AI-native no-code platform for business software, modular building blocks and granular permissions on Airtable, Notion or SQL.
70-80%
of the functional MVP generated by the AI Co-Builder before manual refinement
1M+
global users in the Softr ecosystem
700K+
active creators publishing apps
8-10 h
to build an app that would take 40 h in Bubble (building blocks vs pixel-by-pixel)
Featured customers of Softr
01. Context
Softr was founded in 2019 in Berlin by Mariam Hakobyan (CEO) and Artur Mkrtchyan (CTO), backed by FirstMark Capital, Atlantic Labs, Accel and 500 Global. It was born as a UI layer on top of Airtable and has since evolved into a complete AI-native no-code platform for building business software. The current official positioning is "The first AI-native platform to build business software without code", articulated by the AI Co-Builder: you describe what you need in natural language and Softr generates the database, the app and the business logic already connected, secure and ready for real users.
The product rests on six layers: modular building blocks that encapsulate frontend + logic + backend (Auth, List, Table, Stripe Payments, Chart, Kanban, Calendar); multi-source data integration with native Softr Tables plus Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, Xano and SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB); AI Co-Builder that generates functional apps from natural language descriptions; native workflows launched in 2025 to reduce dependence on Make/Zapier; granular permissions with user groups and conditional rules, which makes multi-tenant apps viable without duplication; and responsive publishing with apps that work on desktop, mobile and PWAs.
02. How we apply it
The applications that come up most often in our projects.
Client portals with granular permissions
Login + dashboard personalized per client + access to files, deliverables and communication. Softr's flagship case: each client sees only their data without having to duplicate apps. Ideal for creative agencies, law firms and consultancies.
Internal tools and team intranets
Employee directories, internal knowledge bases, operational tools for teams. Replacement of Notion + Confluence + custom apps when the team needs login and stricter permissions than those of a wiki.
Custom CRMs for unconventional motions
Lightweight alternative to HubSpot or Salesforce for companies with processes that do not fit the standard CRM. Same territory as Attio but at lower cost and with custom-tailored UI.
Inventory management and lightweight ERPs
Inventory tracking, vendor management and basic ERPs for SMBs in e-commerce, retail and manufacturing. Built in days, not months, thanks to modular building blocks.
Marketplaces and community apps
"Airbnb-lite" style applications for vertical niches: booking, services marketplace, closed communities. Native Stripe Payments + Auth + listings, without touching code.
03. What changes for you
When you work with The Optimal Flow you choose the partner that combines Softr with the entire ecosystem you already have around. We know the platform in depth and, more importantly, we know where Softr fits in your stack: when it is the right answer (client portals, internal tools, custom CRMs, multi-tenant apps with granular permissions) and when it is Bubble or Retool. For you that translates into concrete things: tickets resolved without financing our learning curve, the patterns in building blocks, the real limits of Softr Tables when volume doubles and the cases where granular permissions fail silently are already seen.
Where we extract value from your investment fastest is in connecting Softr with the rest of your stack. Softr is the UI layer on top of your data, but the mature client sooner or later needs that app to talk to the real source of truth. Notion (knowledge system), Airtable or SQL (data layer), Make or n8n (automation when native workflows fall short), HubSpot or Attio (CRM), Apollo or Enginy (prospecting), and all of that respecting end-user permissions. What we do differently is not stop at the Softr app: we deliver the complete orchestrated stack, choosing Softr when building blocks accelerate delivery and combining with Bubble, Retool or code when the decision is not that. A Softr-only partner can deliver an app that works, but loses the conversation when it comes to deciding where Softr ends and the rest of the stack begins.
Book a free intro session so we can understand where you stand and how we can help. No strings attached.
or write to us at info@theoptimalflow.com
