Budibase vs Make — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Budibase and Make to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Make takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. Budibase (4.0) is the better pick if you need teams wanting self-hosted retool alternative.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Budibase | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.0(67) | ★★★★ 4.5(312) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $5/user/mo (cloud) | $10.59/mo (Core, 10K ops) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted | web |
| Learning Curve | Medium | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Teams wanting self-hosted Retool alternative | Users who need more complex automation logic than Zapier offers at a more affordable price. |
| Verdict | Best Open Source Internal Tools | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Budibase | Make |
|---|---|---|
| Visual App Builder | — | |
| Database Connectors | — | |
| Automation | — | |
| RBAC | — | |
| Self-Hosting | — | |
| Visual flowchart workflow builder | — | |
| Routers and conditional logic | — | |
| Iterators and aggregators | — | |
| Error handling | — | |
| 1,500+ app integrations | — | |
| Webhooks and HTTP modules | — |
Budibase
Pros
- ✓Free self-hosted option
- ✓Good database connectors
- ✓Active open source community
Cons
- ✕Less polished than Retool
- ✕Smaller component library
- ✕Documentation gaps
Make
Pros
- ✓More powerful than Zapier for complex automation logic
- ✓Visual flowchart builder makes complex workflows understandable
- ✓More affordable than Zapier for high-volume, complex automations
Cons
- ✕Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- ✕Fewer app integrations than Zapier (1,500+ vs 6,000+)
- ✕Operation counting can be confusing initially
The Bottom Line
Both Budibase and Make are solid tools in the No-Code & Automation space. Make edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and is the better choice for users who need more complex automation logic than zapier offers at a more affordable price.. However, if you prioritize teams wanting self-hosted retool alternative, Budibase is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.