Budibase is an open-source low-code platform designed for engineers and teams to rapidly build internal tools, data portals, and workflow applications without writing extensive code. It enables users to create single-page applications with responsive UIs, connect to multiple data sources like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and REST APIs, and automate processes with built-in workflows. Unlike traditional no-code tools that lock you into proprietary systems, Budibase is fully self-hostable under GPL v3 and offers extensibility through its public API, allowing teams to retain full control over their infrastructure and data.
It targets developers, DevOps engineers, and business teams needing to deploy secure, scalable internal applications—such as approval systems, dashboards, or data entry portals—without relying on external SaaS vendors. With Docker, Kubernetes, and Digital Ocean deployment options, Budibase fits into existing infrastructure while offering a cloud-hosted alternative for quick starts.
What You Get
- Multi-database support - Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MSSQL, MongoDB, Airtable, S3, and DynamoDB to power apps with real data—no manual ETL needed.
- Drag-and-drop UI builder - Use pre-built, responsive components to design forms, tables, and portals with CSS styling options for custom branding.
- Workflow automation - Automate manual processes using triggers, actions, and integrations including email, webhooks, and external APIs without writing code.
- Public API for extensibility - Programmatically create apps, manage users, and integrate Budibase as a backend using documented REST endpoints with API key authentication.
- Self-hosting options - Deploy on Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, Digital Ocean, or Portainer with full control over data and security policies.
- App portal and user management - centrally manage users, groups, themes, SMTP settings, and assign app access to teams or individual users.
Common Use Cases
- Building internal HR onboarding portals - Create a form-based workflow to collect employee documents, assign tasks to managers, and auto-send welcome emails—all without backend development.
- Creating a warehouse inventory dashboard - Connect Budibase to PostgreSQL to visualize stock levels, trigger low-stock alerts via webhook, and allow warehouse staff to update quantities with a mobile-friendly interface.
- Problem: Manual approval workflows → Solution: Budibase - Teams spend hours emailing PDFs for approvals; Budibase automates this with form submissions, role-based approvals, and Slack/email notifications.
- DevOps teams managing microservice monitoring dashboards - Engineers use Budibase to build custom UIs that pull metrics from REST APIs of internal services, then share them securely with cross-functional teams via app portals.
Under The Hood
Budibase is a comprehensive low-code platform designed for rapid application development, supporting both self-hosted and cloud deployments through a modular, multi-service architecture. The system emphasizes scalability, extensibility, and developer-friendly tooling to enable fast creation of web applications.
Architecture
Budibase follows a layered architecture with clear separation between backend services, frontend components, and infrastructure layers.
- The monorepo structure enables modular development with distinct packages for apps, workers, and proxies, promoting independent deployment and maintenance
- Component interactions are managed through well-defined APIs and shared state mechanisms, ensuring loose coupling across services
- Design patterns such as dependency injection and strategy patterns are employed to support flexible configuration and extensibility
- Environment-based configuration and middleware-style request handling provide a consistent interface across services
Tech Stack
The platform is built using modern web technologies with a strong emphasis on type safety and component-driven development.
- Built primarily with TypeScript and Svelte, leveraging SvelteKit for frontend and Express-based services for backend
- Relies on a suite of tools including Lerna for monorepo management, Yarn for package handling, and Nx for build orchestration
- Extensive use of internal SDKs, lodash, and dayjs enhances functionality while maintaining code consistency
- Testing is supported through vitest and nock, with a focus on environment-based mocking and configuration
Code Quality
Code quality in Budibase reflects a mature engineering approach with strong testing and linting practices.
- Comprehensive test coverage and linting configurations support maintainable and reliable code development
- Error handling is consistently applied across services, with clear patterns for logging and user feedback
- Code style and naming conventions are mostly consistent, though some legacy code patterns and duplicated logic remain
- Modular structure supports easy maintenance and refactoring, although technical debt in certain areas could be addressed
What Makes It Unique
Budibase distinguishes itself through its integrated approach to low-code development and extensibility.
- Combines backend infrastructure with frontend UI composition, allowing developers to build full-stack applications without extensive custom coding
- Offers a highly modular architecture that supports deep customization while remaining accessible to developers of varying skill levels
- Unique integration capabilities enable seamless extension through plugins and custom components, enhancing platform flexibility
- The unified ecosystem bridges the gap between rapid prototyping and enterprise-grade application development