Top 12 Mendix Alternatives & Competitors in 2025 (Free & Paid)

Mendix is a well-known low-code platform used to build everything from internal business apps to large-scale enterprise systems.

‍

For many teams, Mendix can feel too rigid, too expensive, or simply too complex for what they actually need. Its unique syntax and locked-in environment are often off-putting for teams who want low-code benefits without abandoning their existing tools or workflows.

‍

Thankfully, there are plenty of development platforms that offer leaner and more affordable alternatives to Mendix.

‍

In this article, we’ll cover: 

• The top reasons people look for Mendix alternatives
• How we selected the best Mendix competitors
• The 10 best Mendix alternatives in 2025
• FAQs to help you choose the right platform

First, let’s explore what makes Mendix a popular choice for building applications.

What is Mendix used for?

Mendix was founded in 2005 in the Netherlands and has since grown into one of the most established names in low-code. It’s designed for teams that need to build scalable, enterprise-grade solutions, but don’t want to go the traditional (read: slow) custom development route.

‍

Siemens acquired the company in 2018, which gave it an even bigger push into enterprise and industrial use cases. 

‍

Today, it’s specifically used to build:

• Internal business tools like inventory dashboards, approval workflows, and admin portals
• Customer-facing portals for onboarding, service requests, or account management
• Workflow automation apps to reduce manual processes in HR, finance, and operations
• Mobile applications that run across devices with minimal extra work
• Legacy system modernization, especially for organizations dealing with clunky, outdated enterprise software

Some of the core features that power these use cases include:

• Visual development environment: Mendix Studio and Studio Pro let you drag and drop UI components, define data models, and map workflows.
• Workflow & business logic tools: Automate processes with visual workflows and decision trees. For more complex logic, you can still write custom Java or JavaScript.
• Enterprise-ready deployment: Apps can be deployed to the Mendix Cloud, private clouds, or on-prem. Mendix also includes built-in support for role-based access control, audit trails, CI/CD pipelines, and performance monitoring.
• Reusability: Use prebuilt modules from the Mendix Marketplace.

Why people look for Mendix alternatives

Even though Mendix is powerful, some teams find it isn’t the perfect fit for every scenario. Common reasons organizations seek out Mendix alternatives include:

Complex enterprise focus

Mendix is geared towards large, complex enterprise projects, which can make it overkill for smaller teams or simpler apps. Its wide-ranging toolset and robust features mean a higher learning curve and more complexity than some teams need​.

High pricing tiers

Mendix’s pricing can get expensive as you scale. While a basic plan starts around $75/month, that is just the base fee. Your plan may end up costing more, depending on the number of users, support level you need, number of environments, and deployment option you choose.

Vendor lock-in concerns

Applications built in Mendix cannot run independently outside the Mendix ecosystem. You need an active Mendix license to deploy and run them​. Migrating away would likely require rebuilding the app on a new stack, so teams often prefer alternatives that offer more portability (open-source code, standard tech under the hood, etc.).

Rigid UI/Front-end control

While Mendix offers a drag-and-drop UI framework achieving pixel-perfect or highly custom designs can be challenging. The platform’s opinionated components can also make the UI feel “standardized,” which frustrates teams who want total creative control over the front-end.

Steep learning curve

Despite being low-code, Mendix is a large ecosystem to learn, especially for newcomers. Mastering its modeling tools, logic flows, and best practices takes time. Teams looking to get productive faster (or with more traditional coding skills) may favor alternatives that are easier to pick up.

The top 12 Mendix alternatives: TL;DR

If you’re just here for the shortlist, we’ve got you. We’ll go into more detail later, but here is a quick overview:

1. Superblocks: AI-powered app platform for building internal tools quickly with no lock in
2. OutSystems: Offers a single platform for building web and, mobile-first experiences
3. Appsmith: Affordable open-source internal tool builder
4. Retool: Popular low-code tool with a wide selection of UI templates and integrations
5. Budibase: Open-source internal tool builder with built-in database
6. Zoho Creator: Business-friendly builder with tight Zoho ecosystem support

Special mentions

‍

These tools didn’t make the full deep-dive list, but they’re still strong Mendix alternatives depending on your use case. 

7. Microsoft Power Apps: Low-code builder with tight Microsoft ecosystem support
8. Glide: No-code builder that turns spreadsheets into slick apps
9. Quickbase: Low-code builder for managing dynamic work and projects
10. Kissflow: Designed around automating business workflows and processes
11. ToolJet: Open-source app builder with a strong AI-focus
12. DronaHQ: Offers strong mobile support out of the box for both iOS and Android

How we chose the best Mendix alternatives

When evaluating Mendix competitors, we prioritized platforms that solve the same core problems Mendix does but without the complexity, pricing, or lock-in.

