12 Best Free/Open Source App Development Software Solutions
Wondering how to make a mobile application? Or how to make a mobile app for free? Perhaps you can make a mobile app to promote your business? And what is the cost of making a mobile app? Is there a free app development software? Which is the best free software for building apps? Is there any open-source app development software?
Even in 2025, mobile app development is still a great way to launch your company and make money. The Apple App Store has approximately 1.9 million apps as of May 2025. This number may seem crazy, as app development is seen as a process that requires tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars of investment. However, with free app development and open-source software, you can turn your business or problem-solving idea into a real app for little to no cost.
The other concern people have when they want to create apps is the barrier to programming. Gone are the days when you need to write every line of code for your application. There are many free app development software that are low-code or no-code. This puts the power to create in anyone's hands.
In this artile you will learn about the best free app development software and the special features that set them apart. Let's look at the best free and open-source tools you can use today to create an app for free.
List of Top Free/Open Source App Development Software
1. Flutter
Flutter is a free app development software by Google that is suited for hybrid apps. The user interface of Google allows people to create mobile, desktop, and web apps from a single codebase. These apps can work on the web, mobile, and desktop from a single Flutter codebase. Flutter uses Skia, a high-performance rendering engine, to translate UI directly to the screen.
To pair with Flutter, Google created the Dart programming language. Flutter does great at creating high-performance apps, with great UI and a truly native feel. With a great widget library, developers can provide native feeling components to users.
Key Features
- The app has all the essential platform differences like scrolling, fonts, icons, and navigation.
- Open-source UI SDK for building native apps.
- A single build works on the web, mobile, and desktop.
- Uses the Skia engine to consistently render UI regardless of screen type.
- Developers can build plugins using simple and user-friendly channels. The widgets are fully customizable, so creating native apps is fast and easy.
- The Flutter community provides several sources that ease developers' app-making journey.
Pros
- Provides native performance. The builds for your code are compiled into ARM code, which provides users with a near-native speed.
- Options for customizable widgets. Flutter provides developers with a comprehensive set of widgets and full control of UI rendering.
- A single codebase will work for all platforms. With Flutter, write code once and get apps that work on the web, mobile, and desktop.
Cons
- Larger build size. Because Flutter supports web, mobile, and desktop in a single build, it can be bloated.
- Learning curve with Dart. Not all developers are familiar with Dart, which can lead to longer development time and less optimally written code.
- Limited choices for third-party libraries. Flutter has a small but growing list of third-party libraries for extending your app's functionality.
Use Cases
- Great for Consumer-Facing Mobile Apps. With the native performance, Flutter allows you to provide beautiful, fully featured mobile apps to users.
- Launching a product cross-platform. If you are bootstrapping as a startup or small business, Flutter allows you to build once and launch across many different environments and device types.
Pricing: Flutter is a free software to build apps.
2. Appsmith
Appsmith is an open-source, low-code platform that leverages a drag-and-drop interface and JavaScript to quickly develop apps. It is mainly web-focused and often used for internal tools, dashboards, and admin panels, but it can also be used for mobile experiences.
It integrates well with APIs and databases and is perfect for teams familiar with PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, REST, and GraphQL APIs. It prides itself on being accessible to non-developers through its composable UIs and developers through JavaScript business logic for building full-featured apps.
While it has limitations for native mobile development, it offers a toolset for creating mobile-focused data experiences and workflows.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop interface for low-code solutions.
- JavaScript add-ins to extend functionality.
- Easy integrations with APIs and databases.
Pros
- Excellent Low-Code Solution. With its visual editor, your team can quickly develop your app.
- Plug-and-play integrations. Free app development tools make it easy to integrate APIs and databases with your app.
- Self-hosting option. Appsmith is open source, allowing your team to self-host and fully control configurations.
Cons
- Not mobile-first. Appsmith is not optimized for mobile experiences with its lack of native controls.
- Lack of UI customization. The low-code approach limits the control you have over custom UI/UX.
- Performance limitations. Best suited for simple apps and may struggle with more complex or resource-intensive experiences.
Use Cases
- Admin dashboards. Great for mapping data for deep insights across your company and teams.
- Quick and simple mobile tools. It is fast and easy to build responsive internal apps for mobile devices.
Pricing: Free tiered plan, $15/month for business or $2500/month for enterprise
3. Budibase
Budibase leverages an open-source, low-code platform that allows your team to prototype internal business applications. Users can produce admin panels, approval workflows, and inventory management systems with it.
