Top 10 Free Alternatives to Mendix in 2025

As we move into 2025, Mendix continues to be a popular low-code platform for building applications. However, there are several free alternatives available that offer unique features and capabilities. This article explores the top 10 free or freemium alternatives to Mendix, comparing them on key data points like pricing, key features, and why you should consider them.

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1. ToolJet

Description: An open-source, full-stack platform for building internal dashboards and applications.
Key Features:
Open-source, allowing for extensive customization.
Drag-and-drop UI builder for easy application creation.
Connects to various databases, APIs, and external services.
Supports custom JavaScript code for advanced logic.
Offers version control and collaboration features.
Pricing: Free for self-hosted option, cloud plans available with tiered pricing.
Website: ToolJet
Source: [4]

2. Appsmith

Description: An open-source, low-code platform for building web applications quickly.
Key Features:
Connects to databases, SaaS tools, and APIs.
Drag-and-drop UI building with customizable widgets.
JavaScript integration for advanced functionality.
Git-based version control.
Reactive binding allows dynamic updates.
Pricing: Free for the self-hosted version, cloud plans available with tiered pricing.
Website: Appsmith
Source: [1, 4, 5]

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3. Budibase

Description: An open-source, low-code platform to build custom internal tools.
Key Features:
Open-source and self-hostable.
Drag and drop interface.
Built-in database.
Supports external databases such as MySQL, Postgres and MongoDB.
Role-based access control.
Pricing: Free for self-hosting, cloud options with tiered pricing available.
Website: Budibase
Source: [4, 8]

4. Zoho Creator

Description: A versatile low-code platform for building custom business applications.
Key Features:
Form-based app builder.
Wide selection of ready-made fields.
Integrates with Zoho suite apps.
Proprietary scripting language for customization.
Mobile app deployment for iOS and Android.
Pricing: Plans start at $8 per user per month for single apps, $20 for unlimited.
Website: Zoho Creator
Source: [2, 3, 8, 11, 14, 15, 17]

5. Microsoft Power Apps

Description: A low-code platform within the Microsoft ecosystem for building business applications.
Key Features:
Integration with Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft services.
AI-powered code generation with Copilot.
Drag-and-drop interface and direct code editing.
Wide range of connectors to external data sources.
Mobile and web app development.
Pricing: Free to start in a test environment, paid plans starting around $20/user/month.
Website: Microsoft Power Apps
Source: [1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17]

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6. UI Bakery

Description: A user-friendly low-code platform for building custom internal tools and applications.
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop interface.
Customizable components.
Data integration with various sources.
Role-based access control.
Responsive design.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans starting from $6/end-user/month.
Website: UI Bakery
Source: [5, 7]

7. OutSystems

Description: A low-code platform for building complex applications.
Key Features:
Visual development environment.
Cross-platform app development.
Integration capabilities.
Scalability for enterprise applications.
Cloud or on-premise deployment.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid options start around $18,000 annually.
Website: OutSystems
Source: [2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17]

8. Glide

Description: A no-code platform for turning spreadsheets into mobile apps.
Key Features:
Transforms Google Sheets and other data sources into apps.
Easy to create good-looking mobile apps.
Mobile-first focus.
Advanced API integrations.
AI-driven personalization options.
Pricing: Free plan available for individuals, paid plans start around $60/month.
Website: Glide
Source: [4, 6, 16]

9. Appian

Description: A low-code platform focusing on business process automation and case management.
Key Features:
Intuitive tools for visualizing data flows.
Process automation with visual workflows.
Case management.
AI-powered analytics.
Enterprise-grade application development.
Pricing: Free plan available, pricing upon request.
Website: Appian
Source: [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15]

10. Quickbase

Description: A low-code platform focused on workflow automation and data integration.
Key Features:
Custom application development without coding.
Rapid application development.
Data encryption and security.
Integrations with other business systems.
Compliance with FDA and HIPAA.
Pricing: Pricing not directly listed, but available on request.
Website: Quickbase
Source: [3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15]

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FAQ

1. What is ToolJet?

ToolJet is an open-source, full-stack platform for building internal dashboards and applications. It features a drag-and-drop UI builder, connects to various databases and APIs, and supports custom JavaScript code for advanced logic. Learn more about ToolJet

2. What makes Appsmith a good choice?

Appsmith is an open-source, low-code platform ideal for building web applications quickly. It offers customizable widgets, JavaScript integration, and Git-based version control. Discover Appsmith

3. How does Budibase differ from other platforms?

Budibase is an open-source platform designed for building custom internal tools. It supports external databases such as MySQL, Postgres, and MongoDB, and offers role-based access control. Explore Budibase

4. What should I know about Zoho Creator?

Zoho Creator is a versatile low-code platform for building custom business applications. It integrates with the Zoho suite of apps and offers mobile app deployment for iOS and Android. Learn more about Zoho Creator

5. Why consider Microsoft Power Apps?

Microsoft Power Apps integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft services. It features AI-powered code generation, drag-and-drop interface, and supports mobile and web app development. Explore Microsoft Power Apps

6. What are the features of UI Bakery?

UI Bakery offers a user-friendly low-code platform for building custom internal tools and applications. It includes a drag-and-drop interface, customizable components, and role-based access control. Discover UI Bakery

7. What can OutSystems provide?

OutSystems is a low-code platform for building complex applications, featuring a visual development environment, cross-platform app development, and enterprise scalability. Learn more about OutSystems

8. How does Glide work?

Glide is a no-code platform that transforms spreadsheets into mobile apps. It focuses on mobile-first development and offers advanced API integrations and AI-driven personalization. Explore Glide

9. What is special about Appian?

Appian is a low-code platform focusing on business process automation and case management. It uses visual workflows for process automation and includes AI-powered analytics. Discover Appian

10. Why use Quickbase?

Quickbase is a low-code platform focused on workflow automation and data integration. It supports custom application development without coding, offers data encryption, and is compliant with FDA and HIPAA. Learn more about Quickbase

References

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.