CAPTCHA Solutions Comparison
This comprehensive comparison will help you choose the best CAPTCHA solution for your Basin forms. Each solution offers unique advantages depending on your specific needs, user base, and priorities.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Google reCAPTCHA v2 | Google reCAPTCHA v3 | hCAPTCHA | Cloudflare Turnstile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Interaction | Required (checkbox/challenge) | None (invisible) | Required (checkbox/challenge) | None (invisible) |
| Privacy Focus | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ High | ✅ Very High |
| Performance | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Accessibility | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good | ✅ Better | ✅ Excellent |
| Setup Complexity | 🟢 Easy | 🟡 Moderate | 🟢 Easy | 🟡 Moderate |
| Site Keys Required | Basin Provided | Basin Provided | Basin Provided | Your Own Required |
| Invisible Mode | ✅ Available | ✅ Default | ✅ Available | ✅ Default |
| False Positive Rate | 🟢 Low | 🟡 Variable | 🟢 Low | 🟢 Very Low |
| Mobile Experience | ⚠️ Can be difficult | ✅ Seamless | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| GDPR Compliance* | ⚠️ Requires consideration | ⚠️ Requires consideration | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
Detailed Comparison
Google reCAPTCHA v2
Best for: Simple setup with visible verification
Pros:
- ✅ Easy to implement with Basin's provided keys
- ✅ Widely recognized by users
- ✅ Effective spam protection
- ✅ Supports both visible and invisible modes
- ✅ Reliable service with high uptime
Cons:
- ❌ Requires user interaction (checkbox or challenges)
- ❌ Can be frustrating for users with accessibility needs
- ❌ Limited privacy protections
- ❌ Mobile experience can be challenging
- ❌ May collect user data for Google's services
When to Choose:
- You want a simple, proven solution
- User interaction verification is acceptable
- You're not concerned about privacy implications
- Your users are familiar with Google services
Google reCAPTCHA v3
Best for: Invisible protection with risk scoring
Pros:
- ✅ Completely invisible to users
- ✅ No user interaction required
- ✅ Provides risk scores for advanced filtering
- ✅ Good performance and user experience
- ✅ Easy to implement with Basin's provided keys
Cons:
- ❌ Less transparent spam detection
- ❌ May have variable false positive rates
- ❌ Limited privacy protections
- ❌ Requires JavaScript for functionality
- ❌ May collect user data for Google's services
When to Choose:
- User experience is your top priority
- You want invisible spam protection
- You're comfortable with risk-based scoring
- You're already using Google services
hCAPTCHA
Best for: Privacy-conscious organizations
Pros:
- ✅ Strong privacy protections
- ✅ Better accessibility features
- ✅ Transparent data practices
- ✅ Lightweight and fast-loading
- ✅ Supports both visible and invisible modes
- ✅ Easy to implement with Basin's provided keys
- ✅ Good mobile experience
Cons:
- ❌ Less familiar to some users
- ❌ Requires user interaction in visible mode
- ❌ Smaller network compared to Google
When to Choose:
- Privacy is a top priority
- You need better accessibility
- You want transparent data practices
- You prefer alternatives to Google services
Cloudflare Turnstile
Best for: Premium user experience with maximum privacy
Pros:
- ✅ Completely invisible and friction-free
- ✅ Excellent privacy protections
- ✅ Outstanding performance
- ✅ Superior accessibility
- ✅ Backed by Cloudflare's infrastructure
- ✅ Very low false positive rates
- ✅ Excellent mobile experience
Cons:
- ❌ Requires your own Cloudflare account
- ❌ More complex initial setup
- ❌ Need to manage your own site keys
- ❌ Newer solution with smaller adoption
When to Choose:
- You want the best possible user experience
- Privacy is critical
- You need enterprise-grade reliability
- You're willing to manage your own Cloudflare account
- Performance is a key requirement
Setup Complexity Comparison
