It is the classic build vs. buy debate, but for hiring. Should you hack together a free process using Google Forms, or use a specialized tool like GigDrop?

For years, Google Forms has been the default for small businesses. It's free, familiar, and "good enough." But "good enough" stops working when you have 50 applicants and a messy spreadsheet.

Here is the honest breakdown of how they compare in 2026.

At a Glance: The Comparison Matrix

| Feature | Google Forms | GigDrop | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Purpose | Surveys & Data Collection | Social Hiring & Applicant Tracking | | Resume Upload | Requires Google Sign-in ❌ | Frictionless (No Sign-in) ✅ | | Mobile Experience | Generic Text Form | Branded, Visual App-like Experience | | Applicant Management | Google Sheet Rows | Kanban Dashboard | | Resume Preview | Click Link -> Open Drive Tab | In-Browser Preview | | Social Sharing | Boring Link (forms.gle) | Auto-generated Visual Cards |

1. Candidate Experience

Google Forms: It feels like a school quiz. It's functional but uninspiring. The biggest barrier is the Sign-in Wall. If you ask for a resume, Google forces the user to log in. This causes high drop-off rates, especially for passive candidates browsing on Instagram or WhatsApp.

GigDrop: We are mobile-first. Candidates see a beautiful cover image, salary details upfront, and can apply in under 60 seconds without creating an account.

2. The "After-Apply" Workflow

Google Forms: You get a spreadsheet.

• Want to email a candidate? Copy email -> Open Gmail -> Paste -> Send.
• Want to reject a candidate? Repeat above.
• Want to see their resume? Click link -> Wait for Drive.

GigDrop: You get a Dashboard.

• One-click WhatsApp: Chat with candidates instantly.
• Status Tags: Mark as "Shortlisted" or "Rejected".
• Automated Emails: Send rejection/interview emails with templates.

3. The Visual Advantage

In social recruiting, attention is currency. Sharing a Google Form link gets you a text preview. Sharing a GigDrop link gets you this:

Verdict

Use Google Forms if:

• You are hiring once a year for a volunteer position.
• You strictly want data in a spreadsheet and nothing else.

Use GigDrop if:

• You care about your employer brand.
• You want to save 5+ hours a week on admin work.
• You want to hire cleaner, faster, and more visually.

Make the switch today (It's free).