Software · head to head
Apache Superset vs NocoDB
Apache Superset
Software
Modern data exploration and visualization platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
NocoDB
Software
Open-source no-code database platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apache Superset distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.; NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
- They diverge on capability: Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, NocoDB covers REST API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apache Superset and NocoDB actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apache Superset | NocoDB |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted, Docker | Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker |
| Founded | 1999 | 2020 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Apache Superset
- 40+ Visualizations
- SQL IDE
- Semantic Layer
- Caching
- Security
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Presto
Only in NocoDB
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- No-code database
- Multiple SQL databases
- Webhooks
- Automation
- Cloud support
Both cover
- Self-hosted support
- Docker support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apache Superset
- Self-service analyticsnot NocoDB
- Data explorationnot NocoDB
- Ad-hoc reportingnot NocoDB
- Collaborative analysisnot NocoDB
- Embedded analyticsnot NocoDB
NocoDB
- Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet databasenot Apache Superset
- Putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing Postgres or MySQL databasenot Apache Superset
- Building internal tools on structured data with an APInot Apache Superset
- Team bases with per-field and per-table permissions on the paid tiersnot Apache Superset
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apache Superset
- Distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.
NocoDB
- The free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
- Records are the metering unit on cloud, so Plus covers 50K and Business 300K rather than scaling by seat alone
- Row-level security, audit log retention and team hierarchy require the Scale tier
- SCIM provisioning and air-gapped deployment are Enterprise only
- The self-hosted Community edition is unlimited on records and seats but does without workflows, scripts and dashboards, which start at the paid self-hosted tiers
Pricing, plan by plan
Apache Superset
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
NocoDB
Free- CommunityFree
- Self-hosted NocoDB
- Community support
- Starter$5/monthly
- Cloud hosting
- Basic features
Which should you pick?
Choose Apache Superset if
- You need 40+ visualizations.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
- You also want sql ide.
Choose NocoDB if
- You need rest api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
- You also want graphql api.
Questions people ask
- Is Apache Superset or NocoDB better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apache Superset starts at Free and NocoDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apache Superset or NocoDB?
- Apache Superset starts at Free and NocoDB at Free.
- Does Apache Superset or NocoDB run on more platforms?
- Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker. NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
- Can I use Apache Superset for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Apache Superset best used for?
- Apache Superset is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis. Of those, self-service analytics and data exploration are not what NocoDB is typically brought in for.
- What can Apache Superset do that NocoDB cannot?
- Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases. Both handle Self-hosted support, Docker support.