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Glide vs Softr
A Comprehensive Comparison (with Noloco!)
Updated on July 2, 2025
Many businesses need custom apps but lack the resources to hire developers. This is where low-code/no-code platforms come in, allowing users to build apps without writing code. Glide, Softr, and Noloco are three popular no-code platforms that simplify app development. While "Glide vs Softr" is a common comparison, Noloco offers unique capabilities worth considering. This article provides a detailed comparison of these three platforms to help you decide which one best fits your needs.
What are Glide, Softr, and Noloco?
Glide
Glide transforms spreadsheets—mainly Google Sheets—into functional mobile and web apps. It’s known for its ease of use, speed, and mobile-first design, making it ideal for simple, data-driven applications.
Softr
Softr builds web applications using data from Airtable, Google Sheets, and other sources. It’s great for creating websites, directories, membership sites and simple tools and pre-built templates.
Noloco
Noloco focuses on building internal tools and customer portals with strong user permissions and workflow automation. It supports integrations with Airtable, Xano and more, making it suitable for complex business applications.
Glide vs. Softr vs. Noloco: Updated Free Plan Comparison for 2025
When evaluating no-code platforms, it's essential to look beyond surface-level features. The free plans offered by Glide, Softr, and Noloco each reflect their core use cases — from client portals to internal tools and operations automation.
Here's an updated July 2025 comparison of what each platform offers for free:
Free plan comparison takeaways:
Noloco: Built from the ground up for internal business tools, Noloco is the only platform on the free plan offering workflow automation and AI-powered fields and formulas — both essential for building smart, scalable internal tools. Noloco's internal database and logic features are mature and have been evolving for years.
Glide: Ideal for public-facing apps or MVPs that need visual flexibility. With access to all block types out of the box, Glide is design-friendly. However, limitations like no support for business email addresses and a lack of workflow automation mean it may not scale well for internal use cases.
Softr: Traditionally a pure frontend layer, Softr stands out by supporting multiple data sources (Airtable, Google Sheets, Xano) even on the free plan. Just one week ago, Softr launched its own database product — a major step forward. However, it’s early days for this backend layer, and there’s still development needed to reach the level of platforms like Noloco in terms of data logic and operational workflows.
Key Comparison Factors
Data Sources
Glide primarily supports Google Sheets, which makes it easy to get started but somewhat limited in data flexibility. Softr, on the other hand, integrates with Airtable, Google Sheets, Smartsuite, SQL and REST APIs, providing a broader range of data sources. Noloco stands out with its ability to connect also directly to Xano, Hubspot and other databases. Additionally, Noloco offers Noloco Tables, which allow users to store and manage data directly within the platform, serving as a lightweight database solution.Glide offers a no-code, straightforward approach, emphasizing simple building blocks for app creation, ideal for those who need user-friendly design and simplicity.
User Interface (UI) and Design
Glide, Softr, and Noloco all offer easy and intuitive interfaces, making app development accessible to users of all skill levels. Glide is optimized for quickly building clean, functional mobile apps, while Softr’s block-based design allows for visually compelling web pages. Meanwhile, Noloco balances usability and flexibility, making it ideal for advanced internal business tools.
Customization and Flexibility
Glide emphasizes ease of use and speed, but the ability to conditionally hide different components, organize pages in tabs, and form options are somewhat limited. Softr provides greater design flexibility through its block-based system, which makes it perfect for public-facing websites. Noloco, however, combines extensive customization options with robust data management features. Its built-in workflow automation and granular user permissions allow businesses to build tailored solutions without coding expertise.
Integrations
Glide relies on third-party automation tools like Zapier and Make for integrations. Softr offers native integrations with popular services like Stripe and Google Analytics, alongside Zapier support. Noloco provides integration options via Zapier, Make, and direct API connections, ensuring flexibility for businesses needing advanced automation and third-party services.
User Management and Permissions
Glide manages user roles and permissions through its underlying Google Sheet, making it functional but not highly scalable for complex needs. Softr offers robust user management features, including user groups, permission settings, and authentication options. Noloco provides advanced user role and permission settings, allowing businesses to control data access at a granular level, which is essential for operational workflows that require strict security and access control.
Data Visualization
While Glide and Softr offer basic ways to display data, Noloco provides a more comprehensive suite of data visualization options, including timeline, Gantt, pivot table, charts, and graphs. This makes Noloco particularly useful for businesses that need to analyze and present data dynamically.
