This guide compares the two deployment models available for MachForm: MachForm Cloud and MachForm Self-Hosted. While both editions provide the exact same form-building capabilities and user interface, they differ significantly in terms of infrastructure management, data ownership, and pricing structure.
Overview
MachForm Cloud is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. MachForm manages the infrastructure, security, and updates. You simply log in and build forms.
MachForm Self-Hosted is an on-premise software package. You install it on your own web servers and retain full control over the database and file system.
Comparison at a Glance
Feature | MachForm Cloud | MachForm Self-Hosted |
Hosting Infrastructure | Hosted on MachForm's secure servers. | Hosted on your own servers (Linux/Windows). |
Installation | Instant provisioning (No installation required). | Manual installation required (Upload files, configure database). |
Maintenance & Updates | Automatic (Managed by MachForm). | Manual (You must download and apply updates). |
Data Residency | Data resides on MachForm's secure cloud servers. | Data resides entirely on your local infrastructure. |
Technical Requirements | None. | Moderate (Requires some knowledge of server administration). |
Pricing Model | Recurring Subscription (Monthly or Yearly). | One-Time License Fee (Perpetual License). |
Source Code Access | No. | Yes (Full PHP source code provided). |
MachForm Cloud (SaaS)
MachForm Cloud is a managed solution designed for organizations of all sizes (from small teams to large enterprises) that prioritize reliability, security, and operational efficiency. By leveraging MachForm's infrastructure, your team can focus on data collection while we handle the technical maintenance.
Key Benefits
Automatic Updates & Maintenance: Eliminate the downtime and effort associated with manual upgrades. You will always be running the latest, most secure version of the software without any action required from your IT team.
24/7 Monitoring & Reliability: We monitor the infrastructure around the clock to ensure your forms remain accessible. This removes the burden of downtime anxiety and troubleshooting from your internal staff.
Enterprise-Grade Security: Our managed environment is hardened against threats and backed up daily, providing peace of mind for sensitive data collection.
Instant Setup: Accounts are provisioned immediately, allowing different departments to deploy forms instantly without waiting for internal server provisioning.
Recommended For
Individuals & Small Businesses: Users who need a powerful form builder without the hassle of buying hosting or managing a server.
Enterprise IT Teams: Departments that want to offload the "maintenance burden" (patching, backups, upgrades) to save time and resources for other core business tasks.
MachForm Self-Hosted
MachForm Self-Hosted is designed for enterprises, government agencies, and developers who require absolute control over their data environment. This edition provides the full PHP source code, allowing for deep integration and customization.
Key Benefits
Data Sovereignty: You retain full control over where your data lives. This is critical for organizations with strict compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, Government) that mandate data must not leave their own servers.
One-Time Cost: You pay a single license fee for the software. The license is perpetual, meaning you can use the software indefinitely without further payment (though support and upgrade access requires an annual renewal).
Deep Integration: Because the software sits on your server, you can directly query the MySQL database or modify the PHP code to build custom integrations with internal legacy systems.
Recommended For
Organizations with strict data residency or compliance policies.
Developers who need to customize the source code or integrate directly with internal databases.
Operational Responsibilities
Unlike the Cloud version, the Self-Hosted edition requires active management. You are responsible for:
Ensuring your server meets the System Requirements.
Performing backups of your database and files.
Applying security patches and software updates manually.
Feature Parity
It is important to note that the form builder features are identical across both platforms. Whether you choose Cloud or Self-Hosted, you have access to:
The drag-and-drop Form Builder.
All field types (File Uploads, Signatures, Matrix, etc.).
Logic and Approval Workflows.
Payment Gateway Integrations (Stripe, PayPal, etc.).
Entry Management and Exporting tools.
Google Sheets and Calendar integration.
Single Sign-On (SSO).
Switching Between Editions
MachForm supports migration between platforms. If your needs change, you are not locked into your initial choice.
Cloud to Self-Hosted: You can request a database dump of your Cloud account to import into a self-hosted installation.
Self-Hosted to Cloud: MachForm support can assist in migrating your existing forms and entries to a Cloud subscription.