No-Code · head to head
AppSheet vs Softr
Softr
No-Code
No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: AppSheet starter plan at $5 per user per month limits the native database to 5 databases at 2,500 rows each; Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AppSheet and Softr actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (No-Code).
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 AppSheet
Nothing recorded that Softr does not also cover.
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.
AppSheet
- Creating data collection mobile apps with forms, photos, and location capturenot Softr
- Building business dashboards and reporting applications on top of existing datanot Softr
- Automating workflows and triggering notifications based on data changesnot Softr
- Connecting to multiple data sources including spreadsheets, databases, APIs, and SaaS platformsnot Softr
- Building offline-capable mobile and web applications for field workersnot Softr
- Leveraging machine learning for data analysis and optical character recognitionnot Softr
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot AppSheet
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot AppSheet
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot AppSheet
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot AppSheet
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AppSheet
- Starter plan at $5 per user per month limits the native database to 5 databases at 2,500 rows each
- Enterprise Plus at $20 per user per month can only be purchased by a Google Workspace Administrator
- Free exploration is capped at 10 users
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
AppSheet
Free- Free (Prototyping)Free
- Test apps with up to 10 users
- No cost during prototyping phase
- Starter$5/month
- Basic application and automation
- Spreadsheet and cloud file storage connections
- AppSheet database access
- Core$10/month
- Advanced application and automation
- Application security controls
- Email customer support
- Enterprise Plus$20/month
- Advanced features
- Enterprise data service integrations
- Enhanced security and governance
Softr
Free- FreeFree
- Up to 3 app builders
- 5 combined app users
- No custom domain
- Basic$25/month
- 1 app builder
- 5 Team + 5 Client users
- 1 custom domain
- Pro$119/month
- 2 app builders
- Up to 50 Team + 250 Client users
- 1 custom domain
- Business$395/month
- 3 app builders
- Up to 100 Team + 500 Client users
- 1 custom domain
Which should you pick?
Choose Softr if
- You need data source connectors.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web.
- You also want pre-built blocks.
Questions people ask
- Is AppSheet or Softr better?
- Neither clearly leads. AppSheet 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, AppSheet or Softr?
- AppSheet starts at Free and Softr at Free.
- Does AppSheet or Softr run on more platforms?
- AppSheet runs on Web. Softr runs on web.
- Can I use AppSheet for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is AppSheet best used for?
- AppSheet is most often used for creating data collection mobile apps with forms, photos, and location capture, building business dashboards and reporting applications on top of existing data, automating workflows and triggering notifications based on data changes, connecting to multiple data sources including spreadsheets, databases, apis, and saas platforms. Of those, creating data collection mobile apps with forms, photos, and location capture and building business dashboards and reporting applications on top of existing data are not what Softr is typically brought in for.
- What can AppSheet do that Softr cannot?
- Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
AppSheet: Can I build and test apps before paying for AppSheet?
Yes, AppSheet offers a free prototyping tier where you can test your apps with up to 10 users at no cost before deploying paid subscriptions.
SourceSoftr: 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.
SourceAppSheet: Is AppSheet included with Google Workspace subscriptions?
Yes, the Core plan ($10/user/month) is included with most paid Google Workspace plans, allowing you to build applications without additional licensing costs.
SourceSoftr: 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.
SourceAppSheet: What data sources can AppSheet connect to?
AppSheet connects to spreadsheets, cloud storage, databases, REST APIs, and SaaS platforms like Salesforce, enabling seamless integration with your existing tech stack.
SourceSoftr: 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