Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Softr

NocoDB is an open-source no-code platform that provides a spreadsheet-like interface on top of databases. It can create new tables or connect to existing SQL databases, letting teams collaborate through views and forms while still keeping data in a real database.

Key Features

• Spreadsheet-style UI for creating and editing tables, columns, and rows
• Multiple view types including grid, form, kanban, gallery, and calendar
• Relational field types such as links, lookup, rollup, and formulas
• Role-based access control and view-level sharing (including password-protected sharing)
• Automatically generated REST APIs and an SDK for programmatic access
• Integration “app store” for notifications, email, chat tools, and storage providers
• Schema visualization including ERD-style database structure views

Use Cases

• Build internal tools and lightweight CRUD apps without custom frontends
• Create operational trackers (CRM-like lists, inventory, projects) on top of Postgres/MySQL
• Publish data collection forms and share read-only or collaborative views with stakeholders

Limitations and Considerations

• License is the Sustainable Use License (not OSI-approved), which may restrict some commercial use cases

NocoDB is well suited for teams that want Airtable-like productivity while keeping ownership of their data in standard SQL databases. It combines collaborative data views with API access, making it useful both for non-technical users and developers.

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal applications such as admin panels, operational tools, and dashboards. It combines a drag-and-drop UI builder with database/API connectivity and JavaScript-based customization for developer-friendly control.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop widgets to build responsive app interfaces
• Connectors for databases and REST/GraphQL APIs
• JavaScript for data transformation, app logic, and workflow automation
• Version control workflows with Git for change management and deployments
• Access controls and governance features such as roles/permissions and audit logging
• Enterprise authentication options including SSO (OIDC/SAML) and user provisioning support

Use Cases

• CRUD admin panels and back-office operations tools
• Business dashboards and reporting interfaces on top of existing data sources
• IT and service-management style internal apps with workflow automations

Limitations and Considerations

• Advanced features like SSO, provisioning, and governance may depend on the chosen edition and deployment configuration

Appsmith is a strong fit for teams that want to ship internal software faster without losing the ability to customize behavior in code. It’s especially useful when apps need to integrate multiple data sources and follow structured deployment workflows.

ToolJet is an open-source, AI-native low-code platform for building and deploying internal tools such as dashboards, admin panels, and business applications. It provides a visual builder with deep integrations so teams can ship operational apps faster while keeping control of data and infrastructure.

Key Features

• Visual app builder with responsive UI components (tables, forms, charts, lists, and more)
• Multi-page apps and real-time collaborative editing
• Built-in ToolJet Database (a no-code database built on PostgreSQL)
• Integrations with many data sources, including databases, REST APIs, SaaS tools, and object storage
• Workflow automation with triggers (schedules, webhooks, and in-app events) and visual logic (conditions, loops)
• Extensibility via custom connectors/plugins and a CLI
• Security capabilities such as encryption, granular access control, and optional SSO support (availability varies by edition)

Use Cases

• Building internal admin panels and operational dashboards over existing databases
• Creating CRUD apps and lightweight business tools (approvals, inventory, request tracking)
• Automating multi-step internal workflows that call APIs and transform data

ToolJet fits organizations that want a self-managed, extensible internal tools platform with a visual UI builder, integrated data connections, and workflow automation. It is commonly deployed with containers and scales from small teams to larger enterprise environments.

Budibase is an open-source low-code platform for building and deploying internal business applications and automating workflows. It connects to common databases and APIs or can be used to create apps from scratch, with built-in user management and secure deployment options.

Key Features

• Visual app builder for single-page internal apps (forms, admin panels, portals, approval flows)
• Data connectivity to popular databases and REST APIs
• Automation engine for workflow steps, integrations, and webhook-driven processes
• Pre-built UI components and templates for responsive apps
• Role-based access control and user/group management for app distribution
• Extensibility via JavaScript and plugins, plus a public API for interoperability
• Multiple deployment options including Docker and Kubernetes

Use Cases

• Building internal CRUD tools like ticketing, inventory, and operations dashboards
• Creating secure customer/supplier portals and approval workflows
• Automating routine IT and business processes across connected systems

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature set and enterprise controls can vary by edition and deployment; evaluate required auth, auditing, and governance needs upfront

Budibase is well-suited for teams that want to ship internal tools quickly while retaining flexibility through integrations and extensibility. It provides a practical path to reduce engineering time spent on routine business applications and workflow automation.

NocoBase is an open-source no-code/low-code development platform for building internal tools and business applications on top of your data. It focuses on a data model-driven architecture, a WYSIWYG configuration experience, and a plugin-based core that can be extended for enterprise needs.

