Baserow vs NocoDB

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Baserow

Open-source Airtable alternative for building databases, apps and automations, hosted or on your own server.

Open sourceSelf-hostable

Visit Baserow Baserow profile

NocoDB

Spreadsheet-style interface that turns new or existing SQL databases into shareable no-code bases.

Open sourceSelf-hostable

Visit NocoDB NocoDB profile

The short answer

Both are open-source, self-hostable Airtable alternatives. Baserow fits teams that want the closest Airtable-style experience, an import path for existing bases and an application builder. NocoDB fits developers who want a spreadsheet interface and automatic REST APIs on top of a Postgres or MySQL database they already run. The biggest difference is a self-contained Airtable replacement versus a front end for an existing database.

Baserow or NocoDB: our take

Baserow, built by a Dutch company, aims squarely at people leaving Airtable. Tables, linked rows, lookups, formulas and grid, gallery, kanban, calendar and form views behave much as Airtable users expect, and an import tool brings existing bases across. It has grown into a broader platform with an application builder for internal portals, automations, AI fields and an MCP server for AI agents. NocoDB started as an Airtable-like grid over existing SQL databases and still stands out for that: connect a Postgres or MySQL database, or let NocoDB create one, and every table gets spreadsheet views, linked records, formulas and a generated REST API. It also has workflows, scripts, interfaces and an MCP server.

Both run via Docker on your own server and offer hosted clouds. Baserow has a free tier on cloud and self-hosted, then Premium at $10 and Advanced at $18 per user a month billed yearly; some views and admin features need a paid licence even when self-hosted. NocoDB's cloud is free for up to 3 users, with Plus at $12 per seat a month billed annually and paid seats capped per workspace. Some NocoDB features are reserved for cloud and enterprise editions, and its licence is no longer plainly permissive, so commercial users should read the terms.

For non-technical users, Baserow's interface is generally the more polished and familiar of the two, while NocoDB's appeal is strongest for people who think in SQL tables and APIs. Both have smaller integration ecosystems than Airtable.

Choose Baserow to replace Airtable for a business team, especially if importing existing bases or building simple apps matters. Choose NocoDB to give colleagues a friendly view over data that already lives in a SQL database, or when automatic APIs are the main need.

Choose Baserow if…

Teams that want Airtable's workflow with the option to host their data themselves
Familiar Airtable-style interface with an import path for existing bases
Self-hosted edition avoids per-base row caps

Choose NocoDB if…

Developers and teams who want an Airtable-like view over a SQL database they already run
Connects to an existing Postgres or MySQL database instead of locking data away
Automatic REST APIs for every table

What is Baserow?

Baserow is an open-source no-code database built by a Dutch company, aimed squarely at people leaving Airtable. Tables, linked rows, lookups, formulas and grid, gallery, kanban, calendar and form views all work much as Airtable users expect, and an import tool brings existing bases across. Beyond the database it now includes an application builder for internal portals and simple apps, automations, AI fields and an MCP server for connecting AI agents. The core is open source, so you can run it yourself with Docker without row limits, while the hosted cloud is the easier route for most teams. Pricing has a free tier on both cloud and self-hosted, then Premium and Advanced plans billed per user that add more rows, storage, extra views and admin features, with an Enterprise tier on request. It runs in the browser. Self-hosting is attractive for privacy-sensitive organisations, though the most useful paid features still require a licence even when you host it.

What is NocoDB?

NocoDB started as a way to put an Airtable-like grid on top of an existing MySQL or Postgres database, and that is still its distinguishing trick: you can connect your own database or let NocoDB create one for you. Tables appear as spreadsheets with grid, gallery, kanban, form and calendar views, linked records, formulas and a REST API generated automatically. Newer releases add workflows, scripts, interfaces and an MCP server for AI agents. It is popular with developers and small teams who want a friendly admin view over data they already own, and with organisations that must self-host. The project is source-available on GitHub and can run via Docker on your own server; the hosted cloud has a free tier for up to three users and paid Plus and Business tiers priced per seat, with a cap after which extra users are free. Some advanced features are limited to the cloud and enterprise self-hosted editions, and the licence is no longer a plain permissive one, so check terms before embedding it.

Side by side

Attribute	Baserow	NocoDB
Pricing	Open source	Open source
Open source	Yes	Yes
Self-hostable	Yes	Yes
Platforms	Web, Self-hosted	Web, Self-hosted
Best for	Teams that want Airtable's workflow with the option to host their data themselves	Developers and teams who want an Airtable-like view over a SQL database they already run
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	Baserow	NocoDB
Free plan	Yes	Up to 3 users
Self-hosting	Yes	Yes