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Appsmith

Open-source low-code platform for building internal tools with drag-and-drop UI and datasource connectors

Apache-2.0 Appsmith GitHub stars Appsmith latest release Appsmith last commit Website ↗

Overview

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards. With 35K+ GitHub stars, it’s the most popular open-source Retool alternative.

Appsmith’s approach balances visual building with code: drag-and-drop 45+ widgets (tables, charts, forms, maps), connect to any data source (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, REST API, GraphQL), and write JavaScript for any custom logic. This makes it more flexible than no-code tools while still faster than building from scratch.

Key Features

  • Drag-and-Drop Builder — 45+ widgets including tables, charts, maps, and modals
  • Data Connectors — PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, REST API, GraphQL, Google Sheets
  • JavaScript Logic — Write JS in any widget property, query, or transformation
  • Git Sync — Version control your apps with GitHub/GitLab
  • Role-Based Access — Granular permissions per app and page
  • Self-Hosted — Docker deployment with enterprise features included

Pricing: Self-Hosted vs Retool

Users Retool Appsmith (self-hosted) Savings
5 users $200/mo (Retool) $0 (free) $200/mo
20 users $800/mo (Retool) $10/mo (VPS) $790/mo
50 users $2,000/mo (Retool) $20/mo (VPS) $1,980/mo
100 users $4,000/mo (Retool) $20/mo (VPS) $3,980/mo

Pros

  • + 35K+ GitHub stars — large community
  • + 45+ widget types for building UI
  • + Connect to any database or REST/GraphQL API
  • + JavaScript everywhere — full control when needed
  • + Git integration for version control

Cons

  • - Performance can lag with complex apps
  • - Learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
  • - Some widgets have limited customization
  • - Self-hosted requires 4GB+ RAM

Deployment Options for Appsmith

🐳

Docker

Self-host with Docker Compose

🚀

Coolify

One-click via Coolify panel

☁️

Elestio

Managed hosting from $9/mo

🫛

PikaPods

Simple managed hosting

Frequently Asked Questions

Appsmith vs Budibase?
Appsmith for developer teams who want JavaScript control and more widgets. Budibase for less technical teams who want a simpler builder. Appsmith is more powerful; Budibase has a lower learning curve.
Appsmith vs Retool?
Very similar in capability. Appsmith is open-source and free to self-host. Retool has a more polished UX and better enterprise support. Choose based on budget and open-source preference.
Do I need to know JavaScript?
Not for basic CRUD apps. But JavaScript knowledge unlocks Appsmith's full power — custom transformations, conditional logic, and API chaining.
What's the deployment size?
Docker deployment requires minimum 4GB RAM and 2 vCPUs. The stack includes a Java backend, Node.js server, MongoDB, and Redis.

Our Verdict

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards. With 35K+ GitHub stars, it's the most popular open-source Retool alternative....

Best for: Developer teams building internal tools who want more control than Budibase with less cost than Retool