Top 3 Open-Source Low-Code Platforms for Your Business

Dessire Ugarte
Posted by Dessire UgartePublished on Jul 22, 2024
17 min read
Top 3 Open-Source Low-Code Platforms for Your Business

Building applications with low-code platforms can be incredibly efficient, but it’s not without its challenges. Ever felt frustrated by the limited customization options, high costs, or the fear of getting locked into a single vendor with low-code platforms? 

If yes, then open-source low-code platforms might be the game-changer you've been looking for. 

Open-source low-code platforms offer the ease of low-code development and the freedom of open-source. They provide extensive customization capabilities, enabling you to customize applications precisely to your needs. The vibrant community of developers contributing to these platforms means you’ll never be alone in solving problems or finding new ways to innovate.

So what are you waiting for? Let's explore how open-source low-code platforms can help you overcome your present challenges, save time and resources, and unlock new possibilities for innovation in your organization.

What are open-source low-code platforms?  

Open-source low-code platforms are software development tools that allow users to create applications with minimal coding knowledge. Using top low-code development platforms, developers and non-technical users can quickly develop applications using a library of pre-built elements such as databases, APIs, and user interfaces. Furthermore, it enables developers to create web and mobile applications with minimal coding. 

If you are in the low-code industry, you might wonder why open-source low-code development platforms are gaining traction today. What makes them superior and popular in low-code development? Let's understand the evolution of rapid application development since the late 1990s.

The term “open source” was first introduced at a strategy session and adopted by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) nearly 25 years ago on February 3rd, 1998 in Palo Alto, California. It happened soon after the announcement of the release of the Netscape source code. 

In recent years, open-source platforms have gained significant traction due to various factors like cost-effectiveness, transparency, and flexibility driven by the rapidly evolving digital landscape. These platforms act as a cost-effective alternative to proprietary software, which is quite appealing in times of economic uncertainty. 

In a recent survey conducted by Statista, more than 30 percent of the respondents stated that their organizations' usage of open-source software in the past year was influenced by the cost factor for licenses and to improve development velocity. Some top-rated driving factors were mostly driven by the flexibility of the technology.

An image with maroon background and a graph of the reasons for using open source software in 2023

Source: Statista

Now that you have a clear understanding of open-source low-code platforms, it's time to know about the top open-source low-code platforms. 

Top 3 open-source low-code platforms at a glance

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the top 3 open-source low-code platforms based on their GitHub stars and forks. 

Platform

GitHub (Stars & Forks)

Standout Feature

Appsmith

(32.3k stars & 3.5k forks)

No vendor lock-in

Versioning with Git

Responsive intent-based layouts

Usage-based pricing

Budibase

(21.2k starts & 1.4k forks)

Role-based access control

ToolJet

(28.1k stars & 2.4k forks)

Air-gapped on-prem deployment

Now, let’s dive into the top 3 open-source low-code platforms in detail by going through their key features, pros, and cons.                                                  

Understanding open-source low-code platforms in detail

Let’s have a look at each open-source low-code platform in detail by understanding its key features, pros, and cons. 

Below are the top open-source low-code platforms:

  • Appsmith - Best for rapid low-code ERP development 

  • Budibase - Best for creating CRUD applications  

  • ToolJet - Best platform for internal tools and customization 

Appsmith

An image with a lilac background and a screenshot of Appsmith UI

About Appsmith 

Appsmith is an open-source, low-code platform that empowers organizations to build internal business applications such as analytics dashboards, database GUIs, customer support tools, and enterprise app extensions. Over 10,000 teams leverage Appsmith to create customized internal tools within their organizations.

With 18+ integrations, 45+ drag-and-drop widgets, and a built-in JavaScript editor, Appsmith meets all your internal tool development needs. Key features include UI code extension, data migration, data synchronization, customized branding, and programming code extension.

Top clients like GSK, AWS, Strapi, Dropbox, Tubi, and HeyJobs trust Appsmith. The platform enables businesses to scale rapidly and efficiently, whether they are startups or large enterprises.

On top of it, Appsmith offers UI customization using JavaScript and CSS, AI integration, a low-code environment, Git-based version control, solid 256-bit encryption, and robust community support for continuous improvement and resources.

