2025 Comparison

Mailfix vs Contact Form 7 vs WPForms

A clear comparison of WordPress form plugins: builder, message storage, SMTP, spam protection, and pricing.

Updated: June 2025
Our pick

Mailfix

Contact form plugin for WordPress

9.2/ 10
  • Message inbox directly in admin
  • SMTP configuration for free
  • Visual editor with live preview
  • reCAPTCHA v3 + honeypot for free
  • Export messages to CSV
  • Czech localisation and support

The most complete free plugin: message inbox, SMTP, and spam protection without a single extra plugin.

Contact Form 7

Most popular WP plugin (5M+ installs)

6.1/ 10
  • Free, large community
  • reCAPTCHA v2 and v3
  • Honeypot
  • Messages not saved
  • SMTP only via WP Mail SMTP plugin
  • Configured via shortcode

A proven choice with a huge community, but no message storage or SMTP: extra plugins are needed.

WPForms Lite

Free version of a paid plugin

5.4/ 10
  • Visual editor
  • Basic fields for free
  • Messages not saved (Lite)
  • SMTP via add-on
  • Full version from $49/year
  • Spam protection in paid version only

Nice builder, but the free version is significantly limited: full functionality requires an annual fee.

Detailed comparison

Feature by feature

Key features overview. We evaluate the free versions of each plugin.

Feature Mailfix Contact Form 7 WPForms Lite
Form builder
Visual editor Shortcode
Live preview
Gutenberg block Via shortcode
Shortcode
Mobile/desktop preview
Message management
Message inbox in admin Email only Paid
Export messages to CSV Placené
AJAX submission
Email delivery
Custom SMTP configuration Extra SMTP plugin Add-on
Test email from admin
Sent email log Paid
Spam protection
Honeypot protection Paid
Google reCAPTCHA v3 Paid
Rate limiting
GDPR consent Paid
Extensions (paid features)
File upload Pro add-on€42 / year Add-on Plus planfrom $49/year
Redirect after submission Pro add-on Plus plan
Email templates Pro add-on Plus plan
Localisation & support
Czech localisation Native Czech Community Partial
Czech support Community English only
Free price Free Free Free (limited)
Pro price €42 / year Add-ons free from $49/year
Why it matters

Where plugins differ most

Four areas where choosing the right plugin makes the biggest practical difference.

Message inbox: the biggest practical difference

Contact Form 7 and WPForms Lite do not save messages. If an email lands in spam, you can easily lose the enquiry. Mailfix stores messages in WordPress so you can see received, read, and archived items.

SMTP: whether emails actually arrive

The default wp_mail() often lands in spam or is restricted by the host. Mailfix has built-in SMTP settings directly in the plugin. With CF7 and WPForms you typically install a separate SMTP plugin.

Spam protection: no extra plugin needed

Mailfix includes honeypot, reCAPTCHA v3, and rate limiting for free. WPForms Lite limits these in the free tier; Contact Form 7 has no rate limiting. Fewer plugins means simpler maintenance.

Pro pricing: annual licence with no auto-renewal

WPForms paid plans start at $49/year and advanced features are in higher tiers. The Mailfix Pro add-on costs €42 for 1 year, no auto-renewal. Contact Form 7 is free but extensions often come from third-party add-ons of varying quality.

Common questions

Questions about the comparison

Yes. Like CF7, Mailfix supports both shortcode and Gutenberg block, so switching means installing, creating a new form, and replacing the shortcode on your pages. Existing CF7 forms cannot be imported (different data format), but you can recreate a form in the visual builder in minutes.
Yes. The Mailfix shortcode [mailfix_form id="1"] works in all page builders: Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, Bricks, and the classic editor. The Gutenberg block is available as a native block in the WordPress editor.
Yes, for messages from the contact form. Mailfix has built-in SMTP settings: enter your server, port, and credentials and it sends directly via your SMTP. Note: Mailfix SMTP only configures delivery for form messages, not other WordPress emails (user registration, WooCommerce orders).
CF7 has existed since 2007 and has accumulated ratings over 15+ years. It is reliable and well-tested, but its design predates visual builders. For users comfortable with shortcode tags who do not need message storage it still works well. For most modern sites, however, the missing inbox and SMTP are real limitations.

Try Mailfix for free

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