Filling out forms online can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when you need to enter the same information repeatedly. In this post, we'll explore the best approaches to autofill forms online, comparing the default browser autofill functionality with specialized extensions like SimpleFill.

Default Browser Autofill: The Built-in Solution

All major browsers come with built-in autofill capabilities that automatically save and fill your information in online forms.

Advantages:

• No installation required: It works out of the box with every modern browser
• Basic convenience: Saves time when filling simple forms with common fields
• Cross-device sync: Most browsers sync your autofill data across devices
• Security: Built directly into trusted browsers with security measures

Disadvantages:

• Limited control: You cannot control when or what data the browser saves
• No editing capabilities: Browsers typically don't provide ways to edit saved data, meaning incorrect information persists
• Limited to simple fields: Doesn't work well with multi-line text areas or more complex form elements
• Inconsistent behavior: Sometimes fills fields you don't want filled or misidentifies field types
• All-or-nothing approach: Most browsers fill entire forms rather than individual fields

SimpleFill: A Smarter Alternative

SimpleFill is a browser extension specifically designed to overcome the limitations of default browser autofill, offering more control and flexibility.

Key Features:

• Smart auto-suggestions: Intelligent suggestions appear in dropdowns as you type
• Right-click to fill: Access saved data via the context menu for any input field
• Full control: You decide exactly what data to save and when to use it
• Data management: Easily add, edit, delete, and organize your saved entries
• Multi-line text support: Works with all form elements, including textareas for longer content
• Folder organization: Organize saved data into folders for quicker access
• Import/export: Transfer your data between browsers or devices

Advantages:

• Precision: Fill exactly what you want, when you want
• Customization: Edit saved data anytime to ensure accuracy
• Versatility: Works with all input types including complex textareas
• Organization: Categorize and prioritize your saved data
• Time-saving: According to the SimpleFill website, it reduces form-filling time from 12 seconds to 3 seconds on average

How It Works:

1. Auto-suggestions: As you begin typing in a form field, a dropdown appears with relevant saved items
2. Context menu: Right-click on any input field to access your saved data and fill the field in one click
3. Form data manager: Easily manage all your saved information through an intuitive interface

Which Option Is Right For You?

Default browser autofill is sufficient if:

• You only need basic form filling for common fields
• You rarely need to update your information
• You primarily fill simple forms with standard fields

SimpleFill is better if:

• You frequently fill out complex forms
• You need to manage and edit your saved form data
• You work with multi-line text in forms
• You want precise control over what gets filled and when
• You need to organize different sets of information for different purposes

Getting Started with SimpleFill

SimpleFill is available for all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. The extension offers both free and paid tiers:

• Free tier: Includes up to 5 form data items and 2 folders
• Standard tier ($5 one-time): Unlimited form data items, folders, and more features
• Pro tier ($10 one-time): All features of Standard tier with additional benefits for power users such as unlimited auto-suggestions, multi-line text support, and more

Conclusion

While browser autofill provides a basic solution for simple form filling needs, extensions like SimpleFill offer significantly more control, flexibility, and efficiency for those who frequently work with online forms. By choosing the right autofill solution for your needs, you can save considerable time and frustration when completing forms online.

Try out SimpleFill for free and see how it improves your online form-filling experience and then decide for yourself if it's worth to buy a paid plan (one-time payment).

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Note: Features and pricing mentioned are current as of April 2025 and may be subject to change. Always verify current offerings on the official website.