Choosing between Adalo and Softr? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your design and frontend needs.
Irvin Zhan
•
2025-01-13
When it comes to building web apps without coding, Adalo and Softr are two popular choices. Both offer unique features and cater to different needs. In this article, we'll compare their key features, pricing, limitations, and user reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Adalo: Overview and Key Features
Adalo is a no-code platform designed to help users build web and mobile applications without needing programming skills.
Drag-and-Drop Interface: Adalo offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design app screens and layouts effortlessly.
Database Integration: Adalo includes built-in database functionality, enabling users to create and manage collections of data directly within the platform.
Custom Actions: Users can set up custom actions to automate workflows, such as sending emails or updating records based on user interactions.
Component Marketplace: Adalo's marketplace provides a variety of pre-built components, including forms, lists, and buttons, which can be easily integrated into apps.
API Integrations: Adalo supports API integrations, allowing users to connect their apps with external services like Zapier, Stripe, and Airtable for extended functionality.
Responsive Design: Adalo ensures that apps are responsive, automatically adjusting layouts to fit different screen sizes and devices.
Publishing Options: Users can publish their apps directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, making it easy to reach a wider audience.
Analytics and Tracking: Adalo includes built-in analytics tools, providing insights into user behavior and app performance to help users make data-driven decisions.
Adalo's Reviews
Adalo has received generally positive feedback from users, highlighting its ease of use and powerful features, though some areas for improvement have been noted.
Ratings from Trusted Platforms:
G2: 4.7/5
User Reviews:
"Adalo is one of those tools that's revolutionizing entrepreneurship." - Yassin R., 5/5
"Adalo the best experience." - Verified User, 4.5/5
"Great Low Code/No Code Tool." - Eva E., 4.5/5
"Build LowCode/NoCode Apps fast and with great functions." - Dirk E., 5/5
"Build an app in no time no code with Adalo." - Mayuri G., 5/5
Positive Aspects:
User-friendly and intuitive interface
Powerful and advanced features
Quick and easy app development
Strong community and customer support
Common Concerns:
High pricing, especially for the Business plan
Occasional slow loading speeds
Limitations in publishing apps to major app stores
Restrictions on the number of users and data rows
Softr: Overview and Key Features
Softr is a no-code platform designed to help users build web applications and websites quickly and efficiently.
Drag-and-Drop Builder: Softr offers an intuitive drag-and-drop builder, allowing users to create web pages by arranging pre-built blocks without any coding knowledge.
Pre-built Templates: Softr provides a variety of pre-built templates for different use cases, such as landing pages, portfolios, and e-commerce sites, making it easy to get started.
Custom Plugins: Users can integrate custom plugins like Google Analytics, Intercom, and Stripe to enhance functionality and track performance.
SEO Tools: Softr includes built-in SEO tools, such as meta tag customization, sitemap generation, and URL optimization, to improve search engine rankings.
Membership Features: Softr supports membership sites, allowing users to create gated content, manage user access, and set up subscription plans.
Data Integration: Softr integrates with Airtable, enabling users to connect their web apps to Airtable databases for dynamic content management.
Responsive Design: Softr ensures that all web pages are responsive, automatically adjusting layouts to fit various screen sizes and devices.
Softr's Reviews
User feedback on Softr highlights its ease of use and excellent customer support, but also notes some areas for improvement.
Ratings from Trusted Platforms:
G2: 4.7/5
User Reviews:
"Softr - perfect No-code app builder. Extremely easy to connect to Airtable base." - Vedran N., 5/5
"Fast Software, fast support! Very fast to build a product. Support is kind and fast." - Lars M., 4.5/5
"Exceptional customer support really makes Softr stand out in the sector of nocode building. Outstanding customer service." - Chams S., 5/5
"Building a No-Code CRM with Softr: My Experience and Key Takeaways. Easiest no-code platform with intuitive drag-and-drop editor." - Francisco P., 5/5
"Softr.io Great App builder! Responsive to feedback and feature updates." - Eliza B., 5/5
Positive Aspects:
Softr is praised for its ease of use, intuitive drag-and-drop interface, and fast implementation.
Users appreciate the seamless integration with popular data sources like Airtable and Notion.
The customer support is highly regarded, with quick and helpful responses even on free plans.
The platform offers customizable blocks and templates, making it easy to build apps quickly.
Common Concerns:
Users find the pricing model to have a significant jump between free and paid plans, lacking a mid-tier option.
There are some performance issues, particularly with Airtable data queries.
The platform has limited customization and advanced features, requiring custom code for more flexibility.
Users desire more native styling options and deeper integrations to enhance the platform's versatility.
Feature Comparison: Adalo vs. Softr
Similarities
Despite targeting slightly different audiences, Adalo and Softr share some important similarities:
Drag-and-Drop Interfaces: Both platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop builders, allowing users to design apps and web pages without coding knowledge.
Responsive Design: Each platform ensures that applications and web pages are responsive, automatically adjusting to fit various screen sizes and devices.
Data Integration: Both Adalo and Softr support integration with external data sources, enabling dynamic content management.
Custom Actions: Users can set up custom actions to automate workflows and enhance app functionality on both platforms.
Publishing Options: Both platforms provide options to publish apps to custom domains or app stores, making it easy to reach a wider audience.
