No-Code · head to head
Softr vs ToolJet
Softr
No-Code
No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
ToolJet
No-Code
Open-source low-code platform for building internal tools and business apps
- 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.; ToolJet free and Pro tiers cap end users at 50, which may be too low for apps needing broad internal distribution.
- They diverge on capability: Softr covers Data source connectors, ToolJet covers Drag-and-drop app builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Softr and ToolJet 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
- Custom domains
Only in ToolJet
- Drag-and-drop app builder
- AI-assisted generation
- Database and API connectors
- Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment
- Multi-instance deployments
- Dedicated support manager
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot ToolJet
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot ToolJet
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot ToolJet
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot ToolJet
ToolJet
- Building internal admin dashboards and appsnot Softr
- Self-hosted or air-gapped internal tool deploymentnot Softr
- AI-assisted rapid app prototypingnot Softr
- Connecting multiple data sources into one 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.
ToolJet
- Free and Pro tiers cap end users at 50, which may be too low for apps needing broad internal distribution.
- Enterprise pricing starts at a steep $3,000/month, a large jump from the $199/month Team plan.
- AI credits reset monthly and do not roll over, penalizing uneven month-to-month usage.
- Smaller integration and community ecosystem than more established players like Retool.
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
ToolJet
Free- FreeFree
- 2 builders
- 50 end users
- 2 apps
- Pro$79/month
- Unlimited builders (per-builder pricing)
- 50 end users
- 5 apps
- Team$199/month
- Unlimited builders (per-builder pricing)
- 100 end users
- Unlimited apps
- Enterprise$3000/month
- Unlimited end users
- Custom AI credits
- Dedicated support manager
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 ToolJet if
- You need drag-and-drop app builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
- You also want ai-assisted generation.
Questions people ask
- Is Softr or ToolJet better?
- Neither clearly leads. Softr starts at Free and ToolJet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Softr or ToolJet?
- Softr starts at Free and ToolJet at Free.
- Does Softr or ToolJet run on more platforms?
- Softr runs on web. ToolJet runs on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
- 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 ToolJet is typically brought in for.
- What can Softr do that ToolJet cannot?
- Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals. ToolJet covers Drag-and-drop app builder, AI-assisted generation, Database and API connectors, Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment.
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.
SourceToolJet: What happens if I run out of AI credits?
Users can continue using all other ToolJet features as normal and can contact support to purchase additional AI credits when the monthly allotment runs out.
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.
SourceToolJet: Do unused AI credits roll over?
No, AI credits reset every month and unused credits do not carry over, which ToolJet says helps maintain consistent service quality.
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.
SourceToolJet: Can ToolJet be deployed on-premise?
Yes, both the community and enterprise editions support on-premise and air-gapped deployments, typically completed in under 30 minutes.
SourceToolJet: Is there a free trial for paid plans?
ToolJet offers a 14-day free trial for both its business and enterprise editions.
Source