Client and partner portals
Give external users authenticated access to their projects, files, invoices, requests, dashboards, or account data without exposing other customers' records.
Independent tool overview
Softr at a glance
Softr is a no-code, AI-assisted platform for turning native or connected business data into client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, directories, and workflow-driven web apps.
Visit the official Softr site ↗
- Best for
- Client portals, internal tools, and data-driven business apps
- Starting price
- Free; paid plans from $19/month annually
- Native data
- Softr Databases
- Build style
- AI generation plus visual no-code editing
- Authentication
- App users, groups, and record-level permissions
- Mobile
- Installable progressive web app on Pro and above
- Reviewed
- August 30, 2026
Overview
What Softr is
Softr lets teams build authenticated business software without starting from a traditional codebase. A builder can generate an initial app from a prompt or template, refine it with visual blocks, store data in Softr Databases or connect an external source, add forms and actions, configure user access, automate processes, and publish on a custom domain. Common uses include client and partner portals, internal operations tools, CRMs, inventory systems, intranets, dashboards, and project trackers.
Its strongest advantage is that the interface, database, permissions, and workflow layers live in one visual environment while still allowing APIs and custom code where needed. Pricing now starts at $19 per month on annual billing after the Free plan, but the real cost depends on builders, Team and Client users, custom domains, records, workflow executions, AI credits, permissions, and data-source requirements. Softr is best for bounded data-driven apps; complex consumer products, offline-native mobile experiences, and deeply custom backend logic may outgrow the abstraction.
Use cases
Who Softr is best for
The strongest fit depends on the job you need the product to complete, not the size of its feature list.
Internal operations tools
Replace spreadsheet handoffs and lightweight admin processes with structured forms, tables, approvals, dashboards, and workflows.
Teams already using Airtable or Sheets
Add a polished application layer over familiar data sources while syncing permitted edits back to the underlying system.
Small business systems
Build a CRM, project tracker, inventory tool, directory, intranet, or reporting app without assembling a separate frontend, authentication layer, and automation service.
Non-technical app owners
Let operations, product, or business teams maintain layout, content, data, users, and workflows after the initial launch.
Capabilities
Core Softr features
AI app generation
Generates a connected starting application from a prompt, which builders can continue editing with Softr's visual tools.
Visual interface builder
Uses configurable lists, grids, tables, charts, forms, detail views, navigation, containers, and other blocks to create responsive web interfaces.
Softr Databases
Provides native relational tables, field types, formulas, linked records, lookups, rollups, files, views, imports, and an API without third-party source rate limits.
External data sources
Connects to spreadsheet, CRM, database, and API sources such as Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, Monday, Notion, Supabase, Xano, SQL, BigQuery, Snowflake, and REST endpoints depending on plan.
Two-way data actions
Lets permitted users view, create, edit, and delete records from the app, with changes written back to the selected source.
Users, groups, and permissions
Supports authenticated users, static or dynamic groups, page and block visibility, action rules, conditional filters, and global record restrictions.
Native workflows
Responds to app, database, email, form, schedule, webhook, and integration triggers with branches, filters, waits, bulk actions, messages, record updates, APIs, and AI steps.
AI actions and database agents
Can write, summarize, classify, enrich, or validate data with Softr-provided AI credits or supported bring-your-own model keys.
Templates and reusable patterns
Provides starter apps and workflows for portals, CRMs, inventories, intranets, directories, project management, and other common operations.
Custom domains and branding
Paid plans include a custom domain, with additional domains available as an add-on and higher tiers offering more branding control.
Progressive web app
Pro and higher plans can publish an installable PWA with a home-screen icon and splash configuration for supported browsers and devices.
API, webhooks, and custom code
Extends the visual platform through database APIs, app actions, REST calls, webhooks, custom code, and integration tools when no-code blocks are not enough.
Security and governance
Lists SOC 2 Type II, GDPR-aligned EU hosting, workspace roles, application and database audit logs, backups, and enterprise identity controls.
Process
How the Softr workflow works
Step 1
Define the app and users
Document the records, actions, user types, access boundaries, success criteria, and operational owner before choosing a template or generating an app.
Step 2
Choose the data layer
Use Softr Databases for an all-in-one build or connect an existing source after checking its scale, API limits, security, caching, and plan requirements.
