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Open-Source Knack Alternatives (2027): 9 Self-Hosted No-Code Database App Builders With Forms, Portals and User Logins, Licences Checked

Open-Source Knack Alternatives: Self-Hosted No-Code Databases With Forms, Portals and User Logins

Knack is a no-code online database with a web app on top: you define tables, build forms and pages, and let customers, staff or volunteers log in to see only their own records. It is also closed source and cloud-only, records are capped per plan, and there is no free plan, only a trial. If you want to own the software and the data, an open-source tool can do the same job on your own server. We checked every tool below on its official website and GitHub on 10 November 2026: the exact licence, the latest release, what the free option includes and how well it handles Knack's core job, a database with forms, portals and user logins. Four entries from the earlier version of this list were not app builders or not open source, and several popular tools have changed their licence; they are in a separate section.
Quick answer: the closest open-source match to Knack is Baserow (MIT core): a no-code database plus an application builder for client portals with logged-in users. Budibase (GPLv3, free self-hosted Community plan with unlimited users) is the best pick for request and approval portals, and Saltcorn (MIT) is the simplest fully free database app builder. Spreadsheet people should look at Grist, process-heavy teams at Joget, and Python developers at Frappe Framework.
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What Knack Offers and Costs in 2027

To know what you are replacing: the Knack pricing page (checked November 2026, monthly billing is the default view) lists four plans and no free plan. Starter costs $59 a month and includes the no-code online database, the front-end web app designer, unlimited users and roles, unlimited tables, fields, pages, emails and forms, the AI App Builder, 20,000 records, 3 apps and 2 GB of file storage. A limited-time offer cuts Starter to $19 and Pro to $49 a month for the first 3 months for new customers. Pro ($130 a month) removes the Knack branding and adds two-factor login for app users, a custom domain and 50,000 records. Corporate starts at $300 a month, and Enterprise, with HIPAA, GovCloud and private server options, is priced on request. Knack's FAQ says the trial needs no credit card and that the people who log in to your app are unlimited, because each one counts as a record.

Open-Source Knack Alternatives Compared

ToolBest forLicenceFree optionPaid plans (Nov 2026)
BaserowClosest Knack match: database plus portal app builderMIT (core)Self-host free; cloud Free 3,000 rows, 500 app usersPremium $10/user/month (yearly)
BudibaseRequest, approval and service portalsGPLv3 overall; paid features BSLCommunity: unlimited users and apps, self-hostedCloud from $299/month
SaltcornSimple database apps and portals, fully freeMITFull software, self-hostedNone listed
Frappe FrameworkPython teams building business appsMITFull framework, self-hostedOptional Frappe Cloud hosting
GristSpreadsheet-style databases with forms and row-level accessApache 2.0 (grist-core)Community edition; cloud Free 5,000 records per documentPro $8/user/month (yearly)
TeableAirtable-style tables with an AI app builderAGPL-3.0 coreStandalone self-host; cloud Free 1,000 rowsPro $13/seat/month (yearly)
JogetForm and workflow apps with approvalsGPLv3 (Community Edition)Community Edition, self-hostedProfessional and Enterprise (commercial)
AppsmithInternal apps on existing databasesApache 2.0Community Edition; cloud Free up to 5 usersBusiness $15/user/month
ToolJetInternal apps and portals on a built-in databaseAGPL-3.0Community Edition; cloud Free 50 end usersBasic $23/builder/month
Sources: each project's official website, pricing page (default view), LICENSE file and GitHub releases, checked 10 November 2026. Self-hosting is free, but you pay for the server and your own time.

The Best Open-Source Knack Alternatives in 2027

1. Baserow: the closest open-source match to Knack

Baserow started as an open-source Airtable alternative and now has the piece that makes it a Knack replacement: an application builder for internal tools, client portals, public portals, directories and intranets on top of your Baserow tables. You drag elements such as tables, forms and buttons onto pages, decide whether each element is shown to all visitors, logged-in visitors or only some users, and publish on a free Baserow domain or your own. The Baserow licence is MIT for everything outside the premium and enterprise folders, so the open-source edition can be self-hosted at no cost. On the cloud, the default yearly view of the Baserow pricing page shows a Free plan with 3,000 rows and 2 GB per workspace, 2,000 automation credits and up to 500 external app users, with "Made with Baserow" branding. Premium costs $10 per user per month billed yearly. Version 2.4.1 came out in October 2026.

2. Budibase: free self-hosted portals for requests and approvals

Budibase builds apps, automations and AI agents on data tables or your existing databases, and it has a service portal that puts apps, requests and approvals in one place: the kind of tool a small company builds in Knack for staff or clients. Its licence file says Budibase is GPLv3 overall, the apps you build are not covered by the GPL, and paid features live in a separate package under the Business Source License. The Budibase pricing page lists a Community plan at $0 that you run on your own infrastructure, with unlimited users, unlimited apps, agents, automations and requests, and standard SSO. Budibase Cloud now starts at $299 a month with a 14-day free trial, 2 creators and 20 end users, so the self-hosted plan is the budget route. Version 4.0.0 was released on 10 November 2026.

