When it comes to building a complex booking system within an existing WordPress site, there are a few options to consider. The forms involved will require select fields that are populated based on results from an API call, calculations based on inputs and selections, and conditional fields. It’s important to find a solution that offers flexibility and customization while also considering the impact on site speed and overhead.

Two popular choices for WordPress form plugins are Gravity Forms and Ninja Forms. These plugins have a solid reputation and are widely used in the WordPress community. However, it’s important to evaluate whether they offer the necessary flexibility and customization for your specific needs.

Gravity Forms is known for its robust features and powerful form-building capabilities. It offers a wide range of form fields and form customization options. With the help of add-ons, you can extend the functionality of Gravity Forms and integrate it with various third-party services. However, depending on the complexity of your booking system, you may find that customization options are limited, especially when it comes to dynamically populating select fields based on API results or implementing complex calculations.

Ninja Forms, on the other hand, is a more lightweight form builder plugin that still offers a lot of flexibility. It allows you to create complex forms with conditional logic and calculations. It also provides integrations with popular email marketing services and payment gateways. While Ninja Forms may not have as many out-of-the-box features as Gravity Forms, it provides a solid foundation for customization, making it a good option for developers who prefer to have more control over the form-building process.

In terms of performance and overhead, both Gravity Forms and Ninja Forms are well-optimized plugins. They are actively maintained and regularly updated, ensuring compatibility with the latest version of WordPress. However, depending on the specific requirements of your booking system, you may need to consider additional optimizations to ensure optimal site speed and performance.

If you feel more comfortable with building forms from scratch using your preferred technology stack, it’s worth exploring other options outside of WordPress plugins. While WordPress is a powerful content management system, it may not always be the best fit for every custom development project. Consider evaluating alternative solutions that align more closely with your expertise and requirements.

In conclusion, both Gravity Forms and Ninja Forms offer solid options for building complex forms within your WordPress site. Gravity Forms is known for its extensive feature set, while Ninja Forms provides a lightweight and flexible form-building experience. Evaluate your specific needs and weigh the pros and cons of each plugin to determine which one best suits your requirements. Remember to consider performance and overhead factors as well, and don’t be afraid to explore alternative solutions if necessary.