11 Best Appsmith Alternatives for 2025 to Build Internal Tools

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform mainly used for building internal tools such as dashboards, admin panels, and CRUD apps. Devs like it because it’s self-hostable, has solid support for APIs and databases, and lets you write JavaScript pretty much anywhere.

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But depending on your use case, team size, and infrastructure preferences, it might not check every box. 

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In this article, we’ll cover: 

• The top reasons to choose an Appsmith alternative
• The 11 best Appsmith alternatives in 2024
• Why Superblocks is the best alternative for those looking for an open but still managed option

Let’s start with why people look for Appsmith alternatives.

Why people look for Appsmith alternatives

Appsmith is an excellent low-code development tool, but users often seek alternatives for several reasons. 

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These reasons include:

• Limited customization: Appsmith supports JavaScript and database queries, but it lacks full backend scripting capabilities like Python or Node.js execution, which limits its flexibility for more complex workflows and integrations.
• Not built for real-time data or streaming use cases: Appsmith doesn’t support real-time data streaming out of the box.
• Steep learning curve for non-technical users: Appsmith is more developer-first, which is great for teams with coding experience. But it’s not ideal for business users looking for no-code simplicity.
• Deployment complexity for self-hosting: Not everyone wants to deal with Docker, updates, and scaling on their own. Some teams want that, others want something fully managed. Unfortunately, managed hosting is only available as an add-on in the Enterprise plan or in the limited free tier.
• Pricing concerns: Deploying Appsmith comes with hidden costs. Managing updates, uptime, backups, and scaling infrastructure can get expensive when you factor in time and dev resources.

Read more in our Appsmith review article.

The top 11 Appsmith alternatives: At a glance

Here’s a quick look at the most popular alternatives teams should consider when Appsmith isn’t the perfect fit. We’ll go deeper into each one below:

1. Superblocks: An open enterprise app platform for building internal tools, backend jobs, and automations using low code, AI, and real code.
2. Retool: A low-code platform for building internal tools with a wide selection of UI templates and integrations.
3. Budibase: An open-source platform like Appsmith, but with built-in database support if you don’t want to manage one yourself.
4. OutSystems: A heavy-duty platform for building full-stack apps, not just internal tools. Think custom web and mobile apps with scalable architecture, integrated DevOps, and visual development. 
5. Appian: A mature low-code platform with a strong focus on business process automation, case management
6. ServiceNow App Engine: A platform that enables businesses to build custom applications on the ServiceNow platform with full ITSM/ITOM integration.

Special mentions

These tools don’t go 1:1 with Appsmith on every front. However, they’re still worth a look depending on your team’s needs:

7. Quickbase: Tailored for business users who want to build without writing code. It’s great for form-based workflows and reporting-heavy use cases. Less dev freedom than Appsmith, but it is more accessible for ops teams.
8. UI Bakery: A low-code internal tool builder with more design flexibility than Appsmith. Strong focus on data-driven UIs and more control over layout, styling, and design tokens.
9. DronaHQ: It offers strong mobile support out of the box for both iOS and Android. It offers mobile-specific features like push notifications and offline capabilities.
10. Kissflow: A no-code/low-code tool designed around business workflows and process automation. Easy to use for non-devs but less flexible for complex builds.
11. NocoDB: Turns your SQL database into a smart Airtable-like UI. Great for quick internal apps with minimal setup. It’s lightweight and open-source.

How we chose the best Appsmith alternatives

To curate this list, we focused on key factors that make a platform a strong alternative to Appsmith. 

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Here’s what we prioritized:

Ease of use

Some platforms are easier to get started with than others. We prioritized tools where you can get an app or automated workflow up and running fast without needing to deep-dive into setup scripts or write a bunch of glue code.

Customization & flexibility 

We picked platforms that give you more control over layout and styling. We included tools that support Python, Node.js, or custom components. 

Integration capabilities

If a tool can’t talk to your database, APIs, or third-party services, it’s a non-starter. Every platform on this list supports robust integrations so you’re not constantly duct-taping stuff together.

Scalability & performance 

We looked for tools that can handle real production workloads, offer RBAC, support multi-environment deployment, or integrate with your CI/CD setup.

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We also factored in a few extras:

• Open-source vs. paid: Some teams want full control. Others are happy to pay for polish and support. We included a mix of both.
• Security and compliance: We gave extra weight to platforms with built-in security features like role-based access control, audit logging, and hybrid deployment options.
• Community and documentation: Good support and active communities go a long way, especially for open-source tools.
• Pricing transparency: We gave extra points to platforms that are upfront about what you’re paying for.

The top Appsmith alternatives in 2025

Let’s now go into more detail. We’ll cover each platform’s key features, ideal users, and pricing:

1. Superblocks 

Superblocks is a developer-first enterprise app platform built for teams that want the ease of low code — plus, the flexibility of traditional development, without having to manage the underlying infrastructure themselves. Compared to Appsmith, Superblocks offers significantly more extensibility, stronger support for modern development workflows, and a hybrid deployment option that makes it easier to balance convenience with data security.

