Verdict up front: Base44 turns a plain-language description into a working app — frontend, backend, database, logins, and hosting included. Its free plan is $0 with every core feature, 25 message credits and 100 integration credits a month, for up to 5 apps. That is a real way to ship a small app for nothing — but the credits run out fast, and they carry a daily ceiling most roundups never mention.
What does Base44 actually do?
Base44 is a no-code AI app builder owned by Wix. Describe the app you want in a sentence or two and it generates the screens, data model, user authentication, and hosting, which you refine by chatting with the builder or using its visual editor. Every plan — free included — lists AI app building, backend and database, analytics, cloud storage, authentication, and debugging tools. It competes with our Lovable review and Bolt.new review subjects; Base44’s difference is bundling backend, database, and logins on every tier.
What is actually free on Base44’s free plan?
- Price: $0 — a permanent free plan.
- 25 message credits a month: each build or change prompt uses credits.
- 100 integration credits a month: spent when your live app sends email or calls an AI model.
- Up to 5 apps on a Base44 address.
- Core features included: authentication, database, and analytics — the same set as paid plans.
What the pricing page doesn’t make obvious
The pricing page shows 25 message credits a month, but Base44’s own credit documentation adds a second limit: at most 5 a day on free. That spreads one small app across at least five days and stops a free weekend sprint. Two more gotchas: unused credits do not roll over, and a credit is spent when you send the prompt — including prompts fixing the AI’s own mistakes. Payments are not free either: Stripe or Base44 Payments starts on Builder, so a free storefront can be shown, not sold from.
What costs money?
Starter is $16 per month billed annually ($20 monthly): 100 message credits, 2,000 integration credits, unlimited apps, code edits, custom domain. Builder is $40 ($50 monthly) with 250 credits, 10,000 integration credits, GitHub integration, backend functions, and model selection. Pro is $80 ($100 monthly) with 500 credits; Elite is $160 ($200 monthly) with 1,200. Annual billing saves 20%. For simple sites rather than apps with logins, our Glide review covers a different free approach.
Pros and cons of Base44’s free plan
Pros
- Real apps, not mockups: database, logins, and hosting included at $0.
- Every core feature is present on free — paid plans mostly buy credits.
- Up to 5 apps, vs the single free project many builders allow.
- You can ship a complete small app on free, per Base44’s own FAQ.
Cons
- 25 credits a month — capped at 5 a day — is one modest app, not ongoing development.
- Unused credits expire; no rollover.
- No custom domain, GitHub export, or model choice until paid plans.
- No payment processing on free or Starter; selling requires Builder.
Who is Base44’s free plan best for?
Base44 free suits non-coders with one clear idea — an internal tool, a booking page with logins, a small community app — who want a working version before spending anything. Anyone iterating daily or selling through the app should budget for Starter or Builder.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base44 free to use?
Yes — $0 with 25 message credits and 100 integration credits a month, up to 5 apps, including authentication, a database, and analytics.
What is the daily limit on Base44’s free plan?
Base44’s credit documentation caps free-plan message credits at 5 per day, within the 25-per-month allowance.
Can I sell products with a free Base44 app?
You can build and publish the storefront free, but connecting Stripe or Base44 Payments requires Builder ($40/month billed annually) or higher.
Do Base44 credits roll over?
No. Credits reset each cycle and unused credits expire, on free and paid plans alike.
Research-based review — no hands-on testing claims. Details checked November 1, 2026, against Base44’s official pricing page and credit documentation. Plans change; check the vendor before relying on a limit.