‍

Here’s what mattered most:

• Flexibility in how you build: We looked for platforms that support a range of development styles that benefit existing, new, and semi-technical developers.
• Ease of use for faster ramp-up: We prioritized tools with intuitive builders, pre-built components, and native integrations that shorten the learning curves. Bonus point if it supports AI-assisted development.
• Pricing transparency and scalability: We focused on platforms that offer clear, predictable pricing with room to scale. We went for tools with generous free tiers, per-user plans, or open-source versions that don’t force an enterprise commitment on day one.
• Deployment options: Several tools on this list support self-hosting or hybrid deployment, which is a must-have for companies with strict data residency or compliance needs. 
• Community, docs, and support: A strong developer community and good documentation can make or break your onboarding experience. We prioritized platforms with active communities, detailed docs, and responsive support channels.

Beyond those primary filters, we also considered:

• Role-based access control (RBAC) to maintain tight security standards.
• Integration with version-control tools  for safer deployments
• Native integrations with databases, APIs, and third-party services
• Opt-out options that reduce vendor lock-in concerns
• Support for built-in or bring-your-own databases to give teams more flexibility at the data layer

Top 6 Mendix alternatives reviews

Below are six major alternatives to Mendix, each with a detailed overview. We’ll look at what each platform is, its key features, how much it costs, and its ideal use cases in the reviews below: 

1. Superblocks

Superblocks is an AI-powered development platform designed for rapidly building custom internal applications, workflows, and scheduled jobs. 

‍

It's easily one of the most flexible alternatives to Mendix. It offers multiple ways to build — visually, with code and AI — and supports both cloud and on-prem deployments. Apps are portable too. It’s also far more developer-centric. You can use standard languages, version with Git, and integrate your CI/CD pipelines.

Key features

• Flexible development options: Offers a drag-and-drop UI builder, pre-built templates, a visual workflow editor, and fully extensible components. You can also use AI prompts alongside visual tools and raw code to speed up development.
• Integrations with popular AI models: Connect to AI models like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini to power intelligent workflows, jobs, and applications
• Custom code & extensibility: Lets developers inject code using familiar languages like Python, JavaScript, SQL, and React.
• Support for common DevOps tools: Supports Git-based version control, automated testing, and CI/CD integrations.
• Comprehensive integration library: Built-in connectors for databases (SQL, NoSQL), data warehouses, REST/GraphQL APIs, and cloud services (S3, Dropbox, etc.) make it easy to hook into existing systems.
• Workflow automation solutions: Build scheduled tasks and background jobs with cron-like control. Great for backend workflows, not just UI-based apps.
• Deployment flexibility: Options for single-click cloud deployment or using an on-premises agent to keep data within your VPC​.
• Enterprise-grade security features: Offers role-based access control, audit logs, secrets management, SSO authentication, and integrates with your monitoring tools.
• No lock-in: Apps are React under the hood and can be exported and hosted independently. No need to reverse-engineer a proprietary system if you ever move off-platform.
• Streaming support: Has native integrations for streaming platforms like Kafka, Confluent, Kinesis, and more. You can also stream responses from AI models.

Best for

Developers and technical teams at startups or enterprises who want to increase their output of internal tools while prioritizing security, customization, and centralized governance.  

‍

It's also ideal for orgs that want to keep sensitive data on-prem while still enjoying a fully managed experience via Superblocks Cloud.

Pricing

Superblocks offers a free tier for up to 5 users (unlimited apps and workflows)​. Paid plans are tiered by user types. For example, the Startup plan is $49/month per “creator” (developer) and $15/month per end-user​. Enterprise plans with advanced features are available with custom pricing. 

Verdict

Superblocks strips away the bloat of heavy enterprise platforms and delivers a lightweight experience that’s easy to get into and simple to manage. Developers can build internal apps using familiar languages and their existing workflows. It is an excellent choice for organizations that want to escape Mendix’s complexity, rigidity, and lock-in risk without sacrificing development speed or security.

2. OutSystems

OutSystems is one of the leading low-code platforms in the market and a direct competitor to Mendix. It’s a full-stack, low-code environment often used by developers to build web and mobile applications with speed.

Key features

• Visual development environment: OutSystems comes with a powerful drag-and-drop UI editor and visual logic designer.
• Mobile development support: Has strong mobile app capabilities using React Native under the hood.
• One-click deployment across different environments: The platform handles packaging and deploying your app to various platforms (web, iOS, Android) at the push of a button​.
• Extensive integrations: Has out-of-the-box connectors for many enterprise systems (SAP, Salesforce, databases, etc.) and an Integration Studio for creating new integrations.
• Security features: Comes with enterprise security features like role-based access control, SSO integration, and audit logs.

