No-Code & Low-Code

Softr for Nonprofits

You've built the perfect volunteer database in Airtable. Your event registrations flow into Google Sheets. Your member directory lives in Notion. But there's no easy way for volunteers to see their shifts, members to update their profiles, or donors to view their giving history—without giving everyone edit access to your entire database. Softr solves this by transforming your existing data into professional client portals, member sites, and internal tools in minutes. No coding. No data migration. Just secure, beautiful interfaces built on top of the data you already manage.

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What Softr Does

Tired of sharing edit access to your entire Airtable base just so volunteers can see their shifts? Frustrated that members can't update their own contact information without emailing your admin? Wishing donors could view their contribution history without you manually generating reports?

Softr creates professional, secure front-ends for your existing databases. It reads and writes data in real-time from Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, and 14+ other sources, giving you granular control over who sees and edits what. Volunteers log in to see only their shifts. Members update their profiles directly. Donors view their giving dashboard. All without exposing your backend data or requiring developer resources.

With drag-and-drop building blocks, conditional visibility rules, user authentication, and one-click mobile app conversion, Softr eliminates the gap between "data we manage" and "portals people can use."

Best For

Organization Size

Small to mid-sized nonprofits (5-100 staff)
Organizations already using Airtable or Google Sheets
Teams without dedicated developers or IT staff
Nonprofits needing secure data access for external users

Best Use Cases

Volunteer portals with shift scheduling and sign-ups
Member directories with self-service profile updates
Donor dashboards showing contribution history
Event registration and RSVP tracking systems
Grant application portals and resource libraries
Internal team dashboards and project management tools

Ideal For These Roles

Operations managers building internal tools, volunteer coordinators managing shift schedules, membership directors maintaining member portals, development teams creating donor dashboards, and program managers tracking participant data.

Key Features for Nonprofits

Real-Time Database Sync

Live read and write to Airtable, Google Sheets, and 14+ data sources

Updates in your Airtable base appear instantly in your Softr app, and vice versa. When a volunteer signs up for a shift in your portal, it immediately appears in your Airtable scheduling base. When you update a member's status in Airtable, they see the change in their member dashboard within seconds. No manual imports, exports, or data syncing required.

Bi-directional sync keeps data consistent across systems
Changes reflect in real-time—no delays or batch updates
Continue managing data in Airtable/Sheets while users interact through Softr

Granular User Permissions & Authentication

Control exactly who sees and edits what data

Set up user authentication so volunteers only see their own shifts, members only update their profiles, and donors only view their contribution history. Conditional visibility rules let you show different content based on user roles, membership status, or any data field. Say goodbye to "We can't share this because everyone would see everything."

User groups and role-based access control (RBAC)
Row-level security: users only see records they should access
Conditional visibility based on membership tier, status, or any field
SSO (SAML, OpenID) support for enterprise security

Drag-and-Drop Interface Builder

Build professional apps without code using pre-built blocks

Choose from 40+ building blocks—lists, grids, tables, forms, calendars, kanban boards, and more. Drag them onto your page, connect to your data source, and customize styling. No CSS or JavaScript required. Softr handles responsive design automatically, so your portal works beautifully on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Pre-built blocks: List, Grid, Table, Kanban, Calendar, Charts, Payment forms
Custom forms with validation, file uploads, and payment integration
Responsive design works on any device automatically
Custom code support (Pro+) for advanced customization

AI-Powered Automations & Workflows

Automate repetitive tasks with visual workflows and AI assistance

Build multi-step workflows without code: send email notifications when a volunteer signs up, update member status when payment is received, trigger Slack messages when forms are submitted. The AI Co-builder helps you generate app structures from natural language descriptions, and AI Agents enrich data automatically.

Visual workflow builder for multi-step automations
AI Co-builder generates custom apps from text descriptions
AI Agents for data enrichment (auto-tagging, categorization, extraction)
Email notifications, webhooks, and third-party integrations

One-Click Mobile App Conversion

Turn your portal into a Progressive Web App (PWA) instantly

With a single click, convert your Softr app into a Progressive Web App that users can install on their phones. No app store approval, no separate mobile development, no extra cost. Volunteers can add your shift scheduling app to their home screen and use it like a native app—with offline capabilities and push notifications.

