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No-Code · head to head

Appsmith vs Budibase

Appsmith logo

Appsmith

No-Code

The open-source low-code framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Budibase logo

Budibase

Spreadsheets

Build business apps in minutes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Appsmith the free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories; Budibase cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
  • They diverge on capability: Appsmith covers Database integration, Budibase covers Database design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Appsmith and Budibase actually diverge.

Attributes where Appsmith and Budibase differ
AttributeAppsmithBudibase
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
CategoryNo-CodeSpreadsheets

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Self-hosted), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2019).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Appsmith

  • Database integration
  • Git integration
  • GraphQL
  • Encryption

Only in Budibase

  • Database design
  • User management
  • Responsive design
  • Webhooks

Both cover

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • REST API
  • Workflows
  • Authentication
  • Custom code
  • 100+ integrations
  • REST API
  • Databases
  • GDPR
  • Self-hosted option
  • Cloud deployment
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Docker deployment
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Appsmith

  • Building internal admin panels over existing databases and APIsnot Budibase
  • Self-hosting a low-code internal tool platformnot Budibase
  • Custom CRUD dashboards for operations teamsnot Budibase
  • Versioning applications through Gitnot Budibase

Budibase

  • Building internal tools over existing databasesnot Appsmith
  • Self-hosting an open source low-code platformnot Appsmith
  • Admin panels and CRUD apps for operations teamsnot Appsmith
  • Automations triggered by data changesnot Appsmith

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Appsmith

  • The free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories
  • Workflows, custom roles and audit logs all require the Business plan at $15 per user per month
  • SAML and OIDC single sign-on need Enterprise, which starts at $2,500 a month with a 100 user minimum
  • Embedding an app privately is Enterprise only; the lower tiers embed publicly
  • Managed hosting is an Enterprise add-on rather than an included option

Budibase

  • Cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
  • Creator seats are limited and cost $50 each beyond the included count
  • End users are $5 per user per month on top of the plan
  • Custom branding needs Premium, SSO enforcement and environment variables need Business, and audit logs are Enterprise only
  • Log retention is tiered from 1 day on Pro to 365 days on Enterprise
  • Monthly billing costs 20 percent more than annual

Pricing, plan by plan

Appsmith

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users on cloud
    • 5 workspaces
    • 3 Git repos
  • Business$15/month per user
    • Up to 99 users
    • Unlimited workspaces and Git repos
    • Workflows and reusable packages
  • Enterprise$2500/month
    • Minimum 100 users
    • Unlimited users above 100
    • SAML/OIDC SSO

Budibase

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted
    • Community support
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud hosted
    • Limited features
  • Premium$50/month
    • Advanced features
    • Email support

Which should you pick?

Choose Appsmith if

  • You need database integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted.
  • You also want git integration.
Appsmith review

Choose Budibase if

  • You need database design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted.
  • You also want user management.
Budibase review

Questions people ask

Is Appsmith or Budibase better?
Neither clearly leads. Appsmith starts at Free and Budibase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Appsmith or Budibase?
Appsmith starts at Free and Budibase at Free.
Does Appsmith or Budibase run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Self-hosted, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Appsmith for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Appsmith best used for?
Appsmith is most often used for building internal admin panels over existing databases and apis, self-hosting a low-code internal tool platform, custom crud dashboards for operations teams, versioning applications through git. Of those, building internal admin panels over existing databases and apis and self-hosting a low-code internal tool platform are not what Budibase is typically brought in for.
What can Appsmith do that Budibase cannot?
Appsmith covers Database integration, Git integration, GraphQL, Encryption. Budibase covers Database design, User management, Responsive design, Webhooks. Both handle Drag-and-drop builder, REST API, Workflows, Authentication.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Appsmith: How much does Appsmith cost?

Appsmith offers a free plan for up to 5 users, a Business plan at $15 per user per month (up to 99 users), and an Enterprise plan starting at $2,500 per month for a minimum of 100 users with unlimited users available at that rate.

Source
Budibase: What happens if I exceed the monthly action limit on my plan?

Actions are hard monthly limits. Once you reach the limit on your plan (5K for Pro, 20K for Premium, 250K for Business), you must upgrade to a higher tier to continue using the service.

Source
Appsmith: Does Appsmith have a free version?

Yes, Appsmith's Free plan provides access for up to 5 users with 5 workspaces, 3 Git repos, and community support at no cost. All plans offer unlimited apps.

Source
Budibase: Is there a charge for additional users beyond what is included in my plan?

Yes. Each plan includes a limited number of creators (1 for Pro, expandable for Premium, 3 for Business), but end users are charged at $5 per user per month as an add-on.

Source
Appsmith: What does the Business plan include compared to Free?

The Business plan at $15 per user per month supports up to 99 users, provides unlimited workspaces and Git repos, includes workflows and reusable packages, premium integrations, custom roles, and access controls with email and chat support compared to the Free plan's community support only.

Source
Budibase: How much extra do I pay if I choose monthly billing instead of yearly?

Monthly billing costs 20% more than the yearly equivalent. For example, paying monthly for Pro at $19/month equals $228 per year, versus $190 per year on a yearly subscription.

Source
Appsmith: How are Appsmith users counted for billing purposes?

Appsmith counts any user who builds or edits applications as a standard user for billing. Developers and builders are treated the same as other users and all users count toward the per-user billing model without separate developer seat charges.

Source
Budibase: Can I try Budibase before committing to a paid plan?

Yes. All paid cloud plans include a 14-day free trial. The open source version is also available free with unlimited actions and unlimited users, though with community support only.

Source
Budibase: Does the free open source plan include the same features as paid plans?

The open source plan includes unlimited actions, unlimited apps, automations, agents, and users, but support is community-only rather than through Budibase directly. Paid plans add features like AI credits, custom branding, backups, and email or priority support.

Source
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