Microsoft Power Apps costs $20/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Microsoft Power Apps, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Microsoft Power Apps vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $20/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 41.2k | Microsoft Power Apps vs Appsmith → |
| Budibase | open source | GPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 28.4k | Microsoft Power Apps vs Budibase → |
| Illa | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 12.3k | Microsoft Power Apps vs Illa → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Appsmith
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host41.2knov 2026Build custom apps quickly with Appsmith.
The catch vs Microsoft Power AppsRequires 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
- 2026-11-04
- 02
Budibase
open sourceGPL-3.0Self-host28.4kjul 2026Internal apps, forms, automations, and portals in one box; much closer to Knack than its developer branding suggests.
The catch vs Microsoft Power AppsIt 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
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Illa
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host12.3kmay 2025Low-code platform for business apps.
The catch vs Microsoft Power AppsRequires 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/illacloud/illa-builder 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
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Microsoft Power Apps open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Power Apps?+
The top free alternative to Microsoft Power Apps is Appsmith (open source, cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7). Build custom apps quickly with Appsmith. Other popular Microsoft Power Apps replacements include Budibase, Illa.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Microsoft Power Apps?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Microsoft Power Apps, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Appsmith (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Budibase (GPL-3.0), Illa (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7).
How much does switching from Microsoft Power Apps to a free alternative save?+
Microsoft Power Apps starts at $20/month per seat ($240/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Appsmith saves $1,200 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Microsoft Power Apps clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Microsoft Power Apps is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Microsoft Power Apps or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Appsmith or Budibase.
What is the catch when switching from Microsoft Power Apps to Appsmith?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Power Apps.
