Yes, Base44 has a free plan. Base44's pricing page says the Free plan includes all of its core features, 25 message credits and 100 integration credits each month, and up to 5 apps, with authentication, database functionality and analytics. Connecting your own domain and the GitHub integration are on paid plans.
Base44 is an AI app builder. You describe the app or website you want in plain language and it builds the front end, back end, database and user logins for you. It's become one of the go-to tools for founders, consultants and small teams who want an internal tool or a client portal without hiring a developer. The free plan is a good way to find out whether it suits you, but the credit allowance runs out faster than people expect, so here's how it works.
What the Base44 free plan includes
According to Base44's pricing page, as of October 2026 the Free plan gives you:
- 25 message credits a month for AI messages
- 100 integration credits a month for integration actions
- Up to 5 apps
- Authentication, database functionality and analytics
- Base44's core features, which the page lists as AI-powered app building, a built-in backend and database, a visual editor, collaboration, cloud storage, user management, marketing tools and debugging tools
Base44's own FAQ goes further and says the Free plan is a full AI app maker and that you can ship complete apps on it. That's a stronger promise than most free tiers make.
Free vs paid plans at a glance
| Plan | Message credits each month | Integration credits each month | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 25 | 100 | Up to 5 |
| Starter | 100 | 2,000 | Unlimited |
| Builder | 250 | 10,000 | Unlimited |
| Pro | 500 | 20,000 | Unlimited |
| Elite | 1,200 | 50,000 | Unlimited |
Every paid plan adds in-app code edits and the option to connect a domain, and Base44 lists a free domain for the first year on paid plans. From Builder upwards you also get GitHub integration and the AI model picker. Base44 says annual billing comes with a discount on every paid plan, and it offers education and non-profit pricing case by case if you sign up with a student email or contact support.
What a credit is, and why they go quickly
Base44 describes credits as your monthly usage allowance for AI messages and integration actions, and says exact usage varies depending on the action and the AI model you select. In practice, every request you make in the builder chat uses message credits, so a back-and-forth where you keep refining a layout eats into the allowance.
That's why the free plan suits a focused build better than open-ended experimenting. If you go in with a clear brief, you'll get much further with the same credits.
How to get the most out of the free plan
- Write your app brief before you open Base44: who uses it, what data it stores and the three screens it needs.
- Put the whole brief in your first message so the first build is close to what you want.
- Group your changes into one message rather than sending small tweaks one by one.
- Use the visual editor for small text and layout changes where you can.
- Test the logins and database early, because they're the parts that matter for a real app.
If you want a walkthrough of the builder itself, my guide on how to use Base44 takes you from the first prompt to publishing.
Things to know before you rely on it
Base44 says you own everything you build, including your code, data and users, and that two-way GitHub sync can export the full source code to your own repository. Because GitHub integration sits on paid plans, a free-plan app is harder to move later, so if you're building something for a client, plan for an upgrade at handover.
Third-party services you connect, such as payment, email sending or AI providers, bill you directly on their own terms, according to Base44's FAQ. So a free Base44 plan doesn't mean every part of your app is free to run.
If you'd like to compare it with similar tools before committing, my roundup of Base44 alternatives covers the other AI app builders worth a look.
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A simple first project to test it
If you're not sure what to build, start with something you'd otherwise keep in a spreadsheet: a client onboarding form that saves answers to a database, a simple booking request tracker, or a content calendar your team can update. Each one uses logins, a database and a few screens, which is exactly what the free plan is built to test. Keep it to one app, give it a clear name, and note how many credits the first build uses so you know whether the free monthly allowance will be enough for the way you work.
Who the free plan suits
It suits anyone testing an idea, building a simple internal tool, or making a prototype to show a client. Base44's own guidance is that most app creators land on Starter, teams shipping several apps tend to pick Builder or Pro, and Elite is for people running their main product on Base44. You can upgrade, downgrade or cancel at any time, and Base44 says your apps stay live and your data stays in your workspace when you change plans.
If this builder isn't the right fit, see how Replit compares with Lovable.
My verdict
Base44 is free to start, and the free plan is enough to build and test a working app. The limit you'll feel is credits, not features. Plan your build before you start chatting, keep it to one clear app, and upgrade only when you need your own domain, more credits or code export.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base44 free to use?
Yes. Base44 has a Free plan with all core features, 25 message credits and 100 integration credits each month, and up to 5 apps.
Can I publish an app on the Base44 free plan?
Base44's FAQ says you can ship complete apps on the Free plan. Connecting your own domain is listed on paid plans.
What happens when I run out of Base44 credits?
Base44 says that when you hit your monthly credit limit you can upgrade to a paid plan. Credits are a monthly allowance.
Does Base44 offer student or non-profit pricing?
Yes. Base44 says it offers education and non-profit pricing case by case. Sign up with a student email or contact support.
Do I own the apps I build on Base44?
Base44 says you own your code, data and users, and GitHub sync can export the full source code to your own repository.
