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It's a split decision.
Choose Softr for portals, CRMs and internal tools where built-in databases, workflow automation and granular permissions matter. Its free plan and $19 Basic tier also start below Glide’s $25 Basic plan. Choose Glide when your source of truth is an Excel file or Google Sheet and you want role-specific apps, live sync and MCP-connected agents. Neither is presented as a conventional developer platform with a documented SDK or CLI, so confirm API and export needs before committing.
01Side by side
| Softr | Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, then $19–$329/month; Enterprise custom | $25–$125/month; Enterprise custom |
| Free tier | 3 builders; 5 app users; 5,000 records | Limited credits; 2 team members; 10 projects |
| Integrations | 38–54+ by plan; includes REST API | Business tools; Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT via MCP |
| Platforms | Web | Web and iPhone |
| Limits and scaling | Up to 1M records; workflow actions capped by plan | Credits, team size, apps and workflows vary by plan |
| App-building inputs | Prompts, visual editing and built-in database | Spreadsheets, prompts and files |
| Access control | Roles, pages, data and actions | Role-specific views for teams and external users |
| AI and agents | AI app builder; MCP tools; plan-based credits | Glide agent; Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT via MCP |
Softr Choose Softr if
- Choose Softr if you need portals, CRMs or internal business tools.
- Choose Softr if built-in databases and workflow automation fit your stack.
- Choose Softr if a lower-cost starting plan and defined record limits matter.
Glide Choose Glide if
- Choose Glide if your apps should start from spreadsheets.
- Choose Glide if you need live-synced, role-specific business apps.
- Choose Glide if you want to build with external agents over MCP.
02Pricing at real usage
Softr’s free plan includes up to 3 builders, 5 app users, 5,000 database records and 500 workflow actions per month. Basic costs $19/month and raises the record limit to 50,000 and workflow allowance to 2,500 actions. Pro is $99/month; Business is $329/month. Those plans raise the listed record caps to 500,000 and 1,000,000, respectively, and include more builders, users and workflow actions. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Glide’s free plan has limited credits, 2 team members and 10 projects. Basic is $25/month for 100 credits; Plus is $50 for 250 credits; Pro starts at $125, with 50 credits per member. Pro lists unlimited published apps and workflows. Credit top-ups are available on paid plans, but the pricing page does not list their price. Both vendors list monthly prices; Glide says annual plans are coming soon.
03API, SDKs and integration
Softr connects to tools including Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets, HubSpot, Supabase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Make and Zapier. Its homepage also lists a REST API integration, alongside OpenAI, Anthropic and Google Gemini. That is evidence of a connector, not documentation for a general Softr platform API. Softr links to Help Docs, but its product page does not specify SDKs, supported programming languages or CLI commands.
Glide describes connections to spreadsheets, databases and business tools. Its distinguishing developer-facing route is MCP: the homepage says Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT can connect to Glide and build into the same apps, data and permissions as Glide’s agent. The product pages do not specify language SDKs or CLI commands. For either platform, verify the exact API surface, authentication, rate limits and webhook behavior with the vendor before making it a production dependency.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Softr and Glide are presented as visual app-building platforms, not as source-available software packages. Their product pages do not establish an open-source license or a self-hosting option. Both descriptions center on building apps within the vendors’ platforms, so treat the app logic and permissions as platform-dependent until the vendors confirm otherwise.
Neither product page specifies a data-export format, a full export path or a migration process. That leaves practical questions for production: can you export records, relationships, files and permissions together, and what happens to workflows when you leave? Before storing business-critical data, ask each vendor about bulk export, API access, deletion, backups and migration support. Glide’s Enterprise plan lists 30-day data backups; Softr’s Enterprise plan lists audit logs and governance features.
Questions people ask
Is Softr cheaper than Glide?
At the listed monthly prices, yes: Softr Basic starts at $19/month, while Glide Basic costs $25/month. Softr also has a free plan with up to 5 app users and 5,000 records. Compare included builders, team members, credits and workflow limits against your actual app before choosing.
Which is better for spreadsheet-based apps?
Glide is the more direct fit when Excel files or Google Sheets are the starting point. Its SheetSense feature reads sheets, formulas, lookups and notes, and Glide says connected apps stay synced as records change. Softr can connect to Google Sheets, but its positioning is broader business-app building.
Can I connect Claude or ChatGPT to either platform?
Glide explicitly says Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT can connect over MCP and build into Glide apps, data and permissions. Softr lists MCP support for internal tools accessible to AI agents, and its integrations include OpenAI and Anthropic. Confirm the specific agent workflow you need with each vendor.
Can I self-host Softr or Glide?
Neither product page specifies a self-hosting option. Both are described as platforms for building apps within their products. If self-hosting, open-source licensing or a guaranteed data-export path is a requirement, ask the vendor for written details before adopting either.