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Spreadsheets · head to head

Baserow vs Firestore

Baserow logo

Baserow

Spreadsheets

Open-source no-code database platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Firestore logo

Firestore

Databases

Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database from Firebase

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace; Firestore the no-cost Spark plan caps Standard edition at 50,000 document reads, 20,000 writes and 20,000 deletes per day
  • They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, Firestore covers Document Model.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baserow and Firestore actually diverge.

Attributes where Baserow and Firestore differ
AttributeBaserowFirestore
PlatformsWeb, Api, Self-hostedWeb, Ios, Android, Flutter
CategorySpreadsheetsDatabases
Founded20192011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Firestore

  • Document Model
  • Real-time Updates
  • Offline Support
  • ACID Transactions
  • Expressive Queries
  • Multi-region
  • Security Rules
  • Firebase Auth

Both cover

  • Web 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 Firestore
  • Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Firestore
  • Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Firestore
  • Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Firestore

Firestore

  • Storing structured application data with realtime listenersnot Baserow
  • Backing mobile and web apps with a serverless document databasenot Baserow
  • Building offline first apps that sync when connectivity returnsnot 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

Firestore

  • The no-cost Spark plan caps Standard edition at 50,000 document reads, 20,000 writes and 20,000 deletes per day
  • The Spark plan caps storage at 1 GiB and network egress at 10 GiB per month
  • Charging is per document read, so a query returning many documents bills for every one of them
  • Going beyond the free thresholds requires the pay as you go Blaze plan billed at Google Cloud rates with no fixed monthly ceiling

Pricing, plan by plan

Baserow

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3000 rows per workspace
    • 2 GB storage per workspace
    • 2000 automation credits monthly
  • Premium$10/month
    • 50000 rows per workspace
    • 20 GB storage per workspace
    • 100000 automation credits monthly
  • Advanced$18/month
    • 250000 rows per workspace
    • 100 GB storage per workspace
    • 500000 automation credits monthly
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • 1000000 rows per workspace
    • 1000 GB storage per workspace
    • 2000000 automation credits monthly

Firestore

Free
  • SparkFree
    • 1GB storage
    • 50K reads/day
    • 20K writes/day
  • BlazeFree
    • Pay as you go
    • Unlimited operations
    • Multi-region

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 Firestore if

  • You need document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Flutter.
  • You also want real-time updates.

Questions people ask

Is Baserow or Firestore better?
Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and Firestore at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Baserow or Firestore?
Baserow starts at Free and Firestore at Free.
Does Baserow or Firestore run on more platforms?
Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Firestore runs on Web, Ios, Android, Flutter.
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 Firestore is typically brought in for.
What can Baserow do that Firestore cannot?
Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Firestore covers Document Model, Real-time Updates, Offline Support, ACID Transactions. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Baserow: Does Baserow have a free plan?

Baserow's Free plan includes 3000 rows per workspace, 2 GB storage, 2000 automation credits monthly, and access to Grid, Form, and Gallery views. It supports up to 500 external app users and includes 65+ templates with no credit card required.

Source
Firestore: What are the free limits on Cloud Firestore?

The Spark Plan includes 1 GiB of stored data, 50,000 reads per day, 20,000 writes per day, and 20,000 deletes per day at no cost.

Source
Baserow: What row and storage limits does Baserow provide by plan?

Free plan: 3000 rows and 2 GB storage; Premium plan: 50000 rows and 20 GB; Advanced plan: 250000 rows and 100 GB; Enterprise plan: 1000000 rows and 1 TB. All limits are per workspace.

Source
Firestore: What happens when I exceed the Spark Plan free tier?

Exceeding the free tier requires upgrading to the Blaze Plan, which bills based on actual usage through Google Cloud pricing. Charges apply for reads, writes, deletes, and data storage.

Source
Baserow: How much does Baserow Premium cost?

Baserow Premium costs $10 per user per month when billed annually, or $12 per month when billing monthly. Yearly billing provides better rates than monthly. Advanced plan costs $18/user/month annually or $22/month monthly.

Source
Firestore: Can I use Firestore without a credit card?

Yes, you can use the Spark Plan indefinitely without a credit card. To use the Blaze Plan (pay-as-you-go), a credit card is required.

Source
Baserow: What are automation credit limits in Baserow?

Free plan provides 2000 monthly automation credits, Premium provides 100000 monthly credits, Advanced provides 500000 monthly credits, and Enterprise provides 2000000 monthly credits for workflow automation.

Source
Firestore: Is there a trial period for Cloud Firestore?

No trial period is specified. The Spark Plan free tier serves as the trial, with no time limit.

Source
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