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Last checked November 12, 2026

Free alternatives to Gadget

Gadget is a hosted place to build a full-stack app. The docs describe Postgres-backed models, backend actions and queues, a generated API, a frontend, and built-in authentication. Mo and Harry's post on November 9, 2026 says the platform stays up until March 31, 2027, and nothing changes for apps that are already running until then. New applications cannot be started. First-time deploys to production are allowed until the end of November. Support stays through the end of the year. After that, the team keeps the service up and handles critical issues. The post says migration guides are coming. It does not describe an export. The docs also include a Shopify quickstart and a BigCommerce quickstart.

DevelopersStartupsSmall teamsPrice checked

What you pay for Gadget

The November 9, 2026 post does not print a dollar price. The platform stays up until March 31, 2027.

Checked November 12, 2026. https://gadget.dev/blog/gadget-wind-down, published November 9, 2026 and signed Mo, Harry and the Gadget Team, says existing apps keep running until March 31, 2027. New applications stopped that day. First-time production deploys are allowed until the end of November. Support remains until the end of the year. The post says guides for moving an app will be emailed when they are ready. It does not name a file format. https://gadget.dev/docs calls Gadget an infraless host for data, backend logic, APIs, frontend, and hosting. The same docs page lists built-in authentication and a Postgres-backed model. This page did not find a separate price table.

Gadget website·Price page

For developers, startups, and small teams. Its price on file: The November 9, 2026 post does not print a dollar price. The platform stays up until March 31, 2027. It is in the Internal tools group.

How to switch

The closest free app on the checklist is NocoDB. Cost and details. Move from Gadget to NocoDB.

The database, or the screen you rebuild

These scores are from the checklist on this page. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. We check each app against public docs and price pages.

NocoDB is #1 (72). ToolJet is #2 (67). Appsmith is #3 (61).

NocoDB

#1 · Closest

6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

What you give up: background work. You only get part of: a web screen for the app and sign-in for the app.

ToolJet

#2

6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

You only get part of: a database the app owns, an API in front of that data, and background work, and 1 more.

Appsmith

#3

6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

What you give up: background work. You only get part of: a database the app owns, an API in front of that data, and sign-in for the app.

Where they differ

  • A database the app owns

    Worth 10 points. NocoDB does all of it. A grid on Postgres, MySQL, or SQLite. You define the columns. It does not import a Gadget model file. ToolJet does part of it. SQL datasources point at a database you already have. The listing does not describe a Postgres model that ships with the app. Appsmith does part of it. You connect a SQL database you already run. The community edition does not ship Gadget's Postgres models.

  • An API in front of that data

    Worth 8 points. NocoDB does all of it. The listing describes an API on that database. ToolJet does part of it. Queries call SQL or REST. That is not Gadget's generated API. Appsmith does part of it. Queries call SQL or HTTP. That is not the generated API the Gadget docs describe.

  • A web screen for the app

    Worth 8 points. NocoDB does part of it. The screen is a grid and views. It is not the custom frontend the Gadget docs describe. ToolJet does all of it. Internal pages with tables, forms, and buttons. Appsmith does all of it. Forms, tables, and buttons on an internal page.

  • Background work

    Worth 6 points. NocoDB does none of it. The pages checked for this listing do not describe background actions or a queue. ToolJet does part of it. The listing describes workflows. It does not describe Gadget's action queue, and this comparison did not open a workflow tutorial. Appsmith does none of it. The pages checked for this listing do not describe a background queue.

NocoDB, ToolJet, and Appsmith do all of these: runs on a server you control.

How close is it?

How this works

A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. #1 is the closest free app that did not pay us. An ad, when one is sold, is marked and sits after #1. Paying does not change the score. Open source means you can use, change, and share the code. Run it yourself means the app can live on a computer you control.

  1. #1 · ClosestCode is publicNotes on the review

    NocoDB

    A spreadsheet UI on a real database, now under a Sustainable Use License.

    6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    What you give up: background work. You only get part of: a web screen for the app and sign-in for the app.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: Sustainable Use License

    WebRun it yourself
    Cost and detailsHow to switchWebsite
  2. #2Open sourceNotes on the review

    ToolJet

    Internal apps you build on a server you run.

    6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    You only get part of: a database the app owns, an API in front of that data, and background work, and 1 more.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: AGPL-3.0

    WebRun it yourself
    Cost and detailsWebsite
  3. #3Open sourceNotes on the review

    Appsmith

    Internal screens on top of the databases you already have.