PWA works on iOS and Android without app store submission
Users install directly from browser—no App Store/Play Store required
Offline functionality for basic features (view cached data)
Push notifications to engage volunteers and members

Connect 14+ Data Sources (No Lock-In)

Use data from Airtable, Sheets, Notion, SQL, HubSpot, and more

While Softr was originally built for Airtable (and still has the best integration there), it now connects to Google Sheets, Notion, PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, HubSpot, Supabase, and more. You're not locked into a single data source—pull volunteer data from Airtable, donation data from HubSpot, and events from Google Sheets into a single unified portal.

Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, Excel (primary sources)
SQL databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Snowflake
CRM platforms: HubSpot, Salesforce (Business tier)
Modern backends: Supabase, Firebase, custom APIs

Real-World Nonprofit Use Case

A community food bank with 200 active volunteers was managing shift schedules in Airtable. Their volunteer coordinator spent 5+ hours per week responding to emails: "What shifts are available?" "Can I change my Thursday shift?" "Where do I see my volunteer hours?" The coordinator couldn't share the Airtable base directly—volunteers would see everyone's contact information and have edit access to the entire schedule.

Using Softr, they built a volunteer portal in under an hour. Volunteers now log in with their email, see only their own shifts and available openings, sign up for new shifts directly, and view their total volunteer hours for tax deduction letters. The coordinator sees all shifts in the same Airtable base, with real-time updates as volunteers make changes. Email inquiries dropped 80%, and volunteer satisfaction increased significantly—volunteers appreciated the self-service access and mobile-friendly interface.

Total implementation cost: $34.30/month (Basic plan with nonprofit discount) plus the Airtable they were already using. Total setup time: 1 hour initial build, 30 minutes of volunteer onboarding. Time saved per week: 5+ hours of administrative work.

Pricing

Free

$0/month

1 published app
10 app users
2 user groups
5,000 Softr DB records
500 AI credits
Custom domain included

Basic

$59/mo
$49/mo annual
$34.30/mo nonprofit

3 published apps
20 app users
50,000 DB records
1,000 AI credits
Kanban, Payment blocks
Custom code & embeds

Professional

$167/mo
$139/mo annual
$97.30/mo nonprofit

Unlimited apps
100 users (+$10/10 extra)
500,000 DB records
5,000 AI credits
Charts, Calendar, Comments
API, PDF/CSV export

Business

$323/mo
$269/mo annual
$188.30/mo nonprofit

Unlimited apps
500 app users
Unlimited user groups
1M DB records
10,000 AI credits
Advanced data sources
Global data restrictions

💡 Free Trial & Refund Policy

Start with Free plan (no credit card required)
Full refund within 14 days (monthly plans) or 30 days (annual plans)
Annual billing saves 16-17% compared to monthly

Note: Pricing information is subject to change. Please verify current pricing directly with Softr at softr.io/pricing.

Nonprofit Discount

Save 30% on all paid plans for verified nonprofits

30% Off All Paid Plans

Verified 501(c)(3) organizations and registered nonprofits qualify for significant savings

How to Access the Nonprofit Discount:

1Visit softr.io/non-profit-form to apply for nonprofit pricing
2Submit your 501(c)(3) determination letter or nonprofit registration documents
3Wait for verification (typically approved within a few business days)
4Once approved, 30% discount applies automatically to all paid plans

Estimated Annual Savings:

Basic Plan: Save $176/year ($49/mo → $34.30/mo)
Professional Plan: Save $500/year ($139/mo → $97.30/mo)
Business Plan: Save $968/year ($269/mo → $188.30/mo)

Eligibility: Available to registered 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. and equivalent registered charities internationally. Education discounts also available for verified educational institutions.

