Softr for
Mobile Apps
Does Not Exist.
Looking for a Softr mobile app builder? Softr is an excellent no-code platform for building web portals, internal tools, and client dashboards from databases like Airtable and Google Sheets. But it cannot build native iOS or Android apps for the App Store. Natively is the AI-powered platform that does — generating real React Native apps ready for the App Store and Google Play, starting at $5/month.
Why Native Mobile Matters in 2026
If your software only lives in a browser, you are missing the majority of your users' screen time. Source: Statista Mobile Internet Report
Understanding Softr
Softr has grown to over 1 million builders by making it incredibly easy to turn databases into web applications. It earned a 4.7/5 on G2 and 4.2/5 on Trustpilot. But the question people increasingly ask is: can you build a Softr mobile app that lives in the App Store? The answer is no.
What Softr Does Well
Softr is a no-code platform that turns structured databases into functional web applications. It connects to 17+ data sources including Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, and PostgreSQL. Its drag-and-drop builder is excellent for client portals, internal tools, and dashboards.
Softr Strengths
- Excellent for client portals and internal tools
- Connects to 17+ data sources (Airtable, Sheets, Notion, HubSpot...)
- Built-in user authentication and role-based access
- Bi-directional data sync with connected databases
- Native workflow automation engine
- AI-powered vibe-coding and database agents
Where Softr Falls Short for Mobile
Softr cannot create native mobile applications. Its output runs in web browsers. While the Professional plan ($139/month) offers PWA support, a PWA is still a website — it cannot be listed in the App Store, lacks native device access, and does not deliver the performance users expect from a mobile app.
Mobile Limitations
- Cannot build native iOS or Android apps
- No APK or IPA binary generation
- No App Store or Google Play publishing
- PWA only available on Professional plan ($139/mo)
- No native push notifications (APNs/FCM)
- No source code export — vendor lock-in
Natively Fills the Mobile Gap
Natively is purpose-built for the exact problem Softr cannot solve. Instead of drag-and-drop web building, Natively uses conversational AI to generate complete React Native + Expo projects that compile to real native iOS and Android apps. One-click APK builds, Expo Launch for iOS, and full access to device cameras, GPS, biometrics, and push notifications — all starting at $5/month with full source code ownership.
PWA Is Not a Native App
Softr's Professional plan ($139/month) includes Progressive Web App (PWA) support. While PWAs are a step above regular websites, they are fundamentally different from native mobile apps. Here is why that distinction matters for your business.
App Store Rejection
Apple Guideline 4.2
Apple's App Review Guideline 4.2 rejects apps that are "simply a web page wrapped in a native shell." PWAs wrapped in WebViews will not pass review. React Native apps — like those built with Natively — render actual native UI components and pass this test.
Performance Gap
Browser vs. Native Rendering
PWAs render through a browser engine, adding latency to every interaction. Native apps achieve consistent 60fps performance and sub-100ms touch response times. Studies show native apps have 3x higher engagement rates than mobile web, according to Localytics.
Missing Capabilities
Device Features PWAs Cannot Access
PWAs cannot access FaceID/TouchID, Bluetooth, NFC, background processing, or reliable push notifications on iOS. These are not minor features — they are core requirements for most consumer-facing mobile apps. Natively's React Native output provides full access to all of them.
PWA vs. Native App — Capability Breakdown
What Softr's PWA can and cannot do compared to a native app from Natively.
| Capability | PWA (Softr) | Native (Natively) |
|---|---|---|
App Store Distribution Only native apps can be listed in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. | ||
Push Notifications (APNs/FCM) Native push works reliably even when the app is closed. Web Push has limited browser support. | ||
Offline Storage PWAs offer basic caching. Native apps have full SQLite and async storage. | ||
Camera & Photo Library Native apps get full camera control, video recording, and media library integration. | ||
Biometric Authentication FaceID, TouchID, and Android fingerprint only work in native apps. | ||
Bluetooth & NFC Hardware communication protocols require native device access. | ||
Background Processing Native apps can run background tasks, sync data, and process notifications while closed. | ||
60fps Animations Native rendering bypasses the browser engine for consistent frame rates. | ||
Home Screen Icon & Badges Both can appear on the home screen, but only native apps show notification badges. | ||
No Installation Required PWAs load instantly in a browser. Native apps require a download. |
Softr vs. Natively — Full Comparison
A complete breakdown of capabilities for web portals vs. native mobile apps.
