No-Code · head to head
ToolJet vs Softr
ToolJet
No-Code
Open-source low-code platform for building internal tools and business apps
- 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: ToolJet free and Pro tiers cap end users at 50, which may be too low for apps needing broad internal distribution.; Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
- They diverge on capability: ToolJet covers Drag-and-drop app builder, Softr covers Data source connectors.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ToolJet 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 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
Only in Softr
- Data source connectors
- Pre-built blocks
- User authentication & permissions
- Client portals
- Payments
- Custom domains
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
Softr
- Client and partner portalsnot ToolJet
- Internal tools on top of Airtablenot ToolJet
- Directory and marketplace websitesnot ToolJet
- MVP prototypes for startupsnot ToolJet
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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.
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
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
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 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.
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 ToolJet or Softr better?
- Neither clearly leads. ToolJet 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, ToolJet or Softr?
- ToolJet starts at Free and Softr at Free.
- Does ToolJet or Softr run on more platforms?
- ToolJet runs on web, api, linux, windows, mac. Softr runs on web.
- Can I use ToolJet for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is ToolJet best used for?
- ToolJet is most often used for building internal admin dashboards and apps, self-hosted or air-gapped internal tool deployment, ai-assisted rapid app prototyping, connecting multiple data sources into one app. Of those, building internal admin dashboards and apps and self-hosted or air-gapped internal tool deployment are not what Softr is typically brought in for.
- What can ToolJet do that Softr cannot?
- ToolJet covers Drag-and-drop app builder, AI-assisted generation, Database and API connectors, Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment. Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ToolJet: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
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: Is there a free trial for paid plans?
ToolJet offers a 14-day free trial for both its business and enterprise editions.
Source