Freedom251 › Integrated Development Environments
4D
What 4D is
4D is a paid development platform for consultants, independent software vendors, and in-house developers building custom business applications. It supports web, mobile, and desktop projects across Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. A 30-day trial provides full access to its development and deployment platform. 4D Developer Professional includes Qodly Studio for web interfaces, a component builder, and development and testing servers for web services and SQL. 4D Server combines a relational database with ORDA and can operate as a database, SQL server, web server, and application server. It includes REST and HTTP(S) clients, a SQL engine, backup, maintenance, and a Security Center, and can communicate with Microsoft .NET, J2EE, and Microsoft Office. 4D Server is required for deployment and its listed subscription includes two concurrent users. The subscription costs $25 a month; pricing is also listed from $30/user/mo.
Who it suits
It suits consultants, ISVs, and in-house developers creating web, mobile, or desktop business applications. Teams needing integrated database, server, testing, and deployment tools may find its structure relevant.
What it does well
- 30-day trial with full platform access
- Qodly Studio for web interface development
- Relational database with ORDA
- Integrated debugger and testing tools
- Backup and Security Center included
What to know first
- No free plan
- 4D Server required for deployment
- Desktop needs one license per computer
- Server subscription includes two concurrent users
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4D Server subscription | 2 concurrent users included · additional clients can be added · backup, maintenance, and Security Center included | $25 a month |
As us.4d.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
4D combines application development, database, server, and deployment functions in one platform. Its paid model, required 4D Server, and desktop licensing rules should be checked against your deployment plan.
Facts from 4D's own pages
- Company history
- 4D says Laurent Ribardière created the company in 1984 to simplify professional application creation with a graphical relational database. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Data access
- 4D Server combines a relational database with ORDA and can act as a database, SQL server, web server, and application server. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirement
- 4D Server is mandatory for deploying any 4D solution, and the listed subscription includes a license for two concurrent users. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop limits
- 4D Desktop is for single-user deployment or use as a client for an external database, and requires one license for each computer where it is installed. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Developer audiences
- 4D describes its developer audience as consultants, ISVs, and in-house developers creating web, mobile, and desktop applications. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Development features
- 4D Developer Professional includes Qodly Studio for web interface development, a component builder, and development and testing servers for web services and SQL. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1984 · us.4d.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Le Pecq, France · us.4d.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Included server features
- The 4D Server offering lists REST and HTTP(S) clients, a SQL database engine, backup, maintenance, and a Security Center. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- 4D Server can communicate with web services on platforms such as Microsoft .NET and J2EE and with applications such as Microsoft Office. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Maintenance
- The annual Maintenance Program covers new features, security patches, compatibility fixes, and access to releases. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- 4D states that it processes personal data in its roles as website and software publisher and identifies its French company as the data controller. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- 4D is a development platform for creating and deploying custom business applications. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- 4D directs end users first to the developer who created their solution and provides developer support options and direct contact information. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The 4D 21.2 LTS download page lists Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016–2025, plus macOS Sonoma 14 through macOS Tahoe 26, as minimum supported systems. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The 30-day trial provides full access to the 4D development and deployment platform. · us.4d.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where 4D stands on Freedom251
- Integrated Development Environments#44 of 65