Freedom251 › No-code app builders
Oracle APEX
by Oracle APEX
What Oracle APEX is
Oracle APEX is a low-code platform for building data-driven enterprise applications on Oracle Database. It supports pro-code development, workflow automation, mobile app support, data connectors, and role permissions. Applications can be installed on premises or run in Oracle Cloud and third-party clouds. REST Data Sources connect to REST endpoints, while APEX_WEB_SERVICE can call SOAP and REST services, including OAuth 2.0 flows. Oracle describes database security features available with APEX, including encryption, fine-grained access control, auditing, and multi-tenant data isolation. For APEX 26.1, Oracle introduces APEXlang, a structured metadata language for expressing application intent to developers and AI agents. Oracle also describes AI Interactive Reports for natural-language data exploration and AI Agents for workflow automation based on application logic and data context. APEX is available at no additional cost with supported Oracle Database editions, with no per-app or per-user license fees. Free hosted and Always Free options are also listed. Oracle Cloud Free Tier credits can be used on paid APEX Service during an initial trial period.
Who it suits
Oracle APEX suits teams building applications on Oracle Database that need low-code tools, with options for pro-code work and hybrid deployment. It may also suit developers connecting applications to REST or SOAP services.
What it does well
- Included at no additional cost with supported database editions.
- Supports on-premises and cloud deployment.
- Can call REST and SOAP services.
- Database security features include auditing and encryption.
- Supports workflow automation and mobile apps.
What to know first
- Hosted workspace may be purged after 60 days of inactivity.
- Outbound web requests default to 1,000 per workspace daily.
- APEX support generally lasts 18 months after release.
Limits
A Free Hosted APEX Workspace may be purged after 60 days of inactivity. Always Free APEX Service provides two environments with approximately 20 GB storage per environment. New Autonomous AI Database instances default to 1,000 outbound web service requests per APEX workspace per rolling 24-hour period; an administrator can change this limit.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free with Oracle Database | Included at no additional cost with supported Oracle Database editions · no per-app or per-user license fees | Free |
| Free Hosted APEX Workspace | 60 days inactivity before possible purge | Free |
| Always Free APEX Service | 2 environments · Approximately 20 GB storage per environment | Free |
| Always Free Tier | Free APEX workspace and OCI Free Tier options | Free |
| Oracle APEX with Oracle Database | Included with supported Oracle Database editions · unlimited applications, developers and end users · Oracle Database support contract required for enterprise support | Free |
| Oracle APEX Application Development Service | starting price for 2 ECPUs and 20 GB storage, running continuously for 31 days · Pay-per-use ECPU and storage pricing · no per-app, per-user, developer or workspace fees · ingress and egress included | $122 a month |
As oracle.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Oracle APEX website and choose a free option or Oracle Cloud Free Tier.
- For the included option, use a supported Oracle Database edition; APEX is included at no additional cost.
- For a hosted route, create a Free Hosted APEX Workspace or use Always Free APEX Service.
- For a local installation, use a supported installation system such as Linux or Windows.
- Build an application and connect REST or SOAP services where needed.
- Deploy on premises, in Oracle Cloud or in a third-party cloud.
Verdict
Oracle APEX offers multiple free ways to build and run Oracle Database applications, alongside cloud trial access to paid APEX Service. Check the hosted workspace inactivity policy and outbound request limit against your deployment needs.
Questions
How much does Oracle APEX cost?
APEX is available at no additional cost with supported Oracle Database editions, with no per-app or per-user license fees. Free Hosted APEX Workspace and Always Free APEX Service are also listed.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Oracle Cloud Free Tier provides free cloud credits that can be spent on paid APEX Service during an initial trial period.
Where can Oracle APEX applications run?
Applications can be installed on premises and run in Oracle Cloud or third-party clouds. Supported installation systems include Linux, Windows, Solaris, HP-UX and IBM AIX.
Can APEX connect to web services?
Yes. It accesses REST endpoints through REST Data Sources and can call SOAP and REST services through APEX_WEB_SERVICE, including OAuth 2.0 flows.
What does Always Free APEX Service include?
It lists two environments and approximately 20 GB of storage per environment.
Who makes Oracle APEX?
The listed maker is Oracle APEX. The maker headquarters are in Austin, Texas, USA, and the maker was founded in 1977.
Facts from Oracle APEX's own pages
- AI development
- APEX 26.2 adds APEXlang application definitions, AI agents, provider APIs and AI Interactive Reports. · oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- APEXlang
- APEXlang is a human-readable declarative format whose application metadata can be reviewed, versioned, governed and executed by APEX. · oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Application deployment API
- ORDS provides HTTP GET, PUT and DELETE operations for exporting, importing and deleting APEX applications. · blogs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Browser development
- APEX App Builder lets teams develop, run and manage applications entirely through a web browser. · docs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company founding
- Oracle's LinkedIn company profile lists 1977 as the founding year. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company funding and ownership
- Crunchbase lists Oracle as a public NYSE:ORCL company with $7.8 billion total funding and 148 acquisitions. · crunchbase.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters and size
- LinkedIn lists Oracle headquarters in Austin, Texas and a company size of 10,001-plus employees. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- Crunchbase identifies the maker as Oracle Corporation. · crunchbase.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Data-centric architecture
- Applications use declarative metadata and direct access to Oracle Database data. · docs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Oracle says APEX applications can be installed on premises and run in Oracle Cloud or third-party clouds. · docs.oracle.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment choices
- Applications can run on premises, in Oracle Cloud or in third-party clouds without application changes. · docs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- Oracle provides release documentation, API references, installation guides, tutorials, forums, certifications and product office hours; supported releases receive Oracle support with a database support contract. · oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Developers can create custom REST Data Source Adapter plug-ins and reusable APEX plug-ins. · docs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1977 · oracle.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · oracle.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Free release
- Oracle APEX 26.1 is licensed under Oracle Free Use Terms and Conditions for download. · oracle.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- APEX can access REST endpoints through REST Data Sources and call SOAP and REST web services through APEX_WEB_SERVICE, including OAuth 2.0 flows. · docs.oracle.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Oracle APEX downloads are licensed under Oracle Free Use Terms and Conditions; the product itself is Oracle-controlled software rather than an open-source project. · oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Capterra availability listing
- Capterra lists no free trial and no free version for its Oracle APEX product listing, while showing pricing as vendor contact. · capterra.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 offline and mobile
- G2 reviewers repeatedly report weak offline support, a need for continuous database connectivity and limited suitability for mobile applications. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 version control
- G2 reviewers cite difficult source-code version management and team-development workflows compared with conventional Git-based development. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Gartner performance
- A Gartner comparison page records a reviewer complaint that APEX becomes slow when data volumes are large. · gartner.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: TrustRadius fit and cost
- TrustRadius synthesis identifies limited frontend customization, high licence costs, substantial infrastructure requirements and mixed suitability for dedicated mobile apps. · trustradius.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Memory requirement
- The installation guide specifies at least 300 MB for the database SGA and PGA. · docs.oracle.com, 15 Oct 2026
Where Oracle APEX stands on Freedom251
- No-code app builders#9 of 177
- Low-Code Development Platforms#19 of 56