    6 of 6 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    What you give up: background work. You only get part of: a database the app owns, an API in front of that data, and sign-in for the app.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: Apache-2.0

    WebRun it yourself
    Cost and detailsWebsite

Feature by feature

Full means it does the whole job. Partial means it does some of it. Missing means it does not. Not checked counts as zero. The number under each feature is how much it counts. A bigger number moves the score more.

Scroll sideways to see every app.

Feature comparison. Full, partial, missing, or not checked.
FeatureNocoDB#1 · 726 of 6 checked featuresToolJet#2 · 676 of 6 checked featuresAppsmith#3 · 616 of 6 checked features
A database the app ownsCounts for 10FullA grid on Postgres, MySQL, or SQLite. You define the columns. It does not import a Gadget model file.PartialSQL datasources point at a database you already have. The listing does not describe a Postgres model that ships with the app.PartialYou connect a SQL database you already run. The community edition does not ship Gadget's Postgres models.
An API in front of that dataCounts for 8FullThe listing describes an API on that database.PartialQueries call SQL or REST. That is not Gadget's generated API.PartialQueries call SQL or HTTP. That is not the generated API the Gadget docs describe.
A web screen for the appCounts for 8PartialThe screen is a grid and views. It is not the custom frontend the Gadget docs describe.FullInternal pages with tables, forms, and buttons.FullForms, tables, and buttons on an internal page.
Background workCounts for 6MissingThe pages checked for this listing do not describe background actions or a queue.PartialThe listing describes workflows. It does not describe Gadget's action queue, and this comparison did not open a workflow tutorial.MissingThe pages checked for this listing do not describe a background queue.
Sign-in for the appCounts for 6PartialThe team that runs the base has accounts. That is not Gadget's built-in authentication for the app's own users, and this comparison did not open an end-user login guide.PartialSSO options exist. Check the edition before you promise a specific login provider.PartialLogin methods exist. Confirm the provider on the edition you install.
Runs on a server you controlCounts for 8FullDocker Compose is the usual path. The Sustainable Use License allows your own team to run it.FullDocker Compose is the documented path.FullDocker Compose is the documented install for the community edition.

What it costs

NocoDB

Free plan
Running it yourself for your own team is free under the Sustainable Use License. NocoDB Cloud is a separate paid product.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
Setup: medium. Docker Compose is the usual path. Point it at a database you already run, or let it run SQLite for a trial. You need a small server. Prices depend on your host.

ToolJet

Free plan
The AGPL edition is free to run. ToolJet also sells hosting.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
Setup: medium. Docker Compose is the documented path. Connect it to the SQL and HTTP sources you already use.

Appsmith

Free plan
The community edition is free to run for your team. A commercial edition exists.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
Setup: medium. Docker Compose is the documented install. Point the apps at the databases you already run.

Did you switch?

If you left Gadget, tell us if it worked and how long it took. Notes stay private until we approve them. Nothing is shown until at least five are approved.

How did it go?

Closest pair

Move from Gadget to NocoDB

Gadget's shutdown post does not describe an export. Copy the model fields you still need into a NocoDB base before March 31, 2027.

Read how to switch

Related alternatives

Internal tools alternatives

Switch guides

Free apps in this group

Questions

When does Gadget stop?
The November 9, 2026 post says existing apps keep running until March 31, 2027. New applications cannot be started. A first production deploy is still allowed until the end of November. Support stays through the end of the year, then the team handles critical issues while the platform is still up. Partners are told their partner manager will write. Anyone else can write to support@gadget.dev.
What is the closest free app?
NocoDB, on this checklist. It is a grid and an API on Postgres, MySQL, or SQLite, and you can run it. It does not host a custom frontend or Gadget's action queue. ToolJet and Appsmith are the screen builders. None of the three opens a Gadget project.
Is there an export?
Not in the post checked November 12, 2026. It says guides and tools are coming, and that they will send email when those are ready. Copy the model fields and the action code you still need while the editor opens. Do not wait for a file the post does not describe.
What does not come with you?
The hosted environment, the generated client, and the queue do not import. A Shopify connection and a BigCommerce connection are documented on Gadget. Neither is a feature of NocoDB, ToolJet, or Appsmith. The post says the team is open to a community takeover at future@gadget.dev. That is not a date, and it is not a replacement you can install today.