Budibase

Budibase builds internal tools through a visual builder: connect your database, drag in components, set up automations, deploy. It's similar to Appsmith and ToolJet but with one key difference: it includes a built-in database, so you can start building without connecting external data sources.

The free self-hosted version gives you unlimited apps, the visual builder, the internal BudibaseDB, external data connectors (Postgres, MySQL, REST APIs, etc.), automations, and role-based access. Generous for a free tier. Budibase Premium ($60/creator/mo, $5/user/mo) adds SSO/SAML, custom branding, audit logs, and environment variables. The Business tier adds air-gapped deployments, enforceable SSO, and account-level analytics.

Solo: self-host the free tier, great for quick internal tools. Small teams: free tier handles it. Growing teams needing SSO: Premium at $60/creator/mo. Large orgs: compare with Appsmith and Retool before committing at scale.

The catch: Budibase's automation builder is basic compared to dedicated workflow tools like n8n or Windmill. If your internal tool needs complex multi-step automation logic, you'll hit limits fast. Also, the built-in database is convenient for prototyping but you'll want a real database for anything production-critical.