The low-code platform allows for visual development with 40 prebuilt components. This snap-and-play setup allows for easy and consistent development across projects and products. Budibase extends the low-code feeling by allowing for easy API and database integrations with many popular tech solutions. Along with easy data integrations, Budibase is flexible in hosting, allowing self-hosting and a native cloud option in Budibase Cloud.
Key Features
- Open-source, low-code platform.
- It contains 40 prebuilt components for quick visual development.
- Easily integrates with APIs and databases.
- It allows for self-hosting but also offers cloud hosting solutions.
Pros
- The large degree of control. Budibase is open-source, which allows developers to modify code as needed and supports self-hosting.
- Quick development with prebuilt tools. Budibase offers developers a library of prebuilt components and templates for lightning-quick development.
- Easy integration support. Offers easy integration for APIs and database connections.
Cons
- Heavy focus on internal tools. Designed with internal tools in mind, not so much for external or consumer-facing applications
- Customizing the UI is difficult. While the prebuilt components make out-of-the-box development easy, it takes technical experience to customize your brand set.
- Pricing by team members. Pricing depends on team size and number of apps, which can add up as you serve more clients.
Use Cases
- Great for Internal Business Apps. Budibase is ideal for building internal tools like admin dashboards, approval workflows, and inventory management systems.
- Real-Time Data Dashboards. Another application is pulling real-time data into internal dashboards to drive informed decisions.
Pricing: Free tier, $50/month per app
4. Ionic Framework
Ionic is another free app development software for developing hybrid apps. With just one codebase, the app allows building applications for various platforms, including web, Android, and iOS.
It was quickly adapted to support more modern JavaScript frameworks, including React and Vue. This open-source UI toolkit was built to support high-quality, cross-platform native and web apps. This includes iOS, Android, and the web. It uses base technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Using its custom Capacitor tool, Ionic allows developers to access native device features from non-native frameworks like React and Vue. With Capacitor, developers can build and deploy apps on iOS, Android, and the web, all from a single codebase.
One of its major selling points is its prebuilt UI component library, which saves development teams time through mobile-optimized components and platform consistency. This consistent, standardized library can save your team time as they build and deploy rapid prototypes.
Key Features
- Written in JavaScript, and the MIT license covers it.
- Used for cross-platform native and web apps, not just PWAs.
- The Custom Capacitor tool supports native device features without forcing users to build for each device type.
- Comes with a prebuilt UI component library for quick, responsive app designs.
Pros
- Offers cross-platform compatibility. You can write your code once and ship across iOS, Android, and the Web.
- Prebuilt, expansive UI library. This speeds up development by standardizing parts for your team.
- JavaScript Framework Agnostic. You can choose React, Angular, or Vue to ensure your team works with their go-to framework.
Cons
- Performance Limitations. Because the app works across environments, it is not optimized for any specific platform.
- Utilizes WebView for rendering, which can cause inconsistencies across platforms.
- Increased learning curve with Capacitor. It uses Capacitors, which some developers may not be familiar with.
Use Cases
- It's great for rapid prototyping / MVPs. The front-end framework and environment flexibility allow you to build concepts quickly.
- Enterprise-level applications. This provides consistency with the shared UI library, which makes it great for standardization across company teams.
Pricing: Free to user
5. NocoBase
NocoBase is a powerful low-code/no-code app development platform. It is easy to use out of the box but highly extensible due to its plugin library and support of external database solutions. It separates its composable user interface layer from a data modeling layer.
This keeps the user interface constant, even if your team moves between database solutions or updates existing ones. It offers powerful RBAC, monitoring, and logging. It is open-source, providing transparency and extensibility to users.
Key Features
- Low-code / no-code platform, which is easy for beginners.
- Built around a rich set of plugins to extend functionality as desired.
- Supports external database solutions.
- Clear separation of concerns with a UI layer and data modeling layer.
Pros
- Flexibility with setup options. NocoBase offers users the ability to self-host and is open-source.
- Rich plugin library. NocoBase is built around the idea of extending functionality through an extensible library. Only add what you need.
- Data model layer. By separating concerns between UI and data, users are empowered to create data-driven apps that can update without breaking.
Cons
- Learning curve. While the UI is easy to understand, the powerful data modeling feature requires understanding relational databases.
- Limited community support. There are not many tutorials or community forums to help troubleshoot some of the more technical features of the platform.
- Smaller community. Again, there are not as many developers who have worked with NocoBase, so getting support or seeing new implementations of the platform can be challenging.
