HowdyForms vs. iCapture

Do you need a form app or a trade show scanner?

iCapture is built for trade show lead retrieval, badge scanning, business card capture, and CRM or marketing automation workflows. HowdyForms is built for a simpler use case: branded visitor-facing forms, offline capture, local lead review, and CSV export.

Download HowdyForms Compare the tools
Choose HowdyForms when You want a visitor-facing form

Offline capture, kiosk mode, local organization, ratings, notes, tags, CSV export, and no monthly subscription are the center of the workflow.

Choose iCapture when You need lead retrieval automation

Badge scanning, business card capture, CRM or marketing automation sync, and a subscription-based lead retrieval workflow matter more than a simple kiosk form.

Quick guide

Simple form capture or trade show lead retrieval?

iCapture is a better fit when your booth team needs to scan attendee badges or business cards and route those contacts into sales and marketing systems.

HowdyForms is a better fit when you want a branded form experience that visitors can complete on your device, even when the event internet is unreliable.

Side by side

Where each tool fits best.

iCapture is more specialized for booth-staff scanning, CRM sync, and subscription-based lead retrieval. HowdyForms is more approachable for local event forms, sign-ins, open houses, and simple lead follow-up.

Feature HowdyForms iCapture
Primary strength Simple offline forms, kiosk mode, local lead review, and CSV export for in-person event capture. Trade show lead retrieval with badge or barcode scanning, business card capture, and CRM or marketing automation sync.
Setup style Create a form in the app, style it, and hand the device to visitors. Sign up for iCapture, configure a web-based questionnaire, install the app, and connect sync destinations when needed.
Cost model Free to download and try. A one-time $14.99 USD in-app purchase unlocks all features, including lead details, CSV export, and backups. No monthly subscription. An iCapture subscription is required to use the app's functionality.
Capture method Visitor-facing forms completed on your phone or tablet. Badge, barcode, QR code, and business card capture handled by booth staff.
Offline use Designed for offline capture on the device. App store listings state that an internet connection is not required and capture can work with or without internet.
Follow-up workflow Lead list, ratings, notes, tags, search, and CSV export after the event. Syncs captured leads to CRM, marketing automation, email providers, databases, or other connected systems.
Best fit Small teams, local events, open houses, sign-in tables, and booths that want a lightweight lead capture app. Sales and marketing teams that need trade show scanning and automated routing into CRM or marketing systems.
HowdyForms benefits

Built for lightweight in-person capture.

HowdyForms keeps the workflow simple when you do not need badge scanning, business card capture, or a large CRM routing setup.

  • Collect leads on a phone or tablet even when the venue Wi-Fi is unreliable.
  • Use kiosk mode and an optional PIN to keep visitors in the form experience.
  • Keep forms, leads, ratings, tags, notes, and backups on the device unless you export or share them.
  • Review leads after the event, qualify them with ratings and notes, then export CSV for follow-up.
  • Pay once for the app instead of maintaining a trade show lead retrieval subscription.
  • Use a focused app without requiring a CRM or marketing automation setup.
iCapture benefits

Strong for scan-heavy trade show teams.

iCapture is useful when booth staff need to quickly capture existing badge or business card data and sync it into downstream systems.

  • Scan badges, barcodes, or QR codes using a phone or tablet camera.
  • Capture business cards as part of the lead retrieval workflow.
  • Work with or without an internet connection according to app store listings.
  • Send auto-reply emails and sync to CRM, email, database, or marketing platforms.
  • Use a subscription-based tool for teams that need lead retrieval automation.
  • Support sales and marketing teams with existing automation workflows.
Feature checklist

What is included in each workflow?

A quick look at the difference between visitor-facing form capture and subscription-based booth-staff lead retrieval.

Feature HowdyForms iCapture
Offline event capture ✓ ✓
Visitor-facing kiosk form ✓
Badge or barcode scanning ✓
Business card capture ✓
Lead ratings, tags, and notes ✓ ✓
CSV export ✓ ✓
One-time purchase ✓
CRM and marketing automation sync ✓
No subscription required ✓
Workflow view

The capture moment is different.

iCapture is booth-staff-driven lead retrieval with a required subscription. HowdyForms is visitor-facing form capture, free to download with a one-time unlock purchase.

HowdyForms

Event capture flow

  1. Build and brand the form
  2. Open kiosk mode on your device
  3. Collect leads offline at the booth
  4. Rate, tag, note, search, and export CSV
iCapture

Lead retrieval flow

  1. Set up iCapture and questionnaire
  2. Scan a badge, QR code, barcode, or business card
  3. Qualify the lead and route it to connected systems
  4. Sync captured data when connected
Bottom line

If you want a simple event form, choose HowdyForms.

Use iCapture when badge scanning, CRM automation, and a subscription lead retrieval workflow are the main job. Use HowdyForms when you want private, in-person lead capture with a free download, a one-time unlock purchase, less setup, and a visitor-facing form experience.

Download HowdyForms on the App Store Get HowdyForms on Google Play
References

iCapture source notes

iCapture details on this page are based on official app store listings and Cvent product documentation, reviewed while preparing this comparison.

  1. iCapture App Store listing: The App Store listing describes Cvent iCapture as lead capture for trade shows, conferences, and events, says an internet connection is not required, lists badge scanning, business card capture, auto-reply emails, and CRM or marketing automation sync, and notes that an iCapture subscription is required. Read the App Store listing .
  2. iCapture Google Play listing: The Google Play listing describes iCapture PowerScan as a mobile data capture app for trade shows and events, with setup through an iCapture account, barcode or QR scanning, business card capture, use with or without an internet connection, and an iCapture Power Plan subscription requirement. Read the Google Play listing .
  3. Cvent LeadCapture context: Cvent describes LeadCapture as an app for exhibitors and sponsors to scan, qualify, rate, and take notes on leads, and explains that Cvent iCapture is designed for third-party events and trade shows where event data is not managed in Cvent. Read Cvent's lead capture page .
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