Noloco vs Softr: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Noloco is built for internal-tools, while Softr suits client-portals. For most users Softr is the stronger default, but Noloco can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Softr has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing Noloco against Softr, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Noloco | Softr | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nocode App Builder | Nocode App Builder |
| What it's known for | No-code 'operating system' for building internal tools, client portals and CRMs on top of Airtable, Postgres, MySQL or its own database, with granular permissions and workflows. | No-code builder for client portals, internal tools and websites on top of Airtable, Google Sheets, Xano or its own database, with permissioned user access and blocks-based design. |
| Pricing | Reported 4 tiers from ~$49/mo (Starter, unlimited apps, 4 team members) to ~$319/mo, plus ~$4/extra seat and custom enterprise; 30-day free trial | Free plan; reported Basic ~$49-59/mo, Professional ~$139-167/mo, Business ~$269-323/mo, Enterprise custom; ~17% off annual; costs rise with app users, AI credits and add-ons |
| Best audience | Agencies and businesses building secure, branded client portals and CRMs on Airtable/SQL. | Agencies, consultants and ops teams building client portals and internal tools on Airtable/Google Sheets. |
| Best for | internal-tools, client-portals | client-portals, internal-tools |
| Entry price | ~$49/mo | Free |
| Biggest strength | Strong server-side row-level security for external stakeholders. | Among the easiest tools to stand up a secure, permissioned client portal. |
| Main caveat | No permanent free plan (30-day trial only). | Costs rise with app users, AI credits and paid add-ons (SSO is a paid add-on). |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Noloco key features
- No-code builder for internal tools, client portals and CRMs
- Connects Airtable, Postgres, MySQL, Google Sheets or own database (can combine sources in one app)
- Server-side row-level security and granular permissions
- Native workflow automation
Softr key features
- Block-based no-code builder for portals, internal tools and websites
- AI Co-Builder that generates working apps from prompts
- Real-time two-way Airtable sync
- User authentication with role-based access control
Pricing tiers side by side
Noloco plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$49/mo | Unlimited apps, ~4 team members |
| Pro | ~$99/mo annual ($149 monthly) | ~50 client seats then $1/extra client, 50k rows/app |
| Business | ~$213/mo annual ($319 monthly) | Higher limits |
| Enterprise | Custom | Contact sales |
Softr plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited published apps, Softr branding |
| Basic | ~$49/mo | 3 published apps, custom CSS/JS, ~20 app users |
| Professional | ~$139/mo | Unlimited apps, ~100 app users |
| Business | ~$269/mo | Advanced data sources, ~500 users, SSO add-on |
| Enterprise | Custom | Contact sales |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Noloco wins
A white-label 'operating system' for internal tools and client portals with strong row-level security.
- Strong server-side row-level security for external stakeholders.
- Can combine multiple data sources in a single app.
That makes it the stronger pick for agencies and businesses building secure, branded client portals and CRMs on Airtable/SQL.
Where Softr wins
The fastest path to a polished, permissioned client portal on top of Airtable data.
- Among the easiest tools to stand up a secure, permissioned client portal.
- Flat pricing (no per-end-user seat charges) is often cheaper than Airtable interfaces at scale.
That makes it the stronger pick for agencies, consultants and ops teams building client portals and internal tools on Airtable/Google Sheets.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose Noloco if you fit its core audience — agencies and businesses building secure, branded client portals and CRMs on Airtable/SQL.
- Choose Softr if you fit its core audience — agencies, consultants and ops teams building client portals and internal tools on Airtable/Google Sheets.
FAQ
Is Noloco better than Softr?
Softr is the stronger default for most users, but Noloco can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Noloco and Softr?
Noloco is a white-label 'operating system' for internal tools and client portals with strong row-level security. Softr is the fastest path to a polished, permissioned client portal on top of Airtable data.
Which is cheaper, Noloco or Softr?
Entry pricing differs: Noloco starts at ~$49/mo, while Softr offers a free tier. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Noloco and Softr: