At Noloco, we know how important it is for companies to create internal tools without having to rely on coding.
That's why we offer a no-code platform that allows users to build web apps and portals with ease.
However, we also know that there are other no-code/low-code platforms out there, such as Softr.io, which have gained popularity among users due to their intuitive interfaces and ease of use.
In this blog post, we will compare Noloco and Softr.io based on different parameters, to help you decide which platform is best suited for your business needs.
Noloco offers a variety of features for building internal tools and client portals. However, we stand out when it comes to web apps that require more advanced functionality. Typically, we are the preferred choice for businesses that need to build internal apps with advanced functionality - without code. With our built-in workflow builder and powerful user roles & permissions management, we are ideal for advanced web applications such as CRMs, back-office tools and project management tools that require rich functionality rather than customised front-end design. We also offer over 7 database connections, including Airtable, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Xano, External APIs and our very own Noloco collections.
On the other hand, Softr.io is more suitable for businesses in search of a no-code tool to create simple, static websites and public web applications aimed at consumers. However, using Softr.io requires an Airtable account or Google Sheets, with the latter being a less robust data source option if you aim to build a scalable and advanced front-end web app. Additionally, building a dynamic web application powered by your Airtable or Google Sheets data in Softr.io, requires connecting every aspect of the front-end block to a table and field in the backend, which can be more complicated and time-consuming.
Ultimately, the choice between Noloco and Softr.io depends on the specific needs of your business. However, businesses that want to build apps with advanced functionality and a faster app building experience will find Noloco to be the more suitable tool.
At Noloco, we have developed an intuitive point-and-click interface that simplifies the process of creating internal tools. Our platform offers a wide range of layouts to display your data that cater to your specific requirements from Kanban, Table, Charts, Timeline, Gantt, Split View, and Calendar to name but a few. We also provide you with customisable forms which allow you to create and update data in each table effortlessly as well as designated pages for records that can be tailored to your liking.
Along with the integration possibilities via Zapier and Make.com, our platform features built-in collaboration tools like record comments, resulting in a faster app development process. Finally, Noloco offers custom branding, domain management, and robust database management features that include data import/export, data filtering, data relationships, and advanced record and field-level permissions.
Softr.io on the other hand, provides a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built web page templates that contain graphics and designs more typical of a website builder. Similar to Noloco, Softr.io offers custom branding, domain management, and user management features.
Softr excels in design flexibility with numerous building blocks and customizable layouts, making it user-friendly for creating visually appealing apps. In contrast, Noloco focuses on robust functionality and advanced data tools, prioritizing powerful features over extensive design options. While Noloco's design customization is limited, it offers a more powerful and feature-rich platform for users who need advanced data handling and functionality.
However, following Softr’s decision to become a frontend tool that is not limited to a single backend provider has impacted certain existing functionality, such as their global permissions management feature. Users must now create permissions on a per-action basis resulting in a cumbersome user experience. As more data sources are added, more feature adjustments may become necessary to accommodate the product's design choices thus far.
This is where our philosophy differs from Softr, since day one we favoured having the connected data drive the front-end functionality available to the app builder. This design decision results in a faster app development experience and allows for more advanced web app building features, such as a database manager, a built-in workflow builder, and global permissions.
This makes Noloco an ideal choice for businesses seeking to connect multiple data sources to their app and for those who wish to build advanced dynamic web apps - fast.
When comparing charting features between Softr and Noloco, Noloco emerges as the more versatile option for data visualization.
Softr offers a selection of basic charts like bar charts but limits this capability to the Professional plan and above. It refreshes data every 15 minutes, which might not be ideal for real-time needs, and provides fundamental customization options.
In contrast, Noloco excels with a broader range of chart types, including line, bar, area, donut, funnel, and radar charts, available across all Noloco plans. This variety allows users to choose the best chart type for their data. Noloco further enhances its charting capabilities with additional tools such as pivot tables, which offer advanced data aggregation and analysis, and stacked bar charts for more nuanced comparisons.
Users can create comprehensive dashboards featuring multiple charts, apply filters across the entire dashboard, and set visibility rules for specific user groups. Noloco’s extensive customization options and real-time interactivity make it a superior choice for those needing advanced and flexible data visualization.
As I previously alluded to above, at Noloco we prioritised a no-code first approach where your apps are tightly integrated with your data. This allows our builders to develop apps much faster. This product decision provides a consistent app-building experience regardless of the datasource you use. In addition to this, because we tightly integrate your app pages with your connected data, it allows us to generate collection views, record pages, and forms automatically for you. ⚡️
In contrast, Softr.io prioritised custom styles & design over data driven pages, resulting in more configuration steps and a less dynamic web app. While their drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates can facilitate quick app creation for simple website and web app use cases, their platform requires a lot more configuration steps to build dynamic apps which results in slower app development times compared to Noloco.
Both platforms are user-friendly to non-developers, but if you need to build applications that prioritise advanced functionality over beautiful looking static web pages, Noloco is the right choice for you.
When comparing the pricing of Noloco and Softr, both platforms offer enticing features, but Noloco provides several cost-effective advantages for growing teams. especially in terms of user limits and data handling.
Noloco's pricing offers flexible scaling within each plan, unlike Softr’s model, which requires upgrading as you grow. Noloco's Starter plan at $39/month includes 4 team seats and 10 client seats, with additional seats available at $4 and $0.50 each. The Pro plan at $119/month expands to 10 team seats, 50 client seats, and supports up to 50,000 rows.
Softr's Basic plan starts at $49/month for 10 internal users and 1,000 external users, while the Professional plan at $139/month offers 50 internal and 5,000 external users. Noloco's Business plan at $255/month supports 30 team seats, 100 client seats, and up to 150,000 rows. Noloco's cost-effective scaling and higher data limits make it a better option for extensive user access and data management.
While Softr’s "free forever" plan offers a low-cost entry and allows unlimited database records, Noloco focuses on delivering more robust features across its paid plans. Noloco’s plans are designed to scale effectively, offering additional tools and flexibility within each tier. This approach ensures that users can handle growing data needs and complex requirements more effectively, with more sophisticated data visualization and management capabilities as they advance through the plans.
I believe that the world of no-code tools is revolutionising the way people build apps and websites. With so many options available, it can be challenging to select the best one for your needs. At Noloco we understand people appreciate speed & flexibility, which is why we prioritised a data-driven approach which makes app development faster with fewer configuration steps required on our platform.
While Softr.io prioritised beautiful front-end design, we believe offering advanced functionality in-app and an easy-to-use building experience will set us apart.
When it comes to pricing, our transparent, active-app-usage-based pricing model makes us an attractive option for companies that are looking for a solution that scales fairly based on actual usage.
Ultimately, selecting the right no-code tool depends on your individual needs and requirements. But we believe that by using Noloco, you can save time, money, and resources while building your app, making it the best choice for most businesses.
