API first intake, not a form builder
Define multi step schemas in JSON. Version, publish, and pin embeds. No drag and drop UI, built for developers shipping SaaS.
Intake Relay
Headless form backend API
Structured intake and workflow backend for SaaS apps
Define versioned onboarding flows via API. Embed in your product without iframes. Validate on the server. Trigger webhooks on every intake.submitted.
Built by Willow River Automation for teams replacing one off form endpoints, brittle validation, and DIY webhook retry logic.
Why Intake Relay
Embed anywhere, no iframe
Drop a script tag or call IntakeRelay.mount() in React. Multi step flows, conditional logic, and server validation. Your CSS, your UX.
Webhook engine included
Every submission triggers signed webhooks with retries and delivery logs. Connect CRM, provisioning, or internal queues without building plumbing.
How it works
One backend replaces custom form endpoints, frontend only validation, and webhook retry code.
- Step 1
Define
Create a flow and publish a versioned schema (fields, steps, validation).
- Step 2
Embed
Add intake.js to your signup or onboarding page, no iframe.
- Step 3
Submit
Intake Relay validates on the server and stores structured data.
- Step 4
Automate
Webhooks fire to your backend: CRM, email, tenant provisioning.
Features
Everything you need for SaaS onboarding intake, not a marketer survey tool.
- Immutable published versions. Ship v2 without breaking v1 embeds
- Server side validation, conditionals, and computed fields
- Idempotency keys for safe signup retries
- Embed SDK (vanilla JS), no iframe, full CSS control
- intake.submitted webhooks with HMAC signatures
- Automatic webhook retries and delivery log
- Per flow embed keys. Never expose admin API keys in the browser
- Intake event audit trail per submission
Intake Relay vs Typeform
Typeform is a survey tool. Intake Relay is a Typeform alternative API for teams that need a headless form backend inside their own product.
| Typeform | Intake Relay | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary user | Marketers | Developers |
| Integration | iframe / link | Native embed SDK + REST API |
| Data model | Form UI object | Versioned intake schema |
| Workflows | Limited native | Webhook engine with retries |
| Customization | Branded templates | Full control of UI/CSS |
| Version safety | Edits can break live forms | Immutable published versions |
FAQ
What is Intake Relay?
Intake Relay is a developer first backend for structured intake in SaaS apps. You define versioned onboarding or signup schemas via JSON API, embed multi step flows in your product without iframes, validate submissions on the server, and trigger webhook workflows on intake.submitted.
Is Intake Relay a form builder like Typeform?
No. Typeform is a marketer facing survey UI. Intake Relay is a headless form backend API: you own the frontend and CSS, pin immutable published versions, and integrate via REST or the embed SDK.
How does the free tier work?
Free accounts include up to 10 intake submissions per month, one flow, and one webhook endpoint, enough to wire up your app and test end to end before upgrading. File uploads are not included on Free; upgrade to Starter or Growth for optional file fields. Email verification is required when you create an account.
What is an embed key vs an API key?
The API key (mfk_) is for your backend: create flows, publish versions, read submission history. The embed key (ifk_) is scoped to one flow for public submit and schema fetch, safe to use in frontend code.
How do webhooks work?
When intake is accepted, Intake Relay queues intake.submitted deliveries with HMAC-SHA256 signatures, retries on failure, and a delivery log. Your server verifies X-Intake-Signature on the raw body.
How much does Intake Relay cost?
Intake Relay is free for up to 10 submissions per month. Starter is $29/month (2,000 submissions, 5 flows), Growth is $79/month (20,000 submissions, unlimited flows), and Scale is custom pricing for higher volume or SLA needs. Start on the free tier and upgrade when you need more capacity.
Can I version onboarding without breaking live users?
Yes. Published flow versions are immutable. Embeds pin to a version number so you can draft v2 while v1 stays live.
Does Intake Relay store uploaded files forever?
No. On Starter, Growth, and Scale plans, optional file fields upload to Google Cloud Storage with a 10 MB per file limit on standard plans. Files are automatically deleted after 60 days. Intake Relay is for intake workflows, not long term document archival. Use webhooks to copy attachments into your own storage if you need to keep them longer. The free tier does not include file uploads.
Can I upload video or larger files?
Standard plans are capped at 10 MB per file to keep costs predictable. If you are on the Scale plan and need larger attachments (for example short video clips), contact us. Higher limits are available by special request only, subject to custom pricing and manual setup on our side. We recommend discussing requirements before you build on it.
Replace your custom form backend
Start with 10 free submissions to test webhooks and embeds, then upgrade to Starter or Growth when you ship to production.
Intake Relay: headless intake for your SaaS