Softwr

No-Code · head to head

Softr vs Zoho Creator

Softr logo

Softr

No-Code

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoho Creator logo

Zoho Creator

No-Code

Low-code app builder priced per user per month, bundled into the wider Zoho ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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.; Zoho Creator its component library, AI tooling and governance features are less sophisticated than OutSystems, Mendix or Appian, reflecting the order-of-magnitude lower price.
  • They diverge on capability: Softr covers Data source connectors, Zoho Creator covers Visual form and workflow builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Softr and Zoho Creator actually diverge.

Attributes where Softr and Zoho Creator differ
AttributeSoftrZoho Creator
Pricing modelfreemiumPer user per month, billed annually
PlatformswebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded2020Unknown

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 Zoho Creator

  • Visual form and workflow builder
  • Deluge scripting
  • Native mobile apps
  • Zoho ecosystem integration
  • AI-assisted app building
  • Multi-app portfolio dashboards

What people use each for

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

Softr

  • Client and partner portalsnot Zoho Creator
  • Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Zoho Creator
  • Directory and marketplace websitesnot Zoho Creator
  • MVP prototypes for startupsnot Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator

  • A small or mid-sized business already using Zoho CRM or Zoho Books wanting a low-code app that integrates natively at no extra connector costnot Softr
  • A cost-sensitive team wanting low-code capability at a fraction of OutSystems or Mendix per-user pricingnot Softr
  • A company building a single departmental app on the Standard tier without paying for unlimited-app capacity it does not neednot Softr
  • An organisation that wants auto-generated native mobile apps from the same app definition without separate mobile developmentnot 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.

Zoho Creator

  • Its component library, AI tooling and governance features are less sophisticated than OutSystems, Mendix or Appian, reflecting the order-of-magnitude lower price.
  • Deluge, its scripting language for advanced logic, is proprietary to Zoho, so skills built on it do not transfer to other platforms the way JavaScript or Python skills would.
  • The real value case depends heavily on how many other Zoho products a buyer already runs; a company using no other Zoho software gets less benefit from the native ecosystem integration that is central to Creator's pitch.
  • Support responsiveness and documentation depth are generally weaker than Western enterprise vendors, reflecting Zoho's high-volume, lower-touch support model across its portfolio.
  • Complex, high-governance enterprise applications with strict compliance and audit requirements are a worse fit than they would be on a platform purpose-built for that, such as Appian or OutSystems.

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

Zoho Creator

Free
  • FreeFree
    • One custom app
    • Limited data sources and connectors
    • Suitable for individuals and very small teams
  • Standard$8/month
    • One application
    • 5 external data sources
    • 5 custom connectors
  • Professional$20/month
    • Unlimited applications
    • 15 external data sources
    • 10 custom connectors
  • Enterprise$25/month
    • Unlimited applications
    • 30 external data sources
    • 20 custom connectors, advanced governance

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 Zoho Creator if

  • You need visual form and workflow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want deluge scripting.
Zoho Creator review

Questions people ask

Is Softr or Zoho Creator better?
Neither clearly leads. Softr starts at Free and Zoho Creator at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Softr or Zoho Creator?
Softr starts at Free and Zoho Creator at Free.
Does Softr or Zoho Creator run on more platforms?
Softr runs on web. Zoho Creator 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 Zoho Creator is typically brought in for.
What can Softr do that Zoho Creator cannot?
Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals. Zoho Creator covers Visual form and workflow builder, Deluge scripting, Native mobile apps, Zoho ecosystem integration.

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
Zoho Creator: Is Zoho Creator good value only if I use other Zoho products?

Its price is competitive on its own, but native integration with Zoho CRM, Books and People is a real added benefit for existing Zoho customers specifically.

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
Zoho Creator: What is Deluge?

Zoho's proprietary scripting language used for custom logic beyond what the visual workflow builder covers.

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
Zoho Creator: How does its pricing compare to OutSystems or Mendix?

Meaningfully lower per user per month; Standard starts around 8 US dollars versus OutSystems' tens of thousands of dollars in annual entry pricing.

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