Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Softr vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Softr is best for client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Only Softr offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database. Only Windsurf offers inline code completion, multi-file agent, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code. Softr has a low learning curve, compared with medium for Windsurf. Both Softr and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Softr if…
- You need client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources
- Hosting / deploy included matters to you
- Backend / database matters to you
- You're one of: operations teams, agencies building client portals, small businesses using airtable or google sheets
- You want something quicker to learn
Choose Windsurf if…
- You need developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents
- Inline code completion matters to you
- Multi-file agent matters to you
- GitHub integration matters to you
- You're one of: professional developers, former windsurf and codeium users, teams already using devin cloud agents
At a glance
| Softr | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $19/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium |
| Platforms | Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Operations teams, Agencies building client portals, Small businesses using Airtable or Google Sheets | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| Softr | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | No-code app builder | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | No | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | No | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Limited | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | Yes | No |
| Backend / database | Yes | No |
| GitHub integration | No | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | No | Yes |
| Export / own the code | No | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Softr | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | Enterprise plan | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | — | — |
| Data residency options | US, EU (Germany) | — |
| No training on your data | — | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | Enterprise plan | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
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
Windsurf
Windsurf, the AI code editor formerly from Codeium, was acquired by Cognition and renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026; windsurf.com now redirects to it and existing plans and settings carried over. The editor keeps its Supercomplete tab completion, while the Cascade agent was replaced by Devin Local in July 2026, alongside handoff to Devin cloud agents and a free SWE-2 model. A Windsurf-branded plugin for JetBrains IDEs remains available.
Key features- Supercomplete tab completion
- Devin Local agent for multi-file edits (replaced Cascade)
- Handoff between local and Devin cloud agents
- Free access to Cognition's SWE-2 model plus other models
- MCP integrations such as Slack, Linear, Figma and Stripe
- JetBrains plugin
Pricing
Softr
Free plan; Basic $19/mo, Professional $99/mo
Windsurf
Free plan; Pro $20/mo (raised from $15 in 2026); Teams/Max tiers
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
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.
Windsurf
Strengths- Fast, context-aware tab completion
- In-house model available at no extra cost
- Local and cloud agents managed from one app
- Has a free plan
- The Windsurf brand and Cascade agent have been retired, creating migration churn
- Product direction now tied to Cognition's Devin roadmap
- Heavy use of frontier third-party models draws on paid quotas
- Requires switching from the user's current editor unless using the JetBrains plugin
Not ideal for: Users who want a stable, long-standing product identity or a hosted no-code app builder should look at other options.
Integrations
Softr
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between Softr and Windsurf?
Softr is built for client portals and internal business apps built on existing data sources; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. Key differences: Softr offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database; Windsurf offers inline code completion, multi-file agent, gitHub integration, choice of AI models and export / own the code.
Is Softr or Windsurf cheaper?
Softr starts from $19/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/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 Softr and Windsurf have free plans?
Both Softr and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Softr or Windsurf?
Softr is generally quicker to learn (Softr: low, Windsurf: medium learning curve).
What are good alternatives to Softr and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
