# Cordango vs Budibase: managed EU core or self-hosted builder

> An honest comparison of Cordango and Budibase, two EU-friendly ways to get internal tools. A managed core that builds apps from a description, or open-source low-code you run yourself.

Source: https://www.cordango.com/vs/budibase/
Language: en

# Cordango vs Budibase

A rare comparison where both sides take the EU seriously. Budibase is open-source low-code you can self-host, which is the strongest possible answer to who controls your data. The question it leaves open is who runs the platform, keeps the apps consistent and answers for permissions across all of them. With Cordango that job is the product.

## The short version.

Where Budibase wins 

If open source is a requirement and you have people to run it, Budibase is a solid choice.

-   OSS Open source and auditable, no vendor gate
-   HOST Self-host anywhere, including your own EU servers
-   FREE A generous free tier to start small
-   CTRL Your stack, your rules, your upgrade schedule

Where Cordango wins 

Cordango gives you the sovereignty without the ops rota.

-   OPS No servers, updates, backups or patch Mondays
-   BUILD Apps generated from a description, not assembled screen by screen
-   CORE Identity, permissions, people and audit shared by every app from day one
-   HELP Too complex to generate? We build it with you

## Side by side.

|     | Cordango | Budibase |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No infrastructure to operate | ✓   | ~   |
| Build an app by describing it | ✓   | ~   |
| One data core across all apps | ✓   | ~   |
| Directory, SSO & audit built in | ✓   | ~   |
| EU data residency | ✓   | ✓   |
| Open source | ✗   | ✓   |
| Custom-built apps on request | ✓   | ✗   |
| Shared company context by default | ✓   | ~   |
| Governance built into every app | ✓   | ~   |
| Company-owned rather than builder-owned | ✓   | ~   |
| Every user shapes their own interface | ✓   | ✗   |
| One platform price instead of per-tool subscriptions | ✓   | ~   |

✓ built in  ·  ~ possible with plan or setup work  ·  ✗ not offered  
Two honest EU answers. The difference is whose job the platform is: yours or ours.

## Which one should you pick?

### Pick Budibase if

-   01 Open source is a hard requirement, not a preference
-   02 You have people who enjoy running infrastructure
-   03 Budget beats time and you’ll assemble the apps yourself

### Pick Cordango if

-   01 You want the outcome, not another system to operate
-   02 EU hosting should be someone’s guarantee, not your weekend
-   03 Apps should share one core instead of being wired one by one

NEXT

## See it on your company.

Watch Cordango stand up a company and build an app from a description, live, in about 30 minutes.

[Book a demo →](https://www.cordango.com/contact/) [All comparisons](https://www.cordango.com/vs/)