There is disclosed a composition for forming a conformal gel coating to protect a substrate from various environments, wherein the composition comprises at least one film former, at least one additive and optionally at least one solvent. The composition is deformable, flowable, electrically insulating, and does not contain fluorine when applied as a coating. Gel coatings, methods of applying such coating to substrates, as well as the coated substrates are also disclosed. Non-limiting examples of such substrates include a printed circuit board, an assembled electronic device or an automotive part.