OSI-licensed open source
No-code tools let people build apps, databases and automations without writing much code. Open-source versions add self-hosting, data control and freedom from per-seat pricing. They fall into three groups: spreadsheet-style databases, app builders and automation or flow tools.
The eight tools here are OSI-licensed as verified in their repositories. Popular tools that use source-available licences, such as NocoDB (Sustainable Use License), are excluded from the list.
Tools, licences and pricing checked against vendor and repository pages on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baserow | Airtable-style databases | Free, open source (self-hosted); cloud plans, see vendor pricing | MIT |
| Grist | Spreadsheet-database hybrid | Free, open source (self-hosted core); hosted plans, see vendor pricing | Apache-2.0 |
| Teable | Postgres-backed no-code tables | Free, open source (self-hosted); cloud plans, see vendor pricing | AGPL-3.0 |
| Appsmith | Internal tools | Free, open source (self-hosted); paid plans, see vendor pricing | Apache-2.0 |
| Budibase | Internal apps | Free, open source (self-hosted); paid plans, see vendor pricing | GPL-3.0 |
| NocoBase | Data-model-driven apps | Free, open source; commercial plugins, see vendor pricing | Apache-2.0 |
| Activepieces | Zapier-style automation | Free, open source Community Edition; cloud plans, see vendor pricing | MIT |
| Node-RED | Event-driven automation and IoT | Free, open source | Apache-2.0 |
Best for: Airtable-style databases · Free, open source (self-hosted); cloud plans, see vendor pricing
Open-source no-code database with a spreadsheet-like interface, API and application builder.
Best for: Spreadsheet-database hybrid · Free, open source (self-hosted core); hosted plans, see vendor pricing
Relational spreadsheet with Python formulas, self-hostable via grist-core.
Best for: Postgres-backed no-code tables · Free, open source (self-hosted); cloud plans, see vendor pricing
No-code database built on Postgres with a spreadsheet interface and views.
Best for: Internal tools · Free, open source (self-hosted); paid plans, see vendor pricing
Open-source platform for admin panels and internal tools with widgets and JavaScript.
Best for: Internal apps · Free, open source (self-hosted); paid plans, see vendor pricing
Low-code platform for internal apps, forms and automations.
Best for: Data-model-driven apps · Free, open source; commercial plugins, see vendor pricing
Extensible no-code platform with plugin architecture.
Best for: Zapier-style automation · Free, open source Community Edition; cloud plans, see vendor pricing
Open-source automation tool with a visual builder and many integrations; Community Edition is MIT, enterprise features separate.
Best for: Event-driven automation and IoT · Free, open source
Flow-based low-code tool for wiring together devices, APIs and services.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Airtable-style database | Baserow or Teable |
| Spreadsheet with formulas | Grist |
| Internal tools | Appsmith or Budibase |
| Automation like Zapier | Activepieces |
| Flows for devices and APIs | Node-RED |
| Plugin-extensible apps | NocoBase |
Quick answers to common questions
No. It uses the Sustainable Use License, which is not OSI open source.
Data control, no per-seat fees and customization are common reasons.
Activepieces and Node-RED.
If you modify and serve it over a network you must share changes; internal use is simpler.
It depends on the project and database; consult documentation.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this guide.
