Alternatives / Power Apps
Looking for an open source Power Apps alternative? We compared 5 open source low-code and no-code platforms by license, self-hosting, data connectors, and AI features. Most build internal tools, one is an AI agent builder whose repository is now archived, and several use licenses that are not standard open source.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | Closest low-code builder for internal tools | Apache-2.0 |
| Budibase | Business apps on your own data (GPL-3.0) | GPL-3.0 + MPL-2.0 client libraries |
| NocoBase | CRM and ERP-style apps (restrictive license) | NocoBase License (Apache-based) |
| Convertigo | Large organizations needing mobile and web apps | AGPL-3.0 (Community Edition) |
| Flowise | AI agents and chatbots (repository archived) | Apache-2.0 (archived) |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with Power Apps' core: building business apps and internal tools visually, connecting them to data, and controlling who can use them. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository. Power Apps is tied to Microsoft 365 and Dataverse, so we compare data connectors and flag archived projects and restrictive licenses. See our methodology for the full criteria.
The Flowise repository is archived, and its README says Flowise has been archived and points to a discussion on the project's future. Its last release was in July 2026. OpenAlternative notes that Flowise joined Workday. It builds AI agents and chatbots rather than business apps, so it is the least similar to Power Apps, and you should not start a new project on an archived codebase without a plan.
Appsmith and Budibase are the closest: low-code platforms with drag-and-drop interfaces, data source connectors, and self-hosting or cloud options, aimed at internal tools and dashboards. NocoBase builds data-model-driven business systems with plugins and role-based access control, and Convertigo targets larger organizations that need mobile and web apps with many connectors.
Appsmith is Apache-2.0, Budibase is GPL-3.0 with MPL-licensed client libraries, and Convertigo's Community Edition is AGPL-3.0-based. NocoBase uses its own NocoBase License, which incorporates Apache-2.0 plus supplementary terms and commercial editions, so it is not standard open source.
Convertigo's free Community Edition allows unlimited apps on premises, but managed cloud, SLAs, offline data, and enterprise connectors are paid. NocoBase sells Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions, and Budibase and Appsmith also offer paid cloud and enterprise plans.
Appsmith, Budibase, NocoBase, and Convertigo all had commits within days of this update. Flowise is archived, with its last commit in August 2026.
Power Apps is a proprietary Microsoft platform licensed per user or per app, with premium connectors and Dataverse storage adding cost, and apps that depend on the Microsoft ecosystem. Open-source alternatives let you self-host, connect any database or API, avoid per-user licensing, and keep the apps you build portable, at the cost of running the platform yourself and fewer ready-made Microsoft integrations.
Flowise is an open-source visual platform for building AI agents, chatbots, and multi-agent systems with a drag-and-drop interface, 100+ LLMs, and RAG. The source code is Apache-2.0, but the GitHub repository is archived and its README refers to a discussion about the project's future. It builds AI workflows rather than business apps.
Pricing: Apache-2.0 code; the hosted cloud has a free tier and paid plans.
Appsmith is an Apache-2.0 low-code platform for building internal tools, admin panels, and dashboards with a drag-and-drop interface, many database and API integrations, and customizable workflows. It can be self-hosted or used in the Appsmith cloud, with paid plans for advanced and enterprise features.
Pricing: Free to self-host; cloud and enterprise plans are paid.
Budibase is a low-code platform for building custom business web apps on top of your own data, with data integrations, automations, and self-hosting. The platform is licensed GPL-3.0 and its client and component libraries are MPL-2.0, so the apps you build are not themselves subject to the GPL. Paid cloud and enterprise plans add features.
Pricing: Free to self-host; cloud and enterprise plans are paid.
Build CRM, ERP, approval, and back-office applications using visual data modeling, workflows, permissions, plugins, and AI-assisted development. Its license adds restrictions to Apache-2.0.
Pricing: Self-hosted options; commercial licensing applies to restricted uses and features.
Convertigo is a full-stack platform combining no-code and low-code studios to build web, mobile, and desktop business apps, with 300+ connectors. The Community Edition is AGPL-3.0-based, free for unlimited apps and on-premises install, while managed cloud, SLAs, offline data, and enterprise connectors are paid.
Pricing: Free Community Edition; managed cloud and enterprise features are paid.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appsmith | Low-code internal tools | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Dashboards and admin tools |
| Budibase | Low-code business apps | GPL-3.0 + MPL client libraries | Yes | Apps on your own data |
| NocoBase | No-code business systems | NocoBase License (Apache-based) | Yes | CRM and ERP apps |
| Convertigo | Low-code and no-code platform | AGPL-3.0 (Community Edition) | Yes | Enterprise mobile and web apps |
| Flowise | AI agent builder | Apache-2.0 (archived) | Yes | AI agents and chatbots |
Want to build internal tools and dashboards
Appsmith is an Apache-2.0 low-code platform with drag-and-drop UI, many integrations, and cloud or self-hosted deployment.
Want business apps on top of your own database
Budibase connects to your data and builds apps visually, under GPL-3.0 with MPL-licensed client libraries.
Want CRM and ERP-style apps with fine permissions
NocoBase offers data modeling, plugins, and role-based access control, but its license adds restrictions and commercial editions.
Need mobile and web apps for a large organization
Convertigo offers no-code and low-code studios with 300+ connectors, with some enterprise features in paid tiers.
Want AI agents rather than business apps
Flowise builds AI agents visually, but its repository is archived, so plan for an alternative.