Key features

• Flexible development: Offers a drag-and-drop UI builder, pre-built templates, a visual workflow editor, and fully extensible components. You can also generate and edit code using AI.
• AI integration: Integrate with AI models like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini to build AI-powered workflows, jobs, and apps.
• No vendor lock-in: Superblocks apps are fully exportable. You can host and run your apps outside the platform.
• Supports more languages: While Appsmith supports JavaScript for logic and bindings, custom components are limited to a sandboxed iframe widget. In contrast, Superblocks gives developers full flexibility to extend with JavaScript, Node.js, and Python and even build fully custom components using React.
• Full CI/CD integration: Supports Git-based version control, automated testing, and CI/CD integrations for efficient building, testing, and deployment of apps.
• Enterprise-grade security: Comes with built-in granular role-based access control (RBAC) and audit logging. Also supports SSO and integration with identity providers.
• Deployment flexibility: Deploy in the cloud, or keep data on-prem with Superblocks’ lightweight, open-source On-Prem Agent. It’s simpler to deploy and less expensive to manage than Appsmith’s self-hosting setup.
• Deeper data and API connectivity: Connects directly to SQL databases, REST APIs, GraphQL, and other external systems.​
• Native streaming support: Has native integrations for connecting to streaming platforms like Kafka, Confluent, Kinesis, Google Pub/Sub, and more. You can also stream responses from AI models across chats, and other content.

Ideal users

• Enterprise teams that require a high degree of code customization over their internal apps within a low-code framework.​
• Organizations aiming to centralize their tooling under one governable platform without vendor lock-in.

Pricing 

Superblocks pricing is based on a per-user model. We have a free plan for up to 5 users. This free plan supports unlimited apps, workflows, and jobs. The paid plans start at $15 per end-user/month or $49 per creator/month. 

The bottom line

If you like Appsmith's openness but prefer the convenience of a managed service, Superblocks strikes a strong balance. You get hybrid deployment, full-code support on both the frontend and backend, and the freedom to export your code, so you’re never locked in. It’s built for teams that value flexibility without extra infrastructure overhead.

2. Retool 

Retool is one of the most recognized names in internal tooling. It’s popular with developers who want to assemble apps quickly using a drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and ready-to-use templates.

Key features

• Visual builder: Comes with 300+ templates and a set of pre-built UI components you can drag to assemble your app visually.
• Strong out-of-the-box integrations: Easily connects to databases, cloud services, REST APIs, and other third-party apps without much configuration.
• Reusable components: You can build custom components or reuse existing ones across apps.
• Self-hosting and cloud options: Offers both cloud and self-hosted deployments. Though self-hosting isn’t exactly plug-and-play. It requires managing Docker containers, persistent storage, secrets, licensing keys, and occasional manual upgrades. 

Ideal users

• Teams that value speed over deep customization and prefer template-driven workflows.
• Teams that need internal tools with mobile-responsive designs but don’t require fully native mobile app development.

Pricing 

Retool offers a free plan for up to 5 users, with paid plans starting at $10/month per builder and $5/month per end user. More advanced features like access control and audit logs are part of their higher-tier plans.

The bottom line

If you’re looking for a quick way to build internal tools using templates and pre-built components, Retool is one of the most widely adopted options. However, it’s not the most customizable. It also lacks Python scripting support, and you can’t export your code and host it outside the platform. 

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If you prefer a more code-enabled environment with more language support and zero lock-in that still includes templates and drag-and-drop components, Superblocks is worth considering.

3. OutSystems

OutSystems is built for large-scale enterprise application development. It offers a visual development environment, support for mobile and web apps, and built-in tools for performance monitoring, DevOps, and lifecycle management.

Key features

• Full stack visual development: You can build pages, logic, APIs, data models, and workflows in a drag-and-drop interface. It supports responsive web, native mobile, and progressive web apps (PWAs).
• Built-in DevOps tooling: Includes out-of-the-box CI/CD pipelines, version control, environment management, and automated testing.
• Extensible with custom code: You can drop down to traditional code with JavaScript, C#, or SQL for custom logic, UI components, or external integrations.
• Mobile-first capabilities: Supports offline sync, native device features (camera, GPS, push notifications), and one-click packaging for iOS and Android apps.

Ideal users

• Enterprises modernizing legacy systems or delivering high-scale business apps.
• Businesses building apps that need to work offline, integrate with native mobile features, and scale on both web and mobile with a single codebase.

Pricing

OutSystems offers a free plan with limited features, but pricing for full functionality is typically enterprise-grade and quote-based, depending on app complexity and deployment needs.