Easy Setup (Basin Provided Keys)
- reCAPTCHA v2: 3 steps, Basin provides site keys
- reCAPTCHA v3: 4 steps, Basin provides site keys
- hCAPTCHA: 3 steps, Basin provides site keys
Moderate Setup (Your Own Keys)
- Cloudflare Turnstile: 4 steps, requires Cloudflare account setup
Privacy and Compliance
GDPR Considerations*
| Solution | Privacy Rating | GDPR Compliance | Data Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| reCAPTCHA v2 | ⚠️ Limited | Requires disclosure* | User behavior, IP, browser data |
| reCAPTCHA v3 | ⚠️ Limited | Requires disclosure* | User behavior, IP, browser data |
| hCAPTCHA | ✅ Good | Better compliance* | Minimal data collection |
| Turnstile | ✅ Excellent | Full compliance* | Privacy-preserving verification |
Accessibility Features
| Solution | Screen Reader Support | Keyboard Navigation | Alternative Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| reCAPTCHA v2 | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Audio challenges |
| reCAPTCHA v3 | ✅ Full (invisible) | ✅ Yes | ✅ N/A (invisible) |
| hCAPTCHA | ✅ Better | ✅ Yes | ✅ Multiple options |
| Turnstile | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Yes | ✅ N/A (invisible) |
Performance Comparison
Loading Speed
- Cloudflare Turnstile - Fastest, most optimized
- hCAPTCHA - Fast, lightweight
- reCAPTCHA v3 - Good, invisible loading
- reCAPTCHA v2 - Moderate, visible widget
Mobile Experience
- Cloudflare Turnstile - Seamless, no interaction
- reCAPTCHA v3 - Smooth, invisible
- hCAPTCHA - Good mobile optimization
- reCAPTCHA v2 - Can be challenging on small screens
Integration with Basin
BasinJS Support
All four solutions are fully supported by BasinJS for automatic setup:
- ✅ reCAPTCHA v2
- ✅ reCAPTCHA v3
- ✅ hCAPTCHA
- ✅ Cloudflare Turnstile
Manual Setup
- Simple: reCAPTCHA v2, hCAPTCHA (Basin-provided keys)
- Moderate: reCAPTCHA v3 (additional JavaScript required)
- Advanced: Cloudflare Turnstile (own account required)
Recommendations by Use Case
E-commerce Sites
Recommended: Cloudflare Turnstile or reCAPTCHA v3 - Minimize checkout friction - Maintain high conversion rates - Provide excellent user experience
Content Sites/Blogs
Recommended: reCAPTCHA v2 or hCAPTCHA - Simple implementation - Familiar user experience - Effective spam protection
High-Traffic Sites
Recommended: Cloudflare Turnstile or reCAPTCHA v3 - Optimal performance - Minimal server load - Scalable infrastructure
Migration Between Solutions
If you need to switch between CAPTCHA solutions:
- Disable current solution in Basin dashboard
- Remove existing code from your forms
- Implement new solution following respective guides
- Enable new solution in Basin dashboard
- Test thoroughly before going live
Important
Only one CAPTCHA solution should be active at a time to avoid conflicts and poor user experience.
Getting Started
Ready to implement your chosen solution? Check out our detailed setup guides:
Or use our BasinJS library for automatic setup of any solution.
Need Help Deciding?
If you're still unsure which solution is best for your needs, consider these questions:
- Is user privacy a top priority?* → Choose Turnstile or hCAPTCHA*
- Do you need the simplest possible setup? → Choose reCAPTCHA v2 or hCAPTCHA
- Is user experience more important than setup complexity? → Choose Turnstile or reCAPTCHA v3
- Do you need accessibility compliance?* → Choose Turnstile or hCAPTCHA*
- Are you already using Cloudflare? → Choose Turnstile
For additional guidance, contact Basin support or refer to our spam protection basics.
*Compliance and Privacy Disclaimer
Basin does not take responsibility for GDPR compliance, accessibility compliance, privacy protections, data sovereignty, or any other regulatory compliance of CAPTCHA solutions. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their chosen CAPTCHA solution meets all applicable legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements for their specific use case and jurisdiction. Users should consult with their legal and compliance teams before implementation.