Codename One vs GeneXus
Codename One
codenameone.com
GeneXus
genexus.comSide by side
| Figure | Codename One | GeneXus |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $25/mo | $8.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Mobile Development IDEs | 9.3 (#1) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Documentation depth | The Developer Guide covers getting started, UI, data, networking, server-side work, platform services, AI, security, monetization, testing, shipping and platform guides. | The developer wiki contains product tables of contents, release documentation, API tutorials, samples and troubleshooting pages. |
| Founded | 2012 | 1988 |
| Integrations | The documented sign-in stack covers OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication. | The platform supports REST and SOAP APIs, OpenAPI documentation, custom code integrations, and connections to external systems and databases. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 5 reviews | 4.7 out of 5 from 116 reviews. |
| Security | The security guide documents secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs. | GeneXus describes security as built into its deterministic generation process and says integrations support OAuth, encryption, and secure communication channels. |
| Self-hosting | Wikipedia records an offline in-house build cloud option that removes dependence on Codename One's hosted build servers. | GeneXus states that applications can run on-premises, in cloud, at the edge or in hybrid environments. |
| Support | The Free plan includes community support, Pro includes email support, and Enterprise includes phone support during office hours. | GeneXus lists technical support through its customer Issue Tracking service, documentation, and community resources. |
| System requirements | The hosted workflow can build native iOS apps from Windows or Linux because the required Mac toolchain runs in Codename One's cloud. | GeneXus 18 IDE requires Microsoft Windows, at least 4 GB RAM, 1.2 GB installation space, .NET Framework and SQL Server or LocalDB. |
| What it does | Codename One is an open-source Java and Kotlin framework that turns one codebase into native applications for mobile, desktop, web, watch, TV and vehicle targets. | GeneXus is an AI-powered low-code platform that models software in a Knowledge Base and generates enterprise applications automatically. |
Plans
Codename One
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Basic$25 a month
- Pro$85 a month
- Basic$300 a year
- Enterprise$450 a month
- Pro$1,020 a year
- Enterprise$5,400 a year
GeneXus
- FreeFree
- ProPriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
- GeneXus TrialFree
- GeneXus for Students$99 a year
- GeneXus for Startups$129 a month
- GeneXus for ISV$329 a month
- GeneXus for EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Codename One
Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building apps from one codebase for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and web browsers. Its toolkit renders its own interface components and bundles the runtime and theme with each app. Developers can access platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views, including maps, web views, and camera surfaces. Projects use Maven and work in Maven-capable IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, and VS Code. The documented security tools include secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs; App Shield adds short-lived attestation tokens on Enterprise. The Free plan provides 100 cloud build credits monthly, with iOS builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit. Commercial use carries no royalties or per-app fees. Pricing lists a free plan, paid plans from $25/user/mo billed annually, and a 14-day trial. Platforms also list watchOS and tvOS among mobile targets.
GeneXus
GeneXus is an AI-powered low-code platform for creating and evolving mission-critical software from a Knowledge Base. Its deterministic generators produce applications from a model for multiple technologies and platforms, including native Android and iOS apps. An Angular generator supports web and mobile front ends, while.NET and Java generators cover web applications and backends. GeneXus for Agents lets AI agents work with Knowledge Base objects through skills, a CLI, and an MCP Server; the GeneXus engine validates changes. The platform supports REST and SOAP APIs, OpenAPI documentation, custom code integrations, and connections to external systems and databases. Named connections include OpenAI, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Apache Kafka, and Azure Service Bus. GeneXus describes security as built into its generation process and says integrations support OAuth, encryption, and secure communication channels. Deployment options include cloud, on-premises, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, GeneXus lists a free plan at free and a free trial. It presents the platform for enterprise IT departments, software houses, startups, and mission-critical business applications.