Anvil App Server vs Lowdefy
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted developer tools & git options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Anvil App Server
Self-hosted runtime for apps built with Anvil
VS
Lowdefy
Build internal tools and web apps from YAML config
| Feature | Anvil App Server | Lowdefy |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Developer Tools & Git |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | source, bare-metal | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,023 | ★ 2,996 |
| First released | 2020 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Anvil Cloud, Retool | Retool, Appsmith |
Why pick each one
Choose Anvil App Server if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Active community (1k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Choose Lowdefy if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Anvil App Server or Lowdefy better?
Lowdefy is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Anvil App Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Anvil App Server and Lowdefy free and open-source?
Yes. Anvil App Server is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Lowdefy under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Anvil App Server and Lowdefy with Docker?
Anvil App Server: check the project docs for container support. Lowdefy: yes.