Compare / Tally
Rikyu Forms vs Tally
Pick Rikyu Forms when one link goes to many people, each with their own copy, and every new form that sends answers to a server must say how long answers are kept. Pick Tally when you want a free, public form builder today, hosted in Europe. Why
A side-by-side built only from each product's own pages. Where Tally's pages don't say, the table says so instead of guessing.
Side by side
How a form starts and lives
“Not stated” = the Tally pages we opened didn't say. It does not mean the feature is missing.
| Question | Rikyu Forms | Tally |
|---|---|---|
| Start from a plain note | Starts from a note, not a blank canvas. AI assistants can do the same through MCP (the way assistants like Claude connect to tools). | Through MCP:Create forms from a plain-language descriptionsourceIn-editor AI builder:Not stated on Tally's pages. |
| Field types and branching | Types:short text, long text, email, one choice, multiple choiceBranching:A question can show only when another answer matches. | Build dynamic forms that adapt based on prior inputs or external data.sourceFull type list:Not stated on Tally's pages. |
| Editing after the link is sent | Edit question wording later. The link you already sent keeps working. | In the editor:Not stated on Tally's pages.Through MCP:add, remove, or update fields and settingssource |
| Free tier and lowest paid price | No price published yet. Creating a form is waitlist-only for now. | Free:Unlimited forms, Unlimited submissions, within fair usageLowest paid:Pro "$24" "per month" source |
Side by side
Privacy, access, agents
“Not stated” = the Tally pages we opened didn't say. It does not mean the feature is missing.
| Question | Rikyu Forms | Tally |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic deletion (retention) | Every new form that sends answers to a server must say how long answers are kept, and they are deleted automatically after that. A record of the copy, including when it was deleted, remains. The deletion runs as a scheduled job. | Submissions data retention control is a Tally Business feature. After your set time, older submissions are automatically deleted.sourceRespondent-run copy/delete:Not stated on Tally's pages. |
| Agent / MCP access | 13 MCP tools: create a form (once your account is set up), get a copy to fill, fill it, submit, and read summaries. | Tally's MCP server is free to use on all plans. The assistant can edit and create forms, but it cannot delete forms or individual submissions.Filling forms:not mentioned on the page source |
| Thai for respondents | Each form is Thai or English. Thai is the default. | 50+ supported languagessourceThai specifically:Not stated on Tally's pages. |
| Where data is stored | Hosted by us (default) or in your own database. The hosted region is not stated yet. | hosted in Europe; securely stored, and encrypted both in transit and at rest.paraphrase source |
What Rikyu Forms does (we could not confirm these on Tally's pages)
- One link, a copy for each person
- Send one link to a group; each person gets their own copy. If their browser keeps its saved data, clicking again returns to their unfinished copy.
- Separate links for filling in and for reading answers
- The link for filling in and the link for reading answers are different. Either can be revoked.
- Does the respondent need an account?
- No signup needed for people filling it in.
Quotes are from the linked vendor pages as read on 10 Nov 2026; “paraphrase” marks a summary, not a quote. “Not stated” means the pages we opened did not say, not that the feature is missing.
Which is right for you?
Pick the one that fits the job.
Tally may be better if
You want free and public today
Unlimited forms
,Unlimited submissions
, within fair usage.Tally may be better if
You want Europe hosting or many languages
hosted in Europe
;50+ supported languages
.Tally may be better if
You want a free MCP server
MCP server free on all plans.
Rikyu Forms may be better if
One link goes to many people, and the answers must not outlive their purpose
Send one link to a group; each person gets their own copy. Every new form that sends answers to a server must say how long answers are kept. It isn't an optional paid setting. Through MCP, an agent can also get a copy, fill it in and submit it.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Rikyu Forms free?
Rikyu Forms has not published a price yet, and creating a form is waitlist-only for now. Tell us what you need and we'll build your first form for it.
On Tally's pages:Free:Unlimited forms
, Unlimited submissions
, within fair usageLowest paid:Pro "$24" "per month" source
How long are answers kept?
In Rikyu Forms every new form that sends answers to a server must say how long answers are kept; answers are deleted automatically after that. A record of the copy, including when it was deleted, remains.
On Tally's pages:Submissions data retention control is a Tally Business feature.
After your set time, older submissions are automatically deleted.
sourceRespondent-run copy/delete:Not stated on Tally's pages.
Can an AI agent fill in the form, not just build it?
Yes in Rikyu Forms: its 13 MCP tools (MCP is the way AI assistants like Claude connect to tools) include getting a copy, filling it in and submitting it. A form an agent submits does not yet record the person's consent, so ask them first.
On Tally's pages:Tally's MCP server is free to use on all plans.
The assistant can edit and create forms, but it cannot delete forms or individual submissions.
Filling forms:not mentioned on the page source
Rikyu Forms
Your next form, from a note.
Write the note you would send a colleague. Tell us what you collect and we'll build your first form for it.