Lowdefy vs ToolJet
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Lowdefy
Build internal tools and web apps from YAML config
VS
ToolJet
Low-code platform for building and automating business tools
| Feature | Lowdefy | ToolJet |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Automation & Workflows |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, kubernetes, helm |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,996 | ★ 38,306 |
| First released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Retool, Appsmith | Retool, Microsoft Power Apps |
Why pick each one
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 Lowdefy or ToolJet better?
Neither is universally better. ToolJet has the larger community, while Lowdefy is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Lowdefy and ToolJet free and open-source?
Yes. Lowdefy is licensed under Apache-2.0 and ToolJet under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Lowdefy and ToolJet with Docker?
Lowdefy: yes. ToolJet: yes.