diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/bitmaskedarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/bitmaskedarray.py
index 19c677ad7d..6790ac7bc0 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/bitmaskedarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/bitmaskedarray.py
@@ -839,10 +839,15 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         return (
-            self.valid_when == other.valid_when
-            and self.lsb_order == other.lsb_order
-            and self.mask.is_equal_to(other.mask, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-            and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._valid_when == other.valid_when
+            and self._lsb_order == other.lsb_order
+            and self._mask.is_equal_to(other.mask, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/bytemaskedarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/bytemaskedarray.py
index f445a5f242..5738ae3803 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/bytemaskedarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/bytemaskedarray.py
@@ -1182,9 +1182,14 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             mask, content, valid_when=self._valid_when, parameters=self._parameters
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         return (
-            self.valid_when == other.valid_when
-            and self.mask.is_equal_to(other.mask, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-            and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._valid_when == other.valid_when
+            and self._mask.is_equal_to(other.mask, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/content.py b/src/awkward/contents/content.py
index c411e0a519..3812fec414 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/content.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/content.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 from awkward._nplikes.shape import ShapeItem, unknown_length
 from awkward._nplikes.typetracer import TypeTracer
 from awkward._parameters import (
+    parameters_are_equal,
     type_parameters_equal,
 )
 from awkward._regularize import is_integer_like, is_sized_iterable
@@ -1244,8 +1245,19 @@ def __deepcopy__(self, memo):
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def is_equal_to(
-        self, other: Content, index_dtype: bool = True, numpyarray: bool = True
+        self,
+        other: Content,
+        index_dtype: bool = True,
+        numpyarray: bool = True,
+        *,
+        all_parameters: bool = False,
     ) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to(other, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters)
+
+    def _is_equal_to_generic(self, other: Content, all_parameters: bool) -> bool:
+        compare_parameters = (
+            parameters_are_equal if all_parameters else type_parameters_equal
+        )
         return (
             self.__class__ is other.__class__
             and (
@@ -1253,11 +1265,12 @@ def is_equal_to(
                 or other.length is unknown_length
                 or self.length == other.length
             )
-            and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-            and self._is_equal_to(other, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and compare_parameters(self._parameters, other._parameters)
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool) -> bool:
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def _repr(self, indent: str, pre: str, post: str) -> str:
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/emptyarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/emptyarray.py
index 8103661156..831d8c3810 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/emptyarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/emptyarray.py
@@ -448,5 +448,7 @@ def _to_list(self, behavior, json_conversions):
     def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
         return EmptyArray(backend=backend)
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return True
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/indexedarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/indexedarray.py
index f6d2210fd2..ee5cb28c10 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/indexedarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/indexedarray.py
@@ -1155,11 +1155,6 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
         index = self._index.to_nplike(backend.index_nplike)
         return IndexedArray(index, content, parameters=self._parameters)
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return self.index.is_equal_to(
-            other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray
-        ) and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-
     def _push_inside_record_or_project(self) -> Self | ak.contents.RecordArray:
         if self.content.is_record:
             return ak.contents.RecordArray(
@@ -1174,3 +1169,14 @@ def _push_inside_record_or_project(self) -> Self | ak.contents.RecordArray:
             )
         else:
             return self.project()
+
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._index.is_equal_to(other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/indexedoptionarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/indexedoptionarray.py
index 39c3279cb6..396aece3a1 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/indexedoptionarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/indexedoptionarray.py
@@ -1755,7 +1755,13 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
         index = self._index.to_nplike(backend.index_nplike)
         return IndexedOptionArray(index, content, parameters=self._parameters)
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return self.index.is_equal_to(
-            other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray
-        ) and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._index.is_equal_to(other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/listarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/listarray.py
index 8d917b8d0c..d4751cef9d 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/listarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/listarray.py
@@ -1607,9 +1607,14 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
         stops = self._stops.to_nplike(backend.index_nplike)
         return ListArray(starts, stops, content, parameters=self._parameters)
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         return (
-            self.starts.is_equal_to(other.starts, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-            and self.stops.is_equal_to(other.stops, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-            and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._starts.is_equal_to(other.starts, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._stops.is_equal_to(other.stops, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/listoffsetarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/listoffsetarray.py
index 37473a5c21..1b54e108a9 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/listoffsetarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/listoffsetarray.py
@@ -2318,7 +2318,13 @@ def _awkward_strings_to_nonfinite(self, nonfinit_dict):
 
