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Softr vs Zapier

An in-depth head to head comparison

In this article, read a side-by-side comparison between two no-code tools: Softr and Zapier. We'll compare pricing, the benefits, the drawbacks, give examples of what you can and can't build, as well as our overall recommendation.

What is Softr?

The easiest way to build powerful portals and tools on top of your business data—flexible, fast, and no coding required.
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What is Zapier?

Easy automation for busy people. Zapier moves info between your web apps automatically, so you can focus on your most important work.
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Pricing

Softr pricing

  • Free basic plan with unlimited app visitors, 5 internal / 100 external app users, 5 workspace collaborators, CRUD, Global data restrictions, 1 custom domain
  • $49/month for custom CSS/JS, 10 internal / 1000 external app users, Embed Softr apps, Option to buy extra custom domains, 
  • $139/month - $269/month for 100 internal / 10000 external app users, 15 workspace collaborators, Conditional Forms, Downloadable mobile apps (PWA), No Softr branding, 

Zapier pricing

  • Free plan with 100 tasks/month and 5 zaps
  • $19.99/month for 750 tasks/month and 20 zaps, plus multi-step zaps
  • $49/month - $299/month for unlimited zaps and additional advanced features

Benefits

Softr benefits

  • Easy to use, no-code interface allows non-technical users, such as operators, analysts, and team leads, to create and manage their own tools.
  • Build internal tools or portals on top of your data with AWS-powered server-side security
  • Integration with a variety of data sources, including SQL Databases (MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MariaDB), Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, BigQuery, SmartSuite, Xano, SupaBase.
  • Customize layout and design to align with your brand
  • Advanced user groups and custom permissions
  • Custom code (Javascript, HTML/CSS) available 
  • Responsive design, plus option to create mobile applications as PWAs
  • Hundreds of templates for use cases across various verticals and departments.
  • Integrate with 30+ tools including Zapier and Make
  • 24/7 high quality support, regardless of plan.

Zapier benefits

  • Easily build automations with thousands of apps
  • Easier to use than Make
  • More integrations than Make
  • Run automations on Make

Drawbacks

Softr drawbacks

  • Can't build more complex logic into web apps (check out Bubble or Glide for more complex logic
  • Can't fully customize design

Zapier drawbacks

  • More expensive than Make
  • More limited in complexity versus Make

What you can build

Softr use-cases

  • Internal tools and portals for businesses such as client portals, team intranets, inventory management, HR portals, employee directories, CRM, reporting dashboards
  • Public facing apps

Zapier use-cases

  • Automations that connect different apps together

What you can't build

What you can't build with Softr

  • Fully custom designed websites

What you can't build with Zapier

  • May not be able to connect to the tool you need (though Zapier has more connections than Make)

Overall Recommendation

Softr recommendation

Softr is best for building powerful internal tools and client portals incredibly fast, without needing any coding skills. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a solution that doesn’t require high-level design flexibility but offers ease of use, affordability, and the ability to build apps for both internal and external use.

If you want more control over the design and more complexity, I'd recommend Webflow connected to Memberstack for a membership site, but that also comes with a higher learning curve.

If you're looking to build a web app with more complex logic I'd recommend checking out Bubble or Glide.

Zapier recommendation

Since Zapier and Make are so similar, all the recommendations from Make's section apply here!

In general, Zapier is easier to use and has more integrations, but is more expensive.

Make is more powerful, has less integrations and is less expensive.

I recommend people start with Zapier, and move over to Make when they are ready for something more powerful but with a higher learning curve.

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Bring Your Ideas to Life with AI and No Code

Unlock premium step-by-step tutorials building real apps and websites
Easy to follow tutorials broken down into lessons between 2 to 20 minutes
Get access to the community to share what you're building, ask questions, and get support if you're stuck
Access all of this with No-Code MBA Unlimited
Unlock premium step-by-step tutorials building real apps and websites
Easy to follow tutorials broken down into lessons between 2 to 20 minutes
Get access to the community to share what you're building, ask questions, and get support if you're stuck
Friendly Tip!
Companies often reimburse No Code MBA memberships. Here's an email template to send to your manager.

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