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No-Code · head to head

Appsmith vs QuestDB

Appsmith logo

Appsmith

No-Code

The open-source low-code framework

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit AppsmithFull review
QuestDB logo

QuestDB

Databases

Fast open source time-series database for high throughput ingestion

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit QuestDBFull review

The short version

  • QuestDB is free; Appsmith starts at $15/user/mo.
  • Only Appsmith lists drag-and-drop builder; only QuestDB lists high Throughput Ingestion.
  • Where Appsmith falls short: the free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories.
  • Where QuestDB falls short: open-source edition lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Appsmith and QuestDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Appsmith and QuestDB differ
AttributeAppsmithQuestDB
Pricing modelSubscriptionOpen-source
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedSelf-hosted, Web
CategoryNo-CodeDatabases
Founded20192014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

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

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Database integration
  • REST API
  • Workflows
  • Authentication
  • Custom code
  • Git integration
  • 100+ integrations

Only in QuestDB

  • High Throughput Ingestion
  • SQL Support
  • Time-series Optimization
  • SIMD Vectorization
  • Column-oriented Storage
  • Built-in Web Console
  • InfluxDB Line Protocol
  • PostgreSQL

Both cover

  • 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 QuestDB
  • Self-hosting a low-code internal tool platformnot QuestDB
  • Custom CRUD dashboards for operations teamsnot QuestDB
  • Versioning applications through Gitnot QuestDB

QuestDB

  • Time-series analytics ingesting up to 20M rows/second from IoT sensors or financial data feedsnot Appsmith
  • Real-time dashboarding with 32ms time-to-first-row latency for minute-level analyticsnot Appsmith
  • Applications requiring multi-tier storage (hot ingest, real-time SQL, cold Parquet archive)not 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

QuestDB

  • Open-source edition lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features
  • Enterprise edition pricing not published; requires contacting sales for custom quote
  • Ingestion limit of 20M rows/sec platform-dependent; may not scale to extreme throughput requirements

Pricing, plan by plan

Appsmith

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users on cloud
    • 5 workspaces
    • 3 Git repos
  • Business$15/user/mo
    • Up to 99 users
    • Unlimited workspaces and Git repos
    • Workflows and reusable packages
  • Enterprise$2,500/mo
    • Minimum 100 users
    • Unlimited users above 100
    • SAML/OIDC SSO

QuestDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the QuestDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Appsmith if

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

Choose QuestDB if

  • You need high throughput ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Web.
  • You also want sql support.
QuestDB review

Questions people ask

Is Appsmith or QuestDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Appsmith starts at Free and QuestDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Appsmith or QuestDB?
Appsmith starts at Free and QuestDB at Free.
Does Appsmith or QuestDB run on more platforms?
Appsmith runs on Web, Self-hosted. QuestDB runs on Self-hosted, Web.
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 QuestDB is typically brought in for.
What can Appsmith do that QuestDB cannot?
Appsmith covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Workflows. QuestDB covers High Throughput Ingestion, SQL Support, Time-series Optimization, SIMD Vectorization. Both handle Web support.

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
QuestDB: How much does QuestDB Enterprise cost?

QuestDB does not publish specific pricing for the Enterprise tier. Customers must contact QuestDB via their enterprise contact form to receive a custom quote.

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
QuestDB: Does QuestDB offer a free version?

Yes, QuestDB Open Source is completely free and recommended for evaluation, prototyping, and pilot projects. Enterprise features, high availability, security, and dedicated support require the paid Enterprise tier.

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
QuestDB: What deployment options does QuestDB offer?

QuestDB offers open source deployment, Enterprise deployment, and Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) deployment. Pricing details for BYOC and Enterprise tiers are not published and require direct contact with sales.

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
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