                 return content
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return self.offsets.is_equal_to(
-            other.offsets, index_dtype, numpyarray
-        ) and self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._offsets.is_equal_to(other.offsets, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/numpyarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/numpyarray.py
index 5d2bb86506..5bf111d2db 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/numpyarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/numpyarray.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 from awkward._nplikes.jax import Jax
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy import Numpy
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import IndexType, NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._nplikes.shape import ShapeItem
+from awkward._nplikes.shape import ShapeItem, unknown_length
 from awkward._nplikes.typetracer import TypeTracerArray
 from awkward._parameters import (
     parameters_intersect,
@@ -1375,18 +1375,24 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             backend=backend,
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        if numpyarray:
-            return (
-                (
-                    not self._backend.nplike.known_data
-                    or self._backend.nplike.array_equal(self.data, other.data)
-                )
-                and self.dtype == other.dtype
-                and self.shape == other.shape
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters) and (
+            not numpyarray
+            # dtypes agree
+            or self.dtype == other.dtype
+            # Contents agree
+            and (
+                not self._backend.nplike.known_data
+                or self._backend.nplike.array_equal(self.data, other.data)
+            )
+            # Shapes agree
+            and all(
+                x is unknown_length or y is unknown_length or x == y
+                for x, y in zip(self.shape, other.shape)
             )
-        else:
-            return True
+        )
 
     def _to_regular_primitive(self) -> ak.contents.RegularArray:
         # A length-1 slice in each dimension
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/recordarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/recordarray.py
index 17e914834c..30697f6f8f 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/recordarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/recordarray.py
@@ -1291,12 +1291,17 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             backend=backend,
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         return (
-            self.fields == other.fields
-            and len(self.contents) == len(other.contents)
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self.is_tuple == other.is_tuple
+            and set(self.fields) == set(other.fields)
             and all(
-                self.contents[i].is_equal_to(other.contents[i], index_dtype, numpyarray)
-                for i in range(len(self.contents))
+                content._is_equal_to(
+                    other.content(field), index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+                )
+                for field, content in zip(self.fields, self._contents)
             )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/regulararray.py b/src/awkward/contents/regulararray.py
index 33c9b43d32..eed2ae428e 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/regulararray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/regulararray.py
@@ -1527,7 +1527,17 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             content, self._size, zeros_length=self._length, parameters=self._parameters
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return self._size == other.size and self._content.is_equal_to(
-            other._content, index_dtype, numpyarray
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and (
+                self._size is unknown_length
+                or other.size is unknown_length
+                or self._size == other.size
+            )
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(
+                other._content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+            )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/unionarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/unionarray.py
index 088b52050d..aa81b495da 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/unionarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/unionarray.py
@@ -1655,13 +1655,16 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
         return (
-            self.tags.is_equal_to(other.tags)
-            and self.index.is_equal_to(other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray)
-            and len(self.contents) == len(other.contents)
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters)
+            and self._tags.is_equal_to(other.tags)
+            and self._index.is_equal_to(other.index, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+            and len(self._contents) == len(other.contents)
             and all(
-                self.contents[i].is_equal_to(other.contents[i], index_dtype, numpyarray)
-                for i in range(len(self.contents))
+                content.is_equal_to(other.contents[i], index_dtype, numpyarray)
+                for i, content in enumerate(self.contents)
             )
         )
diff --git a/src/awkward/contents/unmaskedarray.py b/src/awkward/contents/unmaskedarray.py
index fbb6eb35f2..2f560827ad 100644
--- a/src/awkward/contents/unmaskedarray.py
+++ b/src/awkward/contents/unmaskedarray.py
@@ -584,5 +584,9 @@ def _to_backend(self, backend: Backend) -> Self:
         content = self._content.to_backend(backend)
         return UnmaskedArray(content, parameters=self._parameters)
 
-    def _is_equal_to(self, other, index_dtype, numpyarray):
-        return self.content.is_equal_to(other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray)
+    def _is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Self, index_dtype: bool, numpyarray: bool, all_parameters: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        return self._content._is_equal_to(
+            other.content, index_dtype, numpyarray, all_parameters
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/bitmaskedform.py b/src/awkward/forms/bitmaskedform.py
index 089f73c587..b875ee16d5 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/bitmaskedform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/bitmaskedform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.bitmaskedmeta import BitMaskedMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -150,19 +149,6 @@ def type(self):
             self._content.type, parameters=self._parameters
         ).simplify_option_union()
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, BitMaskedForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._mask == other._mask
-                and self._valid_when == other._valid_when
-                and self._lsb_order == other._lsb_order
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         self._content._columns(path, output, list_indicator)
 
