Many regard Softr as an easy-to-use no-code app builder that allows those with no technical experience to create their own apps quickly and easily.
But, like others, you may find Softr difficult to learn. While Softr does have some strong points, its limited features, need for a premade database, and lack of design freedom bring people back to the drawing board. And, compared to other no-code app builders, Softr is priced on the higher end.
Luckily, Softr alternatives do exist! Many other no-code app builders are cheaper, easier to use, and allow for more design freedom than Softr.
In this article, we’re going to walk you through our top 5 Softr alternatives.
Why Search for a Softr Alternative?
While Softr is great at building internal tools for business operations, it’s not the best at making other apps like a social network, an e-commerce app, or an app for - say - a restaurant.
Our Softr alternatives provide more power and flexibility, which can build a variety of apps and allow for a smoother app-building experience.
I’ve worked with dozens of different no-code app builders for over a decade. This has shed light on the reasons why people want an alternative to Softr:
Cost Effectiveness
While Softr’s $59/month version can work on budget, you’ll only be able to build one PWA (which is an app that you access with a browser like Chrome) or website. And, if you want to build specific internal business tools like CRM systems, Kanban Boards, or Lead-Tracking tools, you’ll need to get Softr’s Professional Version at $139/month.
Solution: A cheaper app builder, like Adalo, starting at $36/month, or Bubble, at $32/month, will give you enough power and functionality to start bringing your app idea to life.
Bringing Your Own Database
Softr requires users to have an existing database for building their apps. While requiring a database connection is no biggie if you already have one and know your way around it, it’s a major hurdle for those who don’t.
For those who don’t have a database, creating a database from scratch can take lots of time, which you could have spent building your app.
At the time of writing, Softr only connects to 4 database providers (2 of them are currently in beta version): Google Sheets, Airtable, HubSpot, and Smart Suite.
Solution: Use a Softr alternative like Adalo, which has a fully-featured database built-in for the same price.
Design Freedom
Many people think that using a no-code app builder’s drag-and-drop interface is as free-form and easy as using PowerPoint. However, not all drag-and-drop interfaces, like Softr, allow for so much design freedom.
Softr’s drag-and-drop interface may make it challenging to construct an app exactly to your taste. Adding pictures, text, and other elements may be difficult and tedious because you’ll have to connect them from your database to a specific location on your app.
Solution: When an app builder comes with more design freedom, it lets you fine-tune your app to your unique tastes without dealing with a database connection. Softr alternatives, like Bubble and Adalo, offer a huge degree of design freedom, allowing you to add pictures, text, and features with ease.
The Top 5 Softr Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall Softr alternative
- Bubble, the cheaper and less-limited Softr alternative
- Glide, the Softr alternative that builds the most beautiful apps
- NoLoco, a Softr alternative for building internal business tools
- Webflow, a Softr alternative for website building
#1 The Best Overall Softr Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a no-code app builder that combines design freedom, flexibility, and functionality without sacrificing power, allowing you to create a web or mobile app exactly to your taste.
What does it do better than Softr?
Put simply, because you don’t need to bring your own database, and because Adalo offers an extraordinary degree of design freedom, it’s a highly capable no-code app builder.
Adalo’s simple drag-and-drop interface makes it an alternative that you can start using immediately after signing up - no learning curve required.
You’ll be able to build a web app that you can transform, with just the push of a button, into a native mobile app. Then, publish it on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, which you won’t be able to do with Softr. Softr only allows for building PWAs.
Who is it best for?
Whether you are a seasoned no-code app builder or an absolute beginner, Adalo can bring your app idea to life. If you’re a freelancer or small or medium-sized business owner, Adalo has the tools, features, and flexibility to suit your needs.
Pricing
Adalo offers a packed-with-features free version. After that, Adalo’s Starter Version, at $36/month, is good for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It’s cheaper than Softr’s Starter Version by $23/month.
Final verdict
Overall, Adalo is the most powerful, functional, and flexible Softr alternative on our list, with a basic version that costs less than Softr’s.
#2 The Cheaper and Less Limited Softr Alternative
Bubble
What is it?
Bubble is a web app builder that combines flexibility and power with a huge ecosystem of plugins and features; it’s been around for over a decade.
What does it do better than Softr?
You can use Bubble to create a powerful app fueled by features and tools you can’t use with Softr. Bubble has a gigantic 3rd-party plugin library, packed with plugins that are both official (Google Sheets, PayPal, etc) and made by experienced Bubble developers.
When you build with Bubble, you won’t have to worry about bringing your own database - Bubble comes with a built-in database. Bubble provides more design freedom, as its interface supports free-form design features. For instance, click on the feature you want to add to your app and use your mouse to “draw” it on your app’s canvas.
Who is it best for?
Bubble is a bit more complicated to learn, especially for those who have very little experience with no-code app builders - if you’re a beginner, expect a bit of a learning curve. However, people who have experience using a no-code app builder may find Bubble’s learning curve easy to master.
