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AI/TLDR

Budibase

Open-source low-code platform for building internal apps, automations, and AI agents on your own data

github.com/Budibase/budibase★ 28kbudibase.com

Overview

Budibase is an open-source low-code platform for building internal apps, forms, automations, and AI agents on top of your existing data. Instead of wiring together several separate tools, teams use one builder to create the CRUD apps and workflows their operations rely on.

It fits the low-code / no-code part of the workflow-automation space. You connect databases, AI models, and business apps, then build screens and automations that read and write that data. The same platform can run automations that create records, route approvals, and notify teams.

It is aimed at engineering and operations teams that want to ship internal tools quickly and keep control of their data. Budibase can run on Budibase Cloud, or you can self-host it on your own infrastructure using Docker, Kubernetes, or Digital Ocean.

What it does

  • Low-code builder for internal apps, forms, and CRUD tools on top of your data
  • Automations that create records, route approvals, update apps, and notify teams
  • Connectors for databases, AI models, and business apps so workflows can take action across systems
  • AI agents that interpret employee requests and run the matching workflow automatically
  • Public REST API so Budibase can act as a backend or interoperate with other systems
  • Self-hosting on your own infrastructure via Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or Digital Ocean, plus user, group, SMTP, and theming management

Getting started

The fastest way to try Budibase yourself is to run the single Docker image, then open the builder in your browser. You can also sign up for Budibase Cloud if you do not need to self-host.

Run Budibase with Docker

Start the all-in-one container, mapping a host folder for persistent data. Replace /local/path/data with an absolute path on your machine.

bashbash
docker run -d -t \
  --name=budibase \
  -p 10000:80 \
  -v /local/path/data:/data \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  budibase/budibase:latest

Open the builder

Once the container is running, visit the app in your browser and create your admin account to start building.

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http://localhost:10000

Or use Budibase Cloud

If you do not need to self-host, register for the hosted version at account.budibase.app/register and skip the Docker setup. See docs.budibase.com/docs/hosting-methods for Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and Digital Ocean options.

Commands and code are distilled from the project's own documentation — always check the official repo for the latest.

When to use it

  • Build internal CRUD apps and admin panels on top of an existing SQL database without writing a full custom frontend
  • Create forms and request flows where employees submit issues or approvals that trigger automated workflows
  • Use Budibase as a backend via its public REST API for another app or service
  • Self-host operations tooling on your own infrastructure to keep app data inside your network

How Budibase compares

Budibase alongside other open-source low-code & no-code builders tools AI/TLDR tracks, ranked by GitHub stars.

ToolStarsWhat it does
Langflow★ 150kLangflow is an open-source platform for building AI agents and workflows visually, then deploying each flow as an API or MCP server.
NocoDB★ 63.5kAn open-source tool that turns any SQL database into a no-code spreadsheet-style app, used as a self-hosted Airtable alternative.
Flowise★ 53.7kFlowise is an open-source low-code tool that lets you build LLM apps and AI agents by connecting nodes on a visual canvas, then ship them as an API or chat widget.
Appsmith★ 40.1kAn open-source low-code platform for quickly building internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards from a visual editor plus custom JavaScript and data-source connections.
ToolJet★ 38kAn open-source low-code platform with a drag-and-drop UI builder, built-in database, and JavaScript logic for building internal tools, dashboards, and workflows.
Directus★ 36kAn open-source data platform that wraps any SQL database in an instant API and a no-code admin app for managing content and building back-office tools.
Refine★ 34.9kA React meta-framework for building data-heavy internal tools, admin panels, dashboards, and B2B apps, combining low-code generators with full code control.
Budibase★ 28kOpen-source low-code platform for building internal apps, automations, and AI agents on your own data