How does Softr compare to Airtable Interface Designer?
800,000+ companies rely on Softr to build client portals and internal tools, no code required. Customers choose Softr over Airtable Interfaces for more customizable design, more granular access control, and more overall value (no per seat pricing here).
“While Airtable Interfaces is great, it’s missing that extra something. I wanted a tool that would let me build and take things to the next level. Softr was perfect.”
Jonathan Strupek Agency Owner (Strupek)
1. Softr is a full-stack business app builder
Airtable Interfaces is a good option for simple internal tools, where you need to give your team access to specific Airtable data. But if you want to build more advanced apps with login pages, user authentication, and custom design, Softr gives you that flexibility while still being easy to use. You can even use Softr Databases instead of an external data source like Airtable!
2. More advanced permissions
Softr defines user groups and permissions in a flexible way, letting you create your own custom definitions using and/or statements, and any of your database and user information. Control what both internal and external users can access , and what actions they can take. 🔓 Global Data Restrictions allow you to define app-level restrictions to ensure restricted data cannot be viewed, updated, or deleted in your app.
3. Connect multiple data sources in one app
Softr gives you 15+ data sources to connect your apps to, including Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, BigQuery, SQL, Xano, monday.com. Plus you can build your own databases with Softr Databases! Eliminate data silos and build process-driven apps that connect all your workflows.
4. More customizable design and layout
Use Softr's building blocks to create your app, then customize the design and the layout to fit your brand. Go ahead and style that page the way you want, or change the layout of your navigation! The design options in Airtable Interfaces are much more limited.
5. Mobile app generation with no extra effort
After you create your portal or internal tool, turn it into a downloadable mobile app for Apple and Android devices in a few clicks with Softr’s PWA feature. No need to design and build a separate mobile application for your project!
6. Built-in conditional forms
Softr’s conditional forms are more powerful than Airtable’s, letting you create: - Multi-step forms - Logic between sections and questions (to make them more customizable to your workflows) Send form submissions directly to Airtable (or another data source), or trigger automations using tools like Zapier and Make.
7. Ask AI, a built-in assistant for smarter apps
Give your users an in-app AI assistant that reads live app data and answers their questions—right where they work. Ask AI is the live app assistant that’s easy to add to any dynamic block as an action button, and always follows your app’s visibility rules (no risk of exposing the wrong data). You can even customize how it responds with instructions and suggested prompts.
8. Awesome support for all plans (even free!)
Softr is known for its fast chat support on all plans, which makes it easy to keep building without getting stuck. Want someone to create your app for you? We also have a team of certified Softr experts ready to help.
9. Designed for building internal and external apps
Because of its design flexibility and advanced permissions — plus the ability to add custom domains and branding — Softr is ideal for building both internal tools and external-facing apps, including client, partner, and vendor portals.
Why else are people switching from
Airtable Interface Designer to Softr?
No per seat pricing
With Softr, you can share your data and apps and databases with more users and allow them to take action without paying per seat pricing.
Richer user authentication
Softr offers more app sign-in options, including email, Google sign-in, and and magic link. It also has OpenID and SAML SSO.
AI app generator
Take your app idea from prompt to reality, then customize to your liking. It’s never been easier to build custom apps!
App building: Softr vs Airtable
Full drag-and-drop builder for portals, CRMs, dashboards, etc.
Limited app builder for internal data-sharing purposes
Yes
No
Yes
No
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No
Multi-step, logic-based forms with visibility rules
Single-step forms, no logic or branching
Tiered: 5k to 1M+ per workspace
1k to 500k per workspace
No dealing with API limits when using Softr Databases
Hit sync delays due to API limits when integrating Airtable bases with Softr
Build internal and public apps all within the same pricing structure.
Add-on price for portals starting at $120 per additional 5 users.
Yes
Yes
Yes
(Zapier only)
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
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Rated 4.8 in 450+ verified reviews
Read why companies and operators love Softr.
"They say that if you can’t explain it in a simple way, you don’t understand it well enough. I say the same thing about any software. If you can’t figure it out in the first 10 min by yourself without any tutorial, it’s probably not for you. Since the first moment we discovered Softr, we started the work."
"The best no-code platform to create websites based on airtable databases."
"Softr is an easy to use no-code platform that has so much potential."
"Creating a customer portal with Softr allows us to give our customers that bit of extra value. Our customers always comment on how easy to use our Softr portal is and love the fact that it updates with data from Airtable in real-time."
"Incredible platform - from web noob to office superstar in a month!"
"I have been impressed with the flexibility of Softr. The ability to pull data from different Airtable bases into different blocks and display them on one page was one of the main reasons I chose Softr."
"Softr is the goldilocks of no code — not too difficult, not too simple. It’s powerful in that you can build a dynamic app that reacts to user inputs, yet is simple enough to build quickly."
"Easily the shortest learning curve on any app I've used! It's very intuitive and when you can't figure something out the support is excellent and there is also a great community who are always willing to help."
"The best no-code platform to create websites based on airtable databases."
Build better apps
Migrate your app to Softr
If you’re coming to Softr from Airtable Interface Designer, our support team can help you migrate your app quickly. Contact us ->
Get started for free
Custom domain. Unlimited applications. Try Softr's free plan — no credit card required. Get started ->
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! We offer a free consultation to help you answer any questions you may have and plan the move. Our support team and Softr experts team are ready to jump in and help when needed. Please create an account and contact us via support@softr.io to schedule a consultation call.
Yes. Softr Integrates with both Zapier and Make, which lets you run more powerful automation in your Softr app.
Yes. Softr provides a native Stripe integration that lets you sell any goods or services, add subscriptions to your SaaS, or offer premium membership to your community.
Yes. Softr offers a 30% discount to all non-profits, educational institutions and students. To apply, please create an account and contact us via support@softr.io.
Yes! You have the option to add custom code snippets (Javascript, CSS) to extend your app with custom features. Available on the Basic plan and higher.
Softr apps are completely white-label (Professional plan and higher), with minimal branding on lower-tier plans. Airtable branding will show up on Interfaces, even on the highest-tier plans. To learn more about design customization in Softr vs. Airtable Interfaces, see
No! You can use a Softr subdomain (e.g. yoursite.softr.app) to publish your app. Later on, you can connect your custom domain to Softr in all of our paid plans. We also take care of hosting your app for you.
