Bubble alternatives: 5 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
ZombieCustom web apps with data, forms, screens, and automations; design freedom is far below Bubble's.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installDocker image or Docker Compose; Kubernetes is also supported
enginesModel-agnostic; the agent builder supports bring-your-own AI provider credentials
dataBuilt-in app data and app definitions are stored in CouchDB, files in MinIO/S3-compatible object storage, and connected external data remains in its source system
vs BubbleBudibase's component and layout system is optimized for internal business screens and is far less flexible for polished public consumer interfaces than Bubble.
setupRequires Docker and persistent storage; production use also means owning upgrades, TLS, backups, and database/network access
facts verified 2026-08-10
A full database-backed web-app builder with pages, roles, actions, workflows, and plugins; more business app than consumer startup.
licenseNocoBase Community
runsyour server
installNocoBase CLI or Docker deployment with MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL
enginesBuilt-in AI employees can connect to common LLMs; exact provider support depends on installed AI plugins
dataBusiness data lives in standard relational tables in the configured MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL database; files use configured local or object storage
vs BubbleNocoBase is fundamentally a database-backed administrative app builder, so it gives up Bubble's consumer-app design freedom and front-end plugin ecosystem.
setupRequires a database, secrets, and deployment administration; the community license also preserves NocoBase branding and restricts some uses
facts verified 2026-08-10
A self-hosted business-app suite with records, pages, workflows, charts, and enterprise-grade amounts of configuration.
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
installDocker Compose with a configured MySQL or PostgreSQL database
dataRecords and configuration live in the configured SQL database; uploaded attachments live in the server persistence directory
vs BubbleCorteza is a record-and-workflow suite, not a pixel-flexible public web-app designer, so a consumer-facing Bubble product will look and behave much more constrained.
setupDocker, a database, secrets, persistent-volume permissions, and a reverse proxy/TLS are the first operational hurdle
facts verified 2026-08-10
Forms, lists, workflows, and role-aware apps from a product old enough to have survived several no-code fashions.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installDownload the Community Edition bundle or deploy its Docker image/on-premises package
dataApplication definitions, workflow state, and records live in the configured relational database; uploaded files live on the Joget server
vs BubbleJoget excels at forms and workflows but cannot approach Bubble's freedom for bespoke public-facing layouts, interactions, and responsive design.
setupThe first real hurdle is administering a Java web stack and database rather than clicking through a managed signup
facts verified 2026-08-10
A sober business-app builder with forms, reports, roles, workflows, and no per-user meter.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installNative Linux/Windows server package or Docker Compose, connected to PostgreSQL
dataHuman-readable application records and configuration live in a PostgreSQL database controlled by the operator
vs BubbleREI3's utilitarian forms, reports, and pages are a poor substitute for Bubble's highly customized public front ends and interaction design.
setupYou must provision PostgreSQL and configure a server/reverse proxy; it is not a managed one-click workspace
facts verified 2026-08-10
last updated 2026-08-10 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Bubble FreeA development sandbox with no live production site; the core job begins when you pay.
SaltcornIt does the job, but its own security page lists fresh critical RCE, SQL injection, path-traversal, and cross-tenant bugs.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budibase | GPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 27,902 | 2026-07 |
| NocoBase | NocoBase Community | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 23,600 | 2026-08 |
| Corteza | Apache-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 2,100 | 2026-03 |
| Joget Community Edition | GPL-3.0 | one-click install | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted | 607 | 2026-05 |
| REI3 | MIT | one-click install | web, windows, linux, ios, android, self-hosted | 571 | 2026-08 |
They pay because future changes can be made visually without owning a codebase. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $708 a year.
Is there a free alternative to Bubble?
Yes: Budibase, NocoBase, Corteza and 2 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own Bubble?
Our verdict is KINDA. A specific Bubble app is often vibecodable now; rebuilding Bubble's editor, workflow engine, plugin ecosystem, hosting, and scaling layer is not. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at canivibecodeit.com/bubble.