Step 3
Generate or assemble the interface
Start from an AI prompt or template, then map pages and dynamic blocks to the correct tables, fields, filters, forms, and actions.
Step 4
Configure identity and permissions
Create the appropriate user groups and enforce page, block, action, and global data restrictions so each person sees and changes only permitted records.
Step 5
Automate the process
Add workflows for approvals, notifications, record changes, schedules, integrations, and AI enrichment, then test each branch and failure path with representative data.
Step 6
Publish and monitor
Test on desktop and mobile, connect a domain, invite a limited pilot group, inspect access and workflow behavior, and monitor users, records, executions, credits, and external-source limits.
Cost
Softr pricing and free plan
Softr offers four self-serve plans plus Enterprise. Annual prices are effective monthly rates but are billed for 12 months upfront. Costs can increase with additional users, builders, domains, AI credits, workflows, and higher data or governance needs. New accounts receive a seven-day Business trial, extendable to 14 days with a card.
Free
$0
For learning and small experiments with apps, databases, workflows, and forms.
- Up to 3 builders
- 5 app users combined
- No custom domain
- Limited records, executions, credits, and history
- Free plan remains available after the trial
Basic
$19/mo annual · $25/mo monthly
For an individual building a lightweight productivity app.
- 1 included builder
- 5 Team users and 5 Client users
- No app-user add-ons
- 1 custom domain
- Email workflow triggers available
Pro
$99/mo annual · $119/mo monthly
For small teams building operational tools and client-facing apps.
- 2 included builders
- 10 Team users included; $3 per extra up to 50
- 50 Client users included; $1 per extra up to 250
- 3 custom user groups
- PWA publishing and broader permissions
- 1 custom domain
Business
$329/mo annual · $395/mo monthly
For companies running more advanced systems with greater scale, permissions, and governance.
- 3 included builders
- 30 Team users included; $5 per extra up to 100
- 100 Client users included; $2 per extra up to 500
- 10 custom user groups
- Create, edit, and delete global data restrictions
- 1 custom domain
Enterprise
Custom
For higher volume, advanced data sources, identity, audit, agreements, and support requirements.
- Custom builders and app users
- SSO, SCIM, and audit capabilities
- Snowflake and BigQuery availability
- Custom limits and integrations
- Invoice payment and tailored support
Pricing checked . Check current pricing at the source ↗
Assessment
Softr strengths and limitations
Where it stands out
- Combines interface building, a native relational database, authentication, permissions, workflows, and AI in one approachable platform.
- Particularly well matched to portals and internal tools where most screens are views and actions over structured records.
- AI-generated starting points speed up prototyping without preventing later visual editing when credits run out.
- External data connections can add an application layer without immediately migrating an existing Airtable, spreadsheet, CRM, or database.
- User groups and record-level restrictions support personalized client and employee experiences.
- Native workflows can react directly to app and database events and use the same data and permissions context.
- The Free plan and seven-day Business trial make it practical to validate a use case before paying.
- Self-serve pricing is published clearly, including app-user and builder add-ons.
- SOC 2 Type II, EU data hosting, audit options, and enterprise identity controls support more formal procurement.
What to consider
- Plan selection is more complex than the headline price because builders, Team users, Client users, records, domains, workflow executions, AI credits, data sources, and permission features have separate limits.
- Free is limited to five app users, while Basic caps both Team and Client users at five with no add-ons, so a real portal may need Pro quickly.
- Softr classifies app users partly by business email domain; free-mail addresses count as Client users, which can affect capacity planning.
- Extra app users are billed monthly even when the base plan is annual, and each plan enforces a maximum before users are deactivated.
- Custom user groups require Pro or above, while global create, edit, and delete restrictions require Business or Enterprise.
- Global field-level restrictions are still described as coming soon, so sensitive fields may require another data model or source-level control.
- Each dynamic block connects to one data source, so multi-source views usually need separate blocks or workflow-based consolidation rather than a live cross-source join.
- External sources introduce their own rate limits, latency, permissions, caching, outages, pricing, and data-governance obligations.
- The mobile option is a progressive web app, not a fully native iOS or Android application, and it still requires internet access.
