In the market for Softr alternatives?

Aaikansh Agrawal
DronaHQ — Low Code Platform
5 min readJul 6, 2023

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Softr is a web app builder that falls under the category of no-code tools, allowing users to create front ends for their Airtable data and Google Sheets data, such as web apps, communities, and portals.

While Softr is relatively new in the market and may not offer an extensive range of features, many businesses have successfully utilized it to develop various web applications, including online communities, marketplaces, directories, and SaaS apps.

However, depending on your specific app requirements or data storage location, Softr might not be the ideal solution for you. Softr restricts the use of data solely to Airtable or Google Sheets as the backend storage option.

Though the platform boasts a user-friendly interface, a variety of integrations, and pre-designed app templates that facilitate quick app development. It is worth exploring alternative app builders that can fulfill your requirements without the limitation of being tied exclusively to Airtable or Google Sheets.

In this article, we will introduce you to a selection of Softr app builder alternatives, enabling you to explore different options and find the best fit for your needs:

  1. Adalo
  2. DronaHQ
  3. Glide
  4. Retool
  5. Stacker

Softr: No-code builder for Airtable data

Softr is a no-code platform that enables users to build apps with ease. It specializes in integrating with Airtable and Google Sheets as data sources.

Softr Pros:

  1. User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making app development accessible to non-technical users.
  2. Seamless integration with Airtable and Google Sheets
  3. Responsive and mobile-friendly app designs (PWA)
  4. Offers various pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets.

Softr Cons:

  1. Limited data source compatibility beyond Airtable and Google Sheets
  2. Limited customization options compared to some other platforms
  3. Advanced features and functionalities may require custom coding.

Pricing:

Softr offers various pricing plans, from free to premium plans starting at $49 /month.

Adalo: Easy to use Softr Alternative

Adalo is a user-friendly low-code platform that empowers non-technical users to create mobile and web apps using a visual development interface. Its drag and drop interface makes it easy to create well-designed apps. The diverse template library makes production easier.

Pros:

  1. Wide range of data source integration options.
  2. Extensive customization capabilities with a vast library of pre-built components.
  3. Native mobile app development support for iOS and Android.
  4. Real-time updates and syncing capabilities.
  5. Offers a free plan and flexible pricing options.

Cons:

  1. Limited in-app automation features.
  2. Some advanced functionality may require custom coding.

Pricing:

Adalo offers different pricing tiers, including a free plan for 50 data rows and various subscription options based on app requirements and usage such as the pro plan for $50 per month and Business plan for $200 per month.

DronaHQ: Softr Alternative for Web + Mobile apps

About: DronaHQ is a low-code platform that enables users to build business applications rapidly without extensive coding knowledge. The user interfaces are richer and responsive which can be accessed across multiple form factors. It has user-friendly and straightforward drag-and-drop functionality to custom-build applications.

Pros:

  1. Support to build web applications as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.
  2. Wide range of ready connectors to APIs and databases, including MongoDB, Airtable, and PostgreSQL.
  3. The platform supports writing SQL queries with Ask AI powered by GPT-3.
  4. 100+ pre-built UI components with rich properties
  5. Advanced features like environments, SSO configurations, and custom branding are available from the mid-tier plan itself.
  6. Build embeddable widgets, forms, and sections for portals
  7. Support for customization with JavaScript

Cons:

  1. Customization options can be complex for beginners.
  2. Publishing apps is not available in the free plan.
  3. Custom domain availability is limited to specific plans.

Pricing:

DronaHQ offers flexible pricing plans based on app requirements and users, with options for individuals, startups, and enterprises. You can choose from a free forever plan to a $25 business plan that includes SSO, Environments.

Glide: Softr Alternative for Google Sheets data

About: Glide is a low-code platform that focuses on creating mobile apps directly from Google Sheets. The drag-and-drop editor and a diverse gallery of pre-built templates make it possible to build solutions that handle a variety of use cases.

Pros:

  1. Seamless integration with Google Sheets for data storage and management.
  2. Intuitive and user-friendly interface for building mobile apps.
  3. Real-time updates and syncing capabilities.
  4. Allows offline app usage and data synchronization.

Cons:

  1. Limited to mobile app development.
  2. Limited support for database integration out of the box
  3. Relatively fewer customization options compared to some other platforms.

Pricing:

Glide offers both free and paid subscription plans based on app requirements and usage.

Retool: Softr Alternative for GUI development

Retool is a low-code platform that allows users to build internal tools and applications with a drag-and-drop interface.

Pros:

  1. Supports integration with a wide range of data sources, APIs, and databases.
  2. Powerful customization options with a visual programming interface.
  3. Collaboration features for team-based app development.
  4. Provides a library of pre-built components and templates.
  5. Offers enterprise-grade security and data governance features.

Cons:

  1. Focused more on internal tooling rather than consumer-facing applications.
  2. Pricing can be relatively higher compared to some other low-code platforms.
  3. Steeper learning curve for non-technical users.

Pricing:

Retool offers subscription-based pricing, with plans tailored for different usage levels and enterprise requirements.

Stacker: A Softr Alternative for custom app development

About: Stacker is a low-code platform that enables users to create custom web applications using existing data sources.

Pros:

Seamless integration with popular data sources, including Airtable, Google Sheets, and more.

Rapid application development with a visual builder and pre-built templates.

Customizable user interface and branding options.

Cons:

  1. Limited customization options for complex app requirements.
  2. May not be suitable for large-scale enterprise applications.

Pricing:

Stacker offers subscription-based pricing, with options for individuals, businesses, and enterprises.

By considering these alternatives, you can choose the low-code platform that aligns with your project requirements, data integration preferences, customization needs, and budget constraints. Remember to assess the pros and cons of each platform carefully before making your decision. Embrace the power of low-code development and embark on your app-building journey with confidence.

Note: The pricing information mentioned in this blog post is subject to change, and it’s advisable to visit the respective platforms’ websites for the most up-to-date pricing details.

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Aaikansh Agrawal
DronaHQ — Low Code Platform

Helping developers build internal tools 10x faster with low code