The Best Tools for Building CRUD Applications in 2025

CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) applications form the backbone of many software systems, allowing for efficient data management. The ever-evolving landscape of development tools has made building these applications faster and more accessible.

Today, developers have a rich list of user-friendly and sophisticated platforms. We created this article to help you find the best tools for developing CRUD apps and also explain how you can build a CRUD app using UI Bakery.

What is CRUD?

A CRUD app is a specific type of software application consisting of basic operations: Create, Read, Update, Delete. At a low level, we use CRUD apps on an everyday basis. At a higher level, CRUD applications are made up of three parts: the database, user interface, and APIs.

Top tools for building CRUD applications in 2025

Building CRUD apps can be done through traditional development and a low-code approach as well. Since there is no need for traditional development in the majority of cases, let's explore the best low-code CRUD tools and their purposes:

1. UI Bakery

Ideal for: Developers and businesses looking for rapid prototyping or production-ready CRUD apps.

UI Bakery is one of the leading low-code tools out there as it stands from competitors with a rich template selection and ease of use. As a platform with a highly intuitive interface, UI Bakery empowers users to build CRUD applications with minimal effort. It features a drag-and-drop interface, over 80 UI components, and seamless integration with a wide range of databases and APIs.

2. Retool

Ideal for: Teams needing highly customizable internal tools.

Favored for its flexibility and extensive customization options, Retool is a strong UI Bakery competitor in terms of building bespoke CRUD applications. It also has pre-made templates and a user-friendly interface, allowing developers to easily integrate a variety of data sources. It is a great choice for building internal CRUD applications tailored to specific organizational needs.

3. Budibase

Ideal for: Developers who prefer open-source solutions with complete control.

Budibase is a trailblazer in the open-source low-code development space. It was specifically designed with independence in mind, meaning it allows teams to host their apps on their own servers, granting complete control over their projects - like just UI Bakery. This platform would be a perfect choice for smaller teams valuing the community-driven nature of open-source tools. Budibase combines ease of use with advanced customization, making it a preferred choice for organizations that prioritize data sovereignty and operational autonomy.

4. Firebase

Ideal for: Developers building mobile and web apps requiring real-time data.

Google's Firebase is another option you may opt for. It comes with a comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solution, so it will be best for developers crafting CRUD applications for web and mobile platforms. Firebase offers real-time database capabilities powered by advanced features like user authentication, cloud storage, and hosting, making the platform a versatile tool for projects that demand dynamic data handling.

5. Appsmith

Ideal for: Teams building interactive dashboards and admin panels.

Appsmith is a purpose-built low-code platform for developing internal tools such as dashboards and admin panels. The tool focuses on increased efficiency and interactivity, allowing teams to quickly design and deploy that automates operational tasks. Appsmith’s allows you to integrate the tool with existing systems and APIs so teams can build powerful tools with minimal friction.

How to implement a CRUD application with UI Bakery

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a CRUD application using UI Bakery:

Step 1: Set up your project

1. Sign Up/Log In to UI Bakery.
2. Choose "Create a New Project."

Step 2: Connect to your data source

1. Select your data source: UI Bakery supports various data sources, including SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL), NoSQL databases (MongoDB), and external APIs.
2. Authenticate: Provide the necessary credentials and configure permissions to connect UI Bakery to your data.

Step 3: Design the user interface

1. Drag and drop components: Use the platform's visual editor to add forms, tables, and buttons for your CRUD operations.
2. Bind data to components: Link the components to your database fields using UI Bakery's data-binding tools.
3. Customize layout: Adjust the design to ensure a user-friendly and responsive interface.

Step 4: Define CRUD operations

1. Create records: Add a form with fields corresponding to the database schema. Configure it to execute a "Create" query when submitted.
2. Read data: Use a table component to display data from the database, with filters and pagination as needed.
3. Update records: Add an edit button to each row in the table. Configure the button to populate a form with the selected record's data for editing.
4. Delete records: Add a delete button with a confirmation prompt to remove records.

Step 5: Test and deploy

1. Test locally: Run your application within UI Bakery to verify CRUD functionality.
2. Deploy: Once satisfied, deploy your application to the cloud or export it for hosting on your server.

Wrapping Up

The tools available in 2025 make CRUD application development more efficient and accessible than ever. Among these, UI Bakery stands out for its balance of ease of use and flexibility. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a beginner, UI Bakery can help you quickly build, test, and deploy professional-grade applications.