Appsmith vs Softr (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Appsmith if

• Fits if you build internal tools and can self-host to pay nothing
• Works for small teams of up to 5 on the free cloud plan

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you grow, as the free cloud plan stops at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repos
• Pricey if you need SSO, since SAML, OIDC and SCIM are Enterprise at $2,500 a month
• Watch out: Workflows, audit logs and custom roles start on Business
• Watch out: the page does not say whether the $15 Business price is monthly or yearly

Pick Softr if

• Fits if you need a client portal or internal tool on top of Airtable, Google Sheets or a CRM
• Works for nonprofits and schools, which get 50% off

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you have more than a handful of clients, as Basic stops at 5 client users and add-ons start on Pro
• Pricey if you want Softr's branding gone, custom code or granular permissions, since those start on Pro at $99 a month billed yearly
• Not for you if you want generated code, as apps are assembled from Softr's pre-built blocks
• Watch out: workflows pause when the monthly action limit is reached, until it renews or you upgrade
• Watch out: extra builders cost $5 to $20 a month each, and an installable phone version needs Business at $329

Appsmith

• The Free cloud plan stops at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repos.
• Workflows, reusable packages, audit logs and custom roles start on Business, which covers up to 99 users.
• Enterprise starts at $2,500 a month for 100 users, and SAML or OIDC SSO and SCIM are limited to it.
• The pricing page does not say whether the $15 Business price is monthly or annual billing.

Softr

• Every plan caps app users: 5 on Free, 5 team and 5 client users on Basic, with paid add-ons only from Pro.
• Removing Softr branding, custom code and granular permissions start on Pro, at $99 a month billed yearly.
• Extra builders cost $5 to $20 a month each depending on the plan, on top of the 1 to 3 included.
• Workflows pause when the monthly action limit is reached, until it renews or the workspace is upgraded.

Appsmith

Drag-and-drop UI

Responsive interfaces assembled from widgets, with custom widgets written in JS, HTML and CSS.

Data connections

Connects to any LLM, database, SaaS tool, or REST or GraphQL API.

JavaScript customization

Business logic and data transformations are written in JavaScript, and external libraries can be imported.

Git version control

Apps are versioned with Git. The Business plan removes the repo limit, and Enterprise adds CI/CD from environment branches.

Self-hosting

The open-source edition runs on your own servers, so internal data stays inside your network.

Softr

AI app builder

A prompt produces the pages, layouts, database structure, permissions and workflows for an app, which can then be refined with AI or edited visually.

Pre-built blocks and Vibe Coding

Apps are assembled from blocks such as lists, grids, charts, calendars and forms. A Vibe Coding block generates a custom, data-connected interface from a prompt.

Softr Databases and data sources

Store data in Softr's relational databases or connect live to Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, Salesforce, Supabase and SQL databases.

Users, logins and permissions

Built-in login supports email and password, magic links, Google sign-in and SSO, with user groups controlling what each person can see and do.

Workflows

Softr Workflows automate manual processes, with a monthly cap on actions: 500 on Free, 2.5K on Basic, 10K on Pro and 25K on Business.

Mobile apps

Apps can be delivered as an installable mobile app (PWA) with push notifications. Both are listed on the Business plan.

Appsmith

• Community$0

  The open-source edition, which you host yourself.

• Free$0

  Cloud plan for up to 5 users, with 5 workspaces, Git with 3 repos, Google SSO, 3 standard roles and public apps.

• Business$15

  per user / month, billing period not stated

  Up to 99 users, with unlimited workspaces, environments and Git repos, workflows, reusable packages, custom roles, audit logs and removable Appsmith branding.

• Enterprise$2,500

  per month for 100 users

  Sold through sales. Adds SAML and OIDC SSO, SCIM provisioning, CI/CD, private app embedding, and dedicated support with SLAs. Airgapped edition and managed hosting are add-ons.

Softr

• Free$0

  Unlimited apps, up to 3 builders, 5 app users, 5K database records, 500 workflow actions and 5 AI credits a month, plus the Softr API and MCP.

• Basic$19

  per month, billed yearly; $25 billed monthly

  1 builder, 5 team and 5 client users, 50K records, 2.5K workflow actions and 10 AI credits a month, with a custom domain and database backups.

• Pro$99

  per month, billed yearly; $119 billed monthly

  2 builders, 10 team and 50 client users, 500K records and 10K workflow actions. Removes Softr branding and adds granular permissions and custom code.

• Business$329

  per month, billed yearly; $395 billed monthly

  3 builders, 30 team and 100 client users, 1M records and 25K workflow actions, with 2FA, an installable mobile app (PWA) and push notifications.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Custom limits with SSO (SAML, OpenID), SCIM, audit logs, custom agreements and SLAs, and a customer success manager.

Appsmith

No public discounts listed.

Softr

• Annual discount

  About two months free with yearly billing

  Softr's docs list Basic at $19 a month billed yearly against $25 monthly, Pro at $99 against $119, and Business at $329 against $395.

• Nonprofit

  50% off for nonprofits

  The pricing page offers a 50% non-profit and education discount, claimed by filling out a form.

• Education

  50% off for education

  The same 50% discount applies to educational organizations, according to the pricing page FAQ, and is claimed through a form.