Does everyone have to create an account just to fill out a form

No. It is not required to create an account to fill the form. Anyone can fill the form who knows your form URL or web page URL where the form is embedded.

In fact, the form owner is also not required to create an account to build a form with JotForm since we support guest accounts. However, guest accounts are limited to receive only 20 submissions per month. By registering an account, the account can receive up to 100 submissions and manage the forms at a place. If you need more submissions, upgrading the account may be required.

Hope this information helps!