Appsmith

Name: Appsmith
Rating: 4.8 (30 reviews)

Self-Hosted

Open-source low-code platform for building internal tools

Overview

Appsmith enables teams to build custom internal tools (dashboards, CRUD apps, admin panels) without extensive coding. It connects to databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB), APIs, and SaaS tools (Slack, Google Sheets). Deployment options include self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS EC2) or cloud-hosted. Features: drag-and-drop UI, pre-built widgets (tables, forms, charts), custom JavaScript logic, and collaboration tools (version control, real-time editing). Ideal for engineering and non-technical teams to ship tools faster.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  appsmith:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: appsmith
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Drag-and-drop UI builder for internal tools (tables, forms, charts)
Connects to databases, APIs, and SaaS tools (PostgreSQL, Slack, Google Sheets)
Self-hostable via Docker/Kubernetes or cloud-hosted option

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Appsmith hard to install?

Appsmith is easy to install via Docker (single command) or Kubernetes. For self-hosting, use their official Docker Compose file or cloud providers like AWS EC2. The setup wizard guides initial configuration, making it accessible for most users.

? Is it a good alternative to Retool?

Yes—Appsmith is an open-source alternative to Retool, offering similar core features (drag-and-drop UI, data integrations) with self-hosting capabilities (missing in Retool’s free tier). It’s ideal for teams wanting full control over their tooling and data.

? Is it completely free?

The self-hosted version of Appsmith is 100% free and open-source (MIT license). The cloud-hosted Appsmith Cloud has a free tier with limited resources, plus paid plans for additional features like SSO and priority support.

Top Alternatives

Retool Search Google

Bubble Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Software Development - Low Code

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosting option for data control
⊕ Low-code approach reduces tool development time significantly

Cons

⊖ Requires server configuration for self-hosting setup
⊖ Advanced customizations may need basic JavaScript knowledge