Impact organizations often need a donor portal, an application intake tool, or an internal directory faster than a development team can build one. Softr turns spreadsheets and databases into working web apps and client portals without writing code, which matters when a small operations team has to ship a tool this month, not this quarter.
What Softr does
Softr is a no-code platform that builds web applications, client portals, and internal tools on top of data sources like Airtable, Google Sheets, and its own native database. Teams design pages visually, connect them to live data, and publish a working app without hiring a developer.
Key features
- No-code app builder: assemble pages from pre-built blocks and connect them to your data in a visual editor.
- Client and team portals: give grantees, partners, or volunteers logins to a dedicated portal with role-based access.
- Data source flexibility: build on Airtable, Google Sheets, or Softr’s own database depending on where your records already live.
- Custom user groups: control what different types of users see, useful for separating donor, staff, and partner views.
- Custom domains: publish the app under your own organization’s domain rather than a Softr subdomain.
- Templates: start from directory, dashboard, and portal templates instead of a blank page.
Pricing
Softr publishes its plans directly, with a lower annual rate than month-to-month billing.
| Plan | Monthly billing | Annual billing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Exploring the builder with up to 3 builders and 5 app users |
| Basic | $25/month | $19/month | Individual use with 1 custom domain |
| Pro | $119/month | $99/month | Small teams needing up to 50 team users and 250 client users |
| Business | $395/month | $329/month | Larger programs running multiple user groups and portals |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Organizations needing SSO, SCIM, and audit logs |
Extra app users cost $1 to $5 per user monthly on Pro and Business plans, and extra builder seats cost $5 to $24 per builder monthly. A custom domain runs $13 per year or $15 per month if not already included in your plan. Confirm current tiers directly with Softr since no-code platforms adjust pricing structures periodically.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Working apps and portals launch in days without developer hires | User limits on lower plans can be restrictive for larger programs |
| Works directly on top of Airtable or Google Sheets you may already use | Add-on costs for extra users and builders can add up on Pro and Business |
| Custom user groups make donor and partner portals straightforward to separate | Complex custom logic still has a lower ceiling than hand-coded applications |
Who it’s for
Softr fits impact organizations that need a donor portal, grantee application tracker, volunteer directory, or partner dashboard, and that already keep the underlying data in Airtable or Google Sheets.
Who should skip it
If your team has in-house developers and needs deep custom logic beyond what a no-code layer supports, a custom-built application will serve you better long term.
How to get started
Start on Softr’s free plan, connect an existing Airtable or spreadsheet, and publish a working portal before committing to a paid tier.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code to use Softr?
No. Softr is built for non-technical teams to assemble apps visually from pre-built blocks connected to your data.
Can Softr connect to data I already have in Airtable?
Yes. Airtable and Google Sheets are both supported data sources alongside Softr’s native database.
Can I restrict what different users see in the app?
Yes. Custom user groups let you control access so donors, staff, and partners each see only what is relevant to them.
Disclosure: Impact DOTS may earn a commission if you sign up for Softr through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
