PutWhat Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit it. They allow the site to remember information about your visit, such as your login state, your preferred theme, or how you navigate between pages.
Cookies are not programs and cannot run code on your device. They cannot access other files on your computer or read data stored by other websites. Most cookies are identified by a name and a value, and they are sent back to the originating server with each request.
Cookies vs. similar technologies
In this policy, "cookies" also covers similar technologies we may use, including:
- Local storage — browser storage used to keep preferences such as your chosen color theme.
- Session storage — temporary storage cleared automatically when you close the browser tab.
- Pixels and tags — tiny invisible elements used to measure page visits (only where enabled).
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies for a small number of clearly defined purposes:
- Keeping you signed in — so you don't have to log in on every page you visit.
- Securing your account — helping us detect suspicious or fraudulent sessions.
- Remembering preferences — such as dark mode, language, and layout choices.
- Understanding usage — aggregated, anonymized statistics that show which features are used and where the platform can improve.
- Protecting the Service — rate limiting and abuse prevention on our API and form submission endpoints.
We do not use cookies to sell your personal data, and we do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies on PutForm.
Types of Cookies We Use
By duration
- Session cookies — exist only while your browser is open and are deleted automatically when you close it. Our authentication cookie is a session cookie.
- Persistent cookies — remain on your device for a set period (or until you delete them). These are used for preferences like theme selection.
By source
- First-party cookies — set directly by PutForm and used only by us.
- Third-party cookies — set by external services we rely on, such as infrastructure or error-monitoring providers. These are limited and described in Section 06.
By purpose
- Strictly necessary — required for the platform to function. These cannot be switched off.
- Preference — remember choices you make, such as dark mode.
- Analytics — help us understand aggregate usage. Optional.
Cookie Reference Table
The table below lists the cookies PutForm currently sets, along with their purpose and typical lifetime. Names may change slightly as the platform evolves.
| Name | Category | Purpose | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
pf_session |
Essential | Authenticates your session so you stay logged in across pages. | Session |
pf_csrf |
Essential | Protects against cross-site request forgery on form submissions. | Session |
pf_consent |
Essential | Stores your cookie choices so we don't ask again on every visit. | 12 months |
putform-theme |
Preference | Remembers whether you selected light or dark mode. | 12 months |
pf_analytics |
Analytics | Anonymous, aggregated page-view counts used to improve the product. | 6 months |
Session & Authentication Cookies
PutForm uses cookie-based sessions to authenticate users. When you log in, our server issues a session cookie that identifies your account on subsequent requests. This is why you can move between your dashboard, forms, and profile without logging in again.
Because these cookies are essential to how the Service works:
- They cannot be disabled while you are logged in.
- They are marked
HttpOnlyso client-side scripts cannot read them. - They are marked
Secureso they are only sent over HTTPS connections. - They are invalidated immediately when you log out or delete your account.
If you use our public API with server-side credentials, those credentials are sent in request headers and do not rely on browser cookies.
Third-Party Cookies
Some parts of PutForm are delivered through trusted third-party providers. These providers may set their own cookies when you interact with their services. We keep this list as short as possible and only work with vendors who process data on our instructions.
- Infrastructure & hosting — our backend runs on a cloud platform that may set short-lived technical cookies for load balancing and security.
- Payment processing — if you subscribe to a paid plan, our payment provider may set cookies to prevent fraud and complete checkout securely. We never receive or store your full card details.
- Error monitoring — used to detect crashes and broken pages. These records are aggregated and do not identify you personally.
We do not permit third parties to use cookies on PutForm for advertising or to build cross-site profiles of your behavior.
Managing Your Cookies
You are in control of cookies. You can manage them in two ways: through the preference panel below, and through your browser settings.
Strictly necessary
Required for login, security, and core platform functionality.
Preferences
Remembers your theme and display choices between visits.
Analytics
Anonymous usage statistics that help us improve the product.
Through your browser
Every major browser lets you view, block, and delete cookies. Look under Settings → Privacy and security in your browser. Useful starting points:
- Chrome — "Third-party cookies" and "Site data"
- Safari — "Prevent cross-site tracking" and "Manage Website Data"
- Firefox — "Cookies and Site Data"
- Edge — "Cookies and site permissions"
Blocking all cookies will prevent you from logging in to PutForm, since our authentication relies on a session cookie. Clearing cookies will log you out and reset your saved theme.
Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers can send a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal to websites. There is still no common industry standard for how DNT should be interpreted, so PutForm does not currently respond to DNT headers.
However, because we do not run advertising or cross-site tracking cookies, there is no behavioral profile to opt out of in the first place. If a legal standard for DNT is adopted in your jurisdiction, we will revisit this position.
Retention Periods
Cookies stay on your device only as long as necessary for the purpose they were set:
- Session cookies are removed when you close your browser or log out.
- Preference cookies are kept for up to 12 months, or until you clear them.
- Analytics cookies are kept for up to 6 months in aggregate form.
- Your consent record is kept for 12 months before we ask you again.
When you delete your PutForm account, server-side session records are invalidated immediately and any remaining client-side cookies expire on their normal schedule or can be cleared manually from your browser.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add or remove cookies, change providers, or when the law requires it. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or with an in-app notice.
Your continued use of PutForm after an update takes effect means you accept the revised policy. If you do not agree, you can adjust your cookie preferences or stop using the Service.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, want to know which cookies are active on your account, or want to exercise a privacy right, please reach out.
Questions about cookies?
Reach our privacy team by email or through the contact form. We respond within 30 days.