Choosing Appsmith provides significant benefits due to its flexibility. You can host Appsmith on your own servers, and as an open-source platform, it offers full access to its source code, eliminating the risk of vendor lock-in. But if your team is seeking more specific customization, security, and support. Appsmith is the only low-code platform with usage-based pricing, currently set at $0.4 per hour of usage.

Key features of Appsmith

Features

Description

Integrations

With Appsmith, you get 18+ native integrations that allow you to connect your app with different databases, SaaS tools, or APIs like REST API/ GraphQL.

Git-based version control

Easily connect your app to a git repository, comment changes, and review pull requests. Integrate and deploy with your CI/CD pipeline, similar to traditional development workflows.

UI code extension

Customize your application on Appsmith by editing or writing HTML, JavaScript, or other code to meet your specific requirements.

Built-in JS editor

With an IDE-like editor, write reusable code blocks for your applications with features like autocomplete, multi-line editing, debugging, and linting.

UI Builder

Utilize a drag-and-drop editor with responsive intent-based layouts to design the UI of an application with various components like charts and tables without coding from scratch.

Import JS libraries

Enhance functionality by importing custom JS libraries for advanced tasks such as CSV handling, user authentication, and error tracking.

AI-assistance

Leverage LLMs for text analysis, summarization, and image classification. Enable multi-turn dialogues and connect to databases or APIs for context-rich AI interactions in your applications.

Templates

Access a variety of pre-built templates for common business needs, including admin interfaces, support dashboards, content management systems, and inventory trackers.

Self-host and cloud-host

Choose between cloud-based and on-premises deployment to suit your specific infrastructure and compliance requirements.

Appsmith pricing

  • Free community edition with core functionalities for individual developers and small businesses

  • Usage-based pricing for business plans starts at $0.4 per hour of usage

  • Custom quotes for enterprises based on specific requirements

What do Appsmith users say? 

 “I tried several low-code solutions and Appsmith was the clear winner for our particular use case. The speed with which you can put together an internal tool is incredible. We've integrated it with our data warehouse, with Microsoft Teams, and with our logging, monitoring, and metrics infrastructure. ” - David Adams, CTO at Atheneum.ai

Key highlights of Appsmith

100k+ users across 150+ countries

6k+ active community of developers on Discord

30k+ GitHub Stars

Whatisappsmith-

Looking for a low-code platform that has no vendor lock-in?

Choose Appsmith for a flexible, open-source solution. Experience true freedom in app development.

Budibase

Dashboard of Budibase

About Budibase

Budibase is an open-source low-code development platform that enables users to build web apps quickly and efficiently without extensive coding knowledge. This platform is power-packed with over 40 pre-built components and templates which make it easier to build workflow apps that work well across all devices. 

With Budibase, you also get self-hosting capabilities that provide organizations with greater control over their data and infrastructure. Developers can build a CRUD app with Budibase in just a few minutes. Top companies like Covanta, Schnellecke, Herrenknecht, Netflix, and Google choose Budibase for their solutions.

More than 100,000 teams trust Budibase as it is integrated with several features such as a user-friendly interface, customization options, and the ability to integrate with various external data sources. 

With Budibase, you can securely connect to over 30 data sources (from Google Sheets to PostgreSQL) and sync your data. Furthermore, you get access to pre-built automation and webhooks. If needed, you can set up your own with integrations using JavaScript to increase functionality.

Key Features of Budibase

Features

Description

Database Integration

Offers built-in database support and connectivity to external data sources, including various databases and APIs.

Customizable Components

It is integrated with a library of pre-built components and templates for rapid development.

JavaScript Extensibility

Supports JavaScript for advanced functionality, enabling developers to extend beyond low-code capabilities when necessary.

Self-Hosting Option

Deploy on-premises or in preferred cloud environments, providing control over data and infrastructure.

Enterprise-Grade Security

ISO 27001 certified and dedicated to maintaining ongoing compliance.

Public API

Utilize Budibase's public API to use it as a backend, extend your apps, and benefit from interoperability.

