Mendix costs $15/mo.
These cost $0.
6 free alternatives to Mendix, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Mendix is ToolJet (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 5 self-hostable tools are available (including ToolJet and AppSmith). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $900/year compared to Mendix's $15/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mendix.
Mendix vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $15/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ToolJet | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 41.2k | Mendix vs ToolJet → |
| AppSmith | open source | Apache-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 41.2k | Mendix vs AppSmith → |
| Refine | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 36k | Mendix vs Refine → |
| Budibase | open source | GPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 28.4k | Mendix vs Budibase → |
| NocoBase | open source | NocoBase Community | Self-host | ★ 24.9k | Mendix vs NocoBase → |
| Convertigo | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 387 | Mendix vs Convertigo → |
The picks
6 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
ToolJet
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host41.2knov 2026Open-source low-code platform for creating custom internal tools, dashboards, and admin panels with a drag-and-drop interface
The catch vs MendixRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mendix.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/tooljet/tooljet or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
AppSmith
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host41.2knov 2026Low-code platform for creating powerful internal tools and dashboards with drag-and-drop ease, robust integrations, and customizable workflows.
The catch vs MendixRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Power Apps.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/appsmithorg/appsmith or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Refine
open sourceOpen SourceLocal36knov 2026A React-based framework for rapid development of internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards with powerful data handling capabilities.
The catch vs MendixCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/refinedev/refine or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
Budibase
open sourceGPL-3.0Self-host28.4knov 2026Low-code platform for creating custom business applications quickly. Design, automate, and deploy with ease.
The catch vs MendixIt is built mainly for responsive internal web apps, not AppSheet's installable mobile apps with offline field use and spreadsheet-driven rules.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Docker image or Docker Compose; Kubernetes is also supported
- setup
- Requires Docker and persistent storage; production use also means owning upgrades, TLS, backups, and database/network access
- engines
- Model-agnostic; the agent builder supports bring-your-own AI provider credentials
- your data
- Built-in app data and app definitions are stored in CouchDB, files in MinIO/S3-compatible object storage, and connected external data remains in its source system
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 05
NocoBase
open sourceNocoBase CommunitySelf-host24.9knov 2026Open-source no-code platform for creating tailored business applications quickly, with full customization and easy deployment options.
The catch vs MendixIt is a self-hosted database web-app platform rather than a turnkey offline mobile app builder, making mobile field work the largest loss.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- NocoBase CLI or Docker deployment with MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL
- setup
- Requires a database, secrets, and deployment administration; the community license also preserves NocoBase branding and restricts some uses
- engines
- Built-in AI employees can connect to common LLMs; exact provider support depends on installed AI plugins
- your data
- Business data lives in standard relational tables in the configured MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL database; files use configured local or object storage
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 06
Convertigo
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host387nov 2026Full-stack open source platform combining no-code and low-code studios to build, deploy, and integrate web, mobile, and desktop business applications.
The catch vs MendixRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mendix.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/convertigo/convertigo or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Mendix Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 6 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Mendix open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Mendix?+
The top free alternative to Mendix is ToolJet (open source, Open Source). Open-source low-code platform for creating custom internal tools, dashboards, and admin panels with a drag-and-drop interface Other popular Mendix replacements include AppSmith, Refine, Budibase.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Mendix?+
Yes. Of the 6 free alternatives to Mendix, 5 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: ToolJet (Open Source), AppSmith (Apache-2.0), Budibase (GPL-3.0), NocoBase (NocoBase Community), Convertigo (Open Source).
How much does switching from Mendix to a free alternative save?+
Mendix starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like ToolJet saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Mendix clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Mendix is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Mendix or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like ToolJet.
What is the catch when switching from Mendix to ToolJet?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mendix.