| Feature | Softr | Natively |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Output | Web portals, dashboards, internal tools | Native iOS & Android mobile apps |
| Build Approach | No-code drag & drop from databases | AI conversational prompts |
| Target Platforms | Desktop & mobile browsers | iOS (App Store) & Android (Play Store) |
| Framework | Proprietary no-code engine | React Native + Expo |
| App Store Publishing | Not supported | Yes — via Expo Launch |
| APK / IPA Binaries | Not available | One-click APK + iOS builds |
| Push Notifications | Web Push only (limited) | Native APNs & FCM |
| Device Hardware Access | Browser APIs only | Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, Biometrics |
| Offline Support | Basic PWA caching (Pro plan only) | Full native offline storage |
| PWA Support | Professional plan ($139/mo) | N/A — builds native apps instead |
| Source Code Export | Not available — proprietary | 100% ownership (GitHub + ZIP) |
| Data Sources | 17+ (Airtable, Sheets, Notion...) | Supabase + Liquid Backend |
| Performance | Browser rendering engine | Native 60fps rendering |
| Navigation | Browser URL routing | Native stack navigation + gestures |
| AI Features | Vibe-coding + AI agents | Full AI app generation |
| Starting Price | Free (limited) / $49/mo Basic | $5/month (all features included) |
Pricing and features accurate as of February 2026. Softr data sourced from softr.io/pricing.
Pricing: The Real Cost of Mobile
Softr's PWA feature is locked behind its Professional plan at $139/month. Even then, you only get a PWA — not a native app. Natively gives you real native apps from $5/month. That is a 27x price difference for a fundamentally better mobile experience.
Softr Pricing Tiers
Free
- 1 app
- 10 users
- 5,000 records
- No PWA
Mobile Capability
No mobile app capability on this tier.
Basic
- 3 apps
- 20 users
- 50,000 records
- No PWA
Mobile Capability
No mobile app capability on this tier.
Professional
- Unlimited
- 100 users
- 500,000 records
- PWA enabled
Mobile Capability
PWA only — still a web app. No App Store listing.
Business
- Unlimited
- 500 users
- 1M records
- PWA enabled
Mobile Capability
PWA only — still a web app. No App Store listing.
Softr pricing as of February 2026, billed annually. Monthly billing is 20% higher. Source: softr.io/pricing
Natively: All Features from $5/month
Every Natively plan includes every feature. No tier-gating. No per-user pricing. Higher tiers simply give you more AI prompts per month. All plans include:
- AI-powered native app generation
- Built-in code editor (IDE)
- One-click APK builds for Android
- iOS deployment via Expo Launch
- Real-time preview on your phone (QR code)
- Full source code export (ZIP + GitHub)
- Supabase and Liquid Backend support
- No revenue sharing or licensing fees
Annual Cost for Mobile
Still only a PWA — not a native app
Real native iOS & Android apps with full device access
And you get native apps, not a web wrapper
Under the Hood
Softr and Natively are architecturally different platforms solving different problems. Understanding why helps you pick the right tool for mobile.
Softr Architecture
Web Application Stack
Data Source Integrations
Supported Databases and Services
Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, monday.com, ClickUp, Coda, SmartSuite, Xano, Supabase, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, BigQuery, and REST APIs.
Output: Web pages served to browsers. No compilation to native mobile binaries.
Natively Architecture
React Native and Expo Stack
iOS Build Pipeline
Code Signing and Distribution
Natively handles provisioning profiles, certificates, and entitlements automatically via Expo Application Services. No Mac required. Deploy directly to TestFlight and the App Store from any operating system.
Android Build Pipeline
APK and AAB Generation
One-click APK generation built into the Natively dashboard. No Android Studio or Gradle configuration required. Download the installable APK in minutes for testing, or generate a signed AAB for Google Play.
What Native Gets You
These capabilities are only available in native mobile apps — and they are exactly what Softr's web-based output cannot provide.
Push Notifications
Native APNs (Apple) and FCM (Google) push notifications that arrive even when the app is closed. Softr only supports basic web push with limited browser compatibility.
Camera & Media
Full camera access, photo library integration, video recording, and barcode/QR scanning with native performance and reliability.
Biometric Auth
FaceID, TouchID, and Android fingerprint authentication for secure, frictionless login. Not available through any browser or PWA.
Full Offline Support
Complete offline functionality with SQLite and async storage. Unlike PWA caching, native offline storage is robust and reliable.
60fps Performance
Native rendering bypasses the browser engine entirely, delivering smooth animations, instant touch feedback, and zero layout jank.
Home Screen & Badges
A real app icon with notification badges, widgets, and deep system integration — not just a browser shortcut.
Do You Need More Than a PWA?
If you are considering Softr for mobile, this quick assessment will help you determine whether a PWA is sufficient or whether your project needs a real native app.
Select the requirements that apply to your project
Check the boxes above to see whether a PWA or a native app is the right choice for you.
When to Use Softr, Natively, or Both
Softr and Natively are not direct competitors — they solve different problems. Here is a practical guide for choosing the right tool.
Use Softr When...
- You need client portals or internal business tools
- Your users access the product via desktop browsers
- You want to build on top of Airtable or Google Sheets
- Role-based access control is a primary requirement
- Mobile app presence is not a priority
Use Natively When...
- You need an app in the App Store or Play Store
- Users expect a native mobile experience
- Push notifications are a core feature
- You need camera, GPS, or biometric access
- Offline functionality is required
- You want full source code ownership
Use Both When...
