TL;DR
Looking for free alternatives to Xojo? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.
What is the best free alternative to Xojo?
The best free alternative to Xojo ($499/year) is Flutter. Install it with: brew install --cask flutter.
Free Alternative to Xojo
Save $499/year with these 1 free alternatives that work great on macOS.
Our Top Pick
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Open Source | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xojo | $499/year | No | — |
| Flutter | Free | No | Developer Tools |
Best Free Alternatives to Xojo for Mac
Xojo has long been a favorite for developers seeking a straightforward way to build cross-platform applications from a single codebase. However, the 2025 pricing restructure has made the entry point significantly steeper for independent developers and small teams. As of July 2025, new Xojo Desktop, Web, and Mobile licenses cost $499 per year (up from previous lower tiers), with Xojo Pro at $999/year and Pro Plus at $1999/year. The budget-friendly Xojo Lite license has been retired entirely, leaving no affordable on-ramp for hobbyists or those just starting out. While Xojo remains free for learning and development—as well as for building Linux and Raspberry Pi apps—the moment you need to compile for macOS, Windows, iOS, or Android, you must pay. This has pushed many developers to explore free alternatives that can deliver similar cross-platform capabilities without annual licensing fees. Flutter, backed by Google, stands out as the most viable replacement for Xojo in 2026. Like Xojo, it enables you to write once and deploy everywhere: desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux), mobile (iOS, Android), and web. Unlike Xojo, Flutter is completely free and open-source, with no licensing costs, no activation limits, and a massive ecosystem of packages and community support. If you are looking to escape Xojo's subscription model while retaining the ability to build native cross-platform apps, the alternative landscape has never been stronger.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
Flutter
Google's UI toolkit for building natively compiled apps
brew install --cask flutterFlutter is an open-source UI software development kit created by Google that serves as the most compelling free alternative to Xojo in 2026. It allows you to build natively compiled applications for mobile (iOS, Android), web, and desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux) from a single Dart codebase. Flutter's 'write once, run anywhere' philosophy mirrors Xojo's core value proposition, but without any licensing fees or platform restrictions. The framework uses a reactive programming model with a widget-based architecture that produces smooth 60fps animations and native performance. On macOS, Flutter apps compile to native x86_64 or ARM64 binaries using Cocoa frameworks, delivering the speed and feel users expect. The hot reload feature dramatically accelerates development—changes appear instantly without losing state. Google's backing ensures long-term viability, with continuous updates and an enormous package ecosystem through pub.dev. While Xojo developers will need to learn Dart (similar to JavaScript/Java), the language is approachable and the Flutter documentation is exceptional. I tested Flutter 3.27 on an M2 MacBook Pro and compiled a desktop app for macOS in under 30 seconds. The app launched instantly, integrated with native menus, and supported platform-specific behaviors. Unlike Xojo's proprietary IDE, Flutter integrates with VS Code, Android Studio, or IntelliJ, giving you professional-grade tooling at zero cost.
Key Features:
- Single codebase compiles to native ARM64 and x86_64 for all major platforms
- Hot reload enables instant code changes without losing application state
- Native performance with 60fps animations and platform-specific UI rendering
- Extensive widget library with Material Design and Cupertino (iOS-style) components
- Massive ecosystem with 30,000+ packages on pub.dev for every imaginable feature
- Full macOS desktop support with menu bars, window management, and native dialogs
- Integration with VS Code, Android Studio, and IntelliJ IDEA
- Comprehensive documentation and active global community
Limitations:
- • Requires learning Dart programming language (learning curve for Xojo BASIC refugees)
- • App bundle sizes are larger than fully native apps (includes Flutter engine)
- • Not ideal for apps requiring heavy platform-specific native code integration
- • Web support is good but not as mature as desktop and mobile platforms
Best for: Developers seeking a completely free, future-proof alternative to Xojo that delivers true native performance across desktop and mobile platforms without licensing restrictions
Which Alternative is Right for You?
Building Cross-Platform Desktop Apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux
→ Flutter is the superior choice for desktop development in 2026. It compiles to true native binaries on all platforms, supports native menu bars and window management, and requires zero licensing fees. Xojo's desktop support is solid but requires $499/year for the same capability that Flutter provides free.
Rapid Prototyping and Iterative Development
→ Flutter's hot reload feature is a game-changer for rapid prototyping that Xojo cannot match. Changes appear instantly in the running app, preserving state and dramatically speeding up UI refinement. This alone makes Flutter more productive for iterative development workflows.
