Every tool has its pros and cons, and Jet Admin is no different. On the plus side, it’s known for being easy to use, yet powerful enough to handle complex tasks when needed.
Downsides? For many, it’s the pricing. The free plan is quite limited, lacking key features like custom domains or the ability to add your own code. If you need more, you’ll be looking at per-user pricing, which can quickly add up.
Another thing to consider is support and community. A helpful, active community can make even the trickiest software easier to manage, and vice versa. Jet Admin’s community isn’t the most responsive, with some questions going unanswered for weeks or months at a time.
Do these sound like deal-breakers to you? Then you’re better off with one of the Jet Admin alternatives.
We’ve reviewed a bunch of low-code builders and found the best five that share all of the Jet Admin strengths and none of its weaknesses. Here’s what we’ve got.
Features to look for in a Jet Admin alternative
When you’re picking a low-code builder to replace Jet Admin, these are the key features to keep in mind:
Pricing and value for money
As we’ve mentioned, Jet Admin isn’t exactly known for its affordability. Let’s quickly break down how their pricing works:
There are two models: one for internal apps and one for customer portals.
- Internal apps start with a limited free plan. To unlock collaboration features like team permissions and version control, you’ll need the $24/user/month plan. But at that level, you won’t get custom code or custom domains—those come in at $48/user/month.
- Customer portals start at $39/month for up to 500 users, which is decent, but you only get access to essential no-code features. If you need custom code and detailed permissions for public-facing apps, that jumps to $290/month.
In our selection, we focused on tools that offered more flexible, budget-friendly pricing without cutting corners on quality.
Customer support and community
Whether that’s through quick, helpful customer service or a thriving community that’s ready to help, it’s just critical that you get your answers fast.
Jet Admin’s support and community are often a bit of a letdown. While the platform itself is solid, having an active and responsive community can make or break your experience—especially when you hit a snag.
When looking for Jet Admin alternatives, we focused on tools that offered stronger, more reliable support.
Usability and ease of setup
Jet Admin is known for being user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started—unless, of course, you run into an issue and need onboarding help.
We made sure the platforms on our list didn’t fall short in terms of usability and ease of setup—and in some cases, they even go beyond what Jet Admin offers.
Customization and flexibility
Even though Jet Admin is beginner-friendly, it still offers some developer-focused features like custom code insertion and API calls for advanced data handling.
A lot of no-code builders fall short in this area, so you have to be careful to choose platforms that strike the right balance between simplicity and flexibility. Our main criteria were the ability to add a wide range of building blocks and widgets, insert custom code throughout the app, and use REST APIs (and ideally webhooks) to extend your app’s capabilities.
Integration capabilities
Jet Admin is great with database integrations—it supports over 30 data sources, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. When selecting alternatives, we prioritized tools with a broad range of integrations, including key ones like Airtable, Google Sheets, and major SQL databases.
Extra features
Jet Admin covers all the essentials for building cloud-based internal tools, including CRM systems, admin panels, and customer portals. But maybe you need more than that.
Our list includes tools that offer additional features Jet Admin doesn’t, such as mobile app and PWA support, AI-powered app generation, and more.
Security and reliability
No-code and low-code platforms can be big security risks if they’re not managed properly—so it’s smart to get your choice vetted by your security team if you have one. Even a small security flaw can make your app a target for cyberattacks or data breaches.
For instance, for many, the limited availability of Single Sign-On (SSO) only in Jet Admin's enterprise plan has been a significant security concern. That's why we focused on finding tools that included essential security features like SSO in their more affordable plans.
Top Jet Admin alternatives to choose from in 2024
Let’s look at our best picks.
1. Softr — the best Jet Admin alternative for unlimited collaboration
“I've only been using them a short time, but I already feel like making the switch while I was still in the competitor's trial period was the right call,” Kathleen C.
Softr is an easy-to-use, flexible alternative to Jet Admin with a much more attractive pricing structure for growing and large teams.
You can create anything from simple landing pages to complex apps—just start with one of the many templates and pre-built blocks. To tailor your apps to your exact needs, you can insert your own code or make API calls to interface directly with external services and tools.
