Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#1

Post by codechoir » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 8:05 AM UTC

I'm currently looking for a solution to provide (non-technical) team members with a way to interact with a SQL database (MySQL at the moment; PostgreSQL in the future). Basically, I want/need to build several very simple web-based CRUD-forms. Does anyone remember MS Access...

While my initial thought was to build a simple Django application, I'd prefer something non-developers could also work with. -> Low-/No-Code Solution

While I'm generally willing to pay, I'd really prefer an open and self-hosted solution.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#2

Post by heycesr » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:10 AM UTC

Not open source nor self-hosted AFAIK, but it sounds like you're looking for something like Retool (https://retool.com)

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#3

Post by IngoK » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:14 AM UTC

heycesr wrote: post #2

Not open source nor self-hosted AFAIK, but it sounds like you're looking for something like Retool ( https://retool.com )

I've never worked with it myself, but Appsmith (appsmith.com) seems like a promising alternative to Retool.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#4

Post by ngauje » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:17 AM UTC

I've tested Appsmith: https://www.appsmith.com/ and it's great! It's open source and self hostable on k8s. It's really easy to use, there is included tutorials. I mainly use it to build frontends to make APIs calls, but it supports DB backends like MySQL or PostgreSQL. Devs are available and willing to answer questions.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#5

Post by patrr » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:21 AM UTC

Xataface (https://github.com/shannah/xataface) Open source, currently MySQL only, very easy to use

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#6

Post by bram2w » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:25 AM UTC

You might want to take a look at Baserow (https://baserow.io), which is an open source self hosted no-code database tool and Airtable alternative. It is not possible to interact with an existing database, but the databases and tables created are stored in a PostgreSQL database. It might be possible for you to migrate your existing MySQL data to Baserow. The repository: https://gitlab.com/bramw/baserow. It is build in Django and Vue.js.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#7

Post by znpy » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:27 AM UTC

The OpenOffice/LibreOffice Access alternative (called Base iirc) can use mysql/postgresql as database backend.

if that's what you want you might want to look into that.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#8

Post by xupybd » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:36 AM UTC

I'm keen to find out as well. I asked a similar question a while back. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22091012

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#9

Post by glutamate » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:40 AM UTC

I'm working on an open source solution: Saltcorn (https://saltcorn.com). Works against PostgreSQL and sqlite, with a drag and drop view builder and extensions for Kanban boards, maps, statistics, stripe subscriptions etc.

Re: Ask HN: Best low-/no-code solution for simple web-based database frontends

#10

Post by dvfjsdhgfv » Thu, Apr 01, 2021, 9:49 AM UTC

Laravel Voyager: https://voyager.devdojo.com/