Third-Party Integrations: Adalo and Softr support integrations with popular services like Zapier and Stripe, extending their functionality.
Differences
Critical differences between Adalo and Softr will likely influence your choice.
Primary Focus:
Adalo: Primarily focused on building mobile and web applications with a strong emphasis on mobile app development.
Softr: Geared towards creating business software, portals, and web apps, with a focus on internal tools and customer-facing applications.
Data Management:
Adalo: Integrates with external data sources like Xano and Airtable, but primarily manages data within its own platform.
Softr: Supports connections to over 14 data sources, including SQL, Hubspot, and Google Sheets, offering more flexibility in data management.
Customization and Templates:
Adalo: Offers a component marketplace and feature templates for quick app development.
Softr: Provides a variety of pre-built templates for different workflows and granular permissions for user access control.
Integration Capabilities:
Adalo: Connects with over 5,000 services through Zapier and supports API integrations for extended functionality.
Softr: Integrates with over 30 apps and third-party tools like Zapier and Make, and allows embedding of dashboards, charts, and calendars from existing tools.
Publishing and Deployment:
Adalo: Enables publishing apps directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Softr: Focuses on web app deployment, with the ability to turn apps into Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) with a few clicks.
Pricing Comparison: Adalo vs. Softr
Adalo Pricing
Adalo offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different needs and budgets. Here's a breakdown of their pricing structure:
Free: $0 per month
200 Records Per App
Unlimited App Actions
1 App Editor
Database + Collections
Unlimited Screens
Unlimited Test Apps
Starter: $45 per month (or $36 per month if billed annually)
All Free Features +
1 Published App
Custom Fonts
Custom Domain
Publish to Web
Publish to App Stores
Professional: $65 per month (or $52 per month if billed annually)
All Starter Features +
2 Published Apps
5 App Editors
Custom Integrations
Design Versions
Geolocation
Team: $200 per month (or $160 per month if billed annually)
All Professional Features +
5 Published Apps
10 App Editors
Priority Support
Xano Integration
Collections API
Business: $250 per month (or $200 per month if billed annually)
All Team Features +
10 Published Apps
Unlimited App Editors
Special Add-On Pricing
Softr' Pricing
Softr offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different user needs and budgets. Here's a summary of their pricing structure:
Free: $0 per month
1 Custom Domain
5 Pages per Site
1,200 Records
Basic Integrations
Starter: $24 per month
All Free Features +
5 Custom Domains
10,000 Records
Advanced Integrations
Custom Code
Professional: $65 per month
All Starter Features +
Unlimited Custom Domains
50,000 Records
Priority Support
White Labeling
Business: $165 per month
All Professional Features +
Unlimited Records
Dedicated Account Manager
Custom SLA
Subframe, a Better Alternative to Adalo and Softr
Subframe is a visual UI design tool that stays in sync with code. We combine a drag-and-drop editor with real, component-based design, allowing precise control for pixel-perfect, responsive layouts. Subframe instantly translates designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, removing the need for handoff and speeding up delivery.
Subframe's Features
Subframe is the UI design tool for the AI era, offering a seamless blend of design and code.
Component-Based Design: Create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups, ensuring precise, production-ready layouts.
Pre-Built UI Templates: Access a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns, built with reusable components to speed up the design process.
Code Export: Generate clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code, allowing designs to be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
Free to Get Started: Enjoy free access to Subframe's visual design tools with no credit card required, making it easy to start designing immediately.
AI-Powered Design: Leverage AI to quickly transform ideas into interfaces, with features like prompt to UI, real prototypes, and adaptive design.
Subframe's Pricing
Subframe pricing is designed to cater to different user needs:
Free Plan: $0 per user/month
1 project
Up to 3 page designs
Up to 3 team members
100s of UI templates
Limited AI features
Pro Plan: $29 per user/month
Up to 3 projects
Unlimited page designs
Unlimited team members
Custom components
100s of UI templates
Full AI beta access
Custom Plan: Pricing is customized ("Let's talk")
Unlimited projects
Unlimited page designs
Integrate your components
Dedicated Slack support
Figma plugin
Unlimited AI
For more details, visit our Subframe Pricing page. Book a demo with us to see how Subframe can transform your design process.
Subframe's Reviews
Users have shared positive feedback about Subframe, noting its user-friendly interface, time-saving tools, and the quality of the UI designs it produces. The platform has earned a 5/5 rating on Product Hunt. Customers especially value the visual editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and AI features that help refine designs based on user input.
"Without Subframe, the frontend build of this tool would've taken a lot longer and a lot more financial resources." - Erin Kim
"Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers." - Carl Peterson
"Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great. Highly recommend!" - Amartya Jha
Adalo, Softr or Subframe? Which is The Best Tool For You
Adalo excels in building mobile and web applications with a focus on mobile app development, offering a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and extensive integration capabilities. Softr is ideal for creating business software, portals, and web apps, with strong data integration and membership features. Subframe stands out by seamlessly integrating design and code, providing AI-powered features, and generating production-ready React and Tailwind code.
If you prioritize mobile app development and ease of use, Adalo is a great fit. For business software and web apps with robust data integration, Softr may be the better choice. However, for those looking for a tool that combines design flexibility with efficient code generation, Subframe stands out.
Get started on Subframe for free to see how it can streamline your workflow and transform your design process.
Join thousands of happy builders.
Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.