Saltcorn vs Thunkable

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.

Thunkable lets people create custom native mobile apps and websites without technical expertise. Its AI Builder turns prompts into apps, and Discuss Mode helps plan projects and troubleshoot issues. Visual design tools combine with blocks-based logic and a code editor for direct edits. Thunkable says apps can be published to Apple’s App Store, Google Play, and the web. Integrations include Cloudinary, Airtable, Firebase, Google Sheets, Webflow, Xano, Backendless, RevenueCat, APIs, Figma, and Termly. The free plan costs nothing and includes 2,000 AI tokens, three public projects, and five screens per project, but no private projects. Accelerator costs $18 a month. Builder is listed at $37 a year and Advanced at $99 a year, with pages displaying $37 and $99 per month. Testing downloads expire after 72 hours; distribution downloads remain available while paid subscriptions stay active.