3. Saltcorn: a fully free database app builder with portals

Saltcorn describes itself as an open-source database app builder: free, self-hosted, MIT-licensed, with no licence fee and no telemetry. You start with related tables, then build views, pages, forms, dashboards and workflows with visual drag-and-drop builders, and publish to web, mobile, PDF or email. Saltcorn lists customer portals, staff portals, CRM tools, reservations and payments among the things teams build, and each view and page can be limited to public visitors, users, staff or admins. An AI copilot can draft pages and workflows from a description. The Saltcorn code received new commits and a 1.7 beta in November 2026.

4. Frappe Framework: database-driven business apps for Python teams

Frappe Framework is a full-stack framework in Python and JavaScript with a low-code admin UI. Everything is built from DocTypes: one DocType is a database table, a form and a class at once, and you design forms, list, tree, kanban and calendar views without code. Roles and permissions, an API and workflows are built in, and it is the foundation of ERPNext. The Frappe code is MIT-licensed, version 16.56.0 came out on 10 November 2026, and Frappe Cloud offers managed hosting if you do not want to run a server. It gives you more power than Knack, but someone on the team should be comfortable with Python.

5. Grist: a spreadsheet-database with forms and row-level access

Grist combines a spreadsheet, a relational database and a no-code app builder, with Python formulas. For Knack-style use, two features matter: Grist Forms collect data straight into your tables, and access rules control who sees which tables, columns and even rows, so each client or volunteer can see only their own records. The grist-core code is Apache 2.0, and the self-hosted Community edition is free. On the Grist pricing page (default view: hosted, paid annually), Free has unlimited documents with up to 5,000 records per document and 100 one-time AI credits, and Pro costs $8 per user per month. Individuals and organisations with less than $1 million in total annual income can request a free activation key for the extra self-hosted features. Version 1.7.22 came out in October 2026.

6. Teable: Airtable-style tables on PostgreSQL with an AI app builder

Teable looks like a spreadsheet but runs on PostgreSQL, and its App Builder turns your tables into apps, dashboards and portals. The Teable licence is AGPL-3.0 for the core applications and MIT for the packages; the Teable brand assets are excluded and may not be removed. Check which edition you need: according to the README, the standalone self-hosted version covers tables, collaboration, the API and automations, while AI features and the App Builder need the cloud or the full-featured self-hosted setup. The Teable pricing page (cloud, yearly) shows a Free plan with 1,000 rows, 1 GB of attachments, 100 automation runs and 200 one-time credits, and Pro at $13 per seat per month. New releases come out almost daily; the latest arrived on 10 November 2026.
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7. Joget: form and workflow apps with approvals

Joget combines rapid application development with business process automation and workflow management, so you can build form-based apps with multi-step approvals, such as invoice approval, complaint handling or employee onboarding, which Joget offers as templates. Its GitHub README says the Community Edition is licensed under GPLv3, while the Professional, Enterprise and Large Enterprise editions use a commercial licence. You can install it on your own server or start on Joget's cloud. Version 9.1.2 of the community code came out in October 2026. Joget is heavier than Knack, and it is the better choice when the process matters more than the database.

8. Appsmith: internal apps on databases you already have

Appsmith is a drag-and-drop app builder with JavaScript for logic, connected to databases, SaaS tools and APIs. It is Apache 2.0 and the Community Edition can be self-hosted for free. It is aimed at internal tools rather than customer portals: on the Appsmith pricing page, the cloud Free plan has up to 5 users, 3 standard roles and public apps, Business costs $15 per user per month for up to 99 users, and private app embedding with shared logins is an Enterprise feature ($2,500 a month for 100 users). Version 2.6.0 came out in October 2026.

9. ToolJet: internal apps and portals on a built-in PostgreSQL database

ToolJet pairs a visual app builder with ToolJet Database, a built-in no-code database on PostgreSQL, and lists customer portals among its use cases. The code is AGPL-3.0, and the Community Edition can be self-hosted for free. The ToolJet pricing page shows a cloud Free plan with 2 builders, up to 50 end users, 10 apps, 100 AI credits and predefined user roles; Basic costs $23 per builder per month. Long-term-support release 3.20.256 came out in November 2026.
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Knack Alternatives That Changed, Are Not Open Source or Are Not App Builders

The 2025 version of this article listed ten tools. Ninox, Odoo, PostgreSQL and MariaDB are no longer on the list, and several tools that are often suggested as Knack alternatives do not pass the open-source test:
  • NocoBase: active and free to self-host, but its licence adds terms to Apache 2.0 that forbid offering a public no-code, low-code or AI platform service built on it, so it is not open source in the strict sense. If you were looking for a NocoBase alternative, Budibase, Baserow and Saltcorn cover the same ground under standard open-source licences.
  • NocoDB: its licence file, updated in January 2026, uses the Sustainable Use License, which allows internal use but is not an open-source licence. Our open-source Airtable alternatives explain the change.
  • Directus: a data platform with an admin app, but it uses the Monospace Sustainable Core License, so it is source-available rather than open source.
  • APITable: still AGPL-3.0, but it has shipped only beta releases (the latest in September 2026, the one before in May 2025), so check its activity before you build on it.
  • Rowy and Undb: Rowy's last release was in October 2023 and its code has not changed since November 2024. Undb is archived and says the project has moved to Teable.
  • Ninox: a capable database app builder, but closed source, so it does not belong here.
  • Odoo: its Community edition is open source, but it is a full ERP suite rather than a database app builder.
  • PostgreSQL and MariaDB: excellent open-source databases, but without forms, pages or user logins. Several tools above (Saltcorn, Teable, ToolJet) run on PostgreSQL, and Mathesar, maintained by a nonprofit, adds a spreadsheet-like interface to an existing Postgres database.