The bottom line

OutSystems is a strong choice for large enterprises with complex app needs and long-term lifecycle requirements. However, it’s a heavier platform both in complexity and pricing compared to most of the other tools on this list. 

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It also doesn’t offer true code export unless you fully migrate away from the platform. If code portability or long-term ownership is important to your team especially when compared to platforms like Appsmith or Superblocks this is definitely something to factor in.

4. Budibase

Budibase is a solid option for teams that want to host their own tooling infrastructure and prefer open-source software. It offers a simple builder for internal apps, supports external and internal data sources, and provides RBAC, custom components, and automation features.

Key features

• Open-source and self-hostable: Like Appsmith, Budibase is fully open-source. It supports Docker-based self-hosting, which gives you full control over your data and infrastructure. It also offers a cloud-hosted version.
• Built-in database and data sources: Use Budibase’s built-in CouchDB-style database for fast prototyping, or connect to external sources like PostgreSQL.
• Drag-and-drop UI builder: Create UIs with reusable components like tables, forms, charts, and buttons.
• Automation tools: Includes a built-in automation engine to trigger actions based on user events, database changes, or schedules. You can configure these with logic blocks or custom JavaScript code.
• Custom components and design control: Modify UI components or build custom ones to suit internal use cases.

Ideal users

• Teams looking for a self-managed, open-source internal tooling platform.
• Organizations that want an easier way of building data-driven applications.

Pricing

Budibase is free to use for up to 5 users in the cloud or 25 for self-hosted. Uniquely, the paid plan includes OIDC SSO and RBAC. Paid cloud plans start at $50 per month for creators and $5 per end user.

The bottom line

Budibase is a great fit for teams that prioritize data ownership and self-hosting. When you compare Budibase vs Appsmith pricing, Budibase has better support for cloud-hosting across its pricing tiers. 

5. Appian

Appian provides a low-code environment for designing, automating, and optimizing complex processes and workflows. It's particularly renowned for its capabilities in business process management (BPM) and case management.

Key features

• Business process automation: Provides tools to model, automate, and optimize complex workflows.
• Data integration: Appian's Data Fabric feature enables integration with various data sources and presents a unified view of information across an organization.
• AI capabilities: Appian incorporates AI features like document classification and intelligent document extraction that help process large volumes of data efficiently.​
• Deployment options: Offers deployment options across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environments.

Ideal users

• Enterprises needing to automate regulated, high-complexity business processes.
• Teams that prioritize workflow orchestration and enterprise compliance over custom development.

Pricing

Appian’s pricing is enterprise-focused and quote-based. It’s generally priced higher than most low-code platforms. However, they have a free community edition for testing and learning purposes.

The bottom line

Appian is built for process-heavy environments and excels in workflow orchestration at scale. However, it’s not the ideal choice for teams looking for a more straightforward, user-friendly application development platform.​ It can be quite complex to understand and often needs specialized Appian developers.

6. ServiceNow App Engine

ServiceNow App Engine is designed to help organizations build and automate workflows tied to IT service management, HR, and other operational or change management functions. It’s a natural fit for teams already using ServiceNow, offering a streamlined way to extend the platform with custom apps, forms, and approval flows.

Key features

• Low-code support: Offers pre-built templates and a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to build applications rapidly without extensive coding knowledge.
• Workflow automation: Tools like Flow Designer and Process Automation Designer allow users to build and manage complex workflows without coding.
• AI-powered functionality: Built-in AI capabilities, such as predictive intelligence and virtual agents, simplify tasks like process mining and issue resolution.
• Integration capabilities: Lets you connect to existing ServiceNow modules and third-party services (like Slack, Zoom, SAP, etc.) using pre-built connectors and no-code actions.

Ideal users

• Enterprises already invested in ServiceNow looking to extend it with custom workflows and apps.
• IT and operations teams building tools tightly integrated with existing ServiceNow data and workflows.

Pricing

ServiceNow pricing is quote-based, with App Engine typically sold as an add-on to the core ServiceNow platform. It’s best suited to large organizations with an existing ServiceNow footprint.

The bottom line

ServiceNow App Engine is best when you're deep in the ServiceNow ecosystem and want to automate workflows without leaving it. It’s less suited for teams that need custom, standalone apps or backend logic outside the ServiceNow platform, but it delivers well for internal, operations-focused use cases.

Build faster and stay in control with Superblocks

Superblocks stands out as a smarter alternative to Appsmith for teams that want full control over their apps without giving up the convenience of a low-code platform. It offers deeper customization, stronger AI-assisted development, code portability, and most notably greater deployment flexibility. 

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Its hybrid OPA (on-premise agent) lets you keep the application layer in the Superblocks cloud while hosting sensitive data entirely within your infrastructure. That makes it ideal for teams that want the ease of a managed service and the security of on-prem data.

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If you’d like to see these features in practice, take a look at our Quickstart guide, or better yet try Superblocks for free.