Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Bolt.new vs Softr
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Bolt.new is best for building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser, while Softr is best for client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources. Only Bolt.new offers multi-file agent, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code. Both Bolt.new and Softr offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Bolt.new if…
- You need building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser
- Multi-file agent matters to you
- GitHub integration matters to you
- Choice of AI models matters to you
- You're one of: founders building mvps, developers prototyping quickly, designers converting figma files into apps
Choose Softr if…
- You need client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources
- You're one of: operations teams, agencies building client portals, small businesses using airtable or google sheets
- Strong fit for portals with logins and per-user data
At a glance
| Bolt.new | Softr | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser | Client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $25/mo | From $19/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Low |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Ideal for | Founders building MVPs, Developers prototyping quickly, Designers converting Figma files into apps | Operations teams, Agencies building client portals, Small businesses using Airtable or Google Sheets |
Feature comparison
| Bolt.new | Softr | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI app builder | No-code app builder |
| Inline code completion | No | No |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | No |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Yes | Limited |
| Hosting / deploy included | Yes | Yes |
| Backend / database | Yes | Yes |
| GitHub integration | Yes | No |
| Choice of AI models | Yes | No |
| Export / own the code | Yes | No |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Bolt.new | Softr | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan (SAML) | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | — | US, EU (Germany) |
| No training on your data | Team & Enterprise (MSA/DPA) | — |
| Audit logs | — | Enterprise plan |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, customer AWS/Azure | Cloud |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Bolt.new
Bolt.new, from StackBlitz, is a browser-based AI app builder that writes and runs full-stack JavaScript apps in an in-browser WebContainer environment. Bolt Cloud adds built-in databases, authentication, file storage, edge functions and hosting with custom domains. It is used by founders, designers and developers building prototypes and MVPs.
Key features- In-browser development environment running Node.js via WebContainers
- Bolt Cloud databases, auth, storage and edge functions
- Built-in hosting and custom domains
- GitHub repository connection
- Choice of Claude, GPT and Gemini models
- Figma import
Softr
Softr is a no-code platform for building business apps such as client portals, internal tools and directories on top of Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, SQL databases or its own Softr Databases. Its AI Co-Builder generates a first version of the database, interface, permissions and workflows from a description, which is then refined in a block-based visual editor. It is used by operations teams, agencies and small businesses.
Key features- AI Co-Builder that generates database, interface and permissions
- Native Softr Databases plus Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets, PostgreSQL, MySQL and Supabase
- Block-based visual editor with templates
- User groups and granular role-based permissions
- Workflows for multi-step automations
- Progressive web app support for mobile use
Pricing
Bolt.new
Free plan (1M tokens/mo); Pro from $25/mo; Teams $30/member/mo
Softr
Free plan; Basic $19/mo, Professional $99/mo
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Bolt.new
Strengths- Full editor, terminal and preview in the browser with nothing to install
- Backend and hosting included through Bolt Cloud
- Model choice across major providers
- Has a free plan
- Token usage climbs quickly on larger projects
- Loses context and falls into error-fix loops after many iterations
- Rewrites whole files rather than targeted diffs, raising token costs
- Limited to JavaScript/TypeScript stacks that run in WebContainers
Not ideal for: Teams working on large existing codebases or non-JavaScript backends are better served by a local AI IDE or coding agent.
Softr
Strengths- Strong fit for portals with logins and per-user data
- Connects to many existing business data sources
- Authentication and permissions built in
- Has a free plan
- No code export; apps run only on Softr
- AI generator is mainly for the first version, with further changes done manually
- Pre-built blocks limit custom design
- No native App Store or Google Play apps; mobile is PWA only
Not ideal for: Teams that want to own source code or build consumer products with custom design should use a code-generating builder instead.
Integrations
Bolt.new
Softr
FAQ
What is the main difference between Bolt.new and Softr?
Bolt.new is built for building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser; Softr is built for client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources. Key differences: Bolt.new offers multi-file agent, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code.
Is Bolt.new or Softr cheaper?
Bolt.new starts from $25/mo and Softr starts from $19/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Softr is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Bolt.new and Softr have free plans?
Both Bolt.new and Softr offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Bolt.new or Softr?
Both have a low learning curve.
What are good alternatives to Bolt.new and Softr?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
