Top 11 Open Source Internal Tools with the Most GitHub Stars

Explore the most popular open-source internal tools on GitHub.

Zhang Lu |

Welcome back to our GitHub Star series!

In previous articles, we delved into GitHub’s most popular open-source low-code projects, “Top 15 Open-Source Low-Code Projects with the Most GitHub Stars,” and open-source no-code tools, “The Top 12 Open-Source No-Code Tools with the Most GitHub Stars,” receiving enthusiastic feedback. This week, we continue the GitHub Star series by focusing on internal tools that not only enhance work efficiency but also drive business process innovation.

💡 Read More: Top 5 Open Source Projects for Building Internal Tools

It’s worth noting that, in addition to Star counts, this article incorporates data on Forks, Issues, Pull Requests, and Contributors from GitHub. These dimensions provide developers with a more comprehensive perspective, revealing the actual usage, development activity, and community contributions of these tools, offering a holistic evaluation.

To present a more comprehensive view of the diversity and impact of these internal tools, we have divided the 11 tools into two groups:

The first group: Internal tools with over 10k stars, where we will detail each tool’s highlights, including core features and use cases.

The second group: Internal tools with fewer than 10k stars, providing brief introductions to each tool.

First Group: GitHub Star > 10k

No.6:ILLA Builder

ILLA Builder.PNG

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/illacloud/illa-builder
GitHub Star11.3k
GitHub Fork1.1k
GitHub Issue37
GitHub Pull Request/
GitHub Contributor312
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseApache-2.0
Official Websitehttps://illacloud.com/
Documentationhttps://docs.illacloud.com/

Introduction

ILLA Builder is an open-source low-code platform designed to simplify the development of enterprise applications, offering powerful integration features ideal for teams needing rapid prototyping and business management tools.

💡 Read More: How to build apps with NocoBase?

  • Low-Code Development: ILLA Builder provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface to streamline application building without extensive coding knowledge.

Low-Code Development.PNG

  • Powerful Integration: It supports seamless integration with various data sources and external services, including databases, APIs, and third-party services.

💡 Read More: Deep Dive: Low Code/No Code Integration Capabilities

Powerful Integration.PNG

  • AI Agents: Includes AI agents to offer functionalities such as intelligent analysis and content generation without needing AI development skills.

AI Agents.PNG

No.5:NocoBase

NocoBase.PNG

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/nocobase/nocobase
GitHub Star11.6k
GitHub Fork1.3k
GitHub Issue31
GitHub Pull Request41
GitHub Contributor71
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseAGPL-3.0
Official Websitehttps://www.nocobase.com/
Documentationhttps://docs.nocobase.com/

Introduction

NocoBase is an open-source no-code/low-code platform designed for building internal tools, business applications, and enterprise solutions. It helps development teams rapidly deploy customized business applications without significant time or financial investment.

🙌 Have a try: NocoBase Tutorial – Task Management System

  • Data Model Driven: Allows complex data structure design beyond the user interface, enhancing application flexibility and scalability.

Data Model Driven.png

  • Plugin-Based Architecture: Uses a microkernel and plugin architecture where all features are provided through plugins, enabling customization and extension of system functionalities.

Plugin-Based Architecture.png

  • WYSIWYG Editor: Offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, making design and configuration straightforward for users without programming backgrounds.

WYSIWYG Editor.png

No.4:Budibase

Budibase.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/Budibase/budibase
GitHub Star21.7k
GitHub Fork1.5k
GitHub Issue431
GitHub Pull Request14
GitHub Contributor98
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseGPLv3
Official Websitehttps://budibase.com/
Documentationhttps://docs.budibase.com/

Introduction

Budibase is an open-source low-code platform that accelerates business application development and automation, suitable for teams needing rapid prototyping or management tools in a fast-changing business environment.

💡 Read More: Complete Guide to Efficient Business Application Development

  • Rapid Development and Automation: Provides rich automation and build capabilities, generating powerful applications, forms, and workflows from data with minimal coding.

Rapid Development and Automation.png

  • Wide Data Source Support: Supports integration with various data sources and APIs, allowing for extensive customization based on business needs.

Wide Data Source Support.png

  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed with user experience in mind, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop environment for quick application creation without deep coding.

User-Friendly Interface.png

No.3:Refine

Refine.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/refinedev/refine
GitHub Star27.2k
GitHub Fork2.1k
GitHub Issue24
GitHub Pull Request2
GitHub Contributor258
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseMIT
Official Websitehttps://refine.dev/
Documentationhttps://refine.dev/docs/

Introduction

Refine is an open-source development platform focused on building data-driven applications with a strong emphasis on security and modularity, ideal for enterprise-level applications requiring advanced data processing and visualization.

💡 Read More: The Best Open-Source Alternatives to Retool In 2025

  • Diverse Use Cases: Specializes in data-driven application development, providing robust data management and user interface components for CRM, e-commerce, HR, and more.

Diverse Use Cases.png

  • Security Assurance: Offers comprehensive security features, including self-hosting for compliance, support for existing identity providers (e.g., Okta, Azure AD), and fine-grained access control.

Security Assurance.png

  • Seamless Integration: Uses UI frameworks, backend connectors, and other powerful tools to seamlessly integrate with existing ecosystems.

