Bubble.io vs Softr: Which One is Better in 2025?

When it comes to building web applications without coding, Bubble.io 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.

Bubble.io: Overview and Key Features

Bubble.io is a no-code platform designed for building complex web applications without traditional coding.

• Visual Editor: Bubble.io offers a drag-and-drop interface for designing web applications. Users can place elements like text, images, and buttons directly onto the canvas.
• Database Management: Bubble.io includes a built-in database system. Users can create, modify, and manage data types and fields without needing SQL knowledge.
• Custom Plugins: Bubble.io supports custom plugins. Examples include Stripe for payment processing and Algolia for search functionality, enhancing app capabilities.
• API Integrations: Bubble.io allows users to connect to external APIs. This feature is crucial for integrating third-party services like Google Maps or social media platforms.
• Responsive Design: Bubble.io ensures applications are mobile-friendly. Users can adjust layouts and elements to fit different screen sizes and devices.
• Workflow Automation: Bubble.io enables users to set up workflows. These automate tasks such as sending emails, updating data, or triggering notifications based on user actions.
• SEO Tools: Bubble.io includes SEO optimization features. Users can customize meta tags, URLs, and alt texts to improve search engine rankings.
• Version Control: Bubble.io offers version control. Users can track changes, revert to previous versions, and manage updates efficiently.

Bubble.io's Reviews

Overall, user feedback on Bubble.io highlights its powerful no-code capabilities and ease of use, but also points out some performance and pricing concerns.

• G2: 4.4/5

• Shubham B. (5/5): "Bubble saved my business from shutting down." Likes: Easy to use, cost-effective, instant deployment. Dislikes: Performance not at par with full-stack tech.
• Razvan P. (5/5): "Built my first app after only 1 month since I started to study Bubble." Likes: Intuitive, easy to use, clear processes. Dislikes: Not mentioned.
• Lloyd P. (0/5): "Bubble had a lot of promise but it was never kept." Likes: No-code application building, extensibility. Dislikes: Bloated, expensive, complex to learn.
• Nikita V. (Not rated): "Great functionality and weak UI." Likes: Quick setup, powerful workflows, reusable elements. Dislikes: Awful UI, no CSS classes, poor native components.
• Pedro Tiago C. (Not rated): "I love Bubble so much, it changed my life as a startup founder." Likes: Intuitive platform, rapid deployment, user-friendly. Dislikes: Challenging to manage complex applications as they scale.

Positive Aspects:

• User-friendly and intuitive platform
• Rapid deployment and iterative improvements
• Powerful no-code development capabilities
• Extensive features and functionalities
• Strong community support and helpful forums

Common Concerns:

• High pricing and complex pricing structure
• Performance issues and slow speed
• Complexity and steep learning curve for non-coders
• Poor UI and outdated design
• Vendor lock-in and lack of export capabilities
• Limited scalability and maintenance for complex applications

Softr: Overview and Key Features

Softr is a no-code platform designed for building web applications and websites quickly and efficiently.

• Visual Editor: Softr offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design web pages by placing elements like text, images, and buttons directly onto the canvas.
• Pre-built Templates: Softr provides a variety of pre-built templates for different use cases, such as landing pages, portfolios, and e-commerce sites, which can be customized to fit specific needs.
• Database Integration: Softr integrates with Airtable, enabling users to manage and display data dynamically on their websites without needing a separate database system.
• Membership and User Authentication: Softr includes built-in features for creating membership sites, allowing users to set up user authentication, gated content, and user-specific dashboards.
• SEO Tools: Softr offers SEO optimization features, including customizable meta tags, URLs, and alt texts, to improve search engine rankings and visibility.
• Custom Plugins: Softr supports various plugins, such as Stripe for payment processing and Zapier for workflow automation, enhancing the functionality of web applications.
• Responsive Design: Softr ensures that all web applications are mobile-friendly, with layouts and elements that automatically adjust to fit different screen sizes and devices.

Softr's Reviews

Overall user feedback on Softr highlights its ease of use and excellent customer support, but also notes some limitations in customization and performance.

• G2: 4.7/5

• Vedran N. (5/5): "Softr - perfect No-code app builder. Extremely easy to connect to Airtable base and implement."
• Lars M. (4.5/5): "Fast Software, fast support! Very fast to build a product. Support also very kind and fast."
• Chams S. (5/5): "Exceptional customer support really makes Softr stand out in the sector of nocode building."
• Francisco P. (5/5): "Building a No-Code CRM with Softr: My Experience and Key Takeaways. Softr is one of the easiest no-code platforms I’ve used."
• Justin S. (4/5): "Extremely easy to use and very intuitive. The user interface is pretty slow at times when querying Airtable data."

Positive Aspects:

• Softr is highly praised for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and fast setup.
• Users appreciate the seamless integration with data sources like Airtable and Notion.
• The customer support is frequently highlighted as exceptional and responsive.

Common Concerns:

• Users find the pricing model to have a significant jump between free and paid plans.
• Some performance issues are noted, particularly with querying data from Airtable.
• There are limitations in customization and advanced features without custom code.

