Oracle APEX vs Saltcorn
Oracle APEX
oracle.comSaltcorn
saltcorn.comSide by side
| Figure | Oracle APEX | Saltcorn |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $122/mo | $6/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 4 |
| Spec score · No-code app builders | 9.5 (#1) | 8.4 (#60) |
| Deployment | Oracle says APEX applications can be installed on premises and run in Oracle Cloud or third-party clouds. | The maker documents Docker, Kubernetes, npm, marketplace templates, desktop use and air-gapped self-hosting. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | APEX can access REST endpoints through REST Data Sources and call SOAP and REST web services through APEX_WEB_SERVICE, including OAuth 2.0 flows. | The plugin store includes extensions such as Apple Pay, CalDAV, CAPTCHA, charts and AI agents, while plugins can add data types, views and themes. |
| Licence | Oracle APEX downloads are licensed under Oracle Free Use Terms and Conditions; the product itself is Oracle-controlled software rather than an open-source project. | Saltcorn has been MIT-licensed since 2020, and the maker states that the platform has no licence fee or per-seat cost. |
| Support | Oracle Database maintenance support covers APEX, and an active Database support contract covers APEX, ORDS, and Oracle Database. | Saltcorn Collective offers application build, support, training and platform enhancement services, and says it aims to respond to enquiries within two working days. |
Plans
Oracle APEX
- Free with Oracle DatabaseFree
- Free Hosted APEX WorkspaceFree
- Always Free APEX ServiceFree
- Always Free TierFree
- Oracle APEX with Oracle DatabaseFree
- Oracle APEX Application Development Service$122 a month
Saltcorn
- Saltcorn free evaluation hostingFree
- Saltcorn open-source platformFree
- DigitalOcean marketplace deployment$6 a month
- Managed hosting via Elestio$16 a month
In their own words
Oracle APEX
Oracle APEX is a low-code platform for building data-driven enterprise applications on Oracle Database. It supports workflow automation, mobile applications, data connectors, role permissions, and pro-code development. Applications can be installed on premises or run in Oracle Cloud and third-party clouds. For services, APEX can access REST endpoints through REST Data Sources and call SOAP or REST services through APEX_WEB_SERVICE, including OAuth 2.0 flows. Oracle describes database security capabilities used with APEX, including encryption, fine-grained access control, auditing, and multi-tenant data isolation. APEX 26.1 introduces APEXlang, a structured metadata language for expressing application intent to developers and AI agents. Oracle also describes AI Interactive Reports for natural-language data exploration and AI Agents that automate workflows using application logic and data context. APEX is available at no additional cost with supported Oracle Database editions, with no per-app or per-user license fees. Free hosted and Always Free options are also listed; Oracle Cloud Free Tier credits can be used during an initial trial of paid APEX Service.
Saltcorn
Saltcorn is an open-source database app builder for making custom applications, workflows, and interfaces. Its visual tools let users create relational tables and assemble forms, dashboards, portals, and workflows with drag-and-drop components. It runs on PostgreSQL or SQLite and includes a JSON REST API for other systems to read and write data. Plugins can add data types, views, and themes; listed extensions include Apple Pay, CalDAV, CAPTCHA, charts, and AI agents. Applications can be packaged for iOS and Android, with offline use supported by local SQLite storage and later synchronization. Deployment options include Docker, Kubernetes, npm, marketplace templates, desktop use, and air-gapped self-hosting. Self-hosted instances make no telemetry calls and can run offline behind a firewall. The MIT-licensed platform has no licence fee or per-seat cost. The open-source platform is free; DigitalOcean marketplace deployment is $6 a month, and managed hosting via Elestio is $16 a month. Shared free evaluation hosting is not intended for production or real data.