@@ -215,3 +201,12 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "mask"), index_to_dtype[self._mask])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._mask == other._mask
+            and self._valid_when == other._valid_when
+            and self._lsb_order == other._lsb_order
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/bytemaskedform.py b/src/awkward/forms/bytemaskedform.py
index b9ec5e4705..1b40caf085 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/bytemaskedform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/bytemaskedform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.bytemaskedmeta import ByteMaskedMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -134,18 +133,6 @@ def type(self):
             self._content.type, parameters=self._parameters
         ).simplify_option_union()
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, ByteMaskedForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._mask == other._mask
-                and self._valid_when == other._valid_when
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         self._content._columns(path, output, list_indicator)
 
@@ -185,3 +172,11 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "mask"), index_to_dtype[self._mask])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._mask == other._mask
+            and self._valid_when == other._valid_when
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/emptyform.py b/src/awkward/forms/emptyform.py
index 026b531d92..2371de4fb8 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/emptyform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/emptyform.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 from awkward._nplikes.shape import ShapeItem
 from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET, Sentinel
-from awkward.forms.form import Form, JSONMapping, _SpecifierMatcher
+from awkward.forms.form import Any, Form, JSONMapping, _SpecifierMatcher
 
 __all__ = ("EmptyForm",)
 
@@ -59,9 +59,6 @@ def _to_dict_part(self, verbose, toplevel):
     def type(self):
         return ak.types.UnknownType()
 
-    def __eq__(self, other) -> bool:
-        return isinstance(other, EmptyForm) and self._form_key == other._form_key
-
     def to_NumpyForm(self, *args, **kwargs):
         def legacy_impl(dtype):
             deprecate(
@@ -125,3 +122,8 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         self, getkey: Callable[[Form, str], str], recursive: bool
     ) -> Iterator[tuple[str, DType]]:
         yield from ()
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return isinstance(other, type(self)) and not (
+            form_key and self._form_key != other._form_key
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/form.py b/src/awkward/forms/form.py
index 7863a31f52..18f16a0198 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/form.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/form.py
@@ -16,8 +16,13 @@
 from awkward._meta.meta import Meta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
 from awkward._nplikes.shape import ShapeItem, unknown_length
-from awkward._parameters import parameters_union
+from awkward._parameters import (
+    parameters_are_equal,
+    parameters_union,
+    type_parameters_equal,
+)
 from awkward._typing import (
+    Any,
     DType,
     Final,
     Iterator,
@@ -640,3 +645,26 @@ def expected_from_buffers(
         """
         getkey = regularize_buffer_key(buffer_key)
         return dict(self._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive))
+
+    def is_equal_to(
+        self, other: Any, *, all_parameters: bool = False, form_key: bool = False
+    ) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+
+    __eq__ = is_equal_to
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+    def _is_equal_to_generic(
+        self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool
+    ) -> bool:
+        compare_parameters = (
+            parameters_are_equal if all_parameters else type_parameters_equal
+        )
+
+        return (
+            isinstance(other, type(self))
+            and not (form_key and self._form_key != other._form_key)
+            and compare_parameters(self._parameters, other._parameters)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/indexedform.py b/src/awkward/forms/indexedform.py
index a04b38a556..e9936b4912 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/indexedform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/indexedform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.indexedmeta import IndexedMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import parameters_union, type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._parameters import (
+    parameters_union,
+)
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -138,17 +140,6 @@ def type(self):
 
         return out
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, IndexedForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._index == other._index
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         self._content._columns(path, output, list_indicator)
 
@@ -186,3 +177,10 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "index"), index_to_dtype[self._index])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._index == other._index
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/indexedoptionform.py b/src/awkward/forms/indexedoptionform.py
index c0c329349c..6d54be5e0c 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/indexedoptionform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/indexedoptionform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.indexedoptionmeta import IndexedOptionMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import parameters_union, type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._parameters import (
+    parameters_union,
+)
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -119,17 +121,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=parameters,
         ).simplify_option_union()
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, IndexedOptionForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._index == other._index
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         self._content._columns(path, output, list_indicator)
 