Feature Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Softr

Similarities

Despite targeting different user needs, Bubble.io and Softr share several important features:

• Visual Editors: Both platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces for designing web applications, making it easy for non-developers to create and customize their projects.
• Database Management: Each platform includes robust database integration, with Bubble.io offering a built-in system and Softr integrating with Airtable.
• Custom Plugins: Both support custom plugins to extend functionality, such as payment processing and workflow automation.
• Responsive Design: Applications built on either platform are mobile-friendly, with layouts that adjust to different screen sizes.
• SEO Tools: Both platforms provide SEO optimization features, including customizable meta tags and URLs.
• API Integrations: Each allows for connecting to external APIs, facilitating integration with third-party services.

Differences

Critical differences between Bubble.io and Softr will likely influence your choice.

• Primary Focus:
  • Bubble.io: Focuses on building full-stack applications with extensive backend capabilities.
  • Softr: Primarily targets building business software, portals, and web applications with a focus on ease of use.
• Database Integration:
  • Bubble.io: Offers a built-in database system for managing data directly within the platform.
  • Softr: Integrates with external databases like Airtable and Google Sheets for data management.
• Membership and User Authentication:
  • Softr: Includes built-in features for creating membership sites with user authentication and gated content.
  • Bubble.io: Requires custom setup or third-party plugins for similar membership functionalities.
• Pre-built Templates:
  • Softr: Provides a variety of pre-built templates for different use cases, such as landing pages and e-commerce sites.
  • Bubble.io: Lacks a wide range of pre-built templates, focusing more on custom design from scratch.
• Workflow Automation:
  • Bubble.io: Allows users to set up complex workflows to automate tasks within the application.
  • Softr: Supports workflow automation through integrations with tools like Zapier and Make.

Pricing Comparison: Bubble.io vs. Softr

Bubble.io Pricing

Bubble.io offers a range of pricing plans designed to cater to different needs and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure:

• Free: $0/month
  • Includes core platform features
  • Community support
  • Bubble branding
• Personal: $29/month
  • Custom domain
  • API access
  • 10 GB storage
• Professional: $129/month
  • All Personal plan features
  • 20 GB storage
  • Increased capacity
  • Version control
• Production: $529/month
  • All Professional plan features
  • 50 GB storage
  • Priority support
  • Increased capacity and performance
• Custom: Contact support for pricing
  • Tailored solutions
  • Enterprise-level support
  • Custom storage and capacity

Softr' Pricing

Softr offers a variety of pricing plans designed to meet different needs and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure:

• Free: $0/month
  • Includes core platform features
  • Community support
  • Softr branding
• Starter: $24/month
  • Custom domain
  • Basic integrations
  • Email support
• Professional: $65/month
  • All Starter plan features
  • Advanced integrations
  • Priority support
• Business: $165/month
  • All Professional plan features
  • Team collaboration tools
  • Dedicated account manager
• Enterprise: Contact support for pricing
  • Custom solutions
  • Enterprise-level support
  • Custom integrations and features

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Bubble.io and Softr

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs with code in real-time. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that lets you design with real components, ensuring your layouts are pixel-perfect and responsive. Our platform instantly converts designs into clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code, speeding up your development process and eliminating the need for handoff.

Subframe's Features

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs with code in real-time, offering a seamless experience for designers and developers alike.

• Component-Based Design: Subframe helps create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups. The visual editor includes a responsive drag-and-drop canvas for building precise, production-ready layouts.
• Pre-Built UI Templates: Subframe offers a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns. Each template is built with reusable components to help speed up the design process.
• Code Export: Subframe generates clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code. Designs can be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
• Free to Get Started: Subframe offers free access to its visual design tools with no credit card required.
• AI Integration: Subframe's AI capabilities help quickly turn ideas into interfaces and adapt to the user's design style, making the design process faster and more efficient.

Subframe's Pricing

Subframe pricing is designed to cater to different needs and budgets:

• Free: $0 per user/month
  • 1 project
  • Up to 3 page designs
  • Up to 3 team members
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Limited AI features
• Pro: $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: Contact for pricing
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Integrate your components
  • Dedicated Slack support
  • Figma plugin
  • Unlimited AI

For more details, visit the Subframe Pricing page. Book a demo with Subframe to see how it 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

Bubble.io, Softr or Subframe? Which is The Best Tool For You

Bubble.io is ideal for building full-stack web applications without code. It offers strong database management and workflow automation, making it a solid choice for complex applications and backend-driven projects.

Softr excels in web design, allowing users to create visually rich websites with custom interactions and animations. It's particularly well-suited for designers who want detailed control over HTML and CSS without writing code.

Subframe, on the other hand, seamlessly integrates design and code. It combines real component-based design with AI-powered features, enabling the creation of production-ready React and Tailwind code. Subframe is a great option for those seeking both design flexibility and efficient code generation in a single platform. Get started with Subframe for free.