Comparison
Emberblocks vs Softr
Softr and Emberblocks both turn a data source into a portal or an internal tool that non-developers can build. Softr is the faster first portal and has the bigger template gallery. Emberblocks goes deeper on data, permissions, workflows and publishing, and never charges for builders.
Builders are always free. Facts about Softr on this page were last checked on against Softr's own site. Tell us if something is out of date: hello@emberblocks.com.
The short version
Airtable
Softr reads Airtable through the API on each page load. Emberblocks mirrors the base into Postgres with two-way sync, so pages load at database speed.
Depth
Softr's blocks are simpler and its logic thinner. Emberblocks has relations, formulas, workflows and roles down to the field.
Templates and domains
Softr has a larger template gallery and custom domains today. Emberblocks ships ten templates and no custom domains yet.
Bill
Softr tiers by records and users. Emberblocks prices by app users and never charges builders.
Feature by feature
| Capability | Emberblocks | Softr |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in database | Yes | Softr Databases |
| Connect your own Postgres | Yes | Yes |
| Airtable as a source (two-way) | Yes | live API reads |
| Google Sheets as a live source | No | Yes |
| No code required | Yes | Yes |
| Formula language | Yes | limited |
| Field-level permissions | Yes | block visibility rules |
| Workflows and automations | Yes | basic actions |
| Versioned publishing with rollback | Yes | publish, no rollback |
| Public links without accounts | Yes | public pages |
| Offline edits queued on phones | Yes | No |
| AI drafts the first version | Yes | Yes |
| Builders never pay | Yes | No |
| Paid plans priced by | app users | records and users per tier |
| Custom domains | not yet | Yes |
| SSO / SAML | not yet | higher tiers |
Emberblocks cells reflect what ships today. Softr cells were checked against Softr's public pages on the date shown at the top of this page; "unverified" means we could not confirm it and would rather say so than guess.
Data
Softr connects Airtable, Google Sheets, Postgres, MySQL, Supabase, BigQuery, Notion and its own native databases, reading external sources live through their APIs.
Emberblocks starts on a built-in database, your own Postgres (Supabase, Neon, RDS, anything that speaks Postgres) or an Airtable base. Airtable bases are mirrored into Postgres: the app reads and writes the mirror at database speed, your edits push back to Airtable within seconds, and changes made in Airtable arrive through Airtable's own webhooks.
The builder
Softr pages are stacks of pre-designed blocks (lists, details, forms, charts, static sections) with conditional visibility.
Emberblocks is a grid of blocks: tables, cards, record pages, kanban boards, calendars, maps, timelines, charts, stats, forms, buttons, comments, activity feeds, file viewers, signatures, barcodes and embeds. Each block reads a table and is configured in an inspector organised by the block's parts.
Permissions
Softr controls access with user groups and per-block visibility conditions.
Roles decide which views a user sees and which fields they can read or edit; app users can be loaded from a table in your own data. Views and blocks can also filter rows by the signed-in user.
Workflows
Softr has form actions and a smaller set of automations; most teams pair it with Make or Zapier.
Workflows run when a row is created, updated or deleted, on a schedule, or from a button; steps update records, send email, call webhooks, branch on conditions and run code. Workflows are drawn on a canvas and every run is logged.
Publishing and pricing
Softr publishes to a softr.app subdomain or a custom domain; plans are tiered by records, users and features.
Every publish is a versioned snapshot you can inspect and roll back, with a stable and a latest channel. Views can be shared through public links with no account. Builders are always free; paid plans are priced by the people who use your published apps, from $29 a month billed yearly, with a 14-day Pro trial and a free plan.
Which should you pick?
Pick Emberblocks if
Your app has real logic: relations, formulas, workflows, per-field permissions.
Pick Emberblocks if
You want Airtable to feel fast and to have a path to Postgres later.
Pick Emberblocks if
Builders should not cost anything.
Pick Softr if
You need a custom domain today.
Pick Softr if
The portal is mostly static pages with a login behind them.
Pick Softr if
Google Sheets or Notion is the live source.
Questions
- Can I move a Softr portal to Emberblocks?
- Yes, and you can keep the same Airtable base. Connect it, let Ember draft the views, then rebuild the pages you use as blocks. There is no automatic importer for Softr pages.
- How is Emberblocks priced?
- Builders are always free. Paid plans are priced by the number of people who sign in to your published apps: Starter $29, Pro $79 and Business $199 a month billed yearly. Every new workspace starts with a 14-day Pro trial, no card needed, and there is a free plan after that. Full details on the pricing page.
- Where does my data live?
- Wherever you want it. Use the built-in database, connect your own Postgres so rows never leave your server, or point an app at an Airtable base. Airtable bases are mirrored into Postgres and kept in sync both ways.
- What does Emberblocks not do yet?
- Custom domains, SSO and an Enterprise plan are not available yet. There is no live Google Sheets connector (import the sheet as CSV instead). Apps run in the browser and install to the home screen; there are no App Store or Play Store builds.
Try it on your own data.
Every workspace starts with a 14-day Pro trial without a card. You can also open a template in the editor first and sign up only when you want to keep it.