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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://doc.spike.ac/docs/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Overview

Google Forms is a free survey and form tool. Spike is a form backend service built for developers. They solve different problems, but many people use Google Forms as a quick contact form — here’s why Spike is a better fit.

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Feature Comparison

FeatureSpikeGoogle Forms
Custom design✅ Full control❌ Google’s UI only
Embed in your site✅ Native HTML⚠️ iframe embed
SubmissionsUnlimitedUnlimited
Email notifications✅ Customizable⚠️ Basic (via add-ons)
Webhooks✅❌
API access✅⚠️ Google Sheets API
Integrations21+ nativeVia Google Sheets + Zapier
Spam protection✅ Multiple layers❌
File uploads✅✅ (requires Google sign-in)
Custom redirects✅❌
BrandingYour brandGoogle branding
AJAX submission✅❌

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Why Choose Spike

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Your Design, Your Brand

Google Forms forces you into Google’s UI. Even when embedded, it looks like a Google Form. Spike lets you build your own HTML form with your own design — it’s invisible to the user.

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No iframe Embed

Google Forms embeds via iframe, which looks out of place on most sites. Spike forms are native HTML that match your site’s design perfectly.

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Webhooks and Integrations

Spike sends data to Slack, Discord, Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, and 15+ more services directly. Google Forms requires Google Sheets as a middleman, then Zapier for further integrations.

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Spam Protection

Spike has honeypot fields, reCAPTCHA, hCaptcha, Turnstile, ML filtering, and blocklists. Google Forms has no spam protection — anyone can submit anything.

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Developer-Friendly API

Spike has a clean REST API for managing forms and submissions programmatically. Google Forms requires the Google Sheets API with OAuth setup.

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File Uploads Without Sign-In

Google Forms requires users to sign in with a Google account to upload files. Spike accepts file uploads from anyone.

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When Google Forms Might Be Better

  • Internal surveys where design doesn’t matter
  • Quick polls for a team
  • When you need Google Sheets as the primary data store
  • When respondents already have Google accounts

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Example

Spike — native HTML form on your site: 
<form action="https://api.spike.ac/f/YOUR_FORM_SLUG" method="POST">
  <input type="text" name="_gotcha" style="display:none">
  <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Name" required>
  <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Email" required>
  <textarea name="message" placeholder="Message" required></textarea>
  <button type="submit">Send</button>
</form>
Google Forms — iframe embed: 
<iframe
  src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/YOUR_FORM_ID/viewform?embedded=true"
  width="640"
  height="800"
  frameborder="0">
</iframe>
One looks like your site. The other looks like Google.