Softr is a great choice for growing companies and enterprise teams. It offers robust access controls, strong security features, and can handle a wide range of use cases. Instead of juggling multiple tools, you can use Softr to build a company intranet, set up a client portal, and even create a project management app—all in one platform.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop app builder
- Pre-built templates
- Integration with Airtable, Google Sheets, SQL, HubSpot, and more
- Dynamic data handling
- Fully customizable UI components
- Conditional forms
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
- Role-based access control
- Form and survey builders
- Active community
- 24/7 support (2-minute average response time)
- AI tools
Softr pricing
Softr offers flexible pricing that fits both internal tools and external-facing apps:
- Forever free: 1 published app, unlimited collaborators, and 10 app users.
- Basic plan ($49/month): 3 published apps, unlimited collaborators, and 20 app users.
- Professional plan ($139/month): unlimited published apps, unlimited collaborators, and 100 app users. You can add 10 extra seats for $10, with the option to scale up to 250 seats.
- Business plan ($269/month): unlimited published apps, unlimited collaborators, and 2,500 app users.
- Enterprise plan: Customizable limits and pricing.
What makes Softr a great alternative to Jet Admin
- Active community. One of Softr’s standout features is its active, engaged community. The platform’s regular updates are based on real user feedback taken from community conversations.
- Costs. Softr doesn’t put a cap on the number of collaborators, even in the free plan. Plus, Softr’s paid plans offer more advanced features at lower price points. For example, you can get access to custom code and custom domains for $49/month, while Jet Admin charges $290/month for similar features in its client portal plans.
- Advanced authentication for all. While Jet Admin’s advanced features, like custom authentication, are locked behind pricey custom packages, Softr includes some of these in its free plan, and most are accessible in the affordable Professional plan.
- Mobile and desktop apps. Softr lets you turn your web apps into PWA apps for mobile and desktop in just one click—a feature you won’t find in Jet Admin.
- A wide range of use cases. Softr’s flexibility makes it a great fit for small teams, large enterprises, and everything in between. Beyond building admin panels and CRM systems (where Jet Admin excels), Softr lets you create e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and more.
- AI-powered app generation. You can have Softr AI generate your apps from prompts in natural language.
2. ILLA Cloud — the best Jet Admin alternative for flexible app development
ILLA Cloud is a user-friendly open-source app builder. While the two platforms are similar in use cases—both great for internal tools and admin panels—ILLA Cloud’s open-source nature means you have more flexibility to customize and manage your app exactly how you want.
It's particularly strong in database integrations and supports dynamic data handling across different sources.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Open-source
- Workflow automation
- Integration with mainstream databases and APIs
- Public app publishing
- Community support
ILLA Cloud pricing
ILLA Cloud offers a forever-free open-source version if you're building an app solo. When you need to collaborate with others, paid plans start at $20 per editor per month. All plans come with unlimited viewers at no extra cost.
What makes ILLA Cloud a great alternative to Jet Admin
- Open-source, self-hosting option. One of ILLA Cloud's biggest advantages is that it's open-source, so you can host the platform on your own servers. This gives you more control over security, customization, and how your app runs.
- AI tools. ILLA Cloud is also a popular choice for teams building internal AI tools. It features an open-source AI Agent community with thousands of AI Agents crafted by prompt experts and enthusiasts. You can run these AI Agents as-is or modify them to fit your specific needs.
- More affordable pricing. Unlike Jet Admin, ILLA Cloud’s pricing is based on the number of app editors, not users.
3. DronaHQ — the best Jet Admin alternative for cross-platform app development
DronaHQ is a versatile low-code app builder suitable for building web, iOS, and Android applications.
It stands out for its flexible pricing options, allowing you to choose a model that fits your needs (i.e. user-based, usage-based, or developer-only). Also, you can opt for either the cloud-based or self-hosted version.
While remaining user-friendly, DronaHQ is more geared toward a technical audience that has some basic knowledge of app development.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Automation workflows
- 150+ UI components
- App templates
- Offline native mobile apps
- Built-in database
- Self-hosting option
- Custom code
- Integration with major databases and APIs
- Granular permissions
DronaHQ pricing
DronaHQ’s pricing is straightforward yet nuanced. There are two main models depending on whether you have a fixed user base or need something scalable:
- User-based model. This model has three tiers, starting at $10 per user per month. All tiers come with unlimited apps.
- Usage-based model. Also featuring three tiers, this model starts at $100 per month for 25,000 tasks and includes 10 published apps.
For self-hosted solutions, the pricing is a bit different:
- User-based model (self-hosted): Starts at $25 per user per month.
- Usage-based model (cloud-based): Begins at $100 per month.
