Looking for a robust Appsmith alternative to build internal tools faster, easier, and with more flexibility?

Whether you’re scaling a startup or managing enterprise workflows, finding the right low-code platform can make or break your development velocity. While Appsmith has earned its place in the internal tool space, it may not be the best fit for every team, especially if you need more extensibility, better open-source governance, or enterprise-grade scalability.

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform designed to help developers rapidly build internal applications by connecting to databases and APIs. Launched in 2019, it has gained popularity for its intuitive drag-and-drop UI, custom JavaScript capabilities, and active developer community. 

Available in both cloud and self-hosted versions, Appsmith is widely used by startups and mid-sized teams looking to reduce frontend workload while maintaining control over app logic and data flow.

While Appsmith is a popular open-source platform for building internal tools, it may not fit every team’s workflow or technical requirements. Developers often look for alternatives due to:

Appsmith’s component customization can feel restrictive when designing more complex or dynamic interfaces.

Performance can sometimes lag for apps with high data volume or many concurrent users.

Developers needing advanced business logic or scripting beyond JavaScript might find the platform limiting.

Teams managing multiple apps or environments often need more robust Git integration or CI/CD workflows.

While Appsmith supports self-hosting, not all enterprise-level needs (like air-gapped environments or custom SLAs) are fully addressed.

Choosing the right platform is about balancing developer freedom, scalability, and team collaboration. That’s why many teams explore other options that better align with their tech stack, app complexity, and long-term goals.

Also, read our latest blog on “Top 10 UI Bakery alternatives to try in 2025”. 

Appsmith alternatives	Known for	Pricing	Headquarters
ToolJet	Enterprise-ready with built-in compliance, granular access control, and governance features.	A free trial of 14 days is available. Paid plan starts at $79/user/month	San Francisco, USA
Retool	Fast internal tool development, enterprise-ready	Free (limited) • Teams: from $10/month/standard user + $5/month/end user	USA
Superblocks	Backend-first workflows, developer focus	Custom pricing options are available.	USA
UI Bakery	Clean UI design, role-based access, cloud hosting	Free plan available; Paid plan starts at $5 / month per user + $10/month/developer	EU
DronaHQ	Mobile-friendly apps, enterprise use cases	Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $15/user/month	India
Budibase	Built-in DB, workflow automation, self-hosting	Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $50/app creator/month + $5/app user/month	UK
OutSystems	Full-stack enterprise low-code development	Custom pricing is available. Paid plan starts at $36,300.	Boston, USA
Appian	Business process automation, enterprise workflows	Custom pricing options are available.	McLean, Virginia, USA
Quickbase	Workflow automation, no-code business apps	Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $35/user/month, billed annually	Boston, USA
NocoDB	Airtable-like UI for database management	Free plans are available. Paid plans start at $12/seat/month, billed annually. It is $108/month, billed annually for unlimited seats.	San Fransico, USA

ToolJet is a powerful AI-powered full-stack app development platform for building internal apps quickly. With over 70 integrations and full JavaScript customization, it provides teams with complete flexibility. Built with enterprises in mind, ToolJet also offers robust compliance, advanced access control, and governance features, enabling organizations to scale securely and confidently.

It supports a wide range of databases, REST APIs, and third-party services, making it highly flexible and developer-friendly.

Pros:

• Open-source and self-hostable
• Drag-and-drop UI builder with 60+ components
• 70+ integrations 
• Built-in version control, Git sync, granular access, and role-based access
• Enterprise-grade security 
• Cost-effective
• Strong community
• Robust customer support 
• AI agent builder

Cons:

• Learning curve

A leading low-code platform specializing in enterprise-grade internal tools. Offers powerful database and API integrations, extensive templates, and advanced developer controls.

Pros:

• Rapid UI development with a drag-and-drop interface and rich set of components
• Deep integrations with nearly 30 data sources and APIs, ideal for complex data-centric apps
• Enterprise-ready features like role-based access, audit logs, and template libraries 

Cons:

• Pricing scales quickly and may be expensive for growing teams or public-facing apps 
• The UI can lag during heavy use, and some components like Mapbox have limited customization 
• Lacks native HIPAA/BaaS compliance and full mobile support on self-hosted plans 

Developer-centric low-code platform with strong back-end workflow capabilities, visual API integrations, and hybrid deployment options. 

Pros:

• Extremely intuitive for building POCs and automation; many users describe it as “one of the best low‑code solutions”. 
• Strong integration of API setup with UI configuration, with live previews and code auto-complete support. 
• Flexible scripting for front-end (JS/React) and back-end (Python/Node.js), plus enterprise-grade security and deployments

Cons:

• Limited UI components compared to competitors like ToolJet or Retool
• Collaboration can be tricky without proper version control—changes are shared live by default. 

