While Appsmith is a low-code tool catered for medium-sized organizations and up, you might want to try other options. Some great Appsmith alternatives include Adalo for simplicity, Retool if you’re a techie, and Bubble for flexibility.
Read on to learn more about:
- Why people seek Appsmith alternatives
- How we chose our 8 alternatives to Appsmith
- Reviews with ideal audience, features, and pricing
Let’s take at our 8 favorite Appsmith alternatives.
The Top 8 Alternatives to Appsmith
Why Look for Appsmith Alternatives?
Many folks explore Appsmith or test out its free version and decide it’s not a good fit. Here are some reasons why many folks seek app builders other than Appsmith:
- Rigid pricing tiers: Appsmith’s first pricing tier starts at $40/month. However, if you need more functionality, you’ll have to contact their sales department and get customized enterprise pricing — which usually starts around $1,000/month.
These costs are incredibly high compared to other app builders’ second pricing tiers, ranging from $65/month to $250/month.
- Limited monthly use: Appsmith is one of the only app-building platforms that limits monthly usage on a per-hour basis. For instance, the $40/month version only allows for 100 hours of usage from logged-in users, with additional hours costing $0.40/hour.
This could significantly increase monthly costs for larger companies with hundreds of logged-in users.
- Makes internal business tools only: The Appsmith platform is designed to create business process apps and software, like CRM and Kanban boards, accounting tools, and project management apps. You’ll be out of luck if you want to create an app for booking, e-commerce, or any other function that servers non-logged-in users.
How We Chose Appsmith Alternatives
Because there are so many options out there, we prioritized the 3 following features when boiling down our list of Appsmith alternatives:
- Free version or free trial: You can test each Appsmith alternative free of cost. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the app-building platform best suited for your needs, so if you purchase a paid plan, you know what you’re getting.
- Component and template libraries: An app-building platform is only as good as the components it offers. Components, like widgets, chat features, integrations, and much more, can give your app power and unique functionalities while providing a smooth user experience.
- Customization: All the Appsmith alternatives allow you to customize your app to your preferences and brand requirements. You can configure your app’s structure, add your pictures and logos, and change the color schemes so your app meets your exact needs.
The Top 8 Alternatives to Appsmith
#1 Adalo
Advantages Over Appsmith
Because Adalo is a no-code mobile app builder, you won’t need any technical or coding knowledge to use it. Yet, Adalo doesn’t skimp on power, as the platform features tons of design freedom and allows for building both internal business apps and external client-facing apps.
Ideal Users
Adalo is the platform we’ve recommended more than any other for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small and medium businesses. We’ve done so because Adalo is intuitive enough to use right after signing up yet powerful enough to bring any app idea to life.
Pricing
Start using Adalo for only $45/month (billed monthly).
The Bottom Line
If you want to create an app for your business operations or one for non-logged-in users that you can publish to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, Adalo is the best Appsmith alternative.
#2 Retool
Advantages Over Appsmith
Retool is a low-code and budget-friendly Appsmith alternative. It provides everything you need to build internal operations apps that you can publish on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Ideal Users
Retool best suits businesses of all sizes, like individual freelancers, gigantic global companies, and everything in between. However, to use this low-code platform, you will need some tech skills, such as knowledge of programming languages' structures.
Pricing
Retool pricing starts at as little as $10/month per user and goes as high as $50/month per user.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a cheap, low-code Appsmith alternative to create apps for your business processes, look no further than Retool.
#3 Bubble
Advantages Over Appsmith
Bubble, a no-code web app builder, provides loads more flexibility than Appsmith, as you can create almost any app you need. To really power up your app, Bubble gives you access to over 3,000 components. While Bubble is a more difficult no-code platform, it doesn’t require any tech skills.
Ideal Users
Any individual or enormous organization needing a flexible no-code platform can leverage Bubble to build high-quality, unique apps. But you’ll need to put in some time to learn about the complex building interface.
Pricing
Start using Bubble at $32/month (billed monthly) — the most expensive version (besides customized enterprise plans) is $399/month (billed monthly).
The Bottom Line
Bubble is a super flexible, insanely customizable, no-code web app builder that lets you create nearly anything — as long as you have the time to master the platform.
#4 Backendless
Advantages Over Appsmith
Backendless, another low-code Appsmith alternative, has a straightforward frontend building interface. Yet, the backend builder leverages Backendless’s own coding language, Codeless, empowering techies to craft a unique backend that functions precisely how they want it.
Ideal Users
Backendless has budget-friendly plans for small businesses. It also has specialized features, such as on-prem hosting (publishing your app on your server), appealing to medium and large organizations.
