify-honeypot="bot-field" | botcheck |
action="/danke/" | redirect |
Every control field is listed in the docs, and setup steps for your platform are in the guides.
Before you cancel
- After the change, send a test message and check that it reaches your inbox and the dashboard.
- Enter the domains the form may send from in the dashboard.
- If you used webhooks or Zapier flows with Netlify Forms, set them up again in Mailiy. Slack, Discord and Telegram are built in; everything else runs through a webhook.
- Update your privacy policy and name Mailiy as the recipient of form data.
- Cancel Netlify Forms only after the new form has run for a few days without problems.
What matters when comparing
Server location and operator
A contact form transfers names, email addresses and often more. If the provider sits outside the EU or stores data there, you need a legal basis for the transfer to a third country and have to name it in your privacy policy. With a provider based and hosted in Germany, that step goes away.
Storage
Many services keep every submission so you can see it in a dashboard. That is handy, but it adds to the data you have to protect and delete at some point. Check whether you can set the retention yourself or switch storage off entirely.
Limits on the free plan
The number of submissions is rarely the problem. More often the free plan lacks uploads, custom redirects or a way to remove the branding. Check which feature you actually need before you decide on price.
Spam protection
A honeypot stops most bots without visitors noticing. Captchas help against persistent spam but cost conversions and often load third-party scripts. A good service lets you add a captcha only when you need one.
What else a contact form needs for the GDPR is covered in the GDPR checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Netlify Forms's servers?
No EU storage location stated. Mailiy: Hetzner in Germany, own mail server.
How much does Netlify Forms cost?
Free: Included in the credit-based plans, only for sites on Netlify. Paid: Netlify Personal from $9, Pro from $20. As of 2 November 2026.
Do I have to rebuild my form to switch from Netlify Forms?
No. You change the action URL, add the access_key field with your key and rename the control fields as in the table above. Your own fields stay as they are.
Can I bring my old submissions over from Netlify Forms?
Mailiy doesn't import old submissions. Export them from Netlify Forms before you cancel if you need to keep them, and store the file separately. Mailiy collects new submissions from the first test on.
Do I need a new DPA with Mailiy?
Yes, because Mailiy processes your visitors' data on your behalf. The DPA is concluded when you sign up, so there is nothing to print or sign. In your privacy policy, replace the old provider with Mailiy.