We cannot emphasize enough how low-code development is the new best thing for any startup to utilize if they want to have a competent application in their hands to enter their target market. Traditional development approaches cannot fulfill this ever-increasing demand in time, so low code is the way to go.
However, most low-code platforms don’t offer access to the platform’s source code, increasing the chances of getting stuck with vendor lock-in when you’re planning to migrate your application to a different platform. Of course, an issue like that is completely undesirable.
But if you opt-in to open-source platforms, you can access the source code easily, make necessary changes with rapid application development, and easily migrate your application whenever you want.
To ease the pressure of vendor lock-in, we’re here to discuss ten open-source low-code application development platforms that can get you started.
But before that, let’s learn what they are.
What Is An Open Source Low-Code Development Platform?
Open-source software is free to download, use, modify, and redistribute under a license. The application is managed by volunteer developers within an active community of developers rather than being constrained by any particular vendor.
A low code platform packages software and development environment in an intuitive interface and other necessary internal tools.
The drag-and-drop interface makes it easier to create full applications with low code development, and the open-source nature makes it easier to maintain and work on the application. Low code also makes updating apps easier with the integration of additional features.
Pros and Cons of Open Source Low-Code Platforms
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers unlimited flexibility in terms of the development and maintenance of business apps | Community support can lead to incomplete knowledge or warranty limitations |
| End users have customization authority, granting them exclusive control over the platform | Running your instance of the open-source platform requires extra cost |
| Updates and patches are frequent due to the community managing the software, making it more reliable | |
| Since the source code is visible, it ensures complete transparency. | |
| Source code can be peer-reviewed and fixed by community members. | |
| The platform isn’t under the control of any vendor, so there’s no vendor lock-in. |
10 Open Source Low Code Platforms That Can Boost Your Business
1. Saltcorn
Saltcorn is the perfect example of an open-source low-code platform. Saltcorn allows you to build database web apps without writing any code, and it’s completely free.
Users of Saltcorn can tweak the source code as they deem necessary, as long as the original copy is included in the distribution.
Saltcorn helps non-technical users work with SQL by using PostgreSQL to store data, and helps manage relational databases.
It also offers a drag-and-drop display and customizable plugins, ensuring anyone can get started with a web app using Saltcorn by collecting their source code from GitHub.
Pricing
- Free
2. Back4App
Back4App requires minimal coding expertise since the platform can work on the few lines of the code you write and complete the rest on its own to offer you a complete application. The platform also offers you cloud features and real-time query processing.
Applications built in Back4App are compatible with all the modern features while speeding up the development speed 10x faster by removing the necessity to write hundreds of lines of code.
Pricing
- MVP: $15/month (Billed annually)
- Pay As You Go: $80/month (Billed annually)
- Dedicated: $400/month (Billed annually)
3. Budibase
Budibase is a go-to choice for many when they want to create admin panel and forum applications. Budibase can also help you create responsive user portals and business task applications with efficient low-code development and workflow management.
Budibase offers a self-hosting option that allows nearly unlimited customization. You can also create custom codes to bring the most out of the pre-existing functions.
Budibase applications are compatible with all PC and mobile platforms, and the user experience is seamless.
Pricing
Starter: Free
Premium: $8/month
Business: $16/month
Enterprise: Get A Quote
4. Joget
Joget offers an open-source solution that can cover all aspects of the software development life cycle, letting you deploy and maintain the application and develop it.
Joget offers many customizable options that let you roam free and create your application in your way, and also let it maintain through built-in maintenance tools.
Joget also lets you integrate automation features in your applications that increase the efficiency of the applications you build. Apps developed with Joget perform well on all compatible platforms.
Pricing
- Community Edition: Free
- Professional Edition: $80/user
- Enterprise Edition: $120/user
5. Convertigo
Convertigo lets you take both the low-code and the no-code approach. Depending on the requirements of your application, you can take either approach and still come out on top with a great-looking and performing application.
You can use the Convertigo app even on smartphones and tablets, making the development process more mobile. The client code is reversible, and the server code is open source. It makes the performance and functionality of the application much more fluent.
Pricing
B2E Pricing
- Community Edition: Free
- Starter Edition: $16/user/month
- Enterprise Edition: $22/user/month
B2C Pricing
- Community Edition: Free
- Starter Edition: $74/month
- Enterprise Edition: $125/month
6. StackStorm
Stackstorm is a standalone open-source platform that enables you to create event-triggered applications. The platform has a built-in automation engine that makes the entire development process and the software perform more efficiently.
Stackstorm can integrate with existing infrastructure on demand, making it a great open-source choice if you want to update the existing legacy system of your organization.
Pricing
- Standard: Free
- Premium: Starts at $500
7. Baserow
Are you planning to create an application that heavily relies on databases? In that case, Baserow is the best choice you can make.
Baserow offers a user-friendly low-code development platform that allows you to create and implement database models without any prior technical knowledge and database experience.
Baserow ensures a highly flexible experience in terms of development. It also lets you integrate with different services in real time.
Pricing
- Starter: Free
- Premium: $5/user/month
- Advanced: $20/user/month
8. Skyve
Skyve is a platform that can deliver exceptional business applications. Skyve helps create easily scalable applications and delivers on an enterprise level.
Skyve applications perform without any hitch in the performance area, resulting in a higher customer satisfaction rate with a great user experience.
Skyve is also a great choice to keep your business application safe since apps made with Skyve maintain all the best security standards.
To top it all off, Skyve has one of the most transparent pricing models that can help you.
Pricing
- Free Trial
- Professional: $100/month
- Enterprise: Request a quote
9. Appsemble
Appsemble takes the building block approach, which lets you put together different pre-programmed blocks to create an application that contains functions depending on the complexity level of the coding of the blocks.
Due to the development block approach, the overall development process is highly customizable, and the experience management is highly convenient.
Pricing
- Small Block (Zero dependency): $1120
- Large Block (Link with external services): $2800
- Small App: Starts at $5610
- Medium-Sized App: Starts at $11225
- Large App: Starts at $28060
Appsemble SAAS: $55/month
Support With On-Premise Hosting: $44/month
10. Parse Platform
Parse is one of the most popular backend low-code development options. With Parse, you can implement various backend functionalities in your low-code applications.
However, you need a front-end builder to complete your application while working with Parse.
Pricing
- Hobby: $9/month
- Startup: $24/month
- Professional: $49/month
- Business: $99/month
To Wrap It Up
As you can tell from the descriptions, not all the platforms are the same, even when they are all commonly known as “open source low code platforms.”. Determine your requirements, find the right platform that suits your requirements, and then dive into product ideation and development.
And if you’re struggling to make the right decision? Partner with Impala Intech to create your application, sit back, relax, and enjoy life.
FAQs
The supported programming languages vary by platform, but most use widely known languages like JavaScript, Python, or Java.
Some open-source low-code platforms support mobile app development, allowing businesses to create cross-platform apps.
Open-source licenses permit commercial use in most cases, but businesses should review the specific license terms.
Yes, version control is often included in open-source low-code platforms to manage changes in application development.
Open-source platforms usually provide connectors or APIs to integrate with various database systems.
