Softr Review
A no-code app builder that turns Airtable, Google Sheets, and other databases into web apps, client portals, and internal tools.
Is Softr Worth It?
Softr Premium is worth the cost for teams that build client portals and internal tools from Airtable or Google Sheets. Softr binds database records to no-code blocks and gates them behind user authentication, and paid plans from $49 per month remove the branding badge and free-tier limits. The free plan covers a first app with 10 users.
About Softr
Softr is a no-code app builder that turns Airtable, Google Sheets, and other databases into web apps, client portals, and internal tools. Softr runs as a browser-based platform that maps spreadsheet and database records onto pre-built blocks without any code. Mariam Hakobyan and Artur Mkrtchyan co-founded Softr in 2019 in Berlin, Germany. Softr serves more than 600,000 sign-ups across startups, agencies, and operations teams.
Softr bundles several building tools into one editor. The block library assembles lists, forms, charts, and tables onto a page. The data binding connects each block to Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, or SQL sources. The user authentication, payment blocks, and AI Co-Builder extend the toolset.
Softr connects to multiple data backends and an AI builder. Airtable and Google Sheets supply the original spreadsheet sources. The Softr Database stores records natively inside the platform. The AI Co-Builder drafts a working app from a plain-language prompt. Softr offers a free plan and paid plans from $49 per month.
Is Softr safe, private & secure?
Softr is safe and legitimate, with SOC 2 Type II certification and GDPR compliance for user data. Softr encrypts data in transit and at rest. Softr Platforms GmbH operates Softr under a documented privacy policy.
Company legitimacy & background
Softr is a legitimate platform operated by Softr Platforms GmbH in Berlin, Germany. Mariam Hakobyan and Artur Mkrtchyan co-founded Softr in 2019. Softr raised a $13.5 million Series A round led by FirstMark Capital in 2022. Softr serves more than 600,000 sign-ups and maintains active customer support.
✅ Worth it if you
- Build client portals and internal tools from Airtable or Google Sheets
- Already store data in spreadsheets and want a live app fast
- Need gated pages with user authentication and permission groups
- Want to cut the time spent building a portal from scratch
🤔 Look elsewhere if you
- Need deep custom logic or native code
- Require highly custom interactions beyond the block model
- Need only a single basic app (the free plan may be enough)
Our Verdict
Pros
- Fast data binding to Airtable and Google Sheets
- Pre-built client portal templates
- Built-in user authentication and groups
- SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliance
- Permanent free plan for a first app
Cons
- Free plan adds a Softr branding badge
- Limited custom logic beyond blocks
- Per-app-user limits on lower plans
- Higher price than Airtable Interfaces
- SSO and audit logs are Enterprise only
How It Works
Create account
Visit softr.io and create an account with email or Google.
Connect data
Connect an Airtable base, a Google Sheet, or the Softr Database.
Pick a layout
Pick a template or generate a layout with the AI Co-Builder.
Bind blocks
Bind list, table, and chart blocks to the data source.
Set access
Set user authentication and permission groups for app users.
Preview
Preview the app and adjust the blocks in the editor.
Publish
Publish the app on a Softr subdomain or a custom domain.
Softr Features
Data Binding
Connects blocks to Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, and SQL.
Block Library
Assembles lists, forms, charts, and detail pages.
User Authentication
Gates pages behind sign-in and permission groups.
Client Portal Templates
Provisions ready-made portal and internal-tool layouts.
AI Co-Builder
Generates an app structure and logic from a prompt.
Softr Workflows
Triggers emails and record updates on user events.
Payment Blocks
Processes Stripe transactions inside published apps.
Custom Domains
Publishes each app on a branded domain.
Softr Pricing
- 10 app users
- 5,000 Softr Database records
- Unlimited apps
- Custom domains & built-in auth
- 5 AI credits/month
- Softr branding badge
- $59/mo billed monthly
- 20 app users
- 50,000 records
- 10 AI credits/month
- $167/mo billed monthly
- 100 app users
- Custom user groups
Who Is Softr Best For?
Use Airtable data binding to ship a directory or marketplace fast; the block library assembles a front end without a developer; the free plan tests a first app at no cost.
Use user authentication to gate internal tools and dashboards behind sign-in; permission groups restrict each member to specific records and keep data structured.
Use client portal templates to provision portals and member areas fast; Softr Workflows trigger emails and record updates, connecting every portal to a live Airtable or Google Sheets source.
Softr Alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Price | Notes | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glide | Mobile-first apps from sheets | from $49/mo | Free tier available | vs → |
| Bubble | Full custom web applications | from $32/mo | Free tier available | vs → |
| Airtable | Database and interface design | from $24/mo | Free tier available | vs → |
| Softr — this review | Data-driven portals and internal tools | from $49/mo | Free tier available |
Softr vs Glide
Glide builds mobile-first apps from Google Sheets and its own data store, while Softr builds web portals from Airtable and Google Sheets. Softr adds client portal templates and granular user groups that suit internal tools; Glide leans toward field and mobile use cases. Both start from $49 per month, but Softr keeps a permanent free plan.
Softr FAQ
Is Softr free?
Softr offers a permanent free plan with unlimited apps, 10 app users, and 5,000 database records. The free plan adds a Softr branding badge to every published app. Higher limits and badge removal require a paid Softr plan.
How much does Softr cost?
Softr paid plans start from $49 per month on the Basic plan with annual billing. The Professional plan costs $139 per month, and the Business plan costs $269 per month. Softr quotes Enterprise pricing by usage and team size.
Who owns Softr?
Softr Platforms GmbH owns and operates Softr from Berlin, Germany. Mariam Hakobyan and Artur Mkrtchyan co-founded Softr in 2019. Softr raised a $13.5 million Series A round in 2022.
Is Softr safe?
Softr is safe to use, with SOC 2 Type II certification and GDPR compliance. Softr encrypts user data in transit and at rest. Softr documents these controls in the privacy policy.
Is Softr legit?
Softr is a legitimate platform operated by Softr Platforms GmbH. Softr serves more than 600,000 sign-ups across startups and operations teams. Softr maintains documented terms of service and active support.
Is Softr worth it?
Softr Premium is worth the cost for teams that build portals and internal tools from Airtable or Google Sheets. The data binding and user authentication tools replace manual app development. Teams that need only a single basic app find the free Softr plan sufficient.
Ready to try Softr?
Start free, or take the trial to explore premium features across all your devices.
Visit Softr →Related Tools
A no-code app builder that turns Airtable and Google Sheets into secure, branded client portals with granular row-level access permissions.
An AI application builder that turns natural-language prompts into functional, production-ready React web apps with one-click deployment.
A no-code application builder that translates spreadsheet data from Google Sheets, Excel, or Airtable into functional mobile and web apps.
A visual no-code automation platform (formerly Integromat) that connects apps and builds complex multi-step workflows on a drag-and-drop canvas.
An affordable web-hosting platform and AI website builder offering shared hosting, VPS, and domains via the hPanel dashboard.
A drag-and-drop no-code platform to design and publish native mobile apps — connecting UIs to databases and APIs without writing code.