structr
An open-source low-code development platform built on a graph database (Neo4j) for creating custom web apps, backends, and integration components.
What is structr?
Structr is an open-source low-code development and runtime platform built on a graph database (Neo4j). It enables developers to create fully custom applications—including web apps, backends, and integration components—through a web-based IDE that stores application definitions (schema, UI, scripts) directly in the graph. It solves the problem of rigid, predefined low-code tools by offering a flexible, graph-based environment for bespoke application development.
Developers and teams building custom web applications, data-centric systems, or integration middleware who want a low-code platform with the flexibility of a graph database and the ability to self-host. It suits those who need to evolve applications at runtime without being locked into a specific domain or template.
Developers choose Structr because it combines the productivity of low-code development with the power and flexibility of a graph database, allowing for expressive data modeling and runtime schema evolution. Its polyglot scripting via GraalVM and structured AI guardrails provide a controlled yet extensible environment for building complex, custom applications.
Overview
ATTENTION: This repository is a clone of https://gitlab.structr.com/structr/structr. All development/issue tracking has moved there. | Structr is an integrated open-source low-code development and runtime environment that uses a graph database (Neo4j).
Use Cases
Best For
- Building custom web applications with a graph database backend
- Creating data-centric systems that require flexible schema evolution
- Developing integration middleware with event-driven workflows
- Implementing low-code platforms with AI-assisted development guardrails
- Self-hosting business applications on EU/Germany-based infrastructure for GDPR compliance
- Managing files and binary content with custom metadata in a virtual filesystem
Not Ideal For
- Projects requiring simple static websites or brochureware without backend logic
- Teams deeply entrenched in relational databases and SQL who resist adopting graph technology
- Developers who prefer traditional Git-based version control and offline code editing
- Applications needing extensive, pre-built third-party integrations outside Structr's supported protocols
Pros & Cons
Pros
Stores both application schema and user data in Neo4j, enabling runtime schema evolution and efficient graph traversals without complex joins.
Provides a browser-based development environment for modeling, scripting, and UI design, reducing toolchain fragmentation.
Leverages GraalVM to allow scripting in multiple languages like JavaScript or Python, offering flexibility in business logic implementation.
Combines no-code, low-code, and pro-code tools with MCP integration to structure AI-assisted development, minimizing unconstrained code generation risks.
Cons
Built as a single integrated system, which may limit scalability and independent component upgrades compared to microservices.
Dual-licensed under AGPL/GPL, requiring careful compliance for commercial use or integration with proprietary software.
Demands familiarity with graph databases, Structr's unique development model, and GraalVM, posing a barrier to entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
GephiGephi - The Open Graph Viz Platform
node-neo4j[RETIRED] Neo4j graph database driver (REST API client) for Node.js
SpatialNeo4j Spatial is a library of utilities for Neo4j that faciliates the enabling of spatial operations on data. In particular you can add spatial indexes to already located data, and perform spatial operations on the data like searching for data within specified regions or within a specified distance of a point of interest.
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