No-Code · head to head
Softr vs Bubble
Softr
No-Code
No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Bubble
No-Code
No-code platform for building web and mobile applications visually
- 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.; Bubble apps are tied to Bubble's proprietary runtime, making migration to another stack difficult if the platform is later outgrown.
- They diverge on capability: Softr covers Data source connectors, Bubble covers Visual app editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Softr and Bubble 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 Softr
- Data source connectors
- Pre-built blocks
- User authentication & permissions
- Client portals
- Payments
Only in Bubble
- Visual app editor
- Built-in database
- Visual workflow logic
- Plugin marketplace
- Responsive design engine
Both cover
- Custom domains
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot Bubble
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Bubble
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot Bubble
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot Bubble
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
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.
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.
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
Bubble
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Bubble review.
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 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Softr or Bubble better?
- Neither clearly leads. Softr starts at Free and Bubble at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Softr or Bubble?
- Softr starts at Free and Bubble at Free.
- Does Softr or Bubble run on more platforms?
- Softr runs on web. Bubble runs on web, ios, android.
- 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 Bubble is typically brought in for.
- What can Softr do that Bubble cannot?
- Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals. Bubble covers Visual app editor, Built-in database, Visual workflow logic, Plugin marketplace. Both handle Custom domains.
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.
SourceBubble: 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: 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