Best for

Organizations that want a single low-code platform to build everything from internal portals to customer-facing mobile apps at scale and have the budget to match.

Pricing

OutSystems is on the expensive enterprise end of the spectrum. They do offer a free trial or personal edition for evaluation, but meaningful use in production comes with a hefty price tag. Pricing is typically annual and based on app complexity, number of end users, and infrastructure. The plans start from $36,000 per year.

Verdict

OutSystems is a good Mendix alternative when you require an enterprise platform that is flexible enough to handle all your web and mobile development needs in a single place. However, if budget is a primary concern, OutSystems may not be the right alternative. 

3. Appsmith

Appsmith is an open-source Mendix alternative. It’s a low-code platform that developers and citizen developers alike use to build internal applications rapidly. It’s particularly popular for creating dashboards, admin panels, CRUD interfaces on databases, and other internal tools to streamline business processes.​

Key features

• Pre-built widgets: Comes with a rich library of UI widgets (forms, tables, charts, dropdowns, etc.) that you simply drag onto your canvas and bind to your data.
• Native integrations: Offers native connectors for popular databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, etc.), REST and GraphQL APIs, and third-party services.
• JavaScript logic editor :The built-in JS editor that lets you write JavaScript to manipulate data, handle transformations, or implement custom logic right within Appsmith​.
• Flexible deployment: You can run Appsmith on your own servers or use a managed cloud-hosted version. 

Best for

Teams that value open-source tools and want full control over hosting and infrastructure.

Pricing

Appsmith’s Community Edition is free to self-host, with no user or app limits. The Cloud version has a free tier, and usage-based pricing starts at $15/month per user. Managed hosting beyond the free tier is only available on the Enterprise tier as an add-on.

‍

If you're going the self-hosted route, don’t forget to account for your own infrastructure costs.

Verdict

If Mendix feels overpriced or restrictive, Appsmith is a refreshing alternative. You can host it yourself, write apps in JavaScript, and retain full control over your code and data. 

‍

That said, it’s not without trade-offs. Appsmith doesn’t support native streaming, and its managed hosting options are limited. You’ll need to jump to the enterprise tier even if you don’t need other enterprise features.

4. Retool

Retool is one of the most recognizable internal tool builders. It’s known for its ease of use, and offers a drag-and-drop editor, tons of pre-built components, and a huge template library that helps you get up and running in no time.

Key features

• Visual interface: Quickly assemble apps with 300+ templates and a library of plug-and-play components like tables, forms, and charts.
• Extensive integrations: Easily pull in data from SQL databases, APIs, cloud platforms, and third-party tools without complex setup.
• Component reuse: Build once and reuse across apps. You can create custom UI pieces and drop them into other projects.
• Flexible hosting: Available as a hosted service or deployed on your own infrastructure. The self-hosted path however comes with DevOps overhead like managing containers, secrets, and updates manually.

Best for

Teams that prioritize speed and simplicity over deep customization. Great for internal tools that need to work on mobile but don’t require fully native mobile experiences.

Pricing

Retool uses a per-user pricing model with multiple tiers. It offers a Free Plan for up to 5 users (and unlimited apps), which is great for small teams or for trying it out. 

‍

Beyond that, paid plans start at $10/month per builder and $5/month per end user, with enterprise features like granular permissions and audit trails available on higher tiers.

Verdict

Retool is a great choice if you want to build internal tools quickly with minimal setup. That said, it’s not the most flexible option. It lacks support for Python, which can be a dealbreaker for some workflows, and you can’t export your apps outside the platform, which raises concerns about vendor lock-in. 

5. Budibase

Like Appsmith, Budibase is an open-source, low-code platform for building business applications and internal tools with minimal coding. Its focus on workflow automation and easy data integration sets it apart. It even includes a built-in database for fast prototyping. 

Key features

• Built-in and external data support: You can connect to external data sources (Postgres, MySQL, REST APIs, Airtable, etc.) or use the built-in Budibase DB to create tables right inside Budibase​.
• Flexible deployment options: It’s fully open source and can be deployed with Docker, on-prem. A cloud-hosted version is also available.
• Built-in automation engine: Set up workflows that respond to user actions, database events, or schedules using logic blocks or custom JavaScript.
• Templates gallery: Comes with a range of pre-built app templates that you can use as a starting point and then tailor to your needs.

Best for

Teams that prefer an open-source solution or need the option to self-host due to data governance. It is also ideal for teams looking for an app platform that comes with its own database.

Pricing

Budibase offers a free tier for up to 5 users on the cloud or 25 on self-hosted. Paid cloud plans start at $50/month for creators and $5/month per end user. Enterprise plans are also available at a custom-quoted price.

