Should you build your own Softr?
No-code portals and internal apps on Airtable/Google Sheets and databases
A client portal over Airtable can be built, but Softr's block library, auth, roles, data sources, payments, and publishing workflow are the product.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal
builder. Requirements:
- Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API
(base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there.
- Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret
in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients
table.
- Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns
named in views.json, and a detail view per record.
- One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed
through to Airtable attachments.
- A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows.
- Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits.
- Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the
email sender.
- Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are
defined in config files, that is the builder.
- README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
What would building your own look like?
Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data.
What you will need
- frontend framework
- auth
- database or Airtable API
- hosting
- payment/email integrations
They pay so non-engineers can launch portals without hiring a developer.
xvisual builder
xtemplates
xrole permissions
xdata-source integrations
xpayments
xmemberships
xhosting
Prefer something ready-made?
BudibaseInternal apps, forms, automations, and portals in one box; much closer to Knack than its developer branding suggests.Open source↗
NocoBaseA database-backed app builder with pages, forms, roles, workflows, and enough plugins to become your next maintenance hobby.Open source↗
REI3A sober business-app builder with forms, reports, roles, workflows, and no per-user meter.Open source↗View all 5 alternatives to Softr →· Licença, instalação e limitações em cada alternativa.
How much does Softr cost?
- Monthly billing
- $25/mo$25/mo
- Per year
- $300/yr$300/yr
- Annual billing
- $228/yr24% cheaper than paying monthly
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$131/moR$1,191/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on Softr’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/workspace | $0/workspace | Up to 3 builders; 5 total app users; free workspace/app limits |
| basic | $25/workspace≈ $25 | $19/workspace≈ $19 | 1 builder; 5 team users + 5 client users; 1 custom domain |
| professional | $119/workspace≈ $119 | $99/workspace≈ $99 | 2 builders; 10 team users; 50 client users |
| business | $395/workspace≈ $395 | $329/workspace≈ $329 | 3 builders; 30 team users; 100 client users |
| enterprise | custom | - | Custom builders, users, security, support and contract terms |
Free tierUp to 3 builders and 5 total app users
Billing termsmonthly + annual; annual pricing is lower, while user overages are still calculated and billed monthly
Additional costsExtra builders, users and domains are separately billed: extra domains are $15/month or $13/month on annual billing; users are counted daily with a 7-day grace period and no mid-cycle refund; workflow caps can pause automations, and AI credits reset without rollover
verified 2026-10-20 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy Softr?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (multi-day). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Can I rebuild Softr?
Kinda. The core of Softr is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: visual builder, templates. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Softr cost?
Softr costs about $25/mo (Basic, checked 10/20/2026), which is $228 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Softr?
Honestly: visual builder; templates; role permissions; data-source integrations; payments; memberships; hosting. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Softr?
Yes: Budibase (Internal apps, forms, automations, and portals in one box; much closer to Knack than its developer branding suggests.) NocoBase (A database-backed app builder with pages, forms, roles, workflows, and enough plugins to become your next maintenance hobby.) REI3 (A sober business-app builder with forms, reports, roles, workflows, and no per-user meter.) All 5 curated free alternatives are at https://viberadar.si/softr/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.