@@ -167,3 +158,10 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "index"), index_to_dtype[self._index])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._index == other._index
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/listform.py b/src/awkward/forms/listform.py
index e5f8ff37db..6ed46d5d41 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/listform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/listform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.listmeta import ListMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -122,18 +121,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, ListForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._starts == other._starts
-                and self._stops == other._stops
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         if (
             self.parameter("__array__") not in ("string", "bytestring")
@@ -182,3 +169,11 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "stops"), index_to_dtype[self._stops])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._starts == other._starts
+            and self._stops == other._stops
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/listoffsetform.py b/src/awkward/forms/listoffsetform.py
index ceb15dcd0b..75a495b666 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/listoffsetform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/listoffsetform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.listoffsetmeta import ListOffsetMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
 from awkward._typing import (
+    Any,
     DType,
     Iterator,
     JSONMapping,
@@ -89,21 +89,7 @@ def _to_dict_part(self, verbose, toplevel):
 
     @property
     def type(self):
-        return ak.types.ListType(
-            self._content.type,
-            parameters=self._parameters,
-        )
-
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, ListOffsetForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._offsets == other._offsets
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
+        return ak.types.ListType(self._content.type, parameters=self._parameters)
 
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         if (
@@ -150,3 +136,10 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         yield (getkey(self, "offsets"), index_to_dtype[self._offsets])
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._offsets == other._offsets
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/numpyform.py b/src/awkward/forms/numpyform.py
index f36b17e44d..3af48d5e19 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/numpyform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/numpyform.py
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@
 from awkward._meta.numpymeta import NumpyMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
 from awkward._nplikes.shape import unknown_length
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import TYPE_CHECKING, DType, JSONMapping, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, DType, JSONMapping, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET, Sentinel
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher
 
@@ -168,17 +167,6 @@ def type(self):
 
         return out
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, NumpyForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._primitive == other._primitive
-                and self._inner_shape == other._inner_shape
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def to_RegularForm(self) -> RegularForm | NumpyForm:
         out: RegularForm | NumpyForm = NumpyForm(
             self._primitive, (), parameters=None, form_key=None
@@ -270,3 +258,8 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         from awkward.types.numpytype import primitive_to_dtype
 
         yield (getkey(self, "data"), primitive_to_dtype(self.primitive))
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key) and (
+            self._primitive == other._primitive
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/recordform.py b/src/awkward/forms/recordform.py
index 33ec41564c..04f4d66a9d 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/recordform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/recordform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.recordmeta import RecordMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher
 
@@ -114,25 +113,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, RecordForm):
-            if (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self.is_tuple == other.is_tuple
-                and len(self._contents) == len(other._contents)
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-            ):
-                if self.is_tuple:
-                    return self._contents == other._contents
-                else:
-                    return dict(zip(self._fields, self._contents)) == dict(
-                        zip(other._fields, other._contents)
-                    )
-            else:
-                return False
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         for content, field in zip(self._contents, self.fields):
             content._columns((*path, field), output, list_indicator)
@@ -197,3 +177,17 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         if recursive:
             for content in self._contents:
                 yield from content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        computed_fields_set = set(self.fields)
+
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self.is_tuple == other.is_tuple
+            and len(self._contents) == len(other._contents)
+            and all(f in computed_fields_set for f in other.fields)
+            and all(
+                content._is_equal_to(other.content(field), all_parameters, form_key)
+                for field, content in zip(self.fields, self._contents)
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/regularform.py b/src/awkward/forms/regularform.py
index 12f0bf5ed8..10596bad2a 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/regularform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/regularform.py
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@
 from awkward._meta.regularmeta import RegularMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
 from awkward._nplikes.shape import unknown_length
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
 from awkward._regularize import is_integer
-from awkward._typing import DType, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher
 
@@ -83,17 +82,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, RegularForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and self._size == other._size
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         if (
             self.parameter("__array__") not in ("string", "bytestring")
@@ -138,3 +126,10 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
     ) -> Iterator[tuple[str, DType]]:
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and (self._size == other._size)
+            and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/unionform.py b/src/awkward/forms/unionform.py
index a73a14f14a..fd6d439acc 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/unionform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/unionform.py
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from collections.abc import Callable, Iterable
+from itertools import permutations
 
