Overview

Anvil is a Python-based platform for building and deploying full-stack web apps, best suited to developers who want visual interface design alongside Python code. Its appeal is the breadth of app-building tools in one place; its free tier is generous on app count but caps data storage and background-task time.

A drag-and-drop designer handles layouts, while Python runs on both the client and server. Built-in Data Tables, authentication, email, APIs and deployment options mean Anvil can cover more than an editor alone. That makes it a practical fit for web applications, but a less natural choice for someone seeking only a desktop Python IDE.

Key features

Design and development

The visual UI designer can reduce the amount of interface code needed, while client-side and server-side Python keep application behavior in one language. Anvil also includes an integrated debugger and profiler, AI-assisted code intelligence and Python environment tools. Together, these tools support a fuller development workflow, though the product’s center of gravity is web apps rather than general-purpose Python editing.

Data, services and deployment

Data Tables provide a built-in database backed by Postgres. The free plan’s 50,000-row and 100 MB limits suit smaller projects, but growing apps may need a higher plan. Developers can publish to Anvil hosting or export apps to the open-source Anvil App Server, giving a choice between hosted deployment and running the server themselves.

Anvil supports HTTP APIs and Uplink connections to external Python code. Its documented integrations include Google, Microsoft Entra ID, Facebook, Stripe and Tableau, and Python SDKs can connect other services. Built-in authentication and email cover common application requirements without requiring separate tools for those functions.

Mobile and security

Apps are responsive on phones and tablets; Anvil says they can be installed as Progressive Web Apps on Android, iPhone and Chromebook and can operate offline. Anvil also says its API removes common flaws such as injection, XSS and CSRF, and that its AI agents run in isolated sandboxes without access to the user’s infrastructure or local machine. Hosted infrastructure is in London on AWS eu-west-2, a relevant point for teams considering hosting location.

Pricing

Anvil uses a freemium model. Free costs 0.00 USD per free and is free forever, with unlimited apps, cloud hosting, library installation and one developer. Its 50,000 Data Table rows, 100 MB storage and 30-second background-task timeout are meaningful constraints for data-heavy apps or longer-running work.

Hobby is aimed at personal projects and one developer. It adds scheduled tasks, one custom domain, no Anvil banner, 150,000 rows and 10 GB of Data Table storage. The pricing page displays amounts under annual and monthly billing with USD, GBP and EUR selectors, but does not state a plan price; readers should confirm the applicable amount before choosing it.

Business is for professional use, with one or more developers, app collaboration, SSO in apps, staging environments and community support. This is the tier to consider when collaboration and staging matter; its listed community support is distinct from Production’s private support.

Production is intended for deployed workloads that need private support, reserved resources, unlimited extra compute and SQL access to Data Tables. It also displays annual and monthly amounts in three currencies, excludes VAT, and has no stated plan price. Its support responds to development questions within 24 working hours. Enterprise uses custom pricing and offers private deployment on-premises or in the cloud, corporate authentication and full isolation, making it the option for organizations that require those deployment and isolation terms.

Platforms

Anvil is listed for web, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, API and self-hosted environments. The apps it creates are responsive and can be installed as PWAs on Android, iPhone and Chromebook, including offline operation. Export to the open-source Anvil App Server provides a self-hosting route.

Who it's for

Anvil suits developers building full-stack web apps in Python who value a visual designer, built-in data storage and a route from hosted deployment to self-hosting. The free plan is a sound starting point for one developer and modest data needs. Hobby better fits personal projects needing scheduled tasks or more storage; Business is more relevant when teams need collaboration, SSO or staging. Production and Enterprise address more demanding support, compute, deployment or isolation requirements.

It is not the strongest fit for someone who only needs a conventional desktop Python IDE, or for a free project whose data or background tasks exceed the stated caps.

Pros and cons

Pros

Full-stack Python in one platform: Client and server code, visual design, data, authentication and email support cover core app-building needs.
Deployment flexibility: Use Anvil hosting or export to the open-source App Server for self-hosting.
Free access without an app-count cap: Unlimited apps and cloud hosting make it possible to start multiple projects without a paid plan.
Useful mobile reach: Responsive apps and installable, offline-capable PWAs extend projects to phones and tablets.

Cons

Free data and task limits: 100 MB of storage, 50,000 rows and a 30-second background-task timeout can constrain apps as they grow.
Plan costs need confirmation: Paid tiers show currency and billing-period amounts but have no stated plan price, making cost comparisons difficult.
Free tier is single-developer: Collaboration is a Business feature, so teams cannot treat the free plan as a shared development tier.

Alternatives

For Python developers who want a traditional desktop IDE rather than a full-stack web-app platform, PyCharm offers Linux, macOS and Windows versions, a free plan and a Pro plan priced at 200.00 USD per year per user.

Eric is a free Linux, macOS and Windows Python IDE if a desktop environment is the priority. Wing Python IDE is another desktop option, with a 30-day free trial comprising three pausable, resumable 10-day trials and no email or credit card requirement.

For Windows-only use, PyScripter is free and supports Python 3.8 or later. Spyder is a free open-source scientific Python IDE across Linux, macOS, Windows and web. For a browser-based Python option, CodeSkulptor3 is freely available to all users, while Python Online offers a guest tier limited to one local-only project and 60-second execution, without cloud storage, hosting, scheduled tasks or internet access. Android users may prefer Pydroid 3, which has an ad-supported free plan with premium features and libraries excluded.

Browse more options in Python IDEs and Low-Code Development Platforms.

Verdict

Choose Anvil if you want to build and deploy full-stack web apps in Python with a visual designer, built-in database and flexible hosting path. The unlimited-app free plan makes it accessible for small projects, but its storage and task caps matter, and paid-plan costs need confirmation. Look elsewhere if you need a conventional desktop Python IDE or clear published pricing before committing.

	Anvil	Pega CRM
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	Yes	—

Anvil vs Pega CRM

Anvil

Pega CRM