Softwr

No-Code · head to head

Softr vs Xara Designer Pro+

Softr logo

Softr

No-Code

No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xara Designer Pro+ logo

Xara Designer Pro+

Design

Desktop publishing, web design, photo editing and graphic design in one workspace

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Softr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.; Xara Designer Pro+ compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Softr and Xara Designer Pro+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Softr and Xara Designer Pro+ differ
AttributeSoftrXara Designer Pro+
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
Free tierYesNo
CategoryNo-CodeDesign
Founded2020Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (web), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Xara Designer Pro+

Nothing recorded that Softr does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Softr

  • Client and partner portalsnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Directory and marketplace websitesnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • MVP prototypes for startupsnot Xara Designer Pro+

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Desktop publishing and professional layout workflowsnot Softr
  • Web design and e-commerce site creation without codenot Softr
  • Photo editing and image retouching for visual projectsnot Softr
  • Graphic design and illustration in single workspacenot Softr
  • Multi-discipline creative work with unlimited flexibilitynot 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.

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

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

Xara Designer Pro+

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xara Designer Pro+ 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.
Softr review

Choose Xara Designer Pro+ if

Nothing in the data separates Xara Designer Pro+ from Softr on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xara Designer Pro+ review

Questions people ask

Is Softr or Xara Designer Pro+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Softr starts at Free and Xara Designer Pro+ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Softr or Xara Designer Pro+?
Softr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Softr and On request for Xara Designer Pro+.
Does Softr or Xara Designer Pro+ run on more platforms?
Softr runs on web. Xara Designer Pro+ runs on Web.
Can I use Softr for free?
Yes. Softr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xara Designer Pro+ starts at On request.
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 Xara Designer Pro+ is typically brought in for.
What can Softr do that Xara Designer Pro+ cannot?
Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.

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.

Source
Xara Designer Pro+: Does Xara Designer Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Xara Designer Pro offers a free trial download, allowing users to test the software before purchasing.

Source
Softr: 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.

Source
Softr: 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
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