illacloud/illa-builder - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/illacloud/illa-builder
• Stars: 11,988

Illa Builder is an open-source low-code platform that enables developers and businesses to rapidly build internal tools, dashboards, and CRUD applications. With extensive database and API integrations, it serves as a powerful alternative to proprietary solutions like Retool.

2. Project Description#

Illa Builder is designed to streamline the development of business applications with minimal coding. It provides a drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and seamless integrations with databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, etc.) and APIs (REST, GraphQL, Hugging Face).

Key highlights:
✔ Low-code development – Build apps visually with minimal scripting.
✔ Multi-database support – Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, Supabase, MSSQL, and more.
✔ Workflow automation – Schedule tasks or trigger actions via webhooks.
✔ Self-hosted & cloud-ready – Deploy on-premises or use their cloud offering.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

Illa Builder is a strong alternative to:

• Retool (Proprietary low-code platform)
• Appsmith (Open-source Retool alternative)
• Budibase (Low-code internal tool builder)
• ToolJet (Open-source app development platform)

4. Core Functionality#

• Drag-and-Drop UI Builder – Assemble dashboards and forms with pre-built components.
• Database Integrations – Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Supabase, and more.
• API & Webhook Support – Connect to REST, GraphQL, and external services.
• Automation & Scheduling – Set up recurring tasks or event-based triggers.
• Self-Hosting – Deploy on your own infrastructure for full control.

5. Pros and Cons#

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-host)#

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sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
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sudo systemctl enable --now docker

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git clone https://github.com/illacloud/illa-builder.git
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cd illa-builder

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# Database configuration (PostgreSQL recommended)
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DB_HOST=postgres
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DB_PORT=5432
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DB_USER=illa_user
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DB_PASSWORD=your_secure_password
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DB_NAME=illa_db

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docker-compose up -d

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server {
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    listen 80;
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    server_name your-domain.com;
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    location / {
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        proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
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        proxy_set_header Host $host;
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    }
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}