OSI-licensed only · self-hostable
Bubble is a proprietary, hosted no-code builder for web apps. Open-source alternatives are mostly low-code platforms for internal tools and database apps, which you can host yourself.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (Apache-2.0, AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0, MIT), checked against its repository. Directus, a popular backend, is listed separately because its licence is source-available.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Licence | Runs as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | Internal tools and dashboards | Apache-2.0 | Docker |
| ToolJet | Internal tools and workflows | AGPL-3.0 | Docker |
| Budibase | Business apps and forms | GPL-3.0 | Docker |
| NocoBase | Extensible business apps | Apache-2.0 | Docker |
| Lowcoder | Internal and customer-facing apps | AGPL-3.0 | Docker |
| Saltcorn | Database web and mobile apps | MIT | Server |
| Baserow | Airtable-style database apps | MIT | Docker |
| Refine | React-based internal tools | MIT | Server |
Best for: Internal tools and dashboards
A platform to build admin panels, internal tools and dashboards, integrating with 25+ databases and any API.
Best for: Internal tools and workflows
An open-source, self-hostable low-code platform for building internal tools, dashboards, workflows and AI agents.
Best for: Business apps and forms
An open-source low-code platform. The project is GPL v3, with MPL for client libraries and a Business Source License on paid features in packages/pro.
Best for: Extensible business apps
A self-hosted platform combining AI assistance with a no-code visual interface for building business applications.
Best for: Internal and customer-facing apps
An open-source low-code platform for building internal and customer-facing apps, websites and collaboration tools.
Best for: Database web and mobile apps
An extensible, open-source tool for building web and mobile database applications without writing code.
Best for: Airtable-style database apps
Build databases, automations, apps and agents with no code. Non-premium and non-enterprise features are MIT; premium and enterprise code sits in separate directories.
Best for: React-based internal tools
A headless React framework for building internal tools, admin panels, dashboards and B2B apps.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Admin panels and dashboards | Appsmith or ToolJet |
| Business apps with forms | Budibase or NocoBase |
| Customer-facing apps | Lowcoder or Saltcorn |
| Spreadsheet-style database | Baserow |
| Developers who want code control | Refine |
Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.
Source-available licence derived from the Fair Core License, so it is not OSI-approved.
Quick answers to common questions
Bubble is proprietary. Appsmith, ToolJet and Budibase are leading open-source low-code options, though they focus on internal tools.
Yes, all the tools above can be self-hosted.
No, its repository shows the Monospace Sustainable Core License, which is source-available.
Not automatically. You usually rebuild the interface and logic and export data to CSV.
For internal use, little. If you modify and offer the software over a network, AGPL requires publishing changes; MIT does not.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this page.
