Reviews
5 min read

The Complete Softr Review: Is it the best no code app builder? (2023)

Written by
Marty Youssef
Updated on
February 23, 2023
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Some website and web app builders can be clunky and difficult to navigate, but Softr promises to be a user-friendly, no-code option for those looking to create their own website or custom apps.

But does it deliver?

In this review, we'll take a comprehensive look at Softr's features, pricing plans, and customer support. We'll also discuss some pros and cons of Softr and alternatives to consider.

So, whether you're thinking about purchasing Softr or just want to learn more about it, keep reading!

Table of content

What is Softr?

Softr is a NoCode platform that lets you build all kinds of apps using Google sheets or an Airtable database.

Whether you need a client portal, marketplace, e-commerce app or workflow management system, Softr has you covered. And the best part is, you don't need any coding skills to use it! 

Users can simply choose from one of the hundreds of templates or pre-built blocks, and customise any element to their liking. Plus, the Softr platform transforms your Airtable data into a fully functioning web app, with included memberships, payments, and business logic.

Great customer service, zero learning curve make Softr a great tool to build your landing page, Memberships website, internal tools and more.

Softr features

Let's take a look at some of the standout features of Softr.

Interactive lists

Softr's interactive lists allow you to easily display your Airtable data in a variety of ways. With user-friendly customization options, you decide what information to share and what to keep private. Softr also offers a variety of pre-built layouts, including list detail pages that show more comprehensive information about your list item.

Softr interactive lists
Source: Softr.io

Pre-built blocks

In addition to their extensive template library, Softr offers 100+ pre-built blocks that can be quickly added to your app. These include features such as user login, data filters, and form submission.

Softr blocks

Form builder

Softr's form builder makes it easy to collect information from your app users. Customise the fields, buttons, and layout of your forms. Plus, Softr automatically stores all submitted data in your Airtable database for easy access and organisation.

Softr forms

Dynamic search, filtering and sorting

Never struggle to find the information you need with Softr's dynamic search, filtering, and sorting options. Quickly narrow down your data with adjustable filters, and easily rearrange it with drag-and-drop sorting.

Gated content 

Use Softr's gated content feature to restrict certain parts of your app to only be accessible by paid members. Customise the membership options and manage all member accounts through Softr's built-in tool.

Templates

Softr offers a wide variety of professionally designed templates that can be used to build web apps. They are fully customisable, so you can tailor them to your specific needs. Softr's templates are easy to use and come with all the features you need to get started quickly. 

Softr templates

User groups and permissions

Manage user access to your Softr app with customisable groups and permissions. Assign specific privileges to each group, such as editing abilities or access to gated content.

Design

Fully customise the design of your Softr app, from background colors to fonts and button styles. And with their easy-to-use editor, anyone can do it – no coding skills required! 

Memberships

Create and manage membership websites with Softr.

You can easily add user accounts to your Softr project without having to integrate some third party tool to do so.

You can created members-only content by showing or hiding certain pages or sections of a page based on whether a user is logged in or their role.

You can also easily create paid memberships plans using the Stripe or Paypal integrations.

Softr memberships
Source: Softr.io

Payments

Stripe. PayPal. Gumroad. Softr integrates with all of these popular payment platforms, making it easy for you to monetise your app. Plus, Softr offer's built-in profile management which lets your members update their personal information and billing details.

SEO

Softr's native SEO features help you to create pages that index highly on Google, driving organic traffic to your website. Softr's fast-loading pages and web app speed score make your site more appealing to search algorithms, helping you to achieve a higher ranking in search results.

Integrations

Softr integrates with a whole host of popular platforms, including Mailchimp, Calendly, PayPal, Google Analytics, and more. This allows for seamless data transfer between your apps and websites, saving you time and making it easier to manage all of your online tools in one place.

Softr integrations

Softr pricing

Softr offers a free plan to get started, which includes a custom domain, unlimited applications, membership websites (5 members), Airtable integration (200 records), and live chat support.

For more features, Softr has 3 paid plans: Starter, Professional, and Business.

The Basic plan is $59 USD per month and includes everything in the free plan plus no Softr branding, 1000 records Airtable integration and custom code functionality.

The Professional plan is $167 USD per month and includes everything in the Starter plan plus 2 custom domains, 10,000 members within your Membership Websites, as well as the ability to transfer applications.

The Business plan is $323 USD per month and includes everything in the Business plan plus great customer support via priority Live Chat, 100,000 members, 3 custom domains and the ability to have 4 collaborators on your account.

Softr alternatives and competitors

Two popular alternatives to Softr are Bubble and Stacker. Let's take a look at how they compare.

Softr vs Bubble

Softr and Bubble are both web-based platforms that offer similar services. Both are no code tools that provide user-friendly ways to create apps and websites. However, Softr is better suited for small to mid-size organisations while Bubble.io is better for large business organisations. 

Softr is more user-friendly and offers more features, making it easier to create effective digital marketing tools such as apps and websites. However, Bubble is more customisable and scalable, making it better suited for large organisations .

Both Softr and Bubble offer you free plans to build your first app. Softr's paid plan starts at a higher price point of $59 USD per month compared to Bubble's $25 USD per month plan.

Softr vs Bubble

Softr vs Stacker

Stacker is a very close competitor to Softr, both platforms allow you to transform your ideas into functional, user-friendly websites and apps

Both tools offer features like a no code app builder, gated content, user permissions and data sources such as Airtable and Google Sheets.

However, one big advantage of using Softr is its real-time data retrieval and update sync which Stacker doesn't yet offer. If you are using Stacker you will likely have a 5 to 10 minute delay in data being updated in your app from a data source like Airtable.

Softr offers a free plan to get started while Stacker only offers a 30 day free trial. Softr's cheapest paid plan starts at only $59 USD per month, while Stacker's Starter plan is  higher at $79 USD per month.

Softr vs Stacker

Softr pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly no code platform for creating websites and apps
  • Real time data sync with Airtable
  • Allows for permission based access and gated content
  • Wide range of integrations with other software platforms
  • Affordable pricing options

Cons:

  • Limited customisation options for more advanced users
  • Not as suited to large enterprise organisations like some competitors

Verdict

Softr is a no code platform that offers businesses an easy way to create client portals, membership websites and internal tools.

Softr offers more than 30 templates and 100 building blocks that are easy to use and customisable to your needs. 24/7 support and a wide range of integrations make Softr a wise choice for small to mid-size organizations that want to bolster their online presence.

However, it may not be the best option for larger enterprises seeking more advanced customisation options.

Overall, the Softr team have excelled themselves in creating this all-in-one platform that offers great value, user-friendly features and affordable pricing.

Turn your Airtable or Google sheet into a web app without no coding required.
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