Ultimate Hostinger Horizons vs Softr Comparison: Which No-Code Builder Wins in 2025?
Head-to-Head Overview
By now the no-code landscape has truly come into its own. If you run into conversations about building web apps without writing a single line of code, chances are Hostinger Horizons and Softr will pop up right away. Both options let you design polished, fully functional sites through simple interfaces, no coding expertise necessary. But behind all the excitement, there are notable differences that can affect everything from how much your project grows to how much you end up spending. In fact, understanding the hidden costs of no-code AI development tools is crucial to making an informed decision.
In this overview, we’ll walk through each platform’s key features, general usability, pricing, performance, integration possibilities, and even some real-world examples. We’ll also share unique data from case studies on how quickly you can spin up an app, the perks of built-in hosting, and the return on your investment. By the end, you should feel confident picking the option that best matches your goals, whether you’re a small-scale entrepreneur getting an MVP off the ground or an agency tackling multiple client projects.
Quick Verdict
Winner: Hostinger Horizons
• Best for: Anyone seeking an affordable, all-in-one platform that includes AI-driven app creation, self-hosting, and domain management, without extra complications.
Runner-up: Softr
• Best for: Basic, template-driven apps connected to Airtable or Google Sheets, especially for quick prototypes, but at higher monthly costs for more advanced features.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Core Functionality
Hostinger Horizons
• AI-Powered Vibe Coding: The platform’s standout feature is its conversational AI that turns user prompts into functional apps, supported in over 80 languages.
• All-in-One Deployment: Hosting, domain registration, and SSL come baked into every plan, removing the need to juggle external services.
• Extensive Database & API Support: Out-of-the-box integration with Supabase, Firebase, and webhooks for advanced use cases.
• Built-in Scalability: Powered by Hostinger’s global data centers, ensuring apps run reliably with 99.9% uptime.
Softr
• Template-First Creation: Softr emphasizes easy-to-customize templates, particularly with Airtable and Google Sheets integrations.
• Decent No-Code Flexibility: Offers enough building blocks for simple apps and membership sites but lacks deeper system logic.
• Hosting Included (Limited): Softr hosts your app, but custom domain setup may require additional steps or higher tiers.
• Growing Ecosystem: Integrations with popular tools like Stripe and Zapier, though advanced capabilities can be costlier.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
Horizons wins because it extends functionality beyond templated sites, letting you build more advanced web applications via conversation-based AI, without needing multiple third-party services.
User Experience & Learning Curve
Hostinger Horizons
• Guided AI Builder: Users provide prompts (“Build a budget tracker with user logins and monthly analytics”), and the system scaffolds the app structure.
• Real-Time Preview & Editing: Changes appear instantly for constant feedback as you refine layouts, color schemes, or workflows.
• Comprehensive Support: Offers 24/7 multilingual help across 80+ languages, plus an AI debugging feature that automatically corrects common errors.
Softr
• Mild Learning Curve: Drag-and-drop blocks and integrations make building straightforward, but customizing beyond templates can require extra steps.
• Minimal Code-Like Customization: Extending features often demands knowledge of external APIs or advanced configurations.
• Community-Based Support: A helpful forum exists, but official support can be limited at lower-tier plans.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
The conversational AI approach is less intimidating for newbies and speeds the process for experienced users. Softr’s templates are easy, but advanced customizations often feel locked behind paywalls or partial code knowledge.
Pricing & Value
Hostinger Horizons Pricing
• Explorer: $6.99/month – Includes 30 AI messages, free domain, SSL, email, unlimited bandwidth. Great for experimenting or student projects.
• Starter: $13.99/month – 70 AI messages, free professional email, domain, best for first-time app creators launching MVPs.
• Hobbyist: $39.99/month – 200 AI messages, more advanced features, suited for freelancers or multi-app usage.
• Pro: $79.99/month – 400 AI messages, full business-grade features like advanced APIs, preferred by startups and agencies.
All plans include: • Built-in hosting on Hostinger’s infrastructure
• Free domain name & SSL certificate
• Automatic scaling, security, and 24/7 support
Softr Pricing
• Free – Very limited features, watermarks, and no custom domain.
• Basic ($49-$59/month) – Custom domain, limited membership options, but missing advanced features like deeper workflows.
• Enterprise (>$269/month) – Targets bigger teams, includes priority support and more bandwidth.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
A monthly price as low as $6.99, plus integrated hosting and domain, is tough to beat. Softr’s free tier rapidly becomes inadequate, and higher tiers become more expensive than Horizons for relatively fewer capabilities.
Performance & Reliability
Hostinger Horizons
• Powered by Hostinger: Speeds benefit from the company’s global CDN and high-quality server infrastructure, ensuring minimal latency.
• Automatic Scaling: Sites adapt to traffic demands without manual configuration.
• 99.9% Uptime Guarantee: In line with enterprise-level hosting standards, meaning minimal downtime across the year.