Budibase pricing

  • Free Plan: Available with basic features at no cost

  • Premium Plan: $50 per app creator per month and $5 per app user per month

  • Enterprise Plan: Available with custom pricing

The pros and cons stated below are based on feedback from G2 users who have used Budibase and shared their reviews.

Pros of using Budibase

  • With Budibase, you can create business apps easily using low-code/no-code tools which makes it simple for users to collaborate with their team and customize the projects to fit the organization's needs.

  • Budibase is incredibly flexible and scalable which helps you to develop apps much faster, which boosts your entire team's efficiency.

  • The AI features in Budibase have become the go-to for building low-code-based enterprise applications. They're reliable and effective, making the development process smoother for organizations. 

Cons of using Budibase

  • Users, from small businesses or individuals with limited budgets, often find Budibase's pricing plans to be quite expensive compared to other alternatives. This cost barrier prevents many from opting for the platform.

  • Developers using Budibase have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of support for JSON type in REST API responses. While calling a REST API, developers find that accessing particular arrays within embedded objects requires extra steps, such as using a transformer and saving it as a separate query.

ToolJet

An image with lilac background and the screenshot of ToolJet's admin panel

About ToolJet

ToolJet is an open-source low-code framework crafted for developing and deploying custom applications and internal tools. This platform offers a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface that enables both developers and citizen developers to create custom applications with minimal coding. 

With over 500 contributors from around the world, they have built an ecosystem of developers who are interested in driving digital transformation and sharing knowledge. ToolJet is fully committed to being fully open-source while offering enterprise-grade features. 

The platform supports writing custom JavaScript within the application builder and provides developers the ability to extend beyond the pre-built components, striking a balance between ease of use and advanced customization.

ToolJet can be connected to your data sources such as databases (BigQuery, MongoDB, PostgreSQL), SaaS tools (Google Sheets, Stripe), and cloud object storage services (AWS S3 and Google Cloud Storage). 

Additionally, ToolJet's active community and regular updates contribute to its growing ecosystem, making it an increasingly popular choice for organizations looking for a cost-effective, adaptable solution for internal tool development.

Key features of ToolJet

Features  

Description

Database and API Integrations

Offers built-in connectors for databases such as MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and popular services like Slack, Stripe, etc.

Workflow Automation

Complex business process automation with low-code, leading to improved business outcomes.

Supports JavaScript & Python

Enables developers to use JavaScript and Python for custom logic and data transformations.

Import React Components

The platform supports custom React components, allowing developers to build user interfaces quickly and effortlessly.

 ToolJet pricing

  • Basic Plan: Free of charge

  • Business Plan: Starting at $24/month per builder + $8/month per end user

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

The pros and cons stated below are based on feedback from G2 users who have used ToolJet and shared their reviews.

Pros of ToolJet

  • The users appreciate ToolJet's easy-to-use and intuitive interface, as it enables them to create applications rapidly using drag-and-drop tools.

  • ToolJet helps users to easily streamline their workflow with easy integration with their existing APIs, databases, and other tools. 

  • ToolJet users, whether on the community edition or a paid plan, value the quick support they receive, enhancing their overall experience with the platform.

Cons of Tooljet

  • Users have noted that ToolJet's UI is not responsive for mobile view, and feel that it must work well across all screen sizes.

  • Some users have come across slower rendering times when their applications contain numerous components in ToolJet.

This is all about the best open-source low-code platforms. But, if you are looking for modern low-code platforms, your search ends here. 

Here is a list of some of the popular low-code platforms that can boost the operational efficiency of your business. But please note that these platforms are not open-source.

While not open-source, these low-code platforms have gained prominence for their ability to significantly enhance business operational efficiency.

  1. Retool - Best for quick development of data-heavy internal tools

  2. Superblock - Best for blending low-code and high-code with strong DevOps features

  3. DronaHQ - Best for internal and customer-facing apps 

Retool

Dashboard of Retool

Retool is a low-code platform designed for building internal tools and admin panels. This platform follows a unique approach by amalgamating the visual interface for rapid UI development with the flexibility of custom coding when needed. 

Retool is a great option for developers as they will benefit from an extensive library of 100+ components, an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, and AI capabilities for custom applications. Retool embraces SQl and custom JavaScript, enabling developers to use their existing skills while also benefiting from rapid visual development. 

