TL;DR: GravityView is the missing piece that turns Gravity Forms from a data collection tool into a complete application platform. It lets you display, search, and edit form entries on your WordPress frontend—essential for directories, listings, and user-generated content sites.
What Does GravityView Do?
GravityKit’s GravityView solves a fundamental limitation of Gravity Forms: forms collect data, but you can’t easily display it without custom code. GravityView bridges this gap by providing:
- Frontend entry display with customizable layouts
- Search and filter functionality
- Edit entries on the frontend
- User-submitted content directories
- Approval workflows for moderated listings
- Math calculations and data summaries
Key Features
Multiple Layout Types
Choose from table, list, dataTables, or map layouts depending on your use case. Each layout has customization options for which fields to show, how they’re formatted, and what actions users can take.
Drag-and-Drop Field Configuration
No coding required to build your display. Drag fields from your form into the view layout, arrange them how you want, and configure formatting options through the UI.
Advanced Filtering
Show only entries that match specific criteria. Filter by logged-in user (show only “my entries”), approval status, date ranges, or custom field values. Chain multiple conditions with AND/OR logic.
Search & Sort
Let visitors search entries by any field. Configure which fields are searchable and how results are sorted by default. AJAX-powered search updates results without page reloads.
Edit Entries on Frontend
Allow users to edit their own submissions after the fact. Configure which fields are editable, require approval for changes, or set time limits for editing.
Entry Approval System
Hold entries for moderation before they appear publicly. Admins get notifications, can approve/reject with notes, and users see their submission status.
Real-World Use Cases
1. Business Directory
Create a member directory where businesses submit their profiles via Gravity Forms, then display them in a searchable, filterable directory. Users can update their own listings, and you moderate submissions before they go live.
2. Event Listings
Let community members submit events through a form, then display them in a calendar or list view. Filter by date, category, or location. Show only approved events to maintain quality.
3. Job Board
Employers post jobs via a form; candidates browse and apply. Search by job type, location, or salary range. The approval workflow ensures listings meet your standards before going public.
4. Customer Support Portal
Show users their own support ticket history. They can view past submissions, check status, and update tickets with new information. Support staff see all tickets in a management view.
5. Product Reviews & Ratings
Collect product reviews via Gravity Forms, then display them on product pages with aggregate ratings. Sort by rating, filter by verified purchases, and moderate before publishing.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero code required for complex displays | Premium pricing ($69-$399/year) |
| Works with all Gravity Forms field types | Advanced features require higher tiers |
| Powerful approval/moderation system | Styling can require CSS knowledge |
| User edit permissions are granular | Large datasets can impact performance |
| Excellent search/filter capabilities | Map view requires Maps Layout |
| Math extension for calculations | Import/Export requires separate add-on |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GravityView | $69/year | 1 | Core plugin + Support |
| GravityView + Extensions | $149/year | 1 | All official extensions |
| All Access | $399/year | Unlimited | All products + priority support |
Core GravityView at $69/year handles most use cases. The Extensions bundle at $149 adds advanced features like importing/exporting entries, dataTables enhancements, and front-end approval workflows.
Technical Implementation Notes
- Performance: Enable caching for large entry sets—views query the database on each load
- Search: AJAX search requires JavaScript; falls back to standard form submission
- Permissions: Built-in capability checks ensure users only see/edit their own entries
- Styling: Uses standard Gravity Forms CSS classes; custom themes may need adjustments
- SEO: Entry detail pages are indexable; configure canonical URLs if needed
Integration Capabilities
GravityView works seamlessly with:
- Gravity Forms Add-ons: PayPal, Stripe, User Registration data all displayable
- Gravity Wiz Perks: Populate Anything can feed data into Views
- Gravity Flow: Show workflow status and history in your views
- Gravity PDF: Generate PDFs from entries displayed in Views
Gravity Forms Core vs GravityView
Gravity Forms core includes basic entry viewing in the admin, but you cannot:
- Display entries on the frontend
- Let users search or filter entries
- Allow users to edit their submissions
- Create public directories or listings
If you need any of these capabilities, GravityView is essentially required. The alternative is custom PHP development, which quickly exceeds the plugin’s cost in billable hours.
Bottom Line
GravityView is the essential companion to Gravity Forms when you need to display data, not just collect it. Business directories, job boards, event listings, support portals—any project where form submissions should be visible to users requires GravityView (or extensive custom development).
The plugin is mature, well-supported, and actively developed. While the pricing is premium, the time saved versus building custom solutions makes it worthwhile for most projects.
Get it: GravityKit GravityView — $69/year for 1 site, $149/year with all extensions, or $399/year unlimited.
