Comparison guide to 5 best admin panel builders

An admin panel is like a vehicle for an app or a website. It is used for managing configurations, content, settings, and features that carry out business oversight functions.

Aside from being filled with the functionality you need to maintain your business, admin panels should also be visually appealing and understandable. So, a solid admin panel is often another time-consuming task. The good news is that it doesn't necessarily have to require this extra attention.

The current market is filled with solutions that allow users to quickly build a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing admin panel. These admin panel builders significantly streamline the process and ensure you don't have to compromise on functionality or design.

Let's get to explore these tools so you can find the best one for your needs.

What makes a great admin panel builder?

Before we delve into the specifics, let's outline the factors based on which this list is created. Here is what makes an admin panel builder useful for app and web development:

1. User-friendly interface: a good builder should be intuitive, making it easy even for non-developers to create and customize panels.
2. Customization options: such tools should offer some kind of customization to let users tailor the design and functionality to fit their specific needs.
3. Integration capabilities: seamless integration with other tools can significantly enhance productivity and reduce the need to constantly switch between apps.
4. Performance and security: a proper admin panel must ensure security and should be capable of handling large volumes of data without compromising performance.

5 best admin panel builders to choose from

UI Bakery

UI Bakery is one of the leading low-code platforms specifically designed to help companies quickly build and customize admin panels. With a minimal learning curve and affordable pricing, UI Bakery offers a user-friendly interface suitable for non-developers seeking the admin panel and app development without extensive coding knowledge.

You may want to start with choosing your ready-made admin panel template.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop interface: allows teams to easily design an admin panel using a visual editor without coding skills.
• Pre-built templates: UI Bakery allows users to get started quickly with a variety of templates that you can customize to fit your specific needs.
• Data integration: connects to a rich set of third-party tools, databases and APIs, allowing you to pull in data effortlessly. For example, it can be integrated with tools like Airtable, Slack, Snowflake, Databricks and Open AI.
• User management: allows teams to manage user roles and permissions within the platform.
• Customizable elements: even when using pre-built templates, UI Bakery offers customization components that tailor an admin panel to the brand's style and business requirements.

Pros:

• The intuitive interface is perfect for beginners and non-tech users;
• Offers robust customization options;
• Rich data integration capabilities;
• Cost-effective solution;
• A variety of ready-made templates for quick project kick-off.

Cons:

• Some advanced features usually require a learning curve;
• It might lack some specific integrations.

Basedash

Basedash is an internal tool you don't need to build. So instead of using this platform to build an admin panel, Basedash is an opinionated product adapting to your data model and essentially becomes your internal tool. With its intuitive interface and minimal learning curve, this tool means no SQL, programming languages and even no dragging and dropping – it already works.

Key features:

• Direct database connection: automatically connects directly to your database, providing real-time data management capabilities.
• Collaborative features: allows teams to efficiently communicate in real-time, making it easier to manage data collaboratively.
• Custom views: this tool allows the creation of custom views and dashboards tailored to specific data insights.
• Data editing: lets users edit data directly within the interface, while changes automatically will be reflected in your database.

Pros:

• Direct interaction with databases;
• No coding and tech knowledge is required;
• Real-time collaboration features;
• User permissions and access roles;

Cons:

• Customization might be limited;
• It may lack some features.

AdminJS

As a highly customizable admin panel builder, AdminJS best suits Node.js applications. Requiring only database models like posts, comments, products, and whatever your app needs, AdminJS will generate ReactJS UI to be plugged into your application. Although having a pretty understandable interface, this tool is suitable for tech-savvy users.

Key features:

• Framework agnostic: this tool can effortlessly work with multiple databases and Node.js frameworks, offering flexibility in integration.
• Custom dashboards: allows you to create custom dashboards that will display key metrics and data visualizations your business needs.
• Role-based access control: implements fine-grained control over user access and permissions.
• REST API: allows developers to integrate the tool with other services and applications via a RESTful API.

Pros:

• High level of customization and extensibility.
• Strong integration with the Node.js ecosystem.
• Comprehensive role-based access control.

Cons:

• Requires technical knowledge to set up, use, and customize;
• It will require a learning curve.

Forest Admin

Forest Admin offers a comprehensive admin panel solution that is highly customizable and easy to set up. Specifically designed to work with your existing software, Forest Admin offers a seamless integration experience that is perfect for users with different experience levels.

Key features:

• Quick setup: it takes minutes for users to start using the tool.
• Customization: the tool allows you to tailor the interface so it aligns with specific needs and preferences.
• Advanced security: powered by robust security features, including role-based permissions and audit logs.
• Third-party integrations: offers a rich set of third-party service integrations to expand the tool's functionality.

Pros:

• Rapid setup and integration;
• Highly customizable with extensive third-party integrations;
• Strong focus on security and data protection.

Cons:

• Pricing can be on the higher side for smaller teams;
• It may require a learning curve for non-tech users.

Glide

Glide is another popular no-code app builder that uses Google Sheets as a single data source. This feature may cause limitations in some cases, this feature also makes Glide the best choice for non-technical users looking for quick prototype development of internal or public-facing web applications.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop builder: Glide provides an intuitive interface that allows users to design their admin panels without writing a single line of code.
• Customizable elements: this tool offers a variety of customizable components such as tables, charts, forms, and buttons to create a tailored admin panel.
• Data synchronization: ensures that data changes in the admin panel are instantly reflected in the underlying Google Sheets.
• Third-party integrations: Glide can be integrated with several services and APIs, enhancing the functionality of the admin panel.

Pros:

• User-friendly and accessible, allowing even non-technical users to create functional admin panels;
• Highly customizable;
• Can handle increasing amounts of data and users.

Cons:

• Limited advanced functionality;
• Dependent on Google Sheets;
• It may be costly when choosing its premium features;
• Limited integrated options.

Let's wrap it up

Choosing the right admin panel builder depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. UI Bakery and Basedash offer user-friendly, low-code solutions ideal for those seeking ease of use and quick deployment. AdminJS provides extensive customization for developers comfortable with Node.js, while Forest Admin and Glide deliver a secure and highly customizable experience suitable for businesses of all sizes.