Waitlists Overview - Understanding the 3 Types
Learn about the three types of waitlists available on Grasshopper Signup: Basic, Automatic, and Option-Specific. Find the right waitlist type for your form.
Waitlists on Grasshopper
Grasshopper offers three types of waitlists to help you manage signups when your form reaches capacity. Each type handles full options differently, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
The 3 Types of Waitlists
1. Basic Waitlist (Free)
The default waitlist that works on every form. When all options on your form are full, a Join Waitlist button appears automatically. Respondents join a single waitlist for the entire form, and you (the form creator) are notified so you can follow up manually. Waitlist members are not automatically moved into open slots.
Best for: Simple forms where you want to know who's interested if spots open up, and you're happy to manage follow-ups yourself.
2. Automatic Waitlist (Boost)
An upgraded version of the basic waitlist. When all options are full, respondents join a shared queue. The difference: when a spot opens, the system takes action automatically. Choose between two modes:
- Invite Mode: The next person on the waitlist gets an email notification with a link to claim the spot. They have 12 hours before the next person is notified.
- Auto-Fill Mode: The next person on the waitlist is instantly assigned to the open slot. No action needed from anyone.
Best for: Events, classes, or signups where any available slot works for the waitlisted person.
Full Guide: Automatic Waitlists
3. Option-Specific Waitlists (Boost)
A completely different approach. Instead of waiting for the entire form to fill up, respondents can join a waitlist for individual options that are full, while still signing up for other available options normally. When a spot opens on a specific option, the next person on that option's waitlist is automatically added.
Best for: Forms with multiple options where people care about which specific option they get (e.g., a fitness studio listing 10 classes, each capped at 10 spots).
Full Guide: Option-Specific Waitlists
Quick Comparison
| Basic | Automatic | Option-Specific | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan | Free | Boost | Boost |
| Triggers when | Entire form is full | Entire form is full | A specific option is full |
| Other selections | Nothing goes through | Nothing goes through | Go through normally |
| Auto-promote | No (manual) | Yes (invite or auto-fill) | Yes (auto-fill) |
| Can select which option to waitlist for | No | No | Yes |
Where to Find Waitlist Settings
All waitlist settings are on your form's Options page, inside the Form Settings card under the Waitlists section. The Disable Waitlist toggle at the top turns off all waitlist types. Below that, the Automatic Waitlists subheading contains the General Waitlist toggle and the Option-Specific Waitlists toggle.
Important Notes
- Automatic and Option-Specific waitlists are mutually exclusive. Enabling one automatically disables the other.
- The Disable Waitlist toggle turns off all waitlist types, including automatic and option-specific.
- Both automated waitlist types require a Boost subscription. The basic waitlist is free on all plans.