Softr

Softr is a no-code app builder specialized for creating client portals, member directories, internal dashboards, and data-driven websites using Airtable, Google Sheets, or HubSpot as the backend database. Its focus on portals — gated, login-required web apps that present external data to specific users — differentiates it from general-purpose no-code tools.

The typical Softr use case is a client portal where customers can log in and see their project status, invoices, or service data from an Airtable or Google Sheets database that the agency manages in the background. This requires no code — the Softr interface allows dragging portal components, setting up login/authentication, and defining which records are visible to which users based on email matching.

Key capabilities include Airtable and Google Sheets native integration, user authentication and membership, data filtering by logged-in user, payment gating via Stripe and PayPal, portal and directory templates, drag-and-drop page builder, custom domains, and form submissions back to the data source.

Pricing: Free plan provides limited blocks and no custom domain. Business at $269 per month (annual billing) is the main paid tier for professional use — it provides custom domains, unlimited records, all authentication features, and team management. Enterprise pricing is custom.

Limitations: Softr is specialized — it excels at portals and data-presentation apps but lacks the flexibility of Bubble for complex multi-step logic. The Business plan price jump from free to $269/month is steep with no intermediate option for small teams. The platform is best when Airtable or Google Sheets is already the data source.

Best suited for agencies, consultants, and SaaS companies that need to give clients gated access to their own data — typically companies already managing client data in Airtable.