Use Cases
- Building enterprise applications. This powerful platform supports more involved apps requiring data source integrations.
- Internal business tools. The data model layer shines in building CRMs, logistics, and inventory management systems.
Pricing: Free tier, $800/year Standard Edition, $8000/year Professional Edition
6. ToolJet
ToolJet is a powerful platform supporting AI integrations. It is a low-code, open-source platform for desktop and mobile applications. With its drag-and-drop AI-powered builder, users can quickly build cross-platform apps.
Along with the high-level low-code solution, ToolJet offers its custom PostgreSQL ToolJet Database. This allows builders a uniquely powerful low-code database solution. It's also AGPL-3.0 compliant, allowing groups to build their apps behind firewalls for security.
Key Features
- Low-code platform with AI integrations.
- Offers an easy-to-user drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Custom version of PostgreSQL called ToolJet Database.
- AGPL-3.0 compliant to support higher security and compliance requirements.
Pros
- High degree of autonomy. ToolJet is open-source, which allows for extensibility and self-hosting, so users can take as much control as they want.
- Significant integration options. This platform offers users native connectors, an AI agent builder, and the ability to add custom JavaScript for even more functionality.
- Truly mobile UI support. It is free mobile app development software with an out-of-the-box drag-and-drop UI builder. This platform makes it easy to create cross-platform, responsive apps.
Cons
- Lacking native features. This is a web-first app, so it lacks some device-specific features (iOS or Android).
- Not friendly to proprietary data. ToolJet is AGPL-3.0 compliant, which means derivatives of the original open-source work are visible to other users.
- Learning Curve. Some advanced features, like AI Agents and the ToolJet DB, require self-learning for non-developers.
Use Cases
- Structured data apps. With TooJet DB, users can build more complex CRM, logistics, and inventory systems.
- Quick delivery, on-prem solutions. This platform is great for healthcare and finance companies looking for fast app delivery that allows for on-prem security.
Pricing: Free tier, $79/year Pro Tier, $199/year Team Tier
7. NocoDB
NocoDB is a no-code platform for a specific use case that focuses on turning relational databases into collaborative spreadsheets. It supports popular database solutions such as PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, and SQLite.
It is perfect for data visualization, allowing users to view data in grid, gallery, kanban, and calendar layouts. It offers user account features through RBAC and supports workflow automation with tie-ins of popular platforms like Zapier, Twilio, and Slack.
Key Features
- No-code platform focused on building collaborative spreadsheets.
- Supports integration of many popular databases.
- Offers users a variety of data visualization types for optimal data presentation.
- Ties in well with many workflow automation platforms.
Pros
- Supports user decisions. This platform is open-source. It supports self-hosting for a high degree of user autonomy.
- Data-driven applications. NocoDB supports many data views and field operations. It is excellent for data-rich applications.
- Easy coupling with third-party integrations. Seamlessly integrates with APIs and automation workflow tools.
Cons
- Learning curve. It is a data-driven platform, which can be hard to understand for users without a developer background.
- Limited customization. The no-code platform and data-focused features cause less customization for users.
- Limited community support. It is a newer platform, which means there is less documentation and adoption by the community.
Use Cases
- Internal business tools. Great for building CRMs, project trackers, and inventory management systems.
- Data management systems. Great for building dynamic data apps such as dashboards and reporting tools.
Pricing: Free Startup Tier, $19/mo Team Tier, $99/mo Business Tier
8. Saltcorn
Saltcorn is an open-source, no-code platform for building semi-complex data applications. It is free app programming software that offers users a drag-and-drop UI for building no-code pages, forms, and data views. Saltcorn allows users to create relational data models for more complex data mapping, unlike other no-code solutions.
It is flexible with hosting as it offers self-hosting and paid service hosting. Saltcorn is not feature-rich or extensible, but it is a perfect solution if you are looking to build a data-centric application with a no-code approach.
Key Features
- Open-source and no-code platform.
- Provides users with a drag-and-drop UI for quick, beginner-friendly builds.
- Supports more complex data mapping, perfect for data-centric apps.
Pros
- No-code solution. This platform requires zero coding to build web applications.
- Flexible software and hosting. This platform is open-source and allows users to self-host their applications.
- Plugins for extension. While you can't code your own plugins, Saltcorn offers many plugins to extend the features of your app.
Cons
- Relational data mapping. While the platform is no-code, users may need to understand relational databases to fully use the features.
- Apps may require optimization. Because they are data-centric, they may require refinements to ensure they work at scale.
