6 Best Open Source No-Code Platforms (Next-Gen Setup)

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A list of open source no-code platforms to create websites, internal apps, databases, and more.

"Open source and no-code platforms" with three screenshots of platforms we use

Discovering open source no-code platforms is exciting. Not only can you automate or build without writing code, but you can also self-host your app and avoid vendor lock-in.

The growing demand for application development has driven the creation of numerous no-code platforms, and I'm excited to share my favorite ones with you.

List of the Best Open Source No-Code Platforms (and Optional Low-Code)

Let's dive into the top open source no-code platforms, their license structure, whether or not cloud hosting offers a free tier, and various features possible without code and with low-code. These platforms provide a range of features that allow users to build internal tools and websites critical to business processes without needing to write code.

Webstudio

"Open source and no-code website builder" with screenshot of Webstudio's editor for our homepage
  • Similar to: Webflow
  • License: AGPL-3.0
  • Best known for: Website building
  • Has free tier on cloud version: Yes
  • Code requirement: No-code and optional low-code

Webstudio is an advanced no-code website builder. It closely aligns the UI to website coding concepts and naming conventions, so there are no unnecessary proprietary naming conventions to learn. For example, flex is called flex, not auto layout. From creating marketing sites to dynamic collections and CMS pages, Webstudio is a no-code website builder unlike any other platform on the market.

You're on a Webstudio website right now!

No-code highlights:

  • Create websites and web apps
  • All CSS properties
  • Reusable styles without the pain of class management
  • Fetch data from any HTTP API, including many of the tools on this list
  • Responsive design with customizable breakpoints
  • All HTML attributes
  • Variables to reuse data
  • Filters for creating searches, pagination, and other filters
  • Bind external data to component fields and page settings by drilling down into a JSON response and selecting the desired key

Low-code highlights:

Baserow

"Open source and no-code database" with screenshot of Baserow dashboard

Baserow is a no-code database and application development platform that supports real-time collaboration. There are limitless use cases to visually build a database and add application logic. From simply storing tabular data with the built-in database to using an external database and creating internal tools, public portals, and directories, this open-source Airtable alternative is an excellent choice for a no-code platform.

  • Similar to: Airtable
  • License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Premium License, Enterprise License, and MIT Expat
  • Best known for: Database building
  • Has free tier on cloud version: Yes
  • Code requirement: No-code and optional low-code

No-code highlights:

  • Create databases
  • Configure data relationships
  • Get insights about data relationships such as count
  • Workflows
  • Conditional display

Low-code highlights:

  • API integration for third-party APIs or custom integrations
  • Formula fields

Ghost

"Open source and no-code blogging engine" with screenshot of one of our posts being edited
  • Similar to: WordPress
  • License: MIT
  • Best known for: Blogging
  • Has free tier on cloud version: No (would need to self-host)
  • Code requirement: No-code and optional code

Ghost is a no-code blogging engine with an optional headless mode. While WordPress does "everything," Ghost focuses on providing tools for bloggers without plugins, maintenance, and bloat. The simple block editor is a minimalistic and elegant way to create and publish content. There are many themes for creating blogs, but for further customization, I recommend using Ghost to write/store content and Webstudio to display it.

At Webstudio, we use Ghost as a headless CMS, meaning you are reading a blog written on Ghost and designed and displayed on Webstudio.

No-code highlights:

  • Write blogs
  • Add many blocks/components, such as galleries, buttons, and calls to action
  • Add metadata, Open Graph data, and X card data
  • Add image alt text and captions

Low-code highlights:

  • Markdown component
  • HTML embed component
  • Inject header and footer HTML

Windmill

Windmill logo

Windmill is an open source low-code workflow automation tool. While this tool is for professional developers and it's possible to use it without writing code, it's immensely more powerful when used in low-code development. It can turn scripts into auto-generated UIs, APIs, and cron jobs, significantly speeding up the development process.

  • Similar to: Zapier (but for developers)
  • Licenses: AGPL-3.0 and Apache-2.0
  • Best known for: Workflow automation
  • Has free tier on cloud version: Yes
  • Code requirement: No-code to full-code

No-code highlights:

  • Drag-and-drop interface for creating workflows
  • Pre-built templates and connectors for common tasks
  • Auto-generation of UIs and APIs from scripts
  • Scheduling and triggering workflows with cron jobs
  • Integration with various third-party services without coding

Low-code highlights:

  • Ability to write and integrate custom scripts (e.g., Python, JavaScript)
  • Advanced logic and condition handling
  • Create complex workflows with custom code blocks
  • Extend functionality with custom modules and plugins
  • API customization and integration with external services

n8n

"Open source and no-code automation" with screenshot our n8n automation that handles checkouts

n8n is a no-code workflow automation tool. With over 1,000 integrations, n8n has the power to connect most tools on the market, from Google Sheets and email automation platforms to an SQL database and everything in between.