Pricing
Get Backendless for as little as $15/month. Then, it allows you to add more individual features at prices from $10/month to $50/month. Pricing plans for large businesses are customized, so contact Backendless through the website for more info.
The Bottom Line
If you know exactly what you want in your app, or you need to host your app on your own servers, Backendless might be the best Appsmith alternative for you.
#5 Nintex
Advantages Over Appsmith
Are you looking to automate your processes using an easy, no-code platform? Nintex provides all the tools for automating repetitive tasks and workflows.
Ideal Users
Nintex is specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses in the financial, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail industries. It provides stringent security measures like SOC Type 2, SOC Type 3, and HIPAA compliance, helping lock down sensitive client information.
Pricing
Nintex specifically targets large organizations and enterprises, and its pricing, starting at $2,400/month (billed monthly), reflects this.
The Bottom Line
If you’re an enterprise looking for an alternative to Appsmith, give Nintex a shot.
#6 Softr
Advantages Over Appsmith
Softr is an easy-to-use, no-code web app builder that allows businesses of all sizes to create web apps on the fly. You can also leverage Soft’s AI builder to develop specific pieces of your frontend with a simple prompt.
Ideal Users
No matter how big or small your business, Softr’s got you covered. But you’ll need to start with an external database. Luckily, Softr integrates with MySQL, Airtable, Xano, SmartSuite, and more, so you can connect your database with a few easy clicks.
Pricing
Softr’s cheapest plan starts at $59/month, and its most expensive one (besides custom enterprise pricing) is $269/month.
The Bottom Line
Transform any business data into an app for almost any business process or task with Softr.
#7 Glide
Advantages Over Appsmith
For businesses that want to create attention-grabbing apps with unparalleled aesthetics, Glide is the Appsmith alternative of choice. Glide doesn’t sacrifice functionality, either, as it offers a robust database builder in Glide Tables and provides a powerful AI tool for summarizing documents, describing images, and more.
Ideal Users
Businesses of all sizes needing a modern-looking internal business app that isn’t just a head-turner but also delivers a boost of functionality will find Glide helpful.
Pricing
Glide has 3 pricing tiers, including $86/month, $249/month, and customized enterprise plans.
The Bottom Line
Glide is a splendid no-code web app builder that offers a viable alternative to Appsmith for anyone needing beautiful business apps.
#8 Draftbit
Advantages Over Appsmith
Draftbit is a low-code app builder that offers more than Appsmith: It’s designed for creating both internal business apps and client-facing apps. You’ll also be able to publish your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, potentially getting it in front of millions.
Ideal Users
Draftbit has a plan for everyone — solo business owners, app-building agencies, and businesses of all sizes. However, to use Draftbit, you’ll need tech experience, like knowing how to markup database schema and having a good grasp of APIs.
Pricing
Draftbit starts at $29/month for individuals and businesses and tops out at $249/month. Agency plans range from $129/month to $995/month. And if you want the Draftbit team to build your app for you, pricing starts at $2,000.
The Bottom Line
Draftbit is a versatile Appsmith alternative that suits the needs of businesses, agencies, and folks who want to outsource their app building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Cheapest Appsmith Alternative?
Bubble, Draftbit, Retool, and Backendless are all the cheapest options, with plans starting at under $40/month. But Draftbit, Retool, and Backendless all require some tech background, and while Bubble is no-code, the learning curve is tough.
We recommend Adalo, which is only $45/month and is accessible to anyone who can create a Facebook account.
What Is the Best for Non-technical Users?
Adalo, Glide, Bubble, and Softr are 4 no-code platforms available. Yet, Adalo is the easiest and most powerful option of these 4 — it’s the easiest to learn, you won’t need an external database, and it provides enough design freedom to create an app just as you imagine.
What Is the Best for Enterprises?
While most platforms on this list provide enterprise solutions, Nintex and Backendless are our top 2. This is because these platforms offer enterprise-specific features, like advanced security and hosting your app on-prem.
'{{rich-cta}}'
Adalo: Your Simplified Appsmith Alternative
Need a simple, no-code app builder that doesn’t sacrifice power? Adalo’s your go-to.
Adalo’s drag-and-drop interface is more straightforward than PowerPoint, meaning you can use Adalo right out of the box. However, Adalo comes packed with dozens of components 1,000s of integrations, and grants enough design freedom to custom-craft every bit of your app.
Adalo is the Appsmith alternative that lets you publish your app on the web, in the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store so that you can get your app in front of a sizeable crowd. Get Adalo’s free version and build your app today.
.png)
.png)
.png)
