Discover the top 10 open source low-code platforms of 2025, evaluated and tested for your app development needs.

Introduction

The no-code and low-code movement continues to revolutionize the software development landscape. By lowering barriers to entry and accelerating the development process, these platforms empower a wider range of users to create functional and scalable applications. In 2025, the demand for open source low-code platforms has surged, driven by the need for flexibility, control, and cost-efficiency. This article explores the best open source platforms available this year, providing insights to help you choose the right tool for your app development projects.

What is Low-Code and Open Source?

Understanding Low-Code Development

Low-code development involves using visual interfaces and minimal hand-coding to build software applications. Unlike traditional coding, which requires extensive programming knowledge, low-code platforms offer drag-and-drop components and pre-built modules, enabling rapid application development and deployment.

The Open Source Advantage

Open source platforms provide publicly accessible code that users can inspect, modify, and enhance. This transparency fosters community-driven improvements, ensures reliability through peer reviews, and eliminates vendor lock-in, offering greater control over the development process.

Benefits of Using Open Source Low-Code Platforms

Choosing the best open source platforms comes with numerous advantages:

Transparency: Users can monitor and contribute to the development process, ensuring that the platform evolves according to their needs.
Control: Open source platforms allow for extensive customization, enabling businesses to tailor solutions precisely.
Reliability: Active communities and continuous peer reviews enhance the stability and security of the platforms.
Flexibility: These platforms support a wide range of use cases, making them suitable for diverse business requirements.
Community Support: A vibrant community offers valuable resources, plugins, and extensions to extend platform functionality.

The Top 10 Open Source Low-Code Platforms of 2025

1. Budibase – Best Open-Source Low-Code App Builder

Budibase stands out as a comprehensive solution for building internal tools. It offers a user-friendly interface to design, automate, and deploy web applications quickly. With support for multiple data sources and custom AI configurations, Budibase is ideal for creating everything from admin panels to inventory management apps.

GitHub Stars: 23K
Key Features:
Prebuilt components catalog
Automation editor with triggers and actions
Real-time UI generation

2. Huginn – Best for Process Automation

Huginn excels in automating workflows and integrating various applications. Similar to platforms like Zapier, Huginn allows users to create agents that can perform tasks such as sending weather updates or connecting to tools like Slack and Twilio.

GitHub Stars: 44K
Key Features:
Directed graph visualization
Extensive application integration
Active community support

3. WordPress – Best for Building Drag-and-Drop Websites

As the leading content management system, WordPress powers over 41% of the web. Its vast plugin and template ecosystem enable users to create highly customized websites without writing code.

GitHub Stars: 19.6K
Key Features:
Over 54,000 plugins
User-friendly interface
Extensive community and support

4. Node-RED – Best for IoT Applications

Node-RED provides a browser-based flow editor for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services. It’s particularly suited for developing IoT applications, with built-in nodes for platforms like Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Boards.

GitHub Stars: 20K
Key Features:
Event-driven programming
Easy deployment with a single click
Extensive node library

5. PyCaret – Best for Machine Learning and Real-Time Applications

PyCaret is a low-code machine learning library in Python that accelerates the process from hypothesis to insights. While it’s tailored for data scientists, its robust documentation and tutorials make it accessible for those with some programming background.

GitHub Stars: 9K
Key Features:
Simplified machine learning workflows
Integration with popular Python libraries
Real-time application support

6. Manifest.Build – Best for Low-Code Backends

Manifest.Build simplifies backend development by allowing users to create micro-backends using a single YAML file. It generates SQLLite or Postgres databases and offers a modern admin panel for managing backend operations.

GitHub Stars: 1.8K
Key Features:
Single file configuration
Supports multiple database types
User-friendly admin interface

7. StackStorm – Best for DevOps Automation

StackStorm is an event-driven workflow automation tool designed for DevOps professionals. It supports a wide range of infrastructure tools and allows for the creation of complex automation rules using customizable triggers.

GitHub Stars: 6.2K
Key Features:
Comprehensive automation capabilities
Integration with various DevOps tools
Flexible rule creation

8. GrapeJS – Best for Building HTML Templates

GrapeJS offers a customizable visual editor for creating HTML web pages, email layouts, and newsletters. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with content management systems, providing an intuitive experience for end-users.

GitHub Stars: 23.5K
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop editor
Extensive template library
Easy CMS integration

9. Flowise – Best for LLM Orchestration

Flowise facilitates the creation of AI orchestration flows, connecting large language models (LLMs) to caches, data loaders, and task-specific nodes. It’s ideal for developing AI agents with local LLMs, embeddings, and vector databases.

GitHub Stars: 35.8K
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop flow creation
Support for various AI models
Scalable orchestration capabilities

10. AppFlowy – Best for Collaboration and Project Management

AppFlowy serves as an open-source alternative to Notion, offering a collaborative platform for managing wikis, projects, and notes. With extensive templates and AI capabilities, it’s perfect for creating efficient project management and productivity tools.

GitHub Stars: 61K
Key Features:
Collaborative workspace
Customizable templates
Secure information management

How to Choose the Right Open Source Low-Code Platform

Selecting the best open source platforms depends on various factors tailored to your specific needs:

1. End-User Requirements

Consider the number of users, their technical proficiency, required actions, and access levels. For instance, platforms like Budibase are excellent for internal tools, while WordPress is ideal for public websites.

2. Developer Expertise

Assess whether your team consists of professional developers or business users. Platforms like Node-RED cater to developers with IoT applications, whereas AppFlowy is more suited for collaborative project management without deep technical skills.

3. Hosting and Deployment

Determine your hosting preferences—whether you prefer cloud hosting, private networks, local devices, or a hybrid approach. Many platforms, including Budibase, offer flexible hosting options to meet diverse security and scalability needs.

4. Cost Considerations

Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including any hidden expenses. Open source platforms typically offer free tiers, but it’s crucial to understand the pricing structures for additional features or support.

5. Functionality and Integrations

Ensure the platform supports the specific functionalities you require and integrates seamlessly with your existing tools and data sources. Platforms like Huginn and StackStorm offer robust integration capabilities for various applications.

Conclusion

The landscape of open source low-code platforms is vibrant and continually evolving. By leveraging these best open source platforms, businesses and individuals can accelerate their app development processes, reduce costs, and maintain greater control over their projects. Whether you’re building internal tools, websites, IoT applications, or AI-driven solutions, there’s a platform tailored to your needs.

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