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Saltcorn

Build web and mobile database apps without code

Saltcorn lets you create flexible, multi‑tenant web and mobile database applications using a no‑code interface, with self‑hosting options on desktop, server, or Docker.

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Overview

Overview

Saltcorn is an extensible no‑code builder that enables users to design web and mobile database applications through configurable views, datatypes, layouts, and actions. It supports both single‑tenant and multi‑tenant deployments, making it suitable for internal tools as well as SaaS prototypes.

Deployment Options

You can run Saltcorn locally with Node.js and SQLite, install it on a VPS using the npx saltcorn-install script (which provisions PostgreSQL and a systemd service), or spin up a container via Docker Compose. A lightweight 2 GB virtual server is sufficient for most workloads, and one‑click install scripts are available for popular cloud providers.

Extensibility

The platform leverages a rich ecosystem of open‑source libraries (PostgreSQL, Express, Blockly, CodeMirror, etc.) and allows custom plugins, giving developers the flexibility to extend functionality while keeping the core no‑code experience intact.

Highlights

No‑code interface for building web and mobile database apps
Built‑in multi‑tenant support for separate subdomains
Flexible views, datatypes, layouts, and actions
Multiple deployment methods: desktop, server, Docker, and service

Pros

  • Rapid application development without writing code
  • Self‑hostable on modest VPS resources
  • Open‑source stack with community‑driven plugins
  • Multi‑tenant architecture ready out‑of‑the‑box

Considerations

  • Initial setup requires Node.js and command‑line familiarity
  • Mobile build dependencies are not included in the default Docker image
  • No formal commercial support; relies on community
  • Scaling high‑traffic workloads may need larger infrastructure

Managed products teams compare with

When teams consider Saltcorn, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.

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Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.

Fit guide

Great for

  • Small teams building internal admin tools
  • Startups prototyping MVPs quickly
  • Developers needing a quick database‑driven UI
  • Organizations that prefer self‑hosted data control

Not ideal when

  • Large‑scale public SaaS platforms without dedicated ops
  • Teams without Node.js or Linux command‑line experience
  • Projects requiring extensive custom UI beyond provided layouts
  • Environments where minimal Docker image size is critical

How teams use it

Internal inventory management

Create a searchable inventory dashboard accessible from web and mobile devices without writing backend code.

Customer feedback portal

Deploy a multi‑tenant feedback collection app where each product line has its own subdomain.

Field data collection

Generate a mobile app for field agents to capture and sync data directly to a central database.

Event registration SaaS

Offer event organizers separate tenant instances to manage attendees, tickets, and reporting.

Tech snapshot

JavaScript79%
TypeScript18%
CSS2%
Python1%
Svelte1%
Shell1%

Tags

no-codenocode

Frequently asked questions

Which databases does Saltcorn support?

Saltcorn works with PostgreSQL by default and can also use SQLite for local development.

Can I run Saltcorn as a Docker container?

Yes, a Docker Compose file is provided for quick testing, and a separate image includes mobile build dependencies.

Is there a hosted version of Saltcorn?

A free multitenant instance is available at saltcorn.com for exploration, but it offers no guarantees on security or uptime.

Do I need to write code to customize Saltcorn?

Most functionality is achievable through the no‑code UI, though custom plugins can be written in JavaScript for advanced needs.

What are the minimum system requirements?

A 2 GB VPS is sufficient for typical workloads; a 1 GB VM can run Saltcorn but may encounter upgrade issues.

Project at a glance

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LicenseMIT
Repo age5 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Primary languageJavaScript

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