With such features, Retool is trusted by emerging startups and Fortune 500 companies. The main strength of Retool is its ability to connect with various data sources and APIs enabling developers to quickly create powerful dashboards, CRUD applications, and data management tools.  

Retool pricing

  • Basic Plan: Free of charge

  • Team Plan: Starting at $10/developer/month and $5/user/month

  • Business Plan: starting at $50/developer/month and $15/user/month

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

Superblocks

A screenshot of a Dashboard of Superblocks

Superblocks is a low-code platform tailored for building internal tools and workflows quickly. This platform enables visual app building along with custom coding in JavaScript, Python, and SQL. Superblocks is focused on developer-friendly features like CI/CD pipelines, version control, and collaboration tools that enable business process automation without sacrificing code quality. 

Superblocks is loved by developers due to its drag-and-drop elements, JavaScript extensions, and integration with third-party tools and applications.  This low-code platform is preferred by leading organizations such as Alchemy, HiBob, Moveworks, and Payhawk for developing fast, secure, and intuitive apps.

Superblocks pricing

  • Basic Plan: Free of charge

  • Pro Plan: Starting at $ 49/month for creators and  $15 per month for end users  

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing 

DronaHQ 

An image with a screenshot of DronaHQ's admin panel.

Drona HQ is a modern low-code development platform designed for developers, CTOs, and product managers to build internal tools on top of any APIs, databases, or third-party applications without extensive coding. DronaHQ has successfully mobilized over 2,000 apps for more than 100 enterprise-class customers, supporting over 1 million users on its platform. 

The platform is trusted by 100+ brands globally as it offers a rich library of pre-built UI components, ready DB and connectors, and pre-designed app templates to build internal tools rapidly with lesser engineering efforts. 

Additionally, the platform also offers efficient workflow management, data visualization, optimizing operations, data visualization, accelerating idea implementation, and internal tool creation. 

Drona HQ pricing

  • Basic Plan: Free of charge

  • Starter Plan: Starting at  $10/user/month

  • Business Plan: Starting at $25/user/month

  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

So far, you have learned about the top low-code platforms in detail. Now, let’s understand the benefits of using open-source low-code platforms. 

Top 6 benefits of using open-source low-code platforms

This section will focus on the major advantages of using open-source low-code platforms.

1. Freedom from vendor lock-in

Open-source low-code platforms lessen dependency on a single vendor, enabling greater control over data and technology choices. Freedom from vendor lock-in allows users to modify, rebuild, and scale applications in response to the constantly changing business environment.

With open source, the developers can see how the code works and can make changes to it. This enables the users to customize the software to meet their organization’s specific requirements.  

2. Empowers community collaboration

The open-source nature of low-code platforms fosters a collaborative ecosystem where users contribute to the platform's growth and development. This community-driven approach enables rapid innovation and problem-solving, creating a more versatile, robust, and progressive platform that adapts quickly to emerging technologies and user needs.

One of the key advantages is the active developer community that provides invaluable support and resources on how to leverage the platform. Developers have access to forums, tutorials, and peer reviews, ensuring their work is enhanced and well-maintained. This collaborative environment not only supports individual growth but also empowers developers to deliver higher-quality software.

Furthermore, the community can propose new features, submit bug fixes, and develop overall modules, directly contributing to the platform's evolution. This collective effort results in a more secure and adaptable platform, benefiting the entire user base.

3. Provides transparency fostering trust

One of the major advantages of using open-source low-code platforms is the transparency they provide. Users can examine the entire codebase, fostering a higher level of trust in the software vendor. This openness ensures that users can identify potential vulnerabilities, verify compliance with internal policies or external regulations, and understand the platform’s workings at a deeper level.

Additionally, the public availability of the code offers a sense of reliability, making these platforms suitable for long-term projects with reduced stress about abrupt discontinuation. This transparency builds confidence in the platform’s integrity, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about its use.

4. Offers self-hosting for complete control over data 

Open-source low-code platforms offer the flexibility of self-hosting, which gives organizations complete control over their data and infrastructure. This capability is of utter importance for companies with strict data privacy requirements or the ones operating in highly regulated industries. 

