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Appsmith vs Xara Designer Pro+

Appsmith logo

Appsmith

No-Code

The open-source low-code framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xara Designer Pro+ logo

Xara Designer Pro+

Design

Desktop publishing, web design, photo editing and graphic design in one workspace

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Appsmith has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Appsmith the free cloud tier is capped at 5 users, 5 workspaces and 3 Git repositories; Xara Designer Pro+ compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Appsmith and Xara Designer Pro+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Appsmith and Xara Designer Pro+ differ
AttributeAppsmithXara Designer Pro+
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedWeb
CategoryNo-CodeDesign
Founded2019Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Xara Designer Pro+

Nothing recorded that Appsmith does not also cover.

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

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Desktop publishing and professional layout workflowsnot Appsmith
  • Web design and e-commerce site creation without codenot Appsmith
  • Photo editing and image retouching for visual projectsnot Appsmith
  • Graphic design and illustration in single workspacenot Appsmith
  • Multi-discipline creative work with unlimited flexibilitynot 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

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

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

Xara Designer Pro+

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xara Designer Pro+ 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 Xara Designer Pro+ if

Nothing in the data separates Xara Designer Pro+ from Appsmith on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xara Designer Pro+ review

Questions people ask

Is Appsmith or Xara Designer Pro+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Appsmith starts at Free and Xara Designer Pro+ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Appsmith or Xara Designer Pro+?
Appsmith has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Appsmith and On request for Xara Designer Pro+.
Does Appsmith or Xara Designer Pro+ run on more platforms?
Appsmith runs on Web, Self-hosted. Xara Designer Pro+ runs on Web.
Can I use Appsmith for free?
Yes. Appsmith has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xara Designer Pro+ starts at On request.
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 Xara Designer Pro+ is typically brought in for.
What can Appsmith do that Xara Designer Pro+ cannot?
Appsmith covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database integration, REST API, Workflows.

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
Xara Designer Pro+: Does Xara Designer Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Xara Designer Pro offers a free trial download, allowing users to test the software before purchasing.

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
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
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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