Oracle APEX vs Visual DB
Oracle APEX
oracle.comVisual DB
visualdb.comSide by side
| Figure | Oracle APEX | Visual DB |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $122/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 8 |
| Spec score · No-code app builders | 9.5 (#1) | 8.7 (#36) |
| 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. | Webhooks can send event data to services such as Zapier, Slack, and Discord or trigger custom workflows. |
| Security | Oracle says APEX integrates with Oracle Database security features, including encryption, fine-grained access control, auditing, and multi-tenant data isolation. | The maker says database credentials are encrypted before storage, data retrieved from databases is not cached, and self-hosted deployments keep encryption keys on the server. |
| Support | Oracle Database maintenance support covers APEX, and an active Database support contract covers APEX, ORDS, and Oracle Database. | The Business plans include priority support, and the maker lists documentation, training videos, and consulting as support resources. |
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
Visual DB
- FreeFree
- Business$5 a month
- Self-host FreeFree
- Self-host Business$50 a month
- Free (SaaS)Free
- Free (self-hosted)Free
- Business (SaaS)$5 a month
- Business (self-hosted)$50 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.