- Limited collaboration. Does not support multiple users collaborating at once, which may introduce bottlenecks for shared projects.
Use Cases
- Internal business tooling. Great for building admin panels, approval workflows, and inventory management systems.
- Database education. This is a great system for focusing on teaching database fundamentals.
Pricing: Free - Open Source
9. Glide
Glide is a no-code solution for users who want to translate spreadsheets into mobile and web-based applications. It integrates with popular platforms, including Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, and BigQuery.
Glide is platform agnostic as it leverages PWAs to serve multiple device types. It offers users a no-code drag-and-drop platform for creating engaging user experiences. The drag-and-drop is part of a component and template platform that allows repeatable and responsive builds.
The primary uses of Glide are simplified CRM and inventory management systems. What it lacks in features, it makes up for in a simple-to-use and builds a platform for building out apps with no code.
Key Features
- No-code solution for translating spreadsheets into apps.
- Works well with popular spreadsheet tech.
- Uses PWAs to support use across platforms.
- Offers a library of templates and components for easy drag-and-drop UI builds.
Pros
- Easy to code interface. Built for no-coders with a drag-and-drop builder tool.
- Quick app build. Allows users to quickly translate spreadsheets to functional apps.
- Cross-platform support. Utilizes PWAs (progressive web apps) to allow users to bypass app stores when pushing apps to customers.
Cons
- Limited native features. Due to the PWA approach, Glide does not support all native or platform-specific features.
- UI customization constraints. Due to the drag-and-drop design, UI customizations are limited, which can cause issues for brand consistency.
- Limited ability to scale. It does not offer advanced features to support scaling with extra features for extending apps.
Use Cases
- Glide is great for creating internal business tools, including inventory trackers, directories, and PM dashboards.
- Useful for educational management tools. This includes tools like class registries and classroom content delivery.
Pricing: $2000/project, $10000/project
10. Softr
Softr is a no-code development platform perfect for those with no technical experience to create applications. It utilizes a drag-and-drop UI and prebuilt flows to allow users to build pages, forms, tables, and lists. It has a rich data integration layer supporting popular data sources, including Airtable, Google Sheets, and PostgreSQL.
It also supports user features such as authentication, RBAC, and payment integrations, making Softr more than a simple data display app. One downside of Softr is that it is a progressive web app. This limits its ability to serve customers with iOS or Android native app features.
Key Features
- No-code platform, perfect for beginners and those without coding experience.
- It has a drag-and-drop UI with prebuilt flows for easy visual-based app building.
- Rich data and API integration layer so you can easily pull data into your app.
- It supports more complex apps' authentication, access controls, and payment integrations.
Pros
- Easy to use. Softr offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for anyone to pick up and build.
- Rapid development. With a built-in UI component library and easy connectors, you can create a full app in a fraction of what it would take for other app builders.
- Data integration support. Softr offers connectors for easy access and use of any data sources.
Cons
- Limited native features. Because Softr is a PWA, it does not have all the native device features iOS or Android-specific apps have.
- Limited design options. The strength of easy drag-and-drop elements means that this platform lacks customization features.
- No internal database. Softr requires an external database solution to compile and use records.
Use Cases
- User portals. Great for creating client portals to review user data and records.
- Internal business tools. As with many low-code and no-code solutions, it is great for creating CRMs, inventory management systems, and project trackers.
Pricing: Free Tier, $49/mo Basic Tier, $139/mo Professional Tier, $269/mo Business Tier
11. Alpha Anywhere
https://www.alphasoftware.com/
Alpha Anywhere is a low-code development platform that allows developers and those with little experience to build full-stack software applications. It is cross-platform, allowing developers to create a single build and deploy their app across the web and mobile. It leverages PWA capabilities for offline functionality and data syncing.
This platform includes a community edition to allow developers to build and test at no cost. Once ready to ship, you can utilize Alpha Anywhere's hosting and platform to take your app live and start servicing customers.
Key Features
- Low-code development platform for building full-stack apps.
- Cross-platform, which allows for single-app builds and multi-device support.
- Enterprise-grade HMAC data encryption and SSL support.
- Close-grained resource management delegation.
Pros
- True development environment. Developers will enjoy this platform as it allows for control of both front and back development in one place.
- Progressive web application support. Allows for creating applications that run even when a user does not have internet access.
- Flexibility in infrastructure. Alpha Anywhere supports both cloud and self-hosting to allow you to control costs and deployments.
Cons
- Windows-specific development. Alpha Anywhere is primarily designed for Windows, which can limit developers using macOS or Linux.
