A Noloco alternative that makes it easier
to build and scale custom apps
500,000+ companies rely on Softr to build client portals and internal tools. Customers choose Softr over Noloco for ease of use, design customization, stronger data security, and more overall value (including a generous free plan).
Softr vs. Noloco
Softr and Noloco are both no-code platforms for creating custom business apps. While Nolocoβs top use cases focus on internal tools, Softr is great for both internal tools and external-facing apps like client, partner, and vendor portals.
"I tried other tools, like Webflow and Stacker, but they were either too flexible or not flexible enough. When I used Softr, it was clear immediately that the capabilities went beyond what I found elsewhere."
Yohei Nakajima General Partner, Untapped Capital
1. More customizable
With Softr, you can use a wide range of building blocks to create a fully-functioning app, then customize the design and the layout to your liking. Nolocoβs customization options are limited to colors and icons, meaning apps all end up looking similar. Softr is also easier to use!
2. More value for the same price
Softr's generous "free forever" plan makes it easy to build and gather feedback at your own pace. When youβre ready to upgrade, Softrβs paid plans include a higher number of users & collaborators, and generous database records. Noloco places stricter limits on users, roles, collaborators & records β and it doesnβt offer a free plan.
3. Awesome chat support for all plans (even free!)
Softr is known for its fast and direct chat support on all plans (including free!). It also has one of the most passionate communities out there, with 500K+ members building apps, and many of them offering help in SoftrΚΌs community forum.
4. Your data isn't copied or stored
Noloco always copies your data from your original data source back to Noloco Tables. Softr directly connects to your original data via a datasource API, which means no data copying or caching is performed. Softr is also SOC 2-verified, GDPR-compliant, and secure at its core.
5. Visibility rules are security rules in Softr
Visibility settings are implemented on the server side in Softr, so rules will assume the data isnβt surfaced to the UI or exposed when hacked. Nolocoβs visibility settings are implemented on the client side, making your data more vulnerable to those who are tech-savvy enough to expose it.
6. More flexible 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. In Noloco, you have to choose from pre-defined user roles, making it harder to adapt to custom needs. π In addition, Softr's Global Data Restrictions allow you to define app-level restrictions to ensure restricted data (records or fields) cannot be viewed, updated, or deleted in your app.
7. Advanced conditional forms
Softrβs conditional forms are more powerful than Nolocoβs, letting you create: - Multi-step forms - Logic between sections and questions (to make them more customizable to your workflows) Send form submissions directly to your applicationβs data source, or trigger automations using tools like Zapier and Make.
8. Designed for building internal and external apps
While Nolocoβs top use cases focus on internal tools, Softr is great for both internal tools and external-facing apps and pages. A great example would be a real estate portal that has different access levels for external users (customers) and internal users (real estate agents).
Why else are people switching from Noloco to Softr?
Higher record limits
Noloco has 150K record limit, and 50K sync record limit on their highest plan. Softr has generous record limits, and the sync is for all the records in real-time.
More data sources
Softr gives you a wide range of data sources to create apps on top of, including Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, BigQuery, SQL, monday.com, and more.
More templates
Softr offers 80+ templates for all types of use cases, from building a team wiki or custom client portal to a robust inventory tracker or work order management tool.
Richer user authentication
Softr offers Sign in with an email code and magic link. It also has an OpenID integration, in addition to SAML SSO.
Compare features: Softr vs Noloco
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
Rated 4.8 in 450+ verified reviews
Read why companies and operators love Softr.
"They say that if you canβt explain it in a simple way, you donβt understand it well enough. I say the same thing about any software. If you canβt figure it out in the first 10 min by yourself without any tutorial, itβs 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 β not too difficult, not too simple. Itβs 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 for your business
Migrate your app to Softr
If youβre coming to Softr from Noloco, 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 β no credit card required. Get started ->
Frequently asked questions
We donβt think the βbestβ no-code solution exists. Rather, we believe each business has different needs that require different solutions. Here are some FAQs to help you make the right choice.
Absolutely! We offer a free consultation and answer any questions you may have. Our support and Softr experts teams are ready to jump in and help you move everything effortlessly. To get started, please create an account, reach out to support@softr.io and schedule a consultation call.
Softr doesnβt store or process your data. Your data is stored with your data source provider, Airtable or Google Sheets. We simply pull that data via API and serve it to you on the Softr editor and your apps, without ever looking into whatβs inside. Your data is always secure.
Yes, Softr integrates with both Zapier and Make, helping you configure automation and move data across your entire tech stack.
Yes. Softr provides a native Stripe integration, letting you sell products or services, SaaS subscriptions or offer premium membership to your community.
Yes. Softr offers a 30% discount to all non-profits, educational institutions and students. Please create an account and contact us via support@softr.io to know more.
If you know how to use apps like Canva, Mailchimp or Zapier, youβll have an easy time building apps with Softr. Noloco is also accessible, as you donβt need to know how to code to build functional apps quickly.
Softr and Noloco both have extensive documentation to help you understand and use all of the available features.
Softr has an active community that you can check out here. As for help resources, we have a YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/Softr filled with videos to help unpack each feature, a dedicated Get Started page with plenty of links to begin your journey, a Softr Academy for structured learning, and a a range of workshops to provide a more hands-on experience. We also have a blog where you can read Softr news, learn more about Google Sheets and Airtable, and dive deeper into the world of building apps without code. Noloco only offers documentation, a short getting started page and a collection of videos unpacking the platformβs features. It doesnβt have an active community you can collaborate with or ask questions to.
Yes. Both Softr and Noloco let you create progressive web apps (PWAs): apps you can use on your mobile phone that require a connection to the internet.
Softr doesnβt offer the possibility of hosting your own apps on your own infrastructure. Noloco offers self-hosting on its highest-tier pricing plan, Enterprise.
Definitely! Both Softr and Noloco are great options to build internal tools and dashboards for your company.
Softrβs quality of support is rated on G2 at 9.7 out of 10 (328 total reviews). Nolocoβs quality of support is rated on G2 at 9.8 out of 10 (25 total reviews).
