No-Code · head to head
Bubble vs Softr
Bubble
No-Code
No-code platform for building web and mobile applications visually
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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: Bubble apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown.; Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
- They diverge on capability: Bubble covers Visual app editor, Softr covers Data source connectors.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bubble and Softr actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 Bubble
- Visual app editor
- Built-in database
- Visual workflow logic
- Plugin marketplace
- Responsive design engine
Only in Softr
- Data source connectors
- Pre-built blocks
- User authentication & permissions
- Client portals
- Payments
Both cover
- Custom domains
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Bubble
- Building MVPs and startup web apps without a dev teamnot Softr
- Internal business apps with custom database logicnot Softr
- Marketplace and SaaS prototypesnot Softr
- Mobile app wrappers around a Bubble web appnot Softr
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot Bubble
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Bubble
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot Bubble
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot Bubble
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Bubble
- Apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown.
- Complex apps can hit performance limits compared to hand-coded applications as data and workflow complexity grows.
- The visual workflow editor has a steep learning curve for genuinely complex business logic.
- Free tier cannot host apps on a custom domain, limiting it to prototyping rather than production launches.
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
Bubble
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Bubble review.
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 Bubble if
- You need visual app editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, ios, android.
- You also want built-in database.
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 Bubble or Softr better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bubble 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, Bubble or Softr?
- Bubble starts at Free and Softr at Free.
- Does Bubble or Softr run on more platforms?
- Bubble runs on web, ios, android. Softr runs on web.
- Can I use Bubble for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Bubble best used for?
- Bubble is most often used for building mvps and startup web apps without a dev team, internal business apps with custom database logic, marketplace and saas prototypes, mobile app wrappers around a bubble web app. Of those, building mvps and startup web apps without a dev team and internal business apps with custom database logic are not what Softr is typically brought in for.
- What can Bubble do that Softr cannot?
- Bubble covers Visual app editor, Built-in database, Visual workflow logic, Plugin marketplace. Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals. Both handle Custom domains.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Bubble: Does Bubble publish pricing information on their main website?
Bubble's pricing details are not available on the main homepage. Detailed pricing information would need to be found on their dedicated pricing page or terms of service.
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.
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.
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