Open Source Frameworks & Platforms using Express

A curated collection of the best free and open source frameworks and application platforms, covering backend as a service, low-code builders and the foundations apps are built on using Express.

n8n

A fair-code platform for building AI agents and automations on a visual canvas, self-hosted or in the cloud, with more than 1500 integrations.

Alternative to:

Zapier

Visual workflow automation with code flexibility and AI agents

Stars
208,821
Forks
61,271
Last commit
17 hours ago

NocoDB

A no-code interface that turns a relational database into a spreadsheet with grid, kanban, calendar and form views for whole teams.

Alternative to:

Airtable

Transform databases into intuitive spreadsheets instantly

Stars
65,369

AppSmith

Low-code platform for building internal tools such as dashboards, admin panels and customer 360 views, then deploying and maintaining them.

Alternative to:

Retool

Empower your team to build custom internal tools rapidly

Stars
41,132

Refine

React meta-framework for CRUD-heavy applications, giving teams building admin panels, dashboards and internal tools a headless foundation.

Alternative to:

Retool

Build data-rich React apps with ease and flexibility

Stars
35,954

Directus

A backend that wraps any SQL database with instant REST and GraphQL APIs plus a visual studio for non-technical teammates.

Alternative to:

Contentful

Open-source data platform for effortless content management

Stars
38,668

Budibase

Operations platform for building internal apps, automations and AI agents on top of the databases a business already runs.

Alternative to:

Retool

Build powerful web apps without complex coding

Stars
28,361

Teable

A PostgreSQL-backed database that works like a spreadsheet, with AI chat and an app builder, for teams building internal tools.

Alternative to:

Coda

Flexible database meets intuitive spreadsheet interface

Stars
21,932

AITable

A visual database and spreadsheet with a full REST API, for teams replacing scattered trackers with one collaborative source of records.

Alternative to:

Coda

Visual database for workflow automation across apps

Stars
15,652

Convex

A reactive database where server functions are plain TypeScript, for web developers who want live-updating apps without stitching a backend together.

Alternative to:

AWS Amplify

Build full-stack apps with TypeScript and real-time sync

Stars
12,765

Instant

A realtime database you query from the client, giving app developers auth, permissions, storage, presence and offline caching out of the box.

Alternative to:

Firebase

Realtime client-side database for collaborative apps

Stars
10,561

Grist

A relational spreadsheet that combines spreadsheet flexibility with database structure, for teams organizing data that outgrew a plain sheet.

Alternative to:

Airtable

Flexible spreadsheets with database power

Stars
12,002

WebStudio

An open source visual development platform for developers, designers and cross-functional teams who want to own the data, components and infrastructure.

Alternative to:

Webflow

Visual web development with code-level control

Stars
9,118

KeystoneJS

Headless CMS and Node.js app framework that turns a schema you describe into a GraphQL API and admin UI.

Alternative to:

Contentful

Flexible, scalable Node.js CMS and app framework

Stars
9,981

NHost

Open source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL, Hasura GraphQL, auth, storage and serverless functions for full-stack teams.

Alternative to:

AWS Amplify

Serverless backend platform for modern app development

Stars
9,370

Vendure

Headless commerce platform in TypeScript for teams running D2C, B2B or marketplace stores that need to change the core.

Alternative to:

Shopify

Flexible e-commerce for modern businesses

Stars
8,547

Builder

Visual editing for existing sites and apps, turning Figma files and your own components into code teams can publish.

Alternative to:

Contentful

Visual development platform for modern web experiences

Stars
8,875

Mockoon

A desktop app and CLI for designing and running mock APIs locally, for developers who need fake endpoints without deploying anything.

Alternative to:

Beeceptor

Effortless API mocking for seamless development

Stars
8,462

Fonoster

A programmable telecommunications stack for developers who want voice applications and PBX features running on infrastructure they control themselves.

Alternative to:

Twilio

Open-source cloud communications platform for developers

Stars
8,152

Plasmic

A visual builder that plugs into an existing React codebase, letting marketers and developers assemble pages and apps without hitting a low-code ceiling.

Alternative to:

Contentful

Visual app builder that integrates with your existing codebase

Stars
7,134

Chartbrew

Web application that connects to your databases and APIs and turns the data into charts, dashboards and embeddable visualizations for a team.

Alternative to:

Microsoft Power BI

Create stunning data visualizations with ease

Stars
4,065

Silex

Free visual website builder that exports clean HTML and CSS, aimed at agencies, freelancers and designers who refuse vendor lock-in.

Alternative to:

Webflow

Free, open-source visual website builder for designers

Stars
3,020

LyteNyte Grid

A React data grid that renders millions of rows with 150 built-in features, for teams building data-heavy application interfaces.

Alternative to:

Handsontable

Lightning-fast React data grid for enterprise scale

Stars
1,030

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Open Source Frameworks & Platforms using Express

A curated collection of the best free and open source frameworks and application platforms, covering backend as a service, low-code builders and the foundations apps are built on using Express.

n8n

NocoDB

AppSmith

Refine

Directus

Budibase

Teable

AITable

Convex

Instant

Grist

WebStudio

KeystoneJS

NHost

Vendure

Builder

Mockoon

Fonoster

Plasmic

Chartbrew

Silex

LyteNyte Grid

n8n

NocoDB

AppSmith

Refine

Directus

Budibase

Teable

AITable

Convex

Instant

Grist

WebStudio

KeystoneJS

NHost

Vendure

Builder

Mockoon

Fonoster

Plasmic

Chartbrew

Silex

LyteNyte Grid

ToolJet