Verdict

Budibase is one of the best open-source platforms for building data-driven apps and workflows. Compared to Appsmith, it offers a more accessible path to cloud-hosted features without requiring a jump to the top-tier enterprise plan.

6. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is Zoho’s low-code development platform, built to help teams create everything from basic data collection forms to more advanced business applications. It fits naturally into the broader Zoho suite but also integrates well with external tools, making it a flexible pick for teams that want fast results without heavy development.

Key features:

• Visual builder + form designer: Easily create pages and forms using a drag-and-drop interface with a wide variety of input types.
• Workflow automation: Automate tasks with a visual flow builder or use scripts to trigger events.
• Deluge scripting: Zoho Creator uses its own scripting language, Deluge. It’s lightweight, easy to learn, and great for handling logic, API calls, and conditional workflows.
• Pre-built templates: Start faster with 100+ templates for common apps like CRMs, expense trackers, and approval systems. Customize them to match your process.
• Cross-platform support: Apps work seamlessly on the web and mobile without needing extra configuration.

Best for

Small to mid-sized businesses, solo developers, and business teams that want to roll out internal apps quickly, especially if they’re already using other Zoho products. It’s also a great entry point for teams that don’t have a dedicated dev team but still want custom solutions.

Pricing

Zoho Creator is significantly more accessible than enterprise-first platforms like Mendix. Plans start at $20/month, with higher tiers unlocking more records, integrations, and enterprise features. There’s also a free plan for single users.

Verdict

Zoho Creator is a smart pick for teams that want to build apps quickly and affordably without needing a full dev stack. It’s approachable, especially for non-technical users, and great for automating day-to-day processes. 

‍

However, while it’s user-friendly, you’ll still need to learn Deluge, which adds a bit of a learning curve if you're used to more standard languages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest Mendix alternative?

If you're seeking low or no-cost options, open-source platforms like Appsmith and Budibase are excellent choices. Both offer free self-hosted versions, allowing you to build and deploy applications without licensing fees. However, keep in mind that self-hosting entails infrastructure costs.

Which Mendix competitor is best for developers?

Superblocks leads the pack for developer-friendliness. It supports full-code extensibility with JavaScript, Python, and SQL, integrates seamlessly with Git for version control, and offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises and cloud.

Is Mendix a no-code or low-code platform?

Mendix is a low-code platform. It offers a no-code environment (Mendix Studio) tailored for business users to create simple applications. However, developing more complex applications typically requires using Mendix Studio Pro, which involves using code.

‍

Read about how low-code compares to high code in the full article.

Which Mendix alternatives are open source?

The main open-source Mendix alternatives are Appsmith, Budibase, and ToolJet. All three offer access to their source code, support self-hosting, and have active communities. 

‍

Superblocks isn’t fully open-source, but it does offer an open-source OPA agent that can be deployed as a lightweight Docker container within your network to keep sensitive data on-prem.

Can I export my app from Mendix?

Not really. Mendix doesn’t give you a standalone exportable app. You can export your app’s model and data but not the underlying code, in a portable way. That means switching platforms usually requires rebuilding the app from scratch.

‍

If you’re building mostly internal-facing software and you want your developers to actually enjoy using the platform (as opposed to feeling constrained by it), Superblocks is a good answer. It’s equally suitable for a tiny startup that needs to spin up an app in a week or a large enterprise department replacing legacy internal tools.

Try Superblocks for free

After exploring all these options, Superblocks stands out as the overall best Mendix alternative for developers and semi-technical teams. 

‍

There are a few key reasons why we think Superblocks merits this top spot:

• Developer-centric design: You can leverage your coding skills (JavaScript/Python/SQL/React) directly within the platform, use Git for version control, and integrate with any API or database easily. This is a stark contrast to Mendix’s more abstracted approach.
• Ease of use with extensibility: While being powerful for developers, Superblocks remains easy to learn and use. The interface is intuitive, and the learning curve is relatively shallow. At the same time, whenever the out-of-the-box functionality isn’t enough, Superblocks lets you extend it infinitely with custom code and components.
• No-compromise UI and UX control: You have 100+ components to start with, but you can also create custom React components or tweak styles as needed.
• Transparent, scalable pricing: Superblocks offers a free tier and affordable pay-as-you-grow pricing. You can start building for free (up to 5 users) and then move to a reasonable monthly fee per user as you scale​.
• Reduced lock-in worries: Superblocks supports on-premises deployment via an open-source agent, meaning you can keep your data within your infrastructure​. Your apps, as mentioned before, are also fully portable.

If you’d like to see Superblocks in action, take a look at our Quickstart guide, or better yet, try Superblocks for free.