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Budibase suits teams building internal work apps, but a reported change to self-hosted user limits has unsettled some users. One Reddit thread says the open-source self-hosted version would soon be limited to 20 users; that is a user report, not confirmation of current terms. Our listing shows a free plan and paid plans from $299. Below are six alternatives for business apps, data portals and form-led workflows. Their deployment terms aren’t specified here, so confirm self-hosting before switching.
01Why people leave Budibase
Self-hosted user cap concerns
One Reddit post says Budibase notified users that the open-source self-hosted version would soon be limited to 20 users. Confirm the current terms directly.
Open-source trust took a hit
Some commenters questioned how Budibase’s open-source commitments and pricing might change. The reported user limit has added to those concerns.
Per-user costs can add up
A Reddit commenter said a reported $5-per-user cost was unworkable for volunteer projects without a budget.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Google-based business apps
AppSheetAppSheetAppSheet is a strong match if your Budibase app is a business workflow and your data already lives in Google Sheets. The listing highlights app governance as well as internal business apps, with a free plan and paid plans from $5. That gives you a lower stated entry price, but check the per-user costs and learning demands before moving a whole team.
Trade-off: Per-user costs and learning demands need a close look.
7.1/10from
$5/mofree plan - Operational workflows
QuickbaseQuickbaseQuickbase is worth comparing if you’re replacing manual operations with custom internal apps, especially for field and office teams sharing work updates. The listing puts it at $35 to start. It is a more focused option for operational workflows than a general app-building shortlist suggests, but budget carefully and keep complex BI in its own tool.
Trade-off: Budget carefully; complex BI may need a separate tool.
7.0/10from
$35/mo - Airtable-based portals
StackerStackerStacker makes the most sense when the Budibase app is really a portal around data you already keep in Airtable or another supported source. Its listed strengths are defined access rules and internal tools built around existing data; plans start at $29. Check the user caps before switching, particularly if your current app serves a large group.
Trade-off: Check user caps and whether your data source is supported.
7.1/10from
$29/mo - Prompt-built web apps
MochaMochaMocha is an option if you want to create a full-stack app from prompts and have authentication and hosting included. The listing shows a free plan and paid plans from $19. That makes it a different route from Budibase’s internal-work-app focus, so compare your actual workflow needs and verify the credit and publishing caps before committing.
Trade-off: Credit and publishing caps may constrain a project.
6.5/10from
$19/mofree plan - Web and mobile prototypes
CreateCreateCreate fits solo builders who want to generate web and mobile apps, prototype with prompts and use built-in backend tools. The listing shows a free plan and paid plans from $19. It is worth considering when your Budibase project is still taking shape, but the credit allowance is a key limit to check before relying on it.
Trade-off: Check the credit allowance before committing.
7.0/10from
$19/mofree plan - Form-led workflows
Jotform AppsJotform AppsJotform Apps is a narrower alternative if the Budibase app mainly collects information through branded forms or takes payments through forms. The listing includes a free plan and paid plans from $34. It may suit a form-led workflow, but it is not presented as a broad internal app builder; check submission caps against your expected volume.
Trade-off: Submission caps and paid-plan costs can be limiting.
7.0/10from
$34/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Budibase Budibase (current) | 6.4 | $299/mo | Yes | Teams building internal work apps |
| AppSheet AppSheet | 7.1 | $5/mo | Yes | Teams building internal business apps |
| Quickbase Quickbase | 7.0 | $35/mo | No | Teams replacing manual operational workflows |
| Stacker Stacker | 7.1 | $29/mo | No | Teams already using Airtable |
| Mocha Mocha | 6.5 | $19/mo | Yes | Prompt-based full-stack app creation |
| Create Create | 7.0 | $19/mo | Yes | Solo builders wanting web and mobile |
| Jotform Apps Jotform Apps | 7.0 | $34/mo | Yes | Individuals building branded forms |
Questions people ask
Which Budibase alternative is best for internal business apps?
Based on the listed use cases, AppSheet and Quickbase are the closest fits for internal business apps: AppSheet highlights business apps and Google Sheets workflows, while Quickbase focuses on custom operational apps. Stacker is another option when your tools are built around Airtable or another supported data source.
Is there a free alternative to Budibase?
The listings mark AppSheet, Mocha, Create and Jotform Apps as having free plans. That does not establish what each free tier allows for your use case. Check the relevant per-user costs, credits, publishing limits or submission caps before deciding a free plan can replace your Budibase setup.
Which Budibase alternatives can be self-hosted?
The alternative information here does not specify self-hosting for these products. If deployment on your own infrastructure is a requirement, ask each vendor to confirm hosting options, user limits and licensing in writing before migrating. Don’t assume a free plan or a lower starting price includes self-hosting.