Pricing
Bubble’s free version is great for learning how to use the drag-and-drop interface and getting familiar with Bubble’s ecosystem. Its Starter Version, at $32/month, is about $20/month cheaper than Softr’s cheapest plan and is great for building internal business tools and startup apps.
Final verdict
While Bubble will take some time to learn, you’ll get access to many 3rd party plugins and features, giving you many options to build a powerful app. Bubble is also considerably cheaper than Softr.
#3 The Softr Alternative that Builds the Most Beautiful Apps
Glide
What is it?
Glide is a web app builder that features a sleek, powerful, and easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface that lets you create attention-grabbing apps.
What does it do better than Softr?
Glide is a Softr alternative that lets you build jaw-dropping apps. It provides a sleek interface with aesthetically pleasing features to enhance your app’s appearance. While you can bring your own database to build your app, it’s not required. Glide will create your own database for you as you build your front end.
Glide allows for a solid amount of design freedom. It features beautiful, adjustable elements that you add to your screen with the push of a button. As an added bonus, undo any action you don’t like by using the classic “Control+z” keyboard shortcut - an action outside of Softr’s ability.
Who is it best for?
Glide’s app builder can be used to make a variety of apps, but it particularly excels at making the types of apps Softr is designed to make - business tools. Businesses of all sizes can use Glide to make project management tools, bring sales funnels to life, and more.
Additional features
While Softr has solid AI for laying your app’s template and appearance, Glide’s goes a step further. Not only can Glide’s AI help you build your app, but it can also help you build out useful features like a PDF summarizer and more.
Pricing
Try out Glide’s free version to get a taste of its design freedom. For $60/month, you’ll get integrations to Google Maps and Google Sheets, as well as Glide’s super powerful AI feature.
Final verdict
Glide is a great Softr alternative that specializes in building the same types of apps as Softr, only Glide is easier to use, has more design freedom, and costs the same.
#4 The Best Softr Alternative For Building Internal Business Tools
NoLoco
What is it?
NoLoco is a no-code app builder that is specifically designed to make internal business tools with an existing database.
What does it do better than Softr?
Though you need to bring your own database, NoLoco does more with your data in terms of building your app. Once you plug your database in, NoLoco immediately generates a custom template for your app using your own data. You’ll have the power to fine-tune this and further customize it to your needs.
Who is it best for?
If you want to build multiple internal business apps with one plan, look no further than NoLoco, the Softr alternative that allows you to build out unlimited apps on its $49/month starter plan. Softr only allows you to build one app on its $59/month plan.
Pricing
NoLoco does not come with a free version. But once you sign up for the $49/month basic version, which is $10 per month cheaper than Softr, you’ll get access to a huge library of webinars to help you understand how to use it.
Final Verdict
NoLoco is the Softr alternative that you can use to build internal, business-operations-specific tools with greater design freedom and functionality.
#5 The Best Softr Alternative for Building a Website
Webflow
What is it?
Webflow can help you build beautiful websites and apps with a no-code drag-and-drop interface that gives you pixel-by-pixel control over your design.
What does it do better than Softr?
Webflow provides much more design freedom than Softr. Its drag-and-drop interface lets you control every aspect of your design, though that interface takes a little bit of time to get used to. But once you figure it out, you’ll have god-level control over your app’s design.
Use Webflow’s content management system (CMS) as a database to build powerful web apps. Webflow doesn’t actively develop its own tools right now, but you’ll find a packed selection of 3rd party-made tools created by developers in the Webflow ecosystem.
Who is it best for?
People who want to build a website more than a web app will probably find Webflow their Softr alternative of choice. But you can also use Webflow to create member-portal apps with its Memberstack integration.
Pricing
Webflow is the cheapest Softr alternative by far, starting at $14/month for its basic website builder. But if you want to unleash its full app-building potential, giving you access to 3rd-party plugins and features made by developers on its thriving ecosystem, you’ll need to pay $23/month - still much cheaper than Softr.
Final verdict
With more design freedom and at a cheaper price, Webflow is an attractive Softr alternative. However, because Webflow is mainly designed for building websites, you might find it difficult to piece together enough plugins from its ecosystem if you want to build internal business tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Overall Softr Alternative?
At a competitive price and with more design freedom and power, Adalo is the best overall Softr alternative on our list. As an added bonus, Adalo is the only app builder on our list that lets you publish a native mobile app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
What is the Cheapest Softr Alternative?
At $14/month for its basic version, Webflow is by far the cheapest no-code app builder on our list. However, you might find that some of the features at $14/month are not enough to build your app to its full potential, so you might want to try Webflow's CMS Version at $23/month - which is still the cheapest Softr Alternative!
What is the Best Sofr Alternative for Building Internal Business Tools?
Adalo, Glide, and NoLoco all excel at building internal business tools. Small and medium-sized businesses are best served by Adalo’s 5,500+ integrations. For enterprises wanting to scale their apps to millions of users, try out Glide or NoLoco. These app builders also come with thousands of integrations, but they’re more compatible with enterprise-level scalability.
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