Application Forms are used at the very start of the hiring process. When creating a job posting, you select a Digital Application Form to assign to it so candidates can apply for that role. This is the only form type that captures an application - it cannot be sent to a candidate after they've applied.
Digital Forms are used at any stage after a candidate has applied. Send them when you need to collect additional information during screening, interviews, offer, or onboarding (e.g. references, right-to-work documents etc.). They cannot be used to receive applications.
Quick rule of thumb
Need a candidate to apply for a job? → Application Form
Need information from a candidate already in your pipeline? → Digital Form
The two are not interchangeable, so make sure you're building the right one for the stage you're at.