- Highly custom interfaces, real-time collaboration, offline behavior, complex transactions, heavy computation, or unusual backend logic may require custom code or another platform.
- Workflow executions and AI credits have plan allowances; workflows can pause when the execution limit is reached, and unused included AI credits reset monthly.
- AI-generated schemas, screens, workflows, and content still require human review for correctness, accessibility, permissions, and destructive actions.
- SOC 2 and EU hosting cover Softr's platform, not the complete security or regulatory compliance of every app, connected data source, integration, and customer configuration.
- Moving a mature application away from Softr can require rebuilding its UI, permissions, and workflows even when the underlying data is portable.
Compare
Softr alternatives
The right alternative depends on the specific output, workflow, controls and budget your project requires.
Coding
Bubble
Bubble offers more flexibility for custom web-product logic and interfaces, with a steeper learning curve and a different workload-based model.
Explore Bubble →Coding
Retool
Retool is stronger for developer-supported internal tools, direct database access, and code-heavy enterprise workflows, while Softr is often friendlier for portals and business builders.
Explore Retool →Business Operations
Airtable
Airtable is a strong alternative when the data, interfaces, and automations can live primarily inside a collaborative operational database rather than a separate branded portal.
Explore Airtable →Questions
Softr FAQs
What is Softr?
Softr is an AI-assisted no-code platform for building data-driven web applications such as client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, inventories, intranets, and directories.
How much does Softr cost?
Softr has a Free plan. Paid plans are $19, $99, and $329 per month on annual billing, or $25, $119, and $395 on monthly billing, plus possible add-ons. Enterprise is custom priced.
Does Softr have a free trial?
Yes. New accounts receive a seven-day trial of Business features without a card; adding a card can extend it to 14 days. The account can continue on the Free plan after cancellation or trial expiry.
What can Softr use as a database?
You can use native Softr Databases or connect supported sources such as Airtable, Google Sheets, CRMs, Notion, Monday, Supabase, Xano, SQL, REST APIs, and Enterprise sources such as BigQuery or Snowflake.
Can different clients see only their own data?
Yes, when user groups, conditional filters, and global record restrictions are configured correctly. Builders should test every role and action because users are unrestricted by default until rules narrow access.
Can Softr automate work?
Yes. Softr Workflows can respond to app, database, form, email, schedule, webhook, and integration triggers and then update records, send messages, branch, wait, call APIs, or run AI actions.
Does Softr build native mobile apps?
No. Pro and higher plans can publish an installable progressive web app. It works through supported browsers and still needs an internet connection.
What is the difference between a builder and an app user?
A builder can edit apps, databases, workflows, and workspace assets in Softr Studio. An app user signs into the published application to view or work with permitted data.
Is Softr secure?
Softr lists SOC 2 Type II, GDPR-aligned EU hosting, roles, backups, and enterprise audit and identity controls. Security still depends on the plan, connected sources, permission rules, integrations, credentials, and how the app is tested and operated.
Bottom line
Our Softr verdict
Softr is an excellent fit for a portal or internal tool whose core experience is authenticated users viewing and updating structured business records. The native database, visual blocks, permissions, workflows, and published pricing reduce the number of systems a small team must assemble. Before committing, prototype the hardest permission rule, integration, data volume, and workflow—not just the homepage—and model the real user/add-on cost. If those tests expose heavy custom logic or native-mobile requirements, Bubble, Retool, or a coded application may be a better long-term foundation.
Visit Softr website ↗Similar Business Operations Tools
View all Business Operations AI tools →
AI training for the future of work.
Get access to all our AI courses, hundreds of real-world AI use cases, live expert-led workshops, an exclusive network of AI early adopters, and more.
AI Courses
Get unlimited access to all of our current & upcoming industry-specific AI courses for the duration of your subscription.
Daily Guides
To keep up with the rapid pace of AI, our team publishes AI implementation guides daily. Our library contains 300+ practical use cases to automate real-world work.
Workshops
Join weekly, live, interactive sessions with industry leaders who are at the forefront of AI for hands-on implementation guidance and exclusive insights.
Community
Network with an exclusive community of AI-first professionals who are working smarter with AI. Learn how early adopters are using AI in their work and businesses.