Activity Messenger is an alternative to Jotform that stores users’ data in Canada.
If you’re looking for a form builder that’s compliant with Canadian privacy laws and offers local customer support, Activity Messenger is a powerful choice. It goes beyond just forms and payments by combining email, SMS, attendance tracking, and registration tools into one platform.
We’ll compare Jotform and Activity Messenger to help Canadian businesses choose the best option for compliant, all-in-one communication and registration software.
| Feature | Activity Messenger | Jotform |
| Customizable form creation | ✅ Drag & drop form builder, intuitive templates, Canva integration for on-brand visuals | ✅ Drag & drop, 1000s of templates for easy customization |
| User-friendly interface | ✅ Simple, intuitive design for all skill levels | ✅ Intuitive design for most users |
| Data analysis & reporting | ✅ Advanced reports with filters, export options, and follow-ups via email/SMS | ✅ Basic summary graphs and charts |
| Form responses storage | ✅ Store responses as PDFs and filter results | ✅ Store responses as PDFs with limited filtering |
| CDN & hosting | ✅ Data stored in Canada, fully compliant with Bill 25 and Canadian privacy laws | ❌ Only available with Enterprise plan; default storage is US-based |
| Customer support | ✅ Dedicated Canadian-based support team that understands local needs | ❌ No localized Canadian support |
| Bulk SMS feature | ✅ Built-in SMS campaigns, reminders, and automation | ❌ Requires Zapier + external SMS tools |
| Attendance tracking | ✅ Track class/event check-ins, waitlists, and skills progress | ❌ Not a primary feature |
| Bilingual platform | ✅ English & French with AI-powered translation | ✅ Multiple languages, but no Canadian bilingual focus |
| Email marketing tools | ✅ Built-in newsletters and automated reminders | ❌ Not included |
| Other integrations | ✅ Canva, ChatGPT, Stripe Terminal, and more | ✅ Integrations via Zapier and API |
| Payment processing | ✅ Credit cards, Stripe, and Interac for Canadian users | ✅ Credit cards, Stripe, Square, PayPal, and more |
| Digital waivers & e-signatures | ✅ Collect, store, and automate digital waivers with reminders | ✅ Jotform Sign available, but not activity-focused |
Both Jotform and Activity Messenger offer a form builder with data storage that allows users to design and customize forms according to their specific requirements. Whether you need a form for event registration, class sign-ups, digital waivers, or feedback surveys, both platforms offer a variety of templates and design options.
Activity Messenger integrates with Canva, allowing you to build and share professional-looking forms that are on brand.
Both platforms have user-friendly, drag-and-drop interfaces that allow users of all technical skill levels to easily create forms, send communications, and analyze data.
Jotform provides basic analysis tools. It automatically generates summary graphs and charts that visualize response data. Activity Messenger provides detailed reports that enable you to quickly analyze the responses you receive.
Activity Messenger is a Canadian form builder that offers customer service tailored to the Canadian market.
This means we understand the unique needs of Canadian organizations. Jotform does not have the same level of localized support in Canada.
Activity Messenger stands out because it allows users to send bulk text messages to survey respondents without needing an additional tool. This feature is useful for quickly sending updates and important information, which helps organizations enhance their communication with customers.
Jotform focuses on form creation and data collection. Sending text messages to respondents requires integration with another tool via Zapier.
Jotform only allows data storage in Canada as part of the Enterprise Plan. Activity Messenger stores all data in Canada, ensuring compliance with local privacy laws and regulations.
This is a significant benefit for Canadian businesses. With Jotform, data storage is not localized, which raises concerns about privacy and compliance.
Activity Messenger offers robust attendance tracking capabilities, which are essential for managing events, camps and classes.
With Activity Messenger’s integration with Canva, users can create visually appealing marketing materials and communications directly within the platform. This makes designing and distributing professional-looking content easy.
Support from people who’ve actually run a camp? That’s not a feature. That’s a superpower.
Both Jotform and Activity Messenger continue to evolve with new features designed to improve form building, communication, and automation. While their development focuses differ, each platform has made meaningful updates in 2025 to support their respective users:
An increasing number of Canadian SMBs are migrating their online forms tool to a Canadian-based alternative, such as Activity Messenger.
By choosing Activity Messenger, you benefit from a platform that is:
And best of all—it’s simple to use. With its intuitive interface, drag-and-drop tools, and built-in templates, Activity Messenger lets you get up and running in minutes. Plus, you’ll have access to real support from a Canadian team that understands your business.
💬 What our customers say:
“We have been working with Activity Messenger for almost two years now and we are so happy we were introduced to their product. We replaced both Mailchimp and Survey Monkey with Activity Messenger as well as continue to find new ways to utilize AM in our daily work. It’s such a robust and easy platform to use.” — Catherine D., Member Services Manager & Finance, Non-Profit Organization Management
“It has been great. Service and response times have been terrific! [Our customer success representative] has been great to work with and we were up and running in no time.” — Kimberly F., Executive Director, Non-Profit Organization Management
💡Looking for more Canadian alternatives to US-based tools? Check out our comparison articles on alternatives to MailChimp, Google Forms, Wufoo Forms, and SurveyMonkey to find Canadian platforms that suit your needs.
What are some popular Jotform alternatives available in Canada?
There are not many alternatives to Jotform that are Canadian-based. Activity Messenger, a tool based in Montreal, is an online form builder that stores your data in Canada.
Why consider a Canadian alternative to Jotform for form building?
A Canadian form builder like Activity Messenger offers the same features as Jotform, stores all of your data in Canada, and also complies with Canadian privacy laws.
What are the advantages of using a Canadian platform for online forms?
A local platform stores all of your data in Canada, better understands the Canadian business environment, complies with Canadian regulations, and provides support in Canada.
Can you send text messages with Jotform?
Jotform does not allow users to send SMS/text messages to respondents. You will need to connect to another tool using Zapier. Alternatives like Activity Messenger offer bulk SMS as part of their form builder tool.
Is Jotform the best form builder?
Jotform is a powerful global form builder with thousands of templates and strong customization features, but it isn’t always the best fit for Canadian organizations. Its default data storage is US-based, and Canadian data residency is only available with an Enterprise plan. For businesses that need compliance with Canadian privacy laws and integrated tools for registration, payments, and communication, Activity Messenger is often the better choice.
While Jotform is a powerful global tool, it’s not tailored to the specific needs of Canadian businesses, especially when it comes to data residency, local support, and integrated communications. Activity Messenger is more than just a form builder—it’s a comprehensive registration, communication, and payment platform designed with Canadian users in mind. Here are some reasons to consider it:
💡 Looking for a Canadian Jotform replacement that simplifies forms, payments, and communication? Book a demo call today to see how Activity Messenger can save you time, keep your data in Canada, and streamline your operations.
