Fhoster

What Fhoster does

Fhoster is a privately held Italian technology firm headquartered in Rome that delivers custom enterprise backend applications through its proprietary Livebase model-driven low-code platform (on the market since 2012). The platform enables business analysts to capture client requirements using UML-like visual diagrams representing data structures, processes, and user roles, then automatically generates fully functional backend code exposing GraphQL APIs, with deployment options on Amazon AWS or on-premise via Docker Swarm. Reported outcomes include development speed up to 10x versus traditional coding, automatic data migration during regeneration, and a 60% maintenance cost reduction for one healthcare research customer. The company has two productized modules built on the same platform: GRiD (employee request management for HR departments) and GAP (advertising space and campaign management).

Fhoster operates a consulting-led professional services model combined with a channel partnership motion. The firm runs up to five free business analysis and modeling sessions as a prospecting mechanism, then converts prospects into paid custom development and ongoing maintenance engagements. System integrators including Eustema SpA, REPLY Whitehall, and NTT Data independently use Livebase to deliver applications to their own clients. The customer base spans Italian public administration (Ministero della Cultura, Invitalia, Regione Toscana, FIP), healthcare research (Fondazione ICONA, IRCCS Spallanzani, Università Cattolica, EuResist Network), manufacturing (Birra del Borgo, IterChimica, Alifax SpA, CODEX Italia), and transportation (Bus Center, Cotral).

The company is led by CEO Antonio Leonforte, with Daniele Antonini as CTO, Piero Cacace as CFO, and Pietro Palladino as VP Research. Fhoster obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification in May 2024 and acted as platinum sponsor of Coderful 2025. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, the firm appears bootstrapped, and headcount is reported as 1-10 in firmographic data. Distribution remains concentrated in Italy despite isolated reference customers with multi-country operations.

Name

Fhoster

Legal name

Fhoster

Website

https://fhoster.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fhoster is a Rome-based Italian technology firm that builds custom enterprise backends using its Livebase model-driven low-code platform, serving Italian public administration, healthcare research, manufacturing, and transportation clients through professional services, productized modules (GRiD, GAP), and SI partner channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Low-code Application Development Platform

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Developer Experience Platforms for Enterprise (IDEs, CI/CD, Dev Portals) (HDAEAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enterprise Application UX, Portals & Low-Code Extensions (BPAEAGAM), HRIS/HCM Managed Services & Support (BPAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Low-code application development
• Model-driven software engineering
• Custom enterprise applications
• Generative code platform
• Backend API generation

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom application development services: Fhoster generates revenue by providing professional services for custom application development using the Livebase platform. They charge for analysis, modeling, development, and ongoing maintenance of generated applications. The model allows them to deliver custom software at a cost comparable to commercial off-the-shelf products, combining the advantages of bespoke development with the cost efficiency of platform-generated code.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fhoster provides custom enterprise software development services powered by the Livebase low-code, model-driven platform. Business analysts model client requirements using UML-like visual diagrams, and generative AI automatically produces fully functional backend code with GraphQL APIs, delivering applications up to ten times faster than traditional development. The company also sells two proprietary products built on Livebase: GriD (HR employee request management backend) and GAP (advertising space/campaign management system).

