Verdict: 7.0/10 (provisional)
Base44 is probably the gentlest way to build your first proper app, with the database, logins and hosting all included. But on every plan below Enterprise your data can be used to train AI models, and there's no opt-out.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Ease for beginners | 9 |
| Value for money | 8 |
| Usefulness for building a business | 8 |
| Reliability | 6 (provisional, not yet tested) |
| Privacy and data handling | 4 |
| Support | 7 |
| Overall (average) | 7.0 |
- Who it's for: beginners who want a booking tool, client portal, internal tracker or simple product without touching code.
- Who should skip it: anyone whose app will hold sensitive customer data (health, finance or children's data) and who can't afford Enterprise.
- Best thing: everything is built in, so there are no separate database or login services to wire up.
- Biggest worry: AI training on your workspace data, including what your app's users submit, on all non-Enterprise plans.
- Bottom line: Brilliant for prototypes and low-risk tools. Think carefully before you collect customers' personal data with it.
What it does, in plain English
You describe the app you want in plain language, and Base44 builds the whole thing: the pages, database, user logins and, according to its FAQ, payments. The app then runs on Base44's servers. You can keep it private, share it with your team or publish it to the web.
Base44 began as a solo founder's project. Wix bought it for $80M in cash in June 2025, about six months after launch, and it now runs as part of Wix.
Pricing
Base44's pricing page shows prices in US dollars only (no pounds), so we've converted them at £0.7492 per US$1 (ECB reference rates, 26 Oct 2026). Your bank may add conversion fees, and VAT may be added. Checked on base44.com/pricing on 27 Oct 2026, in both the "Yearly" and "Monthly" views. Base44 says annual billing saves 20%.
| Plan | Billed monthly | Billed annually (per month) | Message credits a month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | £0 | 25 | Up to 5 apps, with logins, database and analytics |
| Starter | ~£14.98/month ($20) | ~£11.99/month ($16) | 100 | Unlimited apps, custom domain |
| Builder | ~£37.46/month ($50) | ~£29.97/month ($40) | 250 | Adds GitHub integration and AI model choice |
| Pro | ~£74.92/month ($100) | ~£59.94/month ($80) | 500 | Adds early access to beta features |
| Elite | ~£149.84/month ($200) | ~£119.87/month ($160) | 1,200 | Adds premium support |
The free domain for a year is only listed on the yearly plans, not the monthly ones.
Base44 says there are "no hidden fees", but services you connect to (such as Stripe or OpenAI) bill you separately. Founders can apply to "Base44 for Startups" for a free annual licence. What it really costs a beginner: free to try, then about £15 a month on Starter paid monthly, or about £12 a month if you pay for a year up front (about £144).
Pros and cons
Pros
- It handles front end, back end, database and logins in one place.
- The free plan is enough to build up to five apps.
- You own your code and data, with two-way GitHub sync on Builder and above.
- It's backed by Wix, with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications.
- Deleted apps can be restored for 30 days.
Cons
- Data can be used for AI training on every plan except Enterprise, and there's no opt-out.
- App data is stored in the US by default. EU or UK storage is only for the higher plans.
- 25 message credits a month on the free plan doesn't go far.
- The headline prices assume you pay a year in advance. Paying monthly costs 25% more (Starter is $20 a month instead of $16).
Ease for beginners
This is Base44's strongest point. Because the database and logins are built in, you won't get stuck on the "now connect your backend" step that trips up beginners elsewhere. There's a template gallery, documentation and a community to learn from.
Privacy and data handling
- AI training: Base44's own documentation is blunt: on "all other plans, including Business: your data can be used to train AI models." Only Enterprise is excluded, and there's "no opt-out setting". That includes personal information people submit through your app's forms, which matters for your own GDPR duties.
- Where data lives: in the US by default. Business, Enterprise and some older Elite workspaces can choose EU or UK storage.
- Security: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certified. You can ask for a copy of your personal data at [email protected].
How to start in 15 minutes
- (2 min) Sign up free at base44.com.
- (6 min) Describe a simple, low-risk app, for example "a page where customers can see my opening hours and request a callback", leaving out personal data you don't need.
- (5 min) Test it as a user would, then ask for one fix at a time.
- (2 min) Share it privately with a friend for feedback before you publish anything.
Sources
- Base44 pricing: https://base44.com/pricing
- Base44 documentation, privacy and security: https://docs.base44.com/Community-and-support/Privacy-and-security
- Base44 security: https://base44.com/security
- TechCrunch, Wix acquisition (June 2025): https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/18/6-month-old-solo-owned-vibe-coder-base44-sells-to-wix-for-80m-cash/
- Wix press release: https://www.wix.com/press-room/home/post/wix-further-expands-into-vibe-coding-with-acquisition-of-base44-a-hyper-growth-startup-that-simplif
- Base44 affiliate programme: https://base44.com/affiliates
- ECB euro reference rates: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html