Top 10 Free Alternatives to Knack in 2025

As the demand for efficient database management continues to grow, Knack's prominence has led to the emergence of several promising alternatives. Here, we explore the top 10 free alternatives to Knack, each offering unique features and tailored functionalities for various use cases.

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1. Airtable

Ease of Use: Highly intuitive, with a spreadsheet-like interface.
Features: Includes relational database capabilities, multiple views (grid, calendar, Kanban), automation, and integrations.
Customization: Highly customizable with various field types, formulas, and scripting options.
Pricing: Offers a free plan with limitations; paid plans start at $10 per user/month. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Suitable for project management, CRM, inventory tracking, and more. Learn more about Airtable

2. Zoho Creator

Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop interface for building applications.
Features: Form builder, workflow automation, reporting, and integration with other Zoho apps.
Customization: Offers scripting for more advanced customization.
Pricing: Offers a free tier; paid plans start at $25/month. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Good for building business applications like CRM, inventory management, and custom dashboards. Explore Zoho Creator

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3. Quickbase

Ease of Use: A robust platform with a more advanced application builder.
Features: Extensive customization options, workflow automation, and robust data integration.
Customization: Highly customizable for complex applications.
Pricing: Paid plans; pricing varies based on needs. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Best for enterprise-level applications, workflow management, and data analysis. Discover Quickbase

4. AppSheet

Ease of Use: Allows app building from existing spreadsheets.
Features: Mobile app creation, integration with Google Sheets and other data sources, workflow automation.
Customization: Good for creating apps rapidly from existing data.
Pricing: Free plan available for personal use, paid plans for business purposes. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Useful for creating mobile apps for data collection, field operations, and project management. Learn more about AppSheet

5. Budibase

Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components.
Features: Connects to various databases, offers on-premise hosting, and has strong community support.
Customization: Highly customizable with integrations and code editor.
Pricing: Free for self-hosted version; paid plans available for cloud hosting. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Good for creating custom dashboards, internal apps, and workflow tools. Explore Budibase

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6. NocoDB

Ease of Use: Provides a spreadsheet-like interface for database management.
Features: Supports various view types (grid, gallery, Kanban), role-based access control and has real-time collaboration.
Customization: Allows customization with integrations and automations.
Pricing: Open-source and free to use.
Use Case: Ideal for managing and visualizing database data, collaboration, and creating quick data entry interfaces. Discover NocoDB

7. ToolJet

Ease of Use: Easy to use with its drag and drop interface and has prebuilt UI components.
Features: Offers JavaScript and Python support, can connect to various databases and APIs.
Customization: Offers full customization with code editor.
Pricing: Open-source and free to use, with paid options available for managed hosting and support. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Suitable for building internal dashboards, admin panels, and custom applications. Learn more about ToolJet

8. UI Bakery

Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop interface and ready-to-use components.
Features: Offers a variety of UI elements, API integration, and custom logic.
Customization: Highly customizable for tailored interfaces and functionalities.
Pricing: Self-hosted and free for some use cases, with paid plans available for cloud hosting and more features. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Suitable for building internal and external applications with custom UI needs. Explore UI Bakery

9. Softr

Ease of Use: Designed for non-technical users, making app creation simple.
Features: Pre-built templates, integrations with Airtable, and various UI components.
Customization: Good for creating customer portals, internal tools, and web apps with data from Airtable.
Pricing: Offers a free plan with limitations; paid plans available for more features and custom branding. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Best for building client portals, internal tools, and directory applications. Learn more about Softr

10. Bubble

Ease of Use: User-friendly with a visual drag-and-drop interface.
Features: Extensive customization options, a built-in database, and plugin marketplace.
Customization: Highly flexible for building custom web applications.
Pricing: Offers a free plan; paid plans start at $29 per month. (2025 pricing might be different)
Use Case: Well-suited for creating web applications, SaaS platforms, and marketplaces. Discover Bubble

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FAQ

1. What is the best free alternative for spreadsheet-like database management?

Airtable is a top choice for those seeking a free alternative with a user-friendly, spreadsheet-like interface and robust database capabilities. Explore Airtable

2. Which alternative is best for building custom business applications?

Zoho Creator is ideal for creating custom business applications thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and integration with the Zoho ecosystem. Learn more about Zoho Creator

3. Which tool is recommended for enterprise-level application development?

Quickbase stands out for enterprise-level application development with its powerful low-code platform and extensive customization options. Discover Quickbase

4. What platform can I use to build mobile apps directly from spreadsheets?

AppSheet enables users to create mobile and web apps efficiently using existing spreadsheets or databases. Check out AppSheet

5. Which open-source platform is best for building custom internal tools?

Budibase offers an excellent open-source, low-code solution for building custom internal tools with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. Explore Budibase

6. What tool offers a spreadsheet-like interface for database management?

NocoDB transforms databases into smart spreadsheets, providing an intuitive interface for managing and visualizing data. Learn about NocoDB

7. Which platform allows full customization with a code editor?

ToolJet is known for its drag-and-drop interface and full customization options using JavaScript and Python. Discover ToolJet

8. What is a low-code platform for building custom applications with a variety of UI elements?

UI Bakery allows building custom applications with its drag-and-drop interface and extensive UI components. Learn more about UI Bakery

9. Which platform enables rapid web application building with Airtable integration?

Softr is designed for fast web application building, especially with seamless Airtable integration. Explore Softr

10. Which platform is best for creating complex web applications without code?

Bubble is highly recommended for building complex web applications thanks to its powerful no-code capabilities and extensive customization options. Discover Bubble

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.