Product overview

Fhoster is a software development company that uses the Livebase low-code, model-driven platform to generate and maintain custom business applications for clients. The product portfolio consists of two proprietary product modules (GriD for employee request management and GAP for advertising billboard management) built on the Livebase platform. Fhoster offers custom application development and legacy system replacement services, generating applications up to ten times faster than traditional development while providing lifetime bug-fix guarantees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Livebase Platform A low-code, model-driven platform for the rapid development and maintenance of enterprise-class application backends. Fhoster uses Livebase to generate and update custom applications for clients, with deployment on AWS or on-premise.
• GriD - Gestione richieste dipendenti A headless backend service (with GraphQL API) for managing employee requests/communications (requests for leave, permits, training participation, passes, devices) directed to HR departments. Designed for easy integration with existing HR systems via JWT authentication and native Keycloak SSO support.
• GAP - Gestione Affissioni Pubblicitarie A comprehensive system for managing the setup and breakdown of graphics on physical advertising spaces (billboards, buses, trains). Enables planning of advertising campaigns, automatic selection of compatible spaces, monitoring of assembly/disassembly operations, and integration via GraphQL API.
• Custom Application Development Services Professional services for custom enterprise application development using the Livebase platform, including business analysis (up to five free initial sessions), visual modeling, automatic code generation, data migration from legacy systems, training, and ongoing maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 10x faster development compared to traditional coding
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• LivebasecoreTechnology or IntegrationLivebase is the core technology platform that Fhoster uses to deliver all its application development services. Fhoster appears to be closely associated with Livebase, potentially as the primary commercial entity leveraging the platform for professional services delivery. The platform is developed by its own team and is offered both directly to end clients and through system integrator partners.
• Eustema SpAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEustema SpA is an independent system integrator that uses the Livebase platform to develop custom applications for its clients. They represent one of the primary channel partners through which Livebase-based solutions reach end customers.
• REPLY WhitehallcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWhitehall Reply, the company within the Reply group specializing in public administration technology evolution, uses Livebase to develop and maintain custom ERP backends. They have been trained on the platform and use it for production-grade application delivery. A team of one senior and four junior developers from Whitehall Reply completed an intensive 8-day Livebase training course.
• NTT DataminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNTT Data, a global system integrator with headquarters in Tokyo, has used Livebase for rapid prototyping of enterprise software, including a performance management system for a major institutional client.
• Step Web EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStep Web Engineering is listed among partner clients who use or have used the Livebase platform for application development.
• Amazon AWSsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFhoster offers deployment of generated applications on Amazon AWS infrastructure (ECS/RDS) in multi-instance configurations for scalability and availability requirements. AWS is referenced as the primary cloud infrastructure option.
• BtinkeengminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFhoster was selected as the technological partner for a project proposed by Btinkeeng for the PNRR D3 4 Health initiative (Spoke 3), funded through the Sapienza cascade call. Fhoster provides Livebase platform licenses and consulting days to train personnel for clinical data management platform development.
• Jordi CabotsupportingOthersJordi Cabot, FNR Pearl Chair and researcher at Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and Associate Professor at the University of Luxembourg, published a detailed review of Livebase on Modeling Languages. With over 20 years of experience in model-driven software engineering, his review highlighted Livebase's model-driven approach, robust business logic integration, and constraint flexibility.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GeneXus: Model-driven low-code platform that generates applications from abstract models, similar in philosophy to Livebase. Both target rapid enterprise application development with knowledge-based code generation.
• OutSystems: Direct low-code platform competitor offering model-driven visual application development for enterprise backends and frontends. Targets the same enterprise modernization use cases as Fhoster's Livebase, but at significantly larger scale and global reach.
• Mendix (Siemens): Low-code platform acquired by Siemens that competes head-to-head with Livebase on model-driven enterprise application development. Both target rapid backend generation and integration with enterprise systems.
• Appian: Low-code automation platform with model-driven BPM and case management capabilities. Targets regulated enterprises and government clients — directly overlapping with Fhoster's public administration and process automation use cases.
• WaveMaker (Informatica): Low-code platform for enterprise web and mobile application development that competes with Livebase on backend generation and rapid deployment.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Power Apps: Broad incumbent low-code offering within the Microsoft Power Platform. While not specifically model-driven, it competes for the same enterprise rapid-application-development budget that Fhoster addresses, with far greater distribution through the Microsoft ecosystem.
• ServiceNow App Engine: Enterprise low-code platform from ServiceNow enabling custom app development on the Now Platform. Competes for the same enterprise custom-application use cases, particularly for IT and HR workflows where Fhoster's GriD also plays.

Emerging players

• Thinkwise: European-based low-code platform focused on model-driven enterprise application development with strong presence in the Benelux and DACH regions. Comparable in size and philosophy to Fhoster, though geographically adjacent rather than overlapping.
• Betty Blocks: European low-code platform serving enterprise customers with visual application development. Operates in adjacent geographies (Netherlands) with similar enterprise mid-market focus as Fhoster.

Others

• Eustema SpA: Italian system integrator and Livebase channel partner. Not a direct product competitor but a key GTM partner and proxy for how Italian SI-led low-code delivery plays out in the same customer base Fhoster serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fhoster_com
• Facebookfacebook.com/fhoster
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fhoster

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fhoster