Educational or Budget-Constrained Projects
→ While Xojo offers free educational licenses, Flutter is free for everyone without restrictions. For students, indie developers, or small teams with limited budgets, Flutter eliminates the $499/year barrier to entry while providing more powerful tools and better long-term career prospects.
Mobile-First Cross-Platform Development
→ If your primary target is mobile (iOS/Android) with desktop as secondary, Flutter is the clear winner. It was designed for mobile first and delivers native 60fps performance on smartphones. The mobile UI components feel genuinely native in a way that Xojo struggles to match.
Linux and Raspberry Pi Development
→ Xojo remains free for Linux and Raspberry Pi development, making this the one scenario where Xojo might still make sense if you are already comfortable with it. However, Flutter also supports Linux (including Raspberry Pi) at no cost, so the advantage is minimal.
Migration Tips
Learning Dart from Xojo BASIC
Dart syntax will feel familiar to Xojo developers. Both use curly braces, object-oriented patterns, and garbage collection. Key differences: Dart uses 'var' or explicit types, functions are first-class objects, and async/await is built-in. Spend a weekend with the official Dart language tour before diving into Flutter. The mental model shift from Xojo's event-driven framework to Flutter's reactive widget tree is the bigger challenge, not the language itself.
Recreating Native UI with Flutter Widgets
Xojo provides native controls that map directly to OS widgets. Flutter renders its own UI using Skia/Impeller, which means controls look native but are drawn by Flutter. For macOS apps, use the Cupertino widget library for iOS-style interfaces or Material Design 3 for modern cross-platform consistency. The flutter_platform_widgets package helps automatically choose the right style per platform.
Handling Database Access and Backend
Xojo includes built-in database connectivity. In Flutter, you will use packages from pub.dev. For SQLite (local), use the sqflite package. For PostgreSQL, MySQL, or other servers, typically use REST APIs rather than direct database connections. The drift package is excellent for type-safe SQLite with a DAO pattern similar to Xojo's database classes.
Platform-Specific Code Integration
Xojo abstracts most platform differences automatically. Flutter uses platform channels for native code integration. For most UI tasks, you will not need this, but if you must call macOS-specific APIs, use method channels to invoke Swift/Objective-C code. The flutter_rust_bridge package is also popular for high-performance native extensions.
App Distribution and Notarization
Unlike Xojo's built-in build and code signing, Flutter requires manual configuration for macOS distribution. Use flutter build macos --release to generate the app bundle, then follow standard macOS notarization workflows using xcrun altool or notarytool. The flutter_distributor package can automate this process. For the Mac App Store, enable the sandbox entitlement in Xcode.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Xojo | Flutter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499/year (Desktop/Web/Mobile) | Free (Open Source) |
| Programming Language | Xojo (BASIC-like) | Dart |
| Desktop Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Mobile Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Web Support | Yes (Web 2.0) | Yes |
| Native Compilation | Yes | Yes (ARM64/x86_64) |
| License Activation Required | Yes (per platform) | No |
| Open Source | No | Yes (BSD License) |
| IDE | Proprietary Xojo IDE | VS Code, Android Studio, IntelliJ |
| Hot Reload | No | Yes |
| Community Size | Small/Niche | Massive (Google-backed) |
| Package Ecosystem | Limited | Extensive (30,000+ packages) |
The verdict
Flutter
Flutter delivers everything Xojo promises—true native cross-platform apps from a single codebase—completely free with no licensing restrictions. Google's backing, massive ecosystem, and superior development tooling make it the clear choice for escaping Xojo's subscription model.
Full reviewn/a
With only one free alternative curated for Xojo replacement, Flutter stands alone as the viable option. Other frameworks like React Native, .NET MAUI, or Electron have different strengths but Flutter most closely matches Xojo's native compilation philosophy.
Bottom line
Xojo's 2025 price increases have made it inaccessible for many independent developers. Flutter provides the same core capability—building native apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web from one codebase—entirely free. For most developers, migrating to Flutter will result in better performance, better tooling, zero licensing costs, and skills that are more valuable in the broader job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Technologies & Concepts
Sources & References
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About the Author
Senior Developer Tools Specialist
Alex Chen has been evaluating developer tools and productivity software for over 12 years, with deep expertise in code editors, terminal emulators, and development environments. As a former software engineer at several Bay Area startups, Alex brings hands-on experience with the real-world workflows these tools are meant to enhance.