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.unionmeta import UnionMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Iterator, Self, final
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Iterator, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher, index_to_dtype
 
@@ -138,19 +138,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=self._parameters,
         )
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if (
-            isinstance(other, UnionForm)
-            and self._form_key == other._form_key
-            and self._tags == other._tags
-            and self._index == other._index
-            and len(self._contents) == len(other._contents)
-            and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-        ):
-            return self._contents == other._contents
-
-        return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         for content, field in zip(self._contents, self.fields):
             content._columns((*path, field), output, list_indicator)
@@ -209,3 +196,18 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
         if recursive:
             for content in self._contents:
                 yield from content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return (
+            self._is_equal_to_generic(other, all_parameters, form_key)
+            and self._tags == other.tags
+            and self._index == other.index
+            and len(self._contents) == len(other.contents)
+            and any(
+                all(
+                    x._is_equal_to(y, all_parameters, form_key)
+                    for x, y in zip(self._contents, c)
+                )
+                for c in permutations(other.contents)
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/src/awkward/forms/unmaskedform.py b/src/awkward/forms/unmaskedform.py
index cbfd96918a..99dd441c06 100644
--- a/src/awkward/forms/unmaskedform.py
+++ b/src/awkward/forms/unmaskedform.py
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@
 import awkward as ak
 from awkward._meta.unmaskedmeta import UnmaskedMeta
 from awkward._nplikes.numpy_like import NumpyMetadata
-from awkward._parameters import parameters_union, type_parameters_equal
-from awkward._typing import DType, Self, final
+from awkward._parameters import (
+    parameters_union,
+)
+from awkward._typing import Any, DType, Self, final
 from awkward._util import UNSET
 from awkward.forms.form import Form, _SpecifierMatcher
 
@@ -95,16 +97,6 @@ def type(self):
             parameters=self._parameters,
         ).simplify_option_union()
 
-    def __eq__(self, other):
-        if isinstance(other, UnmaskedForm):
-            return (
-                self._form_key == other._form_key
-                and type_parameters_equal(self._parameters, other._parameters)
-                and self._content == other._content
-            )
-        else:
-            return False
-
     def _columns(self, path, output, list_indicator):
         self._content._columns(path, output, list_indicator)
 
@@ -141,3 +133,8 @@ def _expected_from_buffers(
     ) -> Iterator[tuple[str, DType]]:
         if recursive:
             yield from self._content._expected_from_buffers(getkey, recursive)
+
+    def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool, form_key: bool) -> bool:
+        return self._is_equal_to_generic(
+            other, all_parameters, form_key
+        ) and self._content._is_equal_to(other._content, all_parameters, form_key)
diff --git a/src/awkward/types/recordtype.py b/src/awkward/types/recordtype.py
index ff7329e21a..3cce687e40 100644
--- a/src/awkward/types/recordtype.py
+++ b/src/awkward/types/recordtype.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 import json
 from collections.abc import Iterable, Mapping
-from itertools import permutations
 
 import awkward as ak
 import awkward._prettyprint
@@ -212,16 +211,11 @@ def _is_equal_to(self, other: Any, all_parameters: bool) -> bool:
             if set(self._fields) != set(other._fields):
                 return False
 
-            self_contents = [self.content(f) for f in self._fields]
-            other_contents = [other.content(f) for f in other._fields]
-
-            return any(
-                all(
-                    this._is_equal_to(that, all_parameters)
-                    for this, that in zip(self_contents, contents)
-                )
-                for contents in permutations(other_contents)
+            return all(
+                content._is_equal_to(other.content(field), all_parameters)
+                for field, content in zip(self._fields, self._contents)
             )
+
         # Mixed
         else:
             return False
diff --git a/tests/test_2368_type_is_equal.py b/tests/test_2368_type_is_equal.py
index 4ff3ed8ffe..b0222fc240 100644
--- a/tests/test_2368_type_is_equal.py
+++ b/tests/test_2368_type_is_equal.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def test_record_tuple():
     assert record_type != tuple_type
 
 
-def test_record_mixed():
+def test_record_permuted():
     record = ak.types.from_datashape("10 * var * {x: int64, y: int32}")
     permutation = ak.types.from_datashape("10 * var * {y: int64, x: int32}")
-    assert record == permutation
+    assert record != permutation