Which Open-Source Knack Alternative Should You Choose?

  • You want the closest Knack replacement, with a database and a client portal: Baserow.
  • You need a request and approval portal for staff or clients with unlimited users: Budibase Community, self-hosted.
  • You want something small, fully free and MIT-licensed: Saltcorn.
  • Your team thinks in spreadsheets but needs per-row permissions: Grist.
  • You want Airtable-style tables plus an AI app builder: Teable.
  • Your apps are mostly forms with multi-step approvals: Joget.
  • Someone on the team writes Python: Frappe Framework.
  • You need internal admin apps on databases you already run: Appsmith or ToolJet.

How Founders Use an Open-Source Knack Alternative

Most startups reach for Knack-style tools for one of three jobs: a client portal where customers upload files and see their status, a volunteer or partner directory with sign-in, or an operations database with a few forms for the team. Pick one of these, build it on a copy of your data, and invite five real users before you move everything. Self-hosting is free in licence fees, so budget for a small server, backups and an hour a month of updates. Before you commit, read the 8 biggest mistakes when choosing no-code tools, the hidden costs of no-code AI development and the future-proof features every no-code and low-code platform needs. For hosted options, compare the top no-code web app builders.
Database apps sit next to other self-hosted tools. If you mainly need a shared table, start with our open-source Airtable alternatives or the open-source Airtable AI alternatives. For admin panels on an existing database, see the open-source Retool alternatives; for enterprise apps with governance, the open-source Mendix alternatives; for apps built on spreadsheets, the open-source AppSheet alternatives and free AppSheet alternatives. If you would rather stay hosted and free, compare the free Glide alternatives and free Bubble alternatives. Connect your app to other tools with one of the open-source Zapier alternatives, build reports with the open-source Metabase alternatives, and keep the team wiki in one of the open-source Notion alternatives. If your portal is really a support desk, the open-source HubSpot Service Hub alternatives and our free Intercom alternatives fit better. Before you build anything, validate your startup idea with real users, and write your product's help pages with the F/MS AI SEO Tool so customers find them in Google and AI assistants.

FAQ About Open-Source Knack Alternatives

What is the best open-source alternative to Knack?

Baserow is the closest match: an MIT-licensed no-code database with an application builder for client portals, where page elements can be shown only to logged-in users. Budibase is the best pick for request and approval portals, and Saltcorn is the simplest fully free option.

Is Knack open source?

No. Knack is a closed-source, cloud-hosted platform. When we checked in November 2026, plans started at $59 a month for Starter (with a limited-time $19 offer for the first 3 months for new customers), Pro cost $130, Corporate started at $300, and Enterprise was priced on request.

Is there a free version of Knack?

No. Knack offers a free trial without a credit card, but no free plan. Every tool on this list has a free self-hosted edition, and Baserow, Grist, Teable, Appsmith and ToolJet also have free cloud plans with limits.

Which open-source tool can build a customer portal with logins?

Baserow's application builder, Budibase's service portal and Saltcorn all let you build pages that only signed-in users see. Grist can limit each user to their own rows with access rules, and ToolJet lists customer portals among its use cases.

Is NocoBase open source, and what is a good NocoBase alternative?

Not in the strict sense: its licence adds terms to Apache 2.0 that forbid offering a public no-code, low-code or AI platform service built on it. Budibase (GPLv3), Baserow (MIT core) and Saltcorn (MIT) are close alternatives under standard open-source licences.

Is NocoDB still open source?

No. Since January 2026 its licence file uses the Sustainable Use License, which allows internal self-hosting but is not an open-source licence.

Is Budibase really free?

Yes. The self-hosted Community plan costs $0 and includes unlimited users, apps, agents, automations and requests. Budibase is GPLv3 overall; its paid features sit in a separate package under the Business Source License, and the cloud starts at $299 a month.

Do I need a developer to replace Knack?

Not for Baserow, Budibase, Saltcorn, Grist or Teable: they are built for non-developers. You need someone who can run a small server or a Docker setup if you self-host. Frappe Framework works best with a Python developer, and Appsmith goes further with someone who writes JavaScript.

Why are PostgreSQL, MariaDB and Ninox no longer on the list?

PostgreSQL and MariaDB are databases without forms, pages or logins, so they are not Knack alternatives on their own. Ninox is closed source. Odoo is open source in its Community edition but is a full ERP suite.

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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. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
2026-11-10 17:58 Top Alternatives