App Development Speed
Glide's simple interface allows users to build apps quickly, making it a great choice for rapid prototyping and simple solutions. Softr takes a more design-first approach, which can slow down development but results in highly polished applications. Noloco's data-driven approach, including its support for Noloco Tables, enables users to develop apps faster while maintaining high levels of customization and functionality.
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Pricing
All three platforms offer a free forever plan, making them accessible for users looking to explore their capabilities before committing to a paid plan. Each platform then offers paid plans with varying thresholds for features, data limits, and integrations.
Free plan comparison
Glide: 1 app, 10 personal users, up to 25,000 rows, limited integrations.
Softr: 1 published app, 10 app users, 2 user groups, 1,000 records per app, access to all data sources, AI features included.
Noloco: 3 team seats, 7 client seats, 2,000 rows, 7 pages per app, 100 workflow runs.
Key Observations:
Glide: Best for beginners looking to create simple mobile-first apps with Google Sheets. Its free plan is limited in storage (500 MB) and integrations (3), but it’s great for small-scale projects.
Softr: Offers more flexibility in data sources and design customization compared to Glide. It also includes AI features on the free plan, making it a strong option for those needing client portals or dashboards.
Noloco: Recently introduced its free plan (March 2025), emphasizing accessibility for testing workflows and building internal tools. While the free plan offers access to limited data sources, Noloco's advanced permissions and workflow automation make it appealing for business-focused applications.
Each platform's free plan has distinct strengths:
Choose Glide for simplicity and mobile-first apps.
Choose Softr for more design flexibility and broader data source options.
Choose Noloco for powerful internal tools with advanced permissions and workflow capabilities.
Use Cases & Ideal For:
Glide is great for field workers. Softr is great for public apps and directors, and Noloco is great for office-based teams.
What G2 Crowd says
Which Platform is Right for You?
Glide is the best option if you need a simple, mobile-first app that can be built quickly and you are comfortable using Google Sheets. It prioritizes ease of use and rapid development but lacks extensive customization options.
Softr is a great choice if you need a visually appealing web application with greater design flexibility and integrations. It works well for client portals and membership sites but can be more complex than Glide due to its block-based system.
Noloco is ideal for businesses that need advanced functionality, advanced internal tools, and detailed user permissions and a platform that scales with their needs. It supports various databases beyond spreadsheets, making it a suitable choice for companies managing large-scale data operations. If scalability and automation are key concerns, Noloco’s flexibility and Noloco Tables provide strong advantages.The best platform depends on your needs, technical background, and budget. Testing each platform’s free trial can help you determine which one aligns best with your goals. By understanding the strengths and trade-offs of Glide vs Softr—and considering Noloco as an alternative—you can confidently choose the best tool for your project.Happy building!
FAQ about Glide vs Softr
What are Glide’s free plan limitations in 2025?
As of 2025, Glide's free plan includes key restrictions:
- Row limit: Capped at 500 rows, which can limit scalability for data-heavy apps.
- User limit: Only 10 personal users, with no business email support, and 2 editors.
- No support for workflow automation or business operations logic.
For teams or businesses looking to build internal tools, Glide’s free plan may not be sufficient. Noloco, by comparison, offers 100 workflow runs and support for internal users even on the free plan, making it better suited for operational use cases.
What features does Softr’s free plan include?
Softr’s free plan includes:
- 1 published app
- Up to 5,000 rows (1,000 per table)
- Integrations with Airtable, Google Sheets, and Xano
- 1GB of storage
- Grid/list/table layout blocks
In June 2025, Softr also launched its own native database — a significant step toward offering a full-stack solution. However, this database is still early in development and lacks the mature backend features seen in platforms like Noloco, which has long offered robust internal databases, workflow logic, and advanced formulas out of the box.
How does Softr compare to Noloco for internal business tools?
Softr is ideal for building lightweight portals and client-facing applications thanks to its visual interface and data integrations. However, for more complex internal workflows or automation, it’s currently limited.
Noloco goes further by offering:
- Workflow automation (even on free plan)
- AI formulas and fields
- More layout options (kanban, maps, custom actions)
- Internal + external user roles
If your priority is streamlining internal operations, Noloco is better suited than Softr at this stage.
What are users saying about Softr vs. Noloco?
Softr is widely praised for its ease of use and clean UI. Common feedback includes:
- Easy onboarding for non-technical users
- Fast MVP development
- Limitations in customization and backend logic
Meanwhile, Noloco reviews often highlight its strength in internal tools, AI-assisted features, and ability to scale business processes without leaving the no-code environment.