Appsmith vs Budibase
Which automation & integration tool is right for you? Compare features, pricing, and user reviews to make the best choice.
Appsmith
Developer teams that want a permissive open-source base they can self-host for free, with a simple per-user price if they move to the paid plan.
Budibase
Teams that want to self-host forms, approval flows and CRUD apps for many internal users without paying per seat.
Side by side
| Appsmith | Budibase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (5 cloud users); Business $15/user/month | Free self-hosted; cloud from $19/month + $5/end user |
| G2 Rating | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Best For | Developer teams that want a permissive open-source base they can self-host for free, with a simple per-user price if they move to the paid plan. | Teams that want to self-host forms, approval flows and CRUD apps for many internal users without paying per seat. |
Pros and cons
Appsmith
Pros
- Apache 2.0 Community edition, the most permissive license here
- One flat price per user on Business, with no builder/viewer split to track
- Git version control even on the free plan
- 15-day Business trial
Cons
- Viewers cost the same $15 as developers on Business
- SAML/OIDC SSO and SCIM need Enterprise at $2,500/month for 100 users
- Business tops out at 99 users
Budibase
Pros
- Self-hosted Open Source edition includes unlimited users and SSO at no cost
- Built-in database means simple apps need no external data source
- Automations and AI agents in the same product
- Many self-hosting options, including Windows Server
Cons
- Cloud plans charge $5 per end user with none included
- Cloud price also depends on your automation action allowance
- SCIM and audit logs need Enterprise
Related comparisons
Best Internal Tools Builders
Pick Retool if developers will build many tools on your production data. Pick Budibase or Appsmith if you need open source and self-hosting, and Softr if the builder is not a developer.
Sarah ChenUpdated October 2026Retool alternatives
Stay with Retool if you need the most complete platform and can pay for Business or Enterprise. Pick ToolJet or Budibase if you need SSO without an enterprise contract, and Softr only if your builders are not developers.
Sarah ChenUpdated October 2026