Learning Curve

Intermediate

Easy to start, but mastering advanced features takes time

Time to First Value:

Connect Airtable base: Under 3 minutes
Publish basic portal: 20 minutes (using templates)
Customize and add features: 1-2 hours
Master advanced features: 1-2 weeks of regular use

What Makes It Easier:

Pre-built templates (Volunteer Management, Non-Profit Program Management)
Drag-and-drop interface—no coding required for basic apps
AI Co-builder helps generate app structure from descriptions
Live preview shows changes in real-time

What Takes Longer to Learn:

Complex permission rules and conditional visibility logic
Multi-step workflows and automation setup
Custom code and advanced styling (if needed)
Understanding how data relationships map between Airtable and Softr

Support Resources Available:

Comprehensive help documentation and knowledge base
Video tutorial library with step-by-step guides
Active community forum for peer support
Email support (response time varies by plan)
Live chat support for paid plans

Bottom Line: Reviews are mixed—some call Softr "one of the easiest no-code tools," while others find it "difficult for newbies." The truth is likely in between. If you're comfortable with Airtable or spreadsheets and willing to invest a few hours learning, you'll likely find Softr accessible. If you're completely new to databases and app-building, expect a steeper initial learning curve.

Integration & Compatibility

Data Sources (14+ Integrations)

Primary Data Sources:

Airtable (best integration, real-time sync)
Google Sheets (real-time read/write)
Notion (databases)
Excel (CSV import)
Softr Database (built-in relational database)

Advanced Data Sources:

SQL Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Snowflake
CRM Platforms: HubSpot, Salesforce (Business+)
Modern Backends: Supabase, Firebase
Custom APIs: REST APIs for custom integrations

Platform Availability

Web-based: Works in all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Mobile: Progressive Web Apps (PWA) install on iOS and Android
Responsive Design: Automatically adapts to phone, tablet, and desktop
No App Store Required: Users install PWAs directly from browser

Data Portability & Export

No Vendor Lock-In: Data stays in Airtable/Sheets—Softr is just the frontend
Export Options: PDF and CSV export (Professional tier+)
API Access: Professional tier and above for custom integrations
Backup Strategy: Export underlying data from Airtable/Sheets anytime
App Configuration Not Portable: Page layouts/styling specific to Softr (not exportable)

Security & Compliance

SOC 2 Type II Certified: Industry-standard security compliance
SSO Support: SAML and OpenID Connect for enterprise authentication
GDPR Compliant: European data protection standards
Data Encryption: Data encrypted in transit and at rest
Role-Based Access: Granular permissions control data visibility

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best-in-Class Airtable Integration: If you're using Airtable, Softr's real-time sync and native understanding of Airtable relationships is unmatched. Built specifically for Airtable, so the integration just works.
No Data Migration Required: Use your existing Airtable base, Google Sheets, or Notion database. Data stays where it is—Softr just provides the frontend.
Granular Permissions & Security: User authentication, role-based access, row-level security, and SSO support make it enterprise-ready while remaining accessible for small nonprofits.
Fast Development: Build and publish a functional portal in 20 minutes. Pre-built templates (Volunteer Management, Nonprofit Program Management) accelerate time to launch.
Generous Free Tier: Free plan includes 1 app, 10 users, custom domain, and 5,000 database records—enough for small nonprofits to test thoroughly.
30% Nonprofit Discount: Significant cost savings bring the Basic plan down to $34.30/month annually—competitive pricing for the features offered.
One-Click Mobile Conversion: PWA support means your app works on phones without app store approval or separate mobile development.

Cons

Higher Pricing Than Competitors: Even with the 30% nonprofit discount, Softr is pricier than Bubble ($32/mo), Webflow ($14-23/mo), or Adalo ($36/mo). Justified if you need Airtable integration, but expensive otherwise.
Requires Pre-Made Database: You must already have data in Airtable, Sheets, or another source. Softr isn't for building databases from scratch (though Softr Database exists on Free tier).
Limited Design Freedom: Compared to Bubble or Webflow, Softr offers less design customization. You're working within Softr's component system—great for speed, limiting for brand-specific design.
Mixed Learning Curve Reviews: Some find Softr "one of the easiest tools," others call it "difficult for newbies." The truth likely depends on your existing comfort with databases and no-code tools.
App Configuration Not Portable: If you leave Softr, your data is safe (it's in Airtable/Sheets), but your page layouts, styling, and app configuration aren't exportable to other platforms.
User Limits on Lower Tiers: Free tier caps at 10 users, Basic at 20. If you need 100+ volunteer or member accounts, you'll need Professional tier ($97.30/mo nonprofit).

