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Spreadsheets · head to head

Baserow vs GraphQL Playground

Baserow logo

Baserow

Spreadsheets

Open-source no-code database platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

APIs

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace; GraphQL Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead
  • They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, GraphQL Playground covers Query building.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baserow and GraphQL Playground actually diverge.

Attributes where Baserow and GraphQL Playground differ
AttributeBaserowGraphQL Playground
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, Api, Self-hostedWeb, Electron, Self-hosted
CategorySpreadsheetsAPIs
Founded20192018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 GraphQL Playground

  • Query building
  • Schema introspection
  • Real-time testing
  • GraphQL servers
  • Apollo Studio
  • Custom servers
  • Electron support

Both cover

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

GraphQL Playground

  • API Developmentnot Baserow
  • API Gatewaynot Baserow
  • API Testingnot Baserow
  • API Documentationnot Baserow
  • Microservicesnot 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

GraphQL Playground

  • Apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead

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

GraphQL Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community 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.
Baserow review

Choose GraphQL Playground if

  • You need query building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
  • You also want schema introspection.
GraphQL Playground review

Questions people ask

Is Baserow or GraphQL Playground better?
Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Baserow or GraphQL Playground?
Baserow starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free.
Does Baserow or GraphQL Playground run on more platforms?
Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, 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 GraphQL Playground is typically brought in for.
What can Baserow do that GraphQL Playground cannot?
Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. Both handle Web support, Self-hosted 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
GraphQL Playground: Is GraphQL Playground free to use?

GraphQL Playground is a testing tool for Apollo Server and is free to use as part of the Apollo Server documentation. However, the broader Apollo GraphQL platform has various paid tiers available for production use.

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
GraphQL Playground: Is GraphQL Playground part of a paid product?

GraphQL Playground is a testing tool within the Apollo ecosystem. While Playground itself is free, Apollo offers paid tiers starting at $5 per million requests for the Developer tier, with Standard and Enterprise plans available at custom pricing.

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
GraphQL Playground: What is the cost structure for Apollo GraphQL's paid plans?

Apollo uses volume-based tiered pricing for requests: first 250M operations cost $5.00 per million plus $2.00 for performance add-on; next 750M operations are $4.25 per million plus $1.50 add-on; additional tiers scale down to $3.00 per million plus $0.50 add-on for operations over 5 billion.

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
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