What makes DronaHQ a great alternative to Jet Admin
- Native mobile app development. DronaHQ supports mobile app development for both iOS and Android, allowing you to create cross-platform apps with one platform.
- Generative AI apps. You can build and integrate Gen AI apps with DronaHQ, thanks to its robust support for AI tools and frameworks.
- Built-in SQL database. Like Jet Admin, DronaHQ offers a built-in SQL database—so you can manage and query your data without needing additional tools.
- SSO and advanced security options. DronaHQ provides SSO options, including integrations with Okta, AD, and other SAML or OpenID providers, starting at $25/user/month. This is available in all plans, unlike Jet Admin, which only offers SSO in its custom enterprise package.
- Unlimited apps in all plans. With DronaHQ, you can create unlimited apps across all user-based plans, whereas Jet Admin’s plans typically restrict you to a single app unless you opt for custom pricing.
4. Budibase — the best Jet Admin alternative for free, open-source projects
Budibase is an open-source low-code platform for building internal applications.
Budibase isn’t the most affordable alternative to Jet Admin with its $50 per app creator per month pricing. But if you’re looking to build a free side project, Budibase’s free plan is more generous than Jet Admin’s.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Templates
- Automation workflows
- Open-source
- Custom code (CSS/JavaScript)
- Responsive apps
- Community support
- Integration with major databases and APIs
- Native data source
Budibase pricing
Budibase’s free plan is perfect for small projects or initial testing. It supports up to 5 users or collaborators on Budibase Cloud. For self-hosted setups, you can have up to 20 users or collaborators at no cost.
The Premium plan starts at $50 per collaborator per month, with an additional $5 per user per month.
With each plan, users can self-host or host with Budibase.
What makes Budibase a great alternative to Jet Admin
- Free tier. Budibase’s free plan is great for self-hosted small projects and offers more flexibility than Jet Admin’s free option. It includes advanced security features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and role-based access control, which Jet Admin only provides at higher pricing levels.
- Unlimited apps and workflows. Budibase doesn’t place limits on the number of apps or workflows you can create.
- Usability. Budibase is known to be one of the most beginner-friendly app builders.
5. Appsmith — the best Jet Admin alternative for custom projects
As one Reddit user has put it, “[Appsmith] is as customizable as Retool, easy as Jet Admin, and more customizable than Internal and Budibase.” While Internal has since shut down, this comment captures Appsmith’s strengths well.
Jet Admin might let you quickly set up standard applications, but when it comes to customization, Appsmith takes the lead. Its drag-and-drop interface is great for designing your UI, and its code-first approach supports the creation of complex logic and custom features.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Templates
- 40+ Pre-built widgets
- Open-source
- Custom code
- Automation workflows
- Role-based access controls
- AI-powered apps
- Integration with major data sources
Appsmith pricing
Appsmith’s pricing model is usage-based, which can make it a bit challenging to predict exact costs. But they cap the monthly fee at $20 per user, so you don’t have to worry about overspending even if your apps are heavily used.
The platform also offers a generous free plan, featuring unlimited users and apps, plus up to 3 repositories for version control with Git. Upgrading to a paid plan grants access to unlimited repositories, enhanced access controls, custom branding, and other advanced features.
What makes Appsmith a great alternative to Jet Admin
- Usage-based pricing. Appsmith’s pricing model is based on actual usage, so you only pay for the time your team spends on the apps.
- Unlimited users and apps. Unlike Jet Admin, Appsmith doesn’t limit the number of apps or users in any plan.
- Flexibility. With its open-source foundation, developer-friendly tools, and an active GitHub community, Appsmith is better suited for complex, custom-built projects that might outgrow Jet Admin's capabilities.
- AI-powered apps. Appsmith allows you to integrate pre-built AI actions into your internal apps.
Build internal and external apps, CRM systems, and admin panels with Softr
How much flexibility do you need? Will you be building a mobile app alongside your web app? How big is your team?
These are just a few questions you should answer to choose the best Jet Admin alternative.
Softr is the alternative that ticks all the boxes—pricing, flexibility, ease of use, and reliable support. Whether you're building a custom sales CRM or a full suite of business tools, Softr adapts to your needs without forcing you to switch platforms.
Sign up for free and start from scratch or with one of the many app templates.
What is Softr
Softr is the easiest way to turn your data into powerful business apps—no code required. Connect to your spreadsheet or database, customize layout and logic, and share with your team or clients.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
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Adelina Karpenkova
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