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Software · head to head

Budibase vs Databox

Budibase logo

Budibase

Software

Build business apps in minutes

From
Free
Rated
-
Databox logo

Databox

Software

KPI dashboards for business performance

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Budibase cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business; Databox data sources are the billing unit, and the $159 Pro plan still includes only 3 before charging $5.60 for each additional one
  • They diverge on capability: Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Databox covers Pre-built Dashboards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Budibase and Databox actually diverge.

Attributes where Budibase and Databox differ
AttributeBudibaseDatabox
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedWeb, Mobile, Tv
Founded20192011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Budibase

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Database design
  • REST API
  • User management
  • Custom code
  • Workflows
  • Responsive design
  • 100+ integrations

Only in Databox

  • Pre-built Dashboards
  • Goal Tracking
  • Alerts
  • Scorecards
  • Mobile App
  • HubSpot
  • Google Analytics
  • Facebook

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Budibase

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

Databox

  • Building business dashboards from multiple SaaS data sourcesnot Budibase
  • Tracking KPIs and metrics across marketing, sales and finance toolsnot Budibase

Where each one falls short

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

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

Databox

  • Data sources are the billing unit, and the $159 Pro plan still includes only 3 before charging $5.60 for each additional one
  • The $64 Analyst plan is capped at 5 data sources and a single user
  • The free plan allows 3 data sources, 10 custom metrics and one user
  • AI credits are metered monthly, from 50 on free to 4,000 on Growth
  • Every published price assumes annual billing, with monthly costing 20% more

Pricing, plan by plan

Budibase

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

Databox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 Data Sources
    • Basic Features
    • Community Support
  • Starter$72/month
    • 10 Data Sources
    • Alerts
    • Forecasting

Which should you pick?

Choose Budibase if

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

Choose Databox if

  • You need pre-built dashboards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Tv.
  • You also want goal tracking.

Questions people ask

Is Budibase or Databox better?
Neither clearly leads. Budibase starts at Free and Databox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Budibase or Databox?
Budibase starts at Free and Databox at Free.
Does Budibase or Databox run on more platforms?
Budibase runs on Web, Self-hosted. Databox runs on Web, Mobile, Tv.
Can I use Budibase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Budibase best used for?
Budibase is most often used for building internal tools over existing databases, self-hosting an open source low-code platform, admin panels and crud apps for operations teams, automations triggered by data changes. Of those, building internal tools over existing databases and self-hosting an open source low-code platform are not what Databox is typically brought in for.
What can Budibase do that Databox cannot?
Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database design, REST API, User management. Databox covers Pre-built Dashboards, Goal Tracking, Alerts, Scorecards. Both handle Web support.

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