At Webstudio, we use n8n to handle our Stripe checkout workflow, form submissions, and other business logic for our SaaS app.

  • Similar to: Zapier
  • Licenses: Not licensed, Sustainable Use License, and Enterprise License
  • Best known for: Workflow automation
  • Has free tier on cloud version: No
  • Code requirement: No-code and optionally low-code

No-code highlights:

  • Connect data sources to destinations and optionally manipulate data along the way
  • Conditional logic and branching
  • Format data before sending it to the destination

Low-code highlights:

  • Add nodes where you can write code for advanced logic and processes

Appsmith

"Open source and no-code internal tool builder" with screenshot of Appsmith app builder

Appsmith is a no-code platform designed to build internal tools, saving companies countless hours developing account management dashboards, admin panels, data dashboards, and more. With the ability to bring data from any tool, such as external databases, Airtable, and GraphQL APIs, many companies use this tool to build internal apps quickly.

  • Similar to: Retool
  • License: Apache-2.0
  • Best known for: App development
  • Has free tier on cloud version: Yes
  • Code requirement: No-code to low-code

No-code highlights:

  • Drag-and-drop interface for building UIs
  • Pre-built widgets for common functionalities
  • Integration with various data sources and APIs
  • Real-time data binding and live updates
  • User authentication and authorization

Low-code highlights:

  • Custom JavaScript for advanced logic
  • Use of API queries and server-side functions
  • Integration with custom backend services
  • Dynamic widget properties using JavaScript
  • Conditional visibility and actions for UI elements

The state of no-code, who it's for, what to look out for, and more

Let's dive into more details about open source no-code platforms.

No-code is more powerful than ever before

While "no-code" may sound limiting, especially if you have a developer background, it's quite flexible. Of course, writing code from scratch will provide the most flexibility, though many things can still be built without code.

Why no-code has progressed:

  • Ecosystem compatibility – More and more tools strive for ecosystem compatibility, improving the portability of data and integration between two completely different tools.
  • User experience and design focus – There's been a strong focus on improving the user experience and interface design of no-code platforms, making them more intuitive and accessible to a broader audience.
  • Increased demand for (rapid) development – More businesses need custom apps then ever before, however, it's costly to build custom solutions such as internal tools and customer-facing apps. In response to this demand, more and more companies are providing powerful no-code solutions.
  • Shift towards digital transformation – The global push towards digital transformation has accelerated the adoption of no-code platforms as businesses seek efficient and scalable solutions to modernize their operations.
  • Technological improvements – Improvements in cloud computing, cloud functions, AI, and frameworks have enabled no-code platforms to handle more complex tasks and larger datasets with greater efficiency.

Is no-code for large and small businesses?

Yes. One may think that a no-code builder is for small businesses because they may not have engineering resources, but even businesses with a development team appreciate no-code. If it can handle the need, why spend precious resources on custom building it? Custom-built applications take longer, are more error-prone, and are more likely to become legacy systems.

Why open source no-code platforms?

In general, open-source platforms have significant benefits such as transparent pricing, the ability to self-host, full data ownership, and customizable features.

Open source typically makes the application portable, helping you avoid vendor lock-in.

By using open-source no-code platforms, you get the benefit of custom code, which is owning the application and being able to modify the underlying source code.

If you reach a limitation in the open-source software, you can modify it or rely on community support to obtain the desired result.

  • Websites – And not just a simple landing page. You can create dynamic websites with filters and collections and use a headless CMS – all without writing code.
  • Web apps – Create web applications that expose dynamic functionality like logging in, running CRUD operations, and implementing access controls.
  • Business apps – Create internal tools like dashboards, inventory management systems, project management tools, and CRM solutions tailored to specific business needs.
  • Mobile apps – Develop mobile applications for iOS and Android, offering features like push notifications, offline access, and integration with device hardware.
  • Automations and workflows – Automate repetitive tasks and workflows, such as data synchronization, email campaigns, and approval processes.

What should I look out for when choosing a no-code platform?

We've already covered it's better to use open-source tools. Beyond that, I would look for platforms that enable low-code as well. While not for everyone, low-code may help get you out of a bind. Maybe there is some minor data manipulation you need to do or a condition that is just out of reach without code.

The good news is that most no-code platforms also enable low-code or full-code editors, providing you with a place to write JavaScript and other languages.


When you need a no-code website builder, check out Webstudio!

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