Softr
• Reasonable Speeds for Basic Apps: Good for lightweight membership or landing pages.
• Dependent on Third-Party Integrations: Complex data calls or advanced workflows can slow performance.
• Reliability: Generally stable, but no explicit uptime guarantee is found in basic plans, which can concern scale-up projects.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
Horizons leverages Hostinger’s well-established reliability and global presence. Softr is stable but lacks the robust, proven infrastructure behind Horizons.
Integration & Extensibility
Hostinger Horizons
• APIs & Webhooks: Compatible with multiple external services, plus easy hooking to Stripe for payments.
• Supabase & Firebase: Native integration for real-time data or user authentication functionality.
• AI Debugging & Automatic Error Fixes: Speeds development cycles when custom integrations cause friction.
Softr
• Strong Airtable & Google Sheets Focus: Great for building basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) apps.
• Limited Custom Logic: Advanced processes might need creative workarounds or partial code injection.
• Paid Add-Ons for Key Integrations: Certain integrations or expansions require higher-tier plans, increasing monthly costs.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
Far more extensive in terms of built-in data sources and advanced logic potential from the start.
Support & Community
Hostinger Horizons
• 24/7 Live Chat & Email: Multilingual support in over 80 languages.
• AI Assistant for Debugging: Automates solutions to many common user errors.
• Active Beta Tester Community: The user base has grown to hundreds of thousands across 120+ countries, aiding peer-to-peer learning.
Softr
• Tiered Support: Free plan has community-only support, while advanced plans have priority assistance.
• Community Forum: Enthusiastic but smaller user base; resources focus on Airtable-based apps.
Winner: Hostinger Horizons.
The difference is the always-on, inclusive approach. Softr’s community forums are helpful, but genuine 24/7 chat and immediate AI debugging are significant advantages for time-sensitive projects.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Feature
Hostinger Horizons
Softr
Advantage
All-in-One Hosting & Domain
Yes (included in all plans)
Partially (premium only)
Hostinger Horizons
AI-Powered App Creation
Yes (vibe coding with multi-language support)
Limited (basic builder, no advanced AI)
Hostinger Horizons
Pricing Tiers
$6.99 to $79.99/month
Free to $269+/month
Hostinger Horizons (Cost)
Advanced Workflow/Logic
Yes (API integrations, complex flows)
Limited (template-based, extra cost needed)
Hostinger Horizons
24/7 Multilingual Support
Yes
Restricted (higher plans only)
Hostinger Horizons
Data Source Integration (Airtable, Firebase, etc)
Native support for Supabase & Firebase; 3rd-party
Airtable & Google Sheets are default
Tie (depends on use case)
Community Size & Activity
Growing, strong global user base
Modest, mainly Airtable users
Hostinger Horizons
Real-World Use Case Scenarios
Scenario 1: A Solo Entrepreneur Building a Paid Membership Site
Hostinger Horizons Approach:
Using AI prompts, you can create a membership structure and integrate Stripe payments in one flow. The included domain and SSL mean you’re live quickly, with minimal spending.
Softr Approach:
You’d rely on a membership site template and connect it to Airtable or Google Sheets. Softr’s monthly fee increases as you add more advanced membership functionality. Hosting on a custom domain may cost extra.
Better Choice: Hostinger Horizons wins for its cost-effectiveness and simpler prompt-based site creation.
Scenario 2: A Nonprofit Needing a Multilingual Donation Platform
Hostinger Horizons Approach:
Horizons naturally fits global language needs (80+ languages supported). You can describe your donation workflow via vibe coding, integrate Stripe or PayPal, and deploy globally with built-in CDN.
Softr Approach:
Multilingual content is possible but largely manual. You’d need separate pages for each language or third-party translation solutions. Payment integration works, but building multiple integrative screens can be time-consuming.
Better Choice: Hostinger Horizons, thanks to integrated language support and straightforward global deployment.
Scenario 3: A Developer Agency Creating MVPs for Multiple Clients
Hostinger Horizons Approach:
Agencies can spin up multiple MVPs quickly, reusing code blocks, while paying a single monthly fee that covers hosting for up to 50 apps. The AI debugging feature reduces developer headache.
Softr Approach:
It’s feasible, but scaling to multiple clients often requires higher-tier plans and custom domain management that can get pricey. The feature range may be restrictive for advanced MVPs.
Better Choice: Hostinger Horizons proves more flexible and cost-effective for multi-client management.