- You need a web portal and a mobile app
- Internal teams use a dashboard while customers use the app
- You want to manage data in Airtable/Sheets and serve it via mobile
- Your business needs both web and mobile presence fast
Pro tip: If you use Supabase as your data source in Softr, you can also use Natively with the same Supabase backend. Your users share data and auth across both your web portal and native mobile app seamlessly.
From Idea to
App Store
Natively works differently from Softr. Instead of connecting databases to pre-built blocks, you describe your app in plain English and the AI builds a complete native mobile app for you.
Describe Your App
Tell the AI what you want to build in plain English. Describe screens, features, and user flows. The AI understands mobile patterns like tab bars, swipe gestures, and native navigation.
AI Builds Your Native App
The AI generates a complete React Native + Expo project with TypeScript. Preview it instantly on your real phone by scanning a QR code — no simulators or test devices needed.
Deploy to the App Stores
Download your Android APK with one click (5-10 min build). For iOS, use Expo Launch to build and submit directly to TestFlight and the App Store. No Xcode or Mac required.
Common Workarounds (and Why They Fail)
When Softr users need mobile functionality, they often try these workarounds. Here is why each one falls short and why a purpose-built native app builder is the better path.
Wrapping Softr in a WebView
The Problem
Apple rejects WebView-wrapped apps under Guideline 4.2. Google Play has similar policies. Even if the app sneaks through review, users get a degraded experience with no native performance, navigation, or device access.
The Solution
Use Natively to build a proper native app that passes App Store review and delivers the performance users expect.
Relying on Softr PWA alone
The Problem
PWAs cannot be listed in the App Store, have severely limited push notification support on iOS, lack biometric auth, and offer only basic offline caching. They also require the $139/month Professional plan — nearly 28x more expensive than Natively.
The Solution
For $5/month, Natively gives you a real native app with all the capabilities a PWA lacks.
Hiring a developer to rebuild for mobile
The Problem
Custom mobile development typically costs $25,000-$150,000+ and takes 3-6 months. Since Softr does not export source code, there is nothing to convert — the developer starts from scratch.
The Solution
Natively generates a complete React Native codebase from a conversation. You get the same result in minutes, with full source code ownership if you want to hire a developer later.
Exploring Other No-Code and AI Builders?
We have written detailed comparisons for other popular tools. See how Natively compares across the landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using Softr for mobile apps and how Natively compares.
Can Softr build a native mobile app?
No. Softr is a no-code platform that builds web-based portals, internal tools, and dashboards. It can create Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on its Professional plan ($139/month), but these are still web applications running in a browser. Softr cannot produce native iOS or Android binaries (APK or IPA files) and cannot publish apps to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For native mobile apps, you need a dedicated builder like Natively.
Is a Softr PWA the same as a native mobile app?
No. A Progressive Web App is essentially a website with some enhanced capabilities like basic offline caching and a home screen shortcut. A native mobile app is compiled code that runs directly on the device operating system, with full access to hardware features like push notifications (APNs/FCM), camera, biometrics, GPS, and Bluetooth. Native apps also pass Apple App Store and Google Play Store review, while PWAs cannot be listed there. According to eMarketer, users spend 88% of their mobile time in native apps, not browsers.
What is the best alternative to Softr for building mobile apps?
Natively is the leading AI-powered native mobile app builder. Unlike Softr, which builds web portals from databases, Natively uses conversational AI to generate real React Native code that compiles to native iOS and Android apps. You get full device hardware access, App Store compliance, push notifications, and complete source code ownership starting at just $5 per month.
How much does it cost to build a mobile app with Natively vs. Softr?
Natively starts at $5 USD per month with all features included at every tier. Softr starts with a free plan but its PWA capability requires the Professional plan at $139 per month (billed annually). Even then, Softr only produces a PWA, not a native app. Natively produces real native apps with one-click APK builds and iOS deployment via Expo Launch, making it both cheaper and more capable for mobile.
Can I use Softr and Natively together?
Yes. Softr excels at building web-based portals and internal tools from databases like Airtable and Google Sheets. Natively excels at building native mobile apps. If your business needs both a web portal and a mobile app, you can use Softr for the web side and Natively for the mobile side. Natively supports Supabase as a backend, so if you use Supabase with Softr as well, your users can share data and authentication across both platforms seamlessly.
Explore More Comparisons
See how Natively stacks up against other popular tools for building mobile apps:
Internal tools builder vs mobile platform
Glide for Mobile AppsSpreadsheet apps vs native mobile apps
Bubble for Mobile AppsNo-code web platform vs native mobile builder
Airtable for Mobile AppsDatabase platform vs native mobile builder
WeWeb for Mobile AppsNo-code frontend builder vs native platform
All ComparisonsBrowse all platform comparisons for mobile
Softr Builds Portals.
Natively Builds Mobile Apps.
Stop searching for a Softr mobile app feature that does not exist. Build real native iOS and Android apps with the AI-powered platform designed specifically for mobile — from just $5/month.