Seamless Integration.png

No.2:ToolJet

ToolJet.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/ToolJet/ToolJet
GitHub Star28.6k
GitHub Fork3.5k
GitHub Issue757
GitHub Pull Request179
GitHub Contributor541
Most Recent Update on GitHubA week ago
Open Source LicenseAGPL-3.0
Official Websitehttps://tooljet.com/
Documentationhttps://docs.tooljet.com/

Introduction

ToolJet is a rapid internal tool development platform that simplifies the creation of business applications with minimal code and resources while ensuring enterprise-grade security, suitable for teams needing to quickly build prototypes or management tools.

💡 Read More: Top 5 Open-source App Builder Tools with the Most GitHub Stars

  • UI Component Library: Focuses on low-code development with various built-in UI components and templates for building complex software, simplifying the application development process.

UI Component Library.png

  • Easy Integration: Supports integration with multiple third-party services and data sources, including databases and APIs, offering flexibility in rapid application deployment and adjustment.

Easy Integration.png

  • Automated Workflows: Automates complex manual business processes with minimal engineering effort, using ToolJet’s enterprise-grade workflow builder for improved business outcomes.

Automated Workflows.png

💡 Read More: ⭐️ Top 10 Open-source Workflows Projects with the Most GitHub Stars

No.1:Appsmith

Appsmith.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/appsmithorg/appsmith
GitHub Star32.9k
GitHub Fork3.6k
GitHub Issue3.7k
GitHub Pull Request108
GitHub Contributor315
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseApache-2.0
Official Websitewww.appsmith.com
Documentationhttps://docs.appsmith.com/

Introduction

Appsmith is an open-source low-code development platform designed to help teams quickly build, deploy, and manage effective software with enterprise-level security and governance, particularly suitable for rapid prototyping and iteration.

💡 Read More: NocoBase vs. Appsmith: Which Open Source Low-Code Platform is Right for You?

  • Rich Industry Templates: Provides a variety of industry templates covering common business scenarios and functionality, significantly enhancing development efficiency and application usability.

Rich Industry Templates.png

  • Powerful Integration: Allows integration with multiple data sources (e.g., databases, SaaS tools, REST/GraphQL APIs), supporting complex data operations and business logic processing with secure self-hosting.

Powerful Integration.png

  • Appsmith AI: Integrates AI features within minutes into custom internal applications, quickly creating custom interfaces, interacting with any LLM, and connecting to a wide range of data sources to develop powerful AI applications tailored to your business.

Appsmith AI.png

Second Group: GitHub Star < 10k

No.7:YAO

YAO.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/YaoApp/yao
GitHub Star7.1k
GitHub Fork650k
GitHub Issue76
GitHub Pull Request/
GitHub Contributor9
Most Recent Update on GitHubWithin one day
Open Source LicenseApache-2.0
Official Websitehttps://yaoapps.com/
Documentation/

Introduction

Yao is a low-code development platform supporting rapid development of custom business applications with various built-in components and data integration features, simplifying the creation and management of internal tools.

No.8:Rowy

Rowy.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/rowyio/rowy
GitHub Star5.9k
GitHub Fork479
GitHub Issue50
GitHub Pull Request14
GitHub Contributor40
Most Recent Update on GitHub9 mounth ago
Open Source LicenseApache-2.0
Official Websitehttp://rowy.io/
Documentationhttp://docs.rowy.io/

Introduction

Rowy combines low-code and no-code functionalities to focus on data-driven internal tool development, simplifying data management and application creation through a spreadsheet interface and automation features.

No.9:Openblocks

Openblocks.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/openblocks-dev/openblocks
GitHub Star5.8k
GitHub Fork344
GitHub Issue123
GitHub Pull Request9
GitHub Contributor18
Most Recent Update on GitHubLast year
Open Source LicenseAGPL-3.0
Official Websitehttps://openblocks.dev/
Documentationhttps://docs.openblocks.dev/

Introduction

Openblocks offers an open-source low-code platform that allows developers to quickly build and deploy internal applications through a visual interface, supporting custom functionalities and external service integration.

No.10:Lowdefy

Lowdefy.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/lowdefy/lowdefy
GitHub Star2.6k
GitHub Fork160
GitHub Issue30
GitHub Pull Request3
GitHub Contributor24
Most Recent Update on GitHubTwo mounth ago
Open Source LicenseApache-2.0
Official Websitehttps://lowdefy.com/
Documentationhttps://docs.lowdefy.com/

Introduction

Lowdefy is a low-code platform focused on building business applications, supporting rapid construction and customization of internal tools with flexible components and robust data integration features.

No.11:Dashpress

Dashpress.png

GitHub Metrics

GitHubhttps://github.com/dashpresshq/dashpress
GitHub Star1.7k
GitHub Fork108
GitHub Issue/
GitHub Pull Request/
GitHub Contributor10
Most Recent Update on GitHubA week ago
Open Source LicenseAGPL-3.0
Official Websitehttp://demo.dashpress.io/
Documentation/

Introduction

Dashpress is a low-code internal tool development platform providing easy application building and data visualization features, helping teams quickly develop and manage business applications.

Summary

💡 Related Reading: Top 5 Open Source Projects for Building Internal Tools.

These open-source internal tools each address unique needs in simplifying development processes and enhancing business efficiency.

NocoBase accelerates application customization and extension with its flexible plugin architecture, Refine emphasizes security and modularity for data-driven applications, and Appsmith boosts development efficiency with rich templates and AI capabilities.

Covering a broad range of needs from data management to business automation, these tools offer diverse solutions for developers.

😄 I hope this article will help you if you are looking for open source internal tools!

Related reading: