Best / No-code app builders
Best open-source No-code app builders
The best self-hosted no-code split in the c17.io catalog is Appsmith for Apache-2.0 internal apps (the published Retool / Bubble-shaped admin path), Budibase when you want that GPLv3 low-code box (skip packages/pro — BSL), ToolJet when you want that AGPL-3.0 builder, Baserow when the job is an Airtable-shaped grid rather than an app, and Teable as an AGPL-3.0 grid. NocoDB is Sustainable Use License, not OSI — ranked last. This is not Bubble's every visual SKU, Glide's every spreadsheet-to-app theme, Softr's every Airtable portal, Adalo's every mobile component, or AppSheet's every Google-sheet automation.
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Ranked picks
1
AppsmithApache-2.0 internal tools — the c17 Retool / Bubble / AppSheet admin path. /compare/budibase-vs-tooljet.
When to pick it: Admin screens on a database you already have.
2
BudibaseGPLv3 overall low-code apps. packages/pro is BSL — skip it. /compare/budibase-vs-tooljet.
When to pick it: Ops apps if Appsmith is not the shape.
28,331 stars in the catalog
3
TooljetAGPL-3.0 internal apps already on /replace/retool. /compare/budibase-vs-tooljet.
When to pick it: The other Retool-shaped builder.
4
BaserowOpen-source Airtable-shaped grid already on /replace/airtable. /compare/teable-vs-baserow.
When to pick it: A spreadsheet UI, not a customer-facing Bubble app.
5
TeableAGPL-3.0 Airtable-shaped spreadsheet — /compare/teable-vs-baserow.
When to pick it: A no-code grid if Baserow is not the product.
21,905 stars in the catalog
6
NocoDBSpreadsheet over SQL. LICENSE is Sustainable Use License — not OSI.
When to pick it: A source-available grid if you accept SUL.
65,300 stars in the catalog
How they compare
| Tool | License | Self-host | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | Not listed | Medium | Admin screens on a database you already have. |
| Budibase | GPL-3.0 | Medium | Ops apps if Appsmith is not the shape. |
| Tooljet | Not listed | Medium | The other Retool-shaped builder. |
| Baserow | Not listed | Easy | A spreadsheet UI, not a customer-facing Bubble app. |
| Teable | AGPL-3.0 | Medium | A no-code grid if Baserow is not the product. |
| NocoDB | Sustainable Use License | Easy | A source-available grid if you accept SUL. |
Related pages
- Baserow + Appsmith stack
- Grist stack
- bolt.diy stack
- Replace Airtable
- Replace Retool
- Replace Smartsheet
- Replace Bubble
- Replace Glide
- Replace Softr
- Replace Adalo
- Replace AppSheet
- Replace OutSystems
- Replace Mendix
- Replace Google Sheets
- Replace Lovable
- Replace Bolt.new
- Replace v0
- Budibase vs ToolJet
- Teable vs Baserow
- All best open-source pages
- All compare pages
- All replace pages
- All stacks
- Tools catalog
FAQ
- Appsmith or Budibase?
- Appsmith if you want the published Apache-2.0 admin path. Budibase if you want that GPLv3 box — skip packages/pro. /compare/budibase-vs-appsmith and /compare/budibase-vs-tooljet.
- Bubble, Glide, Softr, Adalo, or AppSheet?
- Same published low-code desk — /replace/bubble-io, /replace/glide, /replace/softr, /replace/adalo, and /replace/appsheet. This is not Bubble's visual OS.
- Is this Lovable?
- Prompt-to-app stays on /replace/lovable (bolt.diy). This page is a builder on a database.
- Are these free?
- Appsmith is Apache-2.0. Budibase overall is GPLv3; skip BSL pro. ToolJet is AGPL-3.0. NocoDB is SUL. You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
- How do I deploy it?
- Open /stacks/baserow-appsmith. Postgres behind the grid. One Appsmith screen on top.
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