Softwr

Databases · head to head

Airtable vs Softr

Airtable logo

Airtable

Databases

Create apps that perfectly fit your team's needs

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit AirtableFull review
Softr logo

Softr

No-Code

No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit SoftrFull review

The short version

  • Airtable is a cloud collaboration platform.
  • Free plans on both; paid from $20/user/mo and $25/mo.
  • Only Airtable lists spreadsheet-database hybrid; only Softr lists data source connectors.
  • Where Airtable falls short: hitting a plan limit blocks adding records or attachments entirely until you upgrade, rather than degrading gracefully.
  • Where Softr falls short: pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Airtable and Softr actually diverge.

Attributes where Airtable and Softr differ
AttributeAirtableSoftr
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOSWeb
CategoryDatabasesNo-Code
Founded20122020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Airtable.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Airtable

  • Spreadsheet-database hybrid
  • Custom views
  • Automation
  • Forms
  • Integrations
  • Mobile apps
  • Real-time collaboration
  • API access

Only in Softr

  • Data source connectors
  • Pre-built blocks
  • User authentication & permissions
  • Client portals
  • Payments
  • Custom domains

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Airtable

  • Structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban viewsnot Softr
  • Lightweight internal tools built on shared recordsnot Softr
  • Automations between Airtable and other systemsnot Softr
  • Sharing read-only views with collaborators, who are not chargednot Softr
  • Collecting submissions through forms without paying for a seatnot Softr

Softr

  • Client and partner portalsnot Airtable
  • Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Airtable
  • Directory and marketplace websitesnot Airtable
  • MVP prototypes for startupsnot Airtable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Airtable

  • Hitting a plan limit blocks adding records or attachments entirely until you upgrade, rather than degrading gracefully
  • Team is $20 per user per month and Business $45, both at the annual rate
  • Automation and API usage are capped by plan
  • Enterprise Scale pricing is not published

Softr

  • Pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps
  • Complex custom logic requires workarounds since it lacks a full scripting layer
  • Deep customization of UI beyond provided blocks is limited compared to code-based builders
  • Performance depends heavily on the connected data source, e.g. Airtable API limits

Pricing, plan by plan

Airtable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited bases
    • 1,000 records per base
    • Up to 5 editors
  • Team$20/user/mo
    • 50,000 records per base
    • Unlimited automations
    • API access
  • Business$45/user/mo
    • 125,000 records per base
    • Advanced permissions
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise ScaleOn request
    • 500,000+ records per base
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

Softr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 3 app builders
    • 5 combined app users
    • No custom domain
  • Basic$25/mo
    • 1 app builder
    • 5 Team + 5 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Pro$119/mo
    • 2 app builders
    • Up to 50 Team + 250 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Business$395/mo
    • 3 app builders
    • Up to 100 Team + 500 Client users
    • 1 custom domain

Which should you pick?

Choose Airtable if

  • You need spreadsheet-database hybrid.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want custom views.
Airtable review

Choose Softr if

  • You need data source connectors.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want pre-built blocks.
Softr review

Questions people ask

Is Airtable or Softr better?
Neither clearly leads. Airtable starts at Free and Softr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Airtable or Softr?
Airtable starts at Free and Softr at Free.
Does Airtable or Softr run on more platforms?
Airtable runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. Softr runs on Web.
Can I use Airtable for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Airtable best used for?
Airtable is most often used for structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban views, lightweight internal tools built on shared records, automations between airtable and other systems, sharing read-only views with collaborators, who are not charged. Of those, structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban views and lightweight internal tools built on shared records are not what Softr is typically brought in for.
What can Airtable do that Softr cannot?
Airtable covers Spreadsheet-database hybrid, Custom views, Automation, Forms. Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Airtable: Is there a free Airtable plan and what does it include?

Yes, Airtable's Free plan is indefinite with unlimited bases, 1,000 records per base, up to 5 editors, 1 GB storage per base, 100 automation runs per month, and core features like Interface Designer and mobile apps.

Source
Softr: What does Softr cost?

Softr offers Free, Basic ($25/mo), Pro ($119/mo), Business ($395/mo), and custom Enterprise plans, with annual billing giving roughly two months free.

Source
Airtable: How does Airtable handle permissions and viewers?

Airtable charges per editor only. Read-only viewers, form submitters, and people accessing share links are free on every plan, making it cost-effective for large viewing audiences.

Source
Softr: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The Free plan allows up to 3 app builders and 5 combined app users, with no custom domain included.

Source
Airtable: What are Airtable's record limits?

Free plan has 1,000 records per base, Team plan has 50,000, Business plan has 125,000, and Enterprise Scale has 500,000+ records. Performance degrades past 100,000 records in a single base.

Source
Softr: How is usage metered?

Softr charges based on the number of app builders and app users (Team and Client), not on the number of apps published; extra users and domains cost additional monthly fees.

Source
Airtable: Can Airtable integrate with other tools like Slack?

Yes, Airtable integrates with Slack via Zapier or Make.com, allowing automation like sending Slack messages when records are created or updated. Airtable also has a native API for direct integrations.

Source
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