Frappe

Web Development Open source

An open-source low-code framework for building business-ready web applications.

Open source Free

About

What is Frappe?

Frappe is a powerful, full-stack, open-source low-code web framework written in Python and JavaScript. It is the foundation behind ERPNext, one of the world's most popular open-source ERP systems. Frappe provides a batteries-included development environment with a built-in ORM, REST API generation, role-based permissions, a form builder, and a workflow engine — all accessible through its intuitive Desk UI. It is ideal for developers and businesses that need to build custom business applications rapidly without starting from scratch.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Full-stack framework — database, API, UI, and permissions in one
  • Automatic REST API generation for all DocTypes
  • Built-in role-based access control and workflow engine
  • Powers ERPNext, a battle-tested production-grade ERP
  • Large and active community with extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable on any Linux server
  • Form builder and report builder require minimal coding

Cons

  • Steep learning curve compared to modern frontend frameworks
  • Tightly coupled architecture can limit extreme customization
  • Frontend (Jinja + Vue) feels dated compared to modern React/Vue apps
  • Bench CLI setup can be complex for beginners
  • Less suitable for consumer-facing or heavily designed UIs

Use Cases

Building custom ERP and business management systems Creating internal CRUD applications with complex permissions Extending ERPNext with custom modules and workflows Rapid prototyping of business process applications Non-profits and SMBs needing affordable custom software
Discover more tools

Build smarter
with no-code.

Explore the full library of no-code tools — filtered by category, pricing, and open-source status.