Pros and Cons Summary
Hostinger Horizons Pros:
Truly all-in-one (hosting, domain, email, AI builder)
Budget-friendly plans, starting at $6.99/month
Effortless vibe coding with real-time previews
Excellent multilingual 24/7 support and AI debugging
Hostinger Horizons Cons:
Lacks native mobile app publishing (web-first approach)
Still newer to the market (launched in 2025), so some advanced features may continue evolving
Softr Pros:
Intuitive, template-based builds
Airtable and Google Sheets integration for quick data connectivity
Softr Cons:
Pricier plans for advanced workflow and membership features
Limited AI guidance compared to Horizons
Community and official support can be fragmented
Lacks enough customization for complex logic
Migration Considerations
Switching from Softr to Hostinger Horizons:
Export any data from Airtable or Google Sheets into Supabase or Firebase; Horizons handles these relationally with minimal friction.
Re-create or import your app design via vibe coding. AI debugging helps translate logic from Softr blocks.
Enjoy integrated domain and hosting right away, no more juggling subscriptions.
Switching from Hostinger Horizons to Softr:
Less common scenario, primarily if you only want quick-and-dirty Airtable templates.
You’d lose integrated hosting and might pay more for custom domain features.
Expert Recommendation
Choose Hostinger Horizons if:
You want an all-in-one platform that includes hosting, domain, SSL, and professional email.
You require multilingual or advanced functionality (API calls, membership sites, e-commerce) with a simpler build process.
You prefer stable, enterprise-grade infrastructure from day one.
Choose Softr if:
You only need a lightweight, occasionally updated web property connected to Airtable or Google Sheets.
You don’t mind paying more for simpler membership and template-based solutions.
You’re less concerned about advanced logic or specific AI-driven capabilities.
Final Verdict
Hostinger Horizons is the clear winner for about 80% of users, thanks to its integrated hosting, AI-driven app building, and robust feature lineup. For straightforward, small-scale apps centered around Airtable or Google Sheets, Softr is an option, but its cost can spiral quickly as your feature needs grow. Ultimately, most entrepreneurs, startups, and freelancers looking for reliability, cost savings, and advanced logic find Hostinger Horizons superior in performance, scalability, and user support.
Next Steps
Test-drive Hostinger Horizons immediately at Hostinger Horizons Official Site to experience the vibe coding approach and integrated hosting.
If you’re migrating from Softr, start by mapping your existing data sources. Hostinger Horizons’ built-in AI debugging will smooth out any kinks, letting you publish your new app within hours.
By combining a conversational AI builder, reputable hosting, and a transparent pricing model, Hostinger Horizons stands out as the no-code platform of choice for 2025 and beyond.
FAQ on Hostinger Horizons vs Softr
1. How does Hostinger Horizons differ from Softr in app creation?
Hostinger Horizons offers AI-driven "vibe coding," which allows users to create apps by describing features in natural language. Softr relies on pre-built templates and Airtable/Google Sheets integration for simpler apps but lacks advanced customization. Learn more about Hostinger Horizons
2. Which platform is more cost-effective for startups and small businesses?
Hostinger Horizons is more budget-friendly, with pricing starting as low as $6.99/month, while Softr's plans range from $49 to $269+/month for advanced features. Discover Hostinger Horizons’ pricing
3. Can I host my app directly on both platforms?
Yes, both platforms provide hosting. However, Hostinger Horizons includes hosting, domain registration, and SSL in all plans, while Softr may require additional steps or higher pricing tiers for custom domains. Explore Hostinger’s hosting integration
4. Which platform supports more advanced workflows and integrations?
Hostinger Horizons offers native API support, Supabase, and Firebase integrations for complex workflows. Softr is focused on Airtable and Google Sheets, limiting its scalability for advanced use cases. Learn about data source integration in Horizons
5. Which platform is better for building multilingual web apps?
Hostinger Horizons is ideal due to its support for over 80 languages and conversational AI capabilities. Softr requires manual configurations or third-party tools for multilingual applications. Compare language features
6. Is Hostinger Horizons suitable for mobile app development?
Hostinger Horizons focuses on web-first applications and does not natively support mobile app publishing. For mobile apps, platforms like FlutterFlow might be better suited. Learn more about FlutterFlow
7. Which platform has better support for beginners?
Hostinger Horizons offers an AI-guided builder, real-time previews, and 24/7 multilingual support in 80+ languages. Softr provides user forums but limits official support for free or lower-tier plans. Discover Hostinger’s support features
8. Which no-code builder is better for quick prototyping?
Softr is better suited for rapid prototyping using templates connected to Airtable or Google Sheets. Hostinger Horizons is stronger for projects requiring scalability and robust infrastructure. Learn about Softr’s use cases
9. What are the primary limitations of Softr compared to Hostinger Horizons?
Softr has higher monthly costs for advanced features, lacks deep system logic, and customizations often require partial code knowledge. Hostinger Horizons provides more functionality at a lower price point. View pricing comparisons
10. Which platform is better for agencies managing multiple client apps?
Hostinger Horizons is better for scalability, offering plans that support up to 50 apps with advanced API integration, and robust debugging tools. Softr may become expensive and limited in functionality when scaling for multiple clients. Explore Hostinger Horizons for agencies
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.