Base44 vs Trickle

Base44

• Non-developers building internal tools, portals or back-office apps
• Builders who want database, login and hosting handled in one product
• Students and teachers, who can verify a school email for half-price plans

Trickle

• Landing pages, forms and small web apps built without code
• People who prefer arranging context on a canvas to a long chat thread
• Light projects that fit a free daily credit allowance

Base44

• The Free plan is limited to 25 message credits a month and 5 apps.
• GitHub integration, AI model selection and app-store files all start on the Builder plan.
• Listed prices assume annual billing; the pricing page says yearly billing is 20% cheaper than monthly.
• Connecting a domain and managing app security are not available when editing on a mobile device.

Trickle

• Free projects carry a Built with Trickle badge and cannot use a custom domain.
• The Free plan is capped at 3 projects, 100 database rows and 70 credits a day, up to 350 a month.
• The $17 and $42 prices are annual plans ($200 and $500 a year) shown per month; monthly billing is $20 and $50.
• Exported code does not include database data or the AI functions tied to a project.

Base44

Prompt-to-app building

Describe an app in plain language and Base44 generates the frontend, backend, database and login. A typical message uses roughly 0.5 to 4 credits depending on scope.

Built-in backend and services

Every plan includes a database, authentication and user management, cloud storage and analytics. Built-in services such as email and image generation draw on integration credits.

Visual editor

A responsive visual editor handles layout and text changes directly. Manual edits such as dragging elements or editing text do not use credits.

Connectors and integrations

One-click connectors cover Salesforce, Notion, Slack, HubSpot, Gmail and Google Workspace apps, with manual API integrations for tools such as Twilio and Zapier.

Code access and GitHub sync

Paid plans allow in-app code edits, and two-way GitHub sync, listed from the Builder plan, exports the full source code to your own repository.

Mobile apps and store files

Base44 has iOS and Android apps for building on the go, and the editor can generate the IPA and AAB files needed for the App Store and Google Play on Builder or higher.

Trickle

Magic Canvas

Projects sit on a visual canvas instead of a chat-and-preview layout. Rules, references and assets placed on it give the AI its context, and pages and versions are laid out side by side.

Direct Edit

Styles can be changed and elements moved by hand on generated pages, without writing a prompt or spending credits.

Built-in database

Form submissions and other content are stored in collections created by prompt, with no backend code. Row limits are 100 on Free, 1,000 on Pro and 10,000 on Premium.

Hosting and domains

Projects publish to a trickle.host address with hosting included. Custom domains need Pro, which allows 1, or Premium, which allows 3.

Image Mode and visual references

An AI workspace generates and edits images for a project, and a screenshot of a Figma design, a sketch or an existing page can be pasted in for Trickle to build from.

Integrations and code export

Help guides cover connecting Supabase and Stripe. Code files can be downloaded, though the export leaves out database data and a project's AI functions.

Base44

• Free$0

  25 message credits and 100 integration credits a month, up to 5 apps, with authentication, database functionality and analytics.

• Starter$16

  per month, billed annually

  100 message credits and 2,000 integration credits a month, unlimited apps, in-app code edits and a connected domain.

• Builder$40

  per month, billed annually

  250 message credits and 10,000 integration credits a month. Adds AI model selection, GitHub integration and backend functions.

• Pro$80

  per month, billed annually

  500 message credits and 20,000 integration credits a month, plus early access to beta features.

• Elite$160

  per month, billed annually

  1,200 message credits and 50,000 integration credits a month, plus premium support.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Custom credits, SSO, advanced security controls, a dedicated architect and an account team.

Trickle

• Free$0

  70 daily credits (up to 350 a month), a built-in database with 100 rows, website hosting and up to 3 projects.

• Pro$17

  per month, billed annually ($200); $20 billed monthly

  1,500 monthly credits plus 350 free credits with no daily limit, unlimited and private projects, 1 custom domain, 1,000 database rows and no Trickle badge.

• Premium$42

  per month, billed annually ($500); $50 billed monthly

  3,750 monthly credits, 10 trickle.host domains, 3 custom domains and 10,000 database rows.

Base44

• Annual discount

  Save 20% with yearly billing

  The pricing page states that annual billing saves 20% on every paid plan (Starter, Builder, Pro and Elite), charged once a year.

• Education

  50% off Starter or Builder for academics

  Students, teachers and staff with a recognized school email get 50% off Starter or Builder: up to 12 months on monthly billing, or the first year on annual billing.

• Nonprofit

  Nonprofit pricing on request

  The pricing FAQ says education and non-profit pricing is offered case by case; organizations are asked to contact support with details.

Trickle

• Annual discount

  Two months free with annual billing

  The pricing page labels its Annually option as 2 months free: Pro is $200 a year instead of $20 a month, and Premium is $500 a year instead of $50 a month.