Key Features

• Data model-driven design that decouples data structure from UI for flexible app building
• Visual page builder with blocks (tables, forms, charts, calendars, etc.) and configurable actions
• Built-in workflow automation to orchestrate business logic and processes
• Fine-grained permissions for menus, data access, and actions
• Plugin-based microkernel architecture where features are delivered and extended as plugins
• Integrations and multiple data sources, including the main database, external databases, and third-party APIs
• Optional AI-oriented capabilities designed to embed AI “employees” into interfaces and workflows

Use Cases

• Build CRUD-based internal tools such as admin panels, operations back offices, and client portals
• Create business apps like CRM, ERP-style modules, and project/work management systems
• Automate approvals, data synchronization, and operational processes with workflows and role-based access

NocoBase is a strong fit when you need rapid delivery of business applications while keeping full control over deployment, extensibility, and access policies through plugins and granular permissions.

Teable is a no-code/low-code database application builder that combines a familiar spreadsheet-like interface with a robust PostgreSQL backend. It helps teams structure data, build lightweight internal tools, and collaborate on shared datasets in real time.

Key Features

• Spreadsheet-style tables with rich field types, formatting, validation, and formulas
• Multiple views for the same data, including grid, form, kanban, gallery, and calendar
• Real-time collaboration with comments, history, and undo/redo
• Data operations such as filtering, sorting, grouping, aggregation, search, and batch editing
• Import/export capabilities and attachment previews
• SQL querying for advanced data access
• Extensibility via a plugin system and SDK for building custom extensions

Use Cases

• Replacing Airtable for internal databases and lightweight business apps
• Building team workflows such as tracking projects, sales pipelines, and operations in structured tables
• Creating forms and views for data collection and reporting across departments

Limitations and Considerations

• PostgreSQL is the primary production database; SQLite is intended for development-only usage
• Some advanced capabilities (for example AI, advanced admin/automation features) may be limited to the Enterprise Edition

Teable is well-suited for teams that want a spreadsheet-first UX without sacrificing database scalability and developer-friendly integration options. It provides a strong foundation for collaborative data management that can grow from simple tables into more structured internal applications.

Baserow is an open-source platform for building and collaborating on databases with a spreadsheet-like interface. It combines structured data management with no-code tools for creating views, forms, automations, dashboards, and simple applications, with an API-first architecture for integrations.

Key Features

• Spreadsheet-style database with relational data modeling and multiple field types
• Multiple views to work with data, including grid, kanban, calendar, timeline, and forms
• No-code automation builder with logic (triggers, conditions/branches, loops) and actions
• Integrations via native actions such as HTTP requests, email, and webhooks
• Application builder for creating internal tools, portals, and simple apps from your data
• API-first design with a REST API for programmatic access and integration
• Extensible architecture with support for frontend and backend plugins
• Built-in AI assistant/agents features for creating databases and workflows from natural language

Use Cases

• Replace spreadsheets and Airtable with a self-managed collaborative database
• Build internal tools (asset tracking, task management, risk management) on top of structured data
• Automate data workflows and sync processes across systems using HTTP and webhooks

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities are offered as premium/enterprise features (open-core model)

Baserow fits teams that want the usability of a spreadsheet UI while keeping the rigor of a database and the flexibility of an extensible, API-driven platform. It is suitable for both lightweight data apps and larger-scale deployments where integrations and governance matter.

Lowcoder is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools and customer-facing web applications with minimal coding. It provides a visual app builder, reusable modules, and broad data-source connectivity for rapidly creating production-ready UIs.

Key Features

• Visual UI builder with 120+ components for responsive, data-driven apps
• Native connections to common data sources (including SQL/NoSQL databases, REST APIs, and SMTP)
• JavaScript scripting to transform data and control component behavior
• Reusable building blocks via modules and a query library
• Role-based access control (RBAC) for users, groups, and permissions
• Version history with autosave and restore for iterative development
• Theme editor to standardize branding and styling across apps
• Extensible plugin architecture for custom components and integrations

Use Cases

• Build admin panels, dashboards, and internal operations tools connected to company data
• Create customer-facing portals and embedded “mini apps” for websites
• Rapidly modernize legacy workflows by adding new web UIs on top of existing systems

Limitations and Considerations

• Advanced collaboration and meeting-style experiences depend on specific components and may require additional configuration and infrastructure

Lowcoder suits teams that want a flexible, extensible app builder without being locked into proprietary low-code platforms. It is especially useful when you need both rapid UI development and direct control via JavaScript and data-source queries.