No-Code · head to head
Softr vs Appsmith
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: Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.; Appsmith the free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories
- They diverge on capability: Softr covers Data source connectors, Appsmith covers Drag-and-drop builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Softr and Appsmith actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Softr
- Data source connectors
- Pre-built blocks
- User authentication & permissions
- Client portals
- Payments
- Custom domains
Only in Appsmith
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Database integration
- REST API
- Workflows
- Authentication
- Custom code
- Git integration
- 100+ integrations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot Appsmith
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Appsmith
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot Appsmith
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot Appsmith
Appsmith
- Building internal admin panels over existing databases and APIsnot Softr
- Self-hosting a low-code internal tool platformnot Softr
- Custom CRUD dashboards for operations teamsnot Softr
- Versioning applications through Gitnot Softr
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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.
Appsmith
- The free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories
- Workflows, custom roles and audit logs all require the Business plan at $15 per user per month
- SAML and OIDC single sign-on need Enterprise, which starts at $2,500 a month with a 100 user minimum
- Embedding an app privately is Enterprise only; the lower tiers embed publicly
- Managed hosting is an Enterprise add-on rather than an included option
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Appsmith
Free- FreeFree
- Up to 5 users on cloud
- 5 workspaces
- 3 Git repos
- Business$15/month per user
- Up to 99 users
- Unlimited workspaces and Git repos
- Workflows and reusable packages
- Enterprise$2500/month
- Minimum 100 users
- Unlimited users above 100
- SAML/OIDC SSO
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.
Choose Appsmith if
- You need drag-and-drop builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want database integration.
Questions people ask
- Is Softr or Appsmith better?
- Neither clearly leads. Softr starts at Free and Appsmith at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Softr or Appsmith?
- Softr starts at Free and Appsmith at Free.
- Does Softr or Appsmith run on more platforms?
- Softr runs on web. Appsmith runs on Web, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Softr for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Softr best used for?
- Softr is most often used for client and partner portals, internal tools on top of airtable, directory and marketplace websites, mvp prototypes for startups. Of those, client and partner portals and internal tools on top of airtable are not what Appsmith is typically brought in for.
- What can Softr do that Appsmith cannot?
- Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals. Appsmith covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Workflows.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceAppsmith: How much does Appsmith cost?
Appsmith offers a free plan for up to 5 users, a Business plan at $15 per user per month (up to 99 users), and an Enterprise plan starting at $2,500 per month for a minimum of 100 users with unlimited users available at that rate.
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.
SourceAppsmith: Does Appsmith have a free version?
Yes, Appsmith's Free plan provides access for up to 5 users with 5 workspaces, 3 Git repos, and community support at no cost. All plans offer unlimited apps.
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.
SourceAppsmith: What does the Business plan include compared to Free?
The Business plan at $15 per user per month supports up to 99 users, provides unlimited workspaces and Git repos, includes workflows and reusable packages, premium integrations, custom roles, and access controls with email and chat support compared to the Free plan's community support only.
SourceAppsmith: How are Appsmith users counted for billing purposes?
Appsmith counts any user who builds or edits applications as a standard user for billing. Developers and builders are treated the same as other users and all users count toward the per-user billing model without separate developer seat charges.
Source