Alternatives to Consider

If Softr doesn't feel like the right fit, consider these alternatives based on your specific needs:

Stacker (Best for Airtable-Specific Portals)

Another Airtable-focused portal builder with similar features

Like Softr, Stacker builds client portals and member sites from Airtable. Stacker focuses exclusively on Airtable (no Google Sheets support), but offers more advanced workflow automation and deeper Airtable integration in some areas. Pricing starts around $49/month, similar to Softr. Best if you're 100% committed to Airtable and want maximum automation power.

→ Choose Stacker if: You need advanced Airtable workflows and are willing to trade data source flexibility for deeper Airtable-specific features.

Glide (Best for Spreadsheet-Based Apps)

Turn Google Sheets or Airtable into mobile apps—no nonprofit discount

Glide creates beautiful apps from Google Sheets and Airtable (Business tier). Unlike Softr's web portal focus, Glide excels at mobile-first Progressive Web Apps. No nonprofit discount, but the Maker plan ($25/month) offers unlimited personal users. Free tier supports 25,000 users with Glide Tables only. Best for volunteer or member apps where mobile experience is priority.

→ Choose Glide if: You prioritize mobile-first design and can work with its component system, or need unlimited personal users on the Maker plan.

Bubble (Best for Complex Custom Apps)

More powerful no-code platform with full database and logic—cheaper than Softr

Bubble is a full application builder with its own database, complex logic capabilities, and extensive customization. Starter plan is $32/month (cheaper than Softr's nonprofit-discounted Basic). However, Bubble has a steeper learning curve and doesn't integrate with Airtable as seamlessly. Best if you need complex workflows, custom logic, and don't already have data in Airtable/Sheets.

→ Choose Bubble if: You need maximum power and customization, are willing to learn a more complex platform, and don't require tight Airtable integration.

Pory (Best for Simple Airtable Websites)

Dead-simple Airtable-to-website builder—simpler and cheaper than Softr

Pory is the simplest Airtable-to-website tool available. Less powerful than Softr (fewer features, less customization), but also easier to learn and cheaper. Best for very simple use cases like public directories, resource libraries, or basic member portals where you don't need complex permissions or workflows.

→ Choose Pory if: You need the absolute simplest way to publish an Airtable base as a website and don't need advanced features.

Why Choose Softr Instead?

Softr hits the sweet spot between power and ease of use for nonprofits already using Airtable. It's more capable than Pory, easier than Bubble, more data-source-flexible than Stacker, and more portal-focused than Glide. The 30% nonprofit discount makes it competitive on price, and the real-time Airtable sync is genuinely best-in-class. If you're building secure client portals, member sites, or volunteer dashboards from existing Airtable data, Softr is hard to beat.

Getting Started

Ready to build your first Softr app? Here's how to go from zero to published portal in your first few hours:

1Sign Up and Connect Your Data (15 minutes)

Start with Softr's free plan—no credit card required. If you don't already have data in Airtable or Google Sheets, use one of Softr's nonprofit templates (Volunteer Management or Non-Profit Program Management) which come with sample data pre-loaded.

Create account at softr.io
Connect your Airtable base or Google Sheet (takes under 3 minutes)
Or start with a pre-built template with sample data

Pro Tip: If your Airtable base has messy data (duplicates, incomplete fields), clean it up before connecting. Softr will display whatever's in your base, so garbage in = garbage out.

2Build Your First Portal (20-60 minutes)

Choose a starting template or build from scratch. Drag building blocks (List, Grid, Form, etc.) onto your pages and connect them to your data. Add user authentication so each volunteer/member sees only their information.

Use a template: "Volunteer Portal" or "Member Directory" to start fast
Drag blocks onto pages: List (show records), Form (collect data), Calendar (events)
Set up user login: Connect email/password or social auth (Google, Facebook)
Configure permissions: Limit users to see only their own records

Pro Tip: Use Softr's AI Co-builder to generate app structure from a text description like "Build a volunteer portal where volunteers can see their shifts and sign up for new ones."

