Software · head to head
Baserow vs Budibase
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace; Budibase cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
- They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Baserow and Budibase actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2019).
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 Baserow
- Database tables
- Multiple views
- Forms
- API access
- Real-time collaboration
- Templates
- Plugins
- Self-hosting
Only in Budibase
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Database design
- User management
- Custom code
- Workflows
- Responsive design
- 100+ integrations
- Databases
Both cover
- REST API
- GDPR
- Cloud deployment
- Self-hosted deployment
- Web support
- Self-hosted support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Baserow
- Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet databasenot Budibase
- Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Budibase
- Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Budibase
- Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Budibase
Budibase
- Building internal tools over existing databasesnot Baserow
- Self-hosting an open source low-code platformnot Baserow
- Admin panels and CRUD apps for operations teamsnot Baserow
- Automations triggered by data changesnot Baserow
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Baserow
- The free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace
- Kanban, calendar and survey views need Premium at $10 per user per month billed yearly
- Role-based permissions, audit logs and SSO require Premium or higher
- Row limits are per workspace rather than per table, so splitting data across bases does not raise the ceiling
- Automation runs are metered as credits, 2,000 a month on free
Budibase
- Cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
- Creator seats are limited and cost $50 each beyond the included count
- End users are $5 per user per month on top of the plan
- Custom branding needs Premium, SSO enforcement and environment variables need Business, and audit logs are Enterprise only
- Log retention is tiered from 1 day on Pro to 365 days on Enterprise
- Monthly billing costs 20 percent more than annual
Pricing, plan by plan
Baserow
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited rows
- Core features
- Community support
- Premium$5/user/month
- Row comments
- Kanban view
- Survey form
Budibase
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted
- Community support
- FreeFree
- Cloud hosted
- Limited features
- Premium$50/month
- Advanced features
- Email support
Which should you pick?
Choose Baserow if
- You need database tables.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api, Self-hosted.
- You also want multiple views.
Choose Budibase if
- You need drag-and-drop builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want database design.
Questions people ask
- Is Baserow or Budibase better?
- Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and Budibase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Baserow or Budibase?
- Baserow starts at Free and Budibase at Free.
- Does Baserow or Budibase run on more platforms?
- Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Budibase runs on Web, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Baserow for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Baserow best used for?
- Baserow is most often used for self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database, structured team data with kanban, calendar and grid views, building internal tools on top of a database with an api, sharing data with external app users without giving them full seats. Of those, self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database and structured team data with kanban, calendar and grid views are not what Budibase is typically brought in for.
- What can Baserow do that Budibase cannot?
- Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database design, User management, Custom code. Both handle REST API, GDPR, Cloud deployment, Self-hosted deployment.