- Learning curve for users. It is easy to use out of the box, but more complicated applications require a degree of self-learning.
- Costs for taking apps live. The community edition of Alpha Anywhere is free to use. If you intend to launch through their hosting, you can incur high fees.
Use Cases
- Enterprise business applications. Great for apps that require offline support or multiple data source integrations.
- Rapid Prototypes and MVPs. Alpha Anywhere allows quick builds to test ideas before committing time and resources.
Pricing: Free Tier, $30/mo Business Tier (per user)
12. AppsGeyser
AppsGeyser is an Android-specific no-code platform that enables users to quickly transform web content into mobile applications. One selling point is a strong template library that helps developers get up and running quickly. It supports app types, including browsers, messengers, media players, and photo editors.
The goal of this service is to get business needs converted to Android apps in a matter of minutes without the need for coding. Speed to delivery is a major selling point, but AppsGeyser is not known for more complex or cross-platform development.
Key Features
- Android-specific no-code platform.
- Strong template library for quick, consistent app builds.
- Has templates for many popular app types.
Pros
- No coding knowledge is required. This platform is no-code, meaning you do not need any programming knowledge to convert your business idea to a deployed Android app.
- Strong template support. The +35 provided templates speed up development even more by supporting common use cases you need.
- Free application development software. This app is 100% free out of the box, with paid premium options if you need more power in your app.
Cons
- It is not cross-platform. AppsGeyser focuses specifically on providing Android apps. If you need iOS or other support, you will need different services.
- Limited app customizations. While the templates are great for quick development, they limit the amount of customization you can have for your application.
- Built-in Ads. To be free, AppsGeyser includes ads in free apps. You must pay for a premium account to remove these ads for a better user experience.
Use Cases
- Small Businesses. If you are a small business that doesn't have the budget for a developer or hire a contractor, AppsGeyser's easy-to-use platform will save you a lot.
- This is a great tool for school and educational projects. It allows students to create quick apps for projects or reports without learning to code.
Pricing: Free to start, paid to publish
Open-Source Development in 2025
Low-code and No-code Movement
Open-source low-code / no-code development will see a high level of adoption in 2025. What was once an afterthought of simple, static website builders is now an innovative wave of rapid prototyping of lynchpin automation.
Companies are leveraging these tools to quickly turn solution ideas into products. A single developer, or even non-technical users, can quickly prototype and deploy solutions to customers. This speed helps gather feedback on whether the return on investment and need exist for different solutions.
The platforms mentioned above are just some of the tools used to create quick mobile apps. Low-code / no-code platforms are also increasing automation across workflows. From order fulfillment to customer service, these platforms make it easy to get work done.
AI Integrations
What has made low-code and no-code platforms so powerful and popular? That secret ingredient is AI Integrations. With AI integrations, platforms and automation get smarter, allowing developers to think less and trust their software more.
Whether orchestrating workflow and content generation for a copywriter or replying to a full inbox for managers, these platforms are incredibly efficient at letting regular users reclaim their time.
AI Integrations include GPTs for creating text, translating voice and video to text, and generating images. These features, paired with free mobile app development tools that require little coding experience, make any idea a few prompts away from reality. AI has changed the way users interact with low-code and no-code platforms.
Self-hosting and Data Privacy
With the emergence of AI Agents and LLMs, self-hosting and data privacy have become major concerns for companies and users. Web 2.0 was largely built on sharing data across social platforms. LLMs are black boxes, and both companies and users are hesitant to share their sensitive data.
Self-hosting is a common tool used to take back control of data, especially for LLMs making use of embeddings and RAG. It is important for data privacy that these models are self-hosted to give the highest level of control to the companies. Many of the free mobile app development tools mentioned above offer and highlight their self-hosting capabilities.
Community and Ecosystem Growth
A key factor for the continued growth and adoption of these platforms is an active and growing community. Innovation is spurred by different ideas. Platform users working in isolation do nothing to increase use.
Developers must share their best practices, new approaches, and community-sourced plugins and extensions for open-source platforms. This is the best way to grow the community and positively iterate on existing features.
Free / Open Source Tools Breakdown
Conclusion
Today, app development software is not limited to programmers and companies with resources. With the tools examined, anyone can build an app to solve a problem. The success of your app is not limited to funding or your ability to code. It is limited to the quality of your idea and how well you can implement it.
Whether you want to help people get healthier, better manage their finances, or reconnect with friends and family, the means to do so are within your reach. What will you build?