With self-hosting, users can customize the hosting environment, integrate seamlessly with security measures, and optimize performance based on specific needs. These features put an end to the dependency on external hosting providers, resulting in lower costs and improved data sovereignty. 

Looking for a developer-centric low-code platform for your business?

Automate with Appsmith’s built-in features and boost the productivity of your overall organization.

5-step process to finding the right open source low-code platform

This is the step-by-step process through which users can choose the right open-source low-code platform.

1. Define your needs

Start by understanding your needs and the kind of applications you are looking forward to building with an open-source low-code platform. Consider important factors such as the application’s complexity, required integration with existing systems, the technical skills of your team, and development preferences.

2. Research and shortlist platforms

Explore the landscape of open-source low-code platforms currently available in the market through extensive research. Recognize the platforms that meet your specific requirements, have positive user feedback, and have all the important features and functionalities. Compile a shortlist of 3-5 platforms that appear to best suit your needs.

3. Evaluate key features

Once you have shortlisted the platforms, it is time to explore the features and capabilities of each platform. Assess the key factors of the platforms such as ease of use, the effectiveness of the drag-and-drop interface, availability of pre-built templates and components, data integration capabilities, scalability, security features, and deployment options (cloud, on-premises, or hybrid).

4. Assess community and vendor support

Evaluate the support level vendors offer including the training resources, customer service, and documentation. Also pay close attention to the platform’s user community and ecosystem, as a strong community can provide valuable resources and tutorials.  

5. Test and finalize an open-source low-code platform for your business 

After you have narrowed down your options, you should request demos or free trials from the top contenders. Run a pilot project or proof of concept to test the platform in a real-world scenario. Engage your development team and potential end-users to collect feedback on usability, performance, and overall experience.

Looking for a reliable open-source low-code solution?

Open-source low-code platforms offer a combination of flexibility, community-driven development, and cost efficiency. In this blog, we have listed the top 3 open-source low-code platforms that leverage the benefits of low-code development while maintaining control over their software's evolution and customization.

Appsmith is one of the leading open-source low-code platforms designed for developing internal tools like dashboards, CRUD apps, admin panels, and database GUIs. With its open-source nature, you will get full transparency and customization capabilities that ensure you can tailor your applications perfectly to your needs without any vendor lock-in concerns. 

Frequently asked questions about open-source low-code platforms

 1. Can I integrate open-source low-code platforms with other tools and systems?

Yes, the majority of open-source low-code platforms are designed by keeping in mind the integration capabilities. These platforms offer APIs, webhooks, and pre-built connectors to facilitate integration with a wide range of external tools and systems.

This integration comprises CRM systems, databases, messaging platforms, and other business applications. Due to the open-source nature of these platforms, you can develop custom integration when required, which offers the flexibility to connect to any system virtually.  

2. How do open-source low-code platforms handle scalability?

Open-source low-code platforms offer robust scalability options for accommodating growing business needs. Many open-source low-code platforms are built on modern and scalable architectures that can handle increased load and data volume. These platforms support horizontal scaling by adding more servers or nodes, and vertical scaling by upgrading existing hardware. 

Open-source platforms also incorporate features like caching mechanisms and database optimization to ensure performance as the application grows. The open-source community contributes to improvements in scalability, shares best practices, and develops extensions to improve performance under high-load scenarios.

3. Why are open-source platforms not completely free?

Open-source low-code platforms offer free access to their source code, but they aren’t entirely cost-free to implement and maintain. Organizations might have to incur expenses when it comes to support, hosting, and customization. Some open-source projects provide premium features or enterprise support for a specific fee that will fund ongoing development and maintenance. 

Sometimes, indirect costs may be associated with training staff, integrating the platform with existing systems, and ensuring security and compliance. The costs associated with open-source low-code platforms are lesser when compared to proprietary solutions.

4. Who is the largest open-source low-code platform? 

Deciding the “largest” open-source low-code platform can be subjective and depends on various factors such as community size, user base, or feature set. Some of the well-known open-source low-code platforms are Appsmith and Budibase. 

These platforms are widely known in the developer community and are used for building internal tools and applications. One of the most important things about open-source low-code platforms is their dynamic nature.