Oracle APEX: Your Gateway to Low-Code Development (And It’s Free!)

Oracle Application Express (Oracle APEX) is a powerful, low-code development platform that allows you to build sophisticated, data-driven web applications with minimal coding. The best part? It’s remarkably easy to get started without spending a dime.

How to Get Oracle APEX for Free

Here’s the good news: There are several free ways to access Oracle APEX. Let’s look at the most popular options:

• Oracle APEX on Oracle Cloud: Sign up for an Oracle Free Tier account. This gives you access to a pre-configured Always Free Autonomous Database and the ability to create and use APEX workspaces directly on the Oracle Cloud.
• apex.oracle.com: This is Oracle’s hosted service for trying out APEX. You can create a free workspace at apex.oracle.com to experiment with the platform, build small applications, and get familiar with its features.
• Oracle VM VirtualBox: Oracle provides pre-built VirtualBox images with Oracle Database, Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS), and Oracle APEX. These are perfect for running APEX in a controlled environment on your local machine.

What Can You Do With Free Oracle APEX?

Even with the free options, you can access a surprisingly robust version of Oracle APEX. Here’s what you can achieve:

• Build sophisticated web applications: Create visually appealing interfaces and add dynamic charts, reports, forms, and more.
• Connect to various databases: Oracle APEX isn’t just limited to Oracle databases. You can connect to multiple data sources for your applications.
• Explore low-code development: Experience the ease of building powerful applications with minimal hand-coding.
• Learn and Experiment: The free options are perfect for learning Oracle APEX, trying out ideas, and building small-scale projects.

Is Free Oracle APEX Right for Production Applications?

While free options are great for learning and smaller projects, consider these points if you’re thinking about serious production deployment:

• Limitations: Depending on the free service you choose, there might be limitations on storage, computation power, and the number of applications you can build.
• Support: You will have access to a different level of dedicated support than with paid Oracle licenses.
• Scalability: If you expect large numbers of users and lots of data, you might need the power and reliability of Oracle’s paid database and APEX options.