3Test with Real Users (30 minutes)

Before going live, invite a few volunteers or members to test the portal. Watch them use it (literally sit next to them or screenshare) to identify confusing flows or missing features.

Invite 3-5 test users via their email addresses
Ask them to complete a task: "Sign up for a volunteer shift" or "Update your profile"
Watch for confusion points and adjust permissions/visibility rules
Test on mobile devices—most users will access via phone

4Publish and Monitor (Ongoing)

Once testing is complete, publish your app to a custom domain and share it with your full volunteer/member list. Monitor usage in the first week to catch issues early.

Connect a custom domain (e.g., volunteers.yournonprofit.org) or use Softr's subdomain
Send launch email with login instructions and intro video/guide
Convert to PWA (one-click) so users can install on phones
Monitor for first week: Check for login issues, permission problems, or user questions

Pro Tip: Apply for the 30% nonprofit discount BEFORE upgrading to a paid plan. Visit softr.io/non-profit-form with your 501(c)(3) documentation ready.

Need Help with Implementation?

Setting up a new portal can feel overwhelming when you're already stretched thin

Building a volunteer portal or member directory from scratch involves more than just connecting Softr to Airtable. You need to design user flows, set up permissions correctly, and ensure volunteers actually use the new system. If you'd like expert guidance—from Airtable database design to Softr app configuration to user onboarding—we're here to help.

One Hundred Nights offers implementation support, from quick setup assistance to full-service onboarding and staff training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Softr offer a nonprofit discount?

Yes, Softr offers a 30% discount on all paid plans for verified nonprofit organizations. You can apply for the discount at softr.io/non-profit-form. This brings the Basic plan down to $34.30/month (from $49/month) when billed annually, making it significantly more affordable for nonprofits.

What's the difference between Softr and Airtable?

Airtable is a database platform that stores and organizes your data, while Softr is a front-end builder that creates user-facing websites and apps from that data. Many nonprofits use them together—Airtable as the database backend (with its 50% nonprofit discount) and Softr to create client portals, volunteer sign-ups, or member directories.

Softr was originally built specifically for Airtable and has the strongest integration with it. When a volunteer signs up for a shift in your Softr portal, it updates your Airtable base in real-time, and vice versa.

Can Softr work with data sources other than Airtable?

Yes, Softr connects to 14+ data sources including Google Sheets, Notion, SQL databases, HubSpot, BigQuery, Supabase, and more. While it was originally built for Airtable (and has the deepest integration there), you can use it with virtually any structured data source. The Free tier includes Softr's own database, and higher tiers unlock additional integrations.

How long does it take to build an app with Softr?

According to Softr's marketing, you can connect an Airtable base in under 3 minutes and publish a functional client portal in 20 minutes. However, user reviews suggest the learning curve varies—some describe it as "one of the easiest no-code tools," while others find it "difficult for newbies."

Realistically, plan for a few hours to learn the basics and a day or two to build a polished, customized app with proper permissions and user flows. Using pre-built templates (Volunteer Management, Non-Profit Program Management) can significantly accelerate this timeline.

What's the best use case for Softr for nonprofits?

Softr excels at creating client-facing portals and member sites where users need to access, update, or submit data. Perfect for:

Volunteer registration and shift management
Donor portals showing contribution history
Event registration and RSVP tracking
Grant application portals
Resource directories and knowledge bases
Internal team dashboards

If you're already using Airtable or Google Sheets to manage data and need to give others access without exposing your entire database, Softr is an ideal solution.

Is Softr worth the price compared to alternatives?

Softr is priced higher than some alternatives—Bubble ($32/mo), Webflow ($14-23/mo), and Adalo ($36/mo) all start cheaper than Softr's $49/mo Basic plan. However, with the 30% nonprofit discount, Softr drops to $34.30/month annually, making it more competitive.

Softr's strength is its Airtable integration and professional features (user authentication, permissions, real-time sync). If you're already using Airtable, Softr is often worth the premium for its seamless integration.

For other use cases (not tied to Airtable), evaluate cheaper alternatives first. If you need maximum power and customization, Bubble might be better. If you need the simplest possible solution, Pory or Glide might suffice.