UI Bakery is a low-code platform focused on building beautiful, responsive internal tools with a strong emphasis on frontend customization and RBAC (role-based access control). It’s cloud-first but offers self-hosting for enterprise users.

Pros:

• Highly customizable UI with pixel-level control
• Strong role and permission management
• Offers both frontend and backend logic configuration

Cons:

• Fewer native data source integrations compared to Retool or ToolJet
• It can become expensive for teams to scale beyond a few users
• Backend logic capabilities are limited compared to more dev-centric platforms

Also, read our latest blog on “Top 10 UI Bakery alternatives to try in 2025”. 

DronaHQ is a versatile platform offering both low-code and no-code options. It excels in building responsive mobile and web apps with strong automation workflows and enterprise-grade controls.

Pros:

• Great for mobile-first app development
• Includes workflow automation and ready-made UI templates
• Offers granular access controls, custom domains, and offline mode

Cons:

• Slight learning curve for beginners
• The UI builder isn’t as smooth as newer platforms
• Limited open-source capabilities

Budibase is an open-source low-code platform built for internal tools. It features a built-in database, self-hosting support, and automation tools, making it a favorite for developers who want full control.

Pros:

• Open-source and easy to self-host
• Comes with its own built-in database
• Automation-friendly with form and table-based apps

Cons:

• Publishing to mobile app stores is difficult
• UI components and layout options are somewhat limited
• Performance can degrade with large-scale apps

OutSystems is a full-stack, low-code development platform for enterprises. It supports the creation of complex apps, including native mobile apps, with advanced DevOps and lifecycle management features.

Pros:

• Full-stack development (backend + frontend)
• Enterprise-grade scalability, compliance, and security
• Powerful visual development environment with CI/CD tools

Cons:

• High learning curve for small teams
• Expensive, with quote-based pricing not ideal for startups
• Overkill for simple internal apps or CRUD tools

Appian is a mature, enterprise-focused platform offering low-code tools for building process automation apps. It’s known for strong BPM (Business Process Management) capabilities and is widely used in regulated industries.

Pros:

• Excellent for automating complex business workflows
• Strong governance, compliance, and integration tools
• Built-in AI tools and enterprise SLAs

Cons:

• Pricing is opaque and typically high
• Less developer-friendly for UI customization or scripting
• Better suited for business users than technical teams

Quickbase is a no-code/low-code platform designed for business teams to build workflow automation apps without relying heavily on IT. It emphasizes simplicity, speed, and collaboration.

Pros:

• User-friendly and ideal for business process apps
• Fast to implement with built-in templates
• Great reporting and dashboard features

Cons:

• Limited flexibility for complex UIs or custom scripting
• API capabilities are not as robust as developer-first platforms
• It can get expensive quickly as users and apps scale

NocoDB is an open-source Airtable alternative that turns any SQL database into a smart spreadsheet interface. While not a full app builder, it’s ideal for managing data visually and collaborating with teams.

Pros:

• 100% free and open-source
• Easy to self-host and integrate with SQL databases
• Spreadsheet-style UI is intuitive and fast

Cons:

• Not designed for complex UI or app workflows
• Lacks built-in automation or scripting features
• Not ideal for building multi-page internal tools

G2 ratings: NA

Also, read our latest blog on the top Zoho Creator alternatives of 2025.

Before switching from Appsmith or adopting a new low-code platform, it’s important to evaluate your team’s needs, technical capabilities, and long-term goals. 

Here are key factors to consider:

Do you need a self-hosted, cloud, or air-gapped deployment? Choose a platform that aligns with your data privacy, compliance, and infrastructure requirements.

Some platforms are drag-and-drop only, while others allow custom code (JavaScript, Python, React). If your use cases are complex, pick a tool that lets developers go beyond visual builders.

Ensure the tool integrates easily with your existing databases, APIs, and third-party services. Native support for PostgreSQL, MongoDB, REST, and GraphQL can save hours of setup.

For teams managing sensitive data or working at scale, features like RBAC (Role-Based Access Control), audit logs, and SSO are essential.

Does the platform offer Git integration or app-level access permissions? Teams building multiple apps need smooth collaboration and deployment workflows.

Some tools charge per app, per user, or per creator. Make sure the pricing fits your usage model, whether you’re a startup or an enterprise.

A strong community and responsive support team can make a huge difference when you’re troubleshooting or scaling. Open-source platforms with active contributors are a plus.

If your internal tools need to be used on the go, consider platforms that offer mobile optimization or native mobile support.

While Appsmith is a dependable option for internal tool development, it may fall short when enterprise-grade security and governance are top priorities. Whether you’re a developer seeking more control, an enterprise requiring advanced compliance and scalability, or a startup aiming for rapid deployment, there’s a platform better aligned with your needs.

Evaluate your team’s goals, compliance requirements, budget, and technical expertise to choose the platform that strengthens your security posture while accelerating internal development.

Sign up for free now!