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Software · head to head

Baserow vs Lightdash

Baserow logo

Baserow

Software

Open-source no-code database platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lightdash logo

Lightdash

Software

Open-source BI for dbt users

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; Lightdash requires existing dbt infrastructure, not suitable for teams without data models
  • They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, Lightdash covers dbt Integration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baserow and Lightdash actually diverge.

Attributes where Baserow and Lightdash differ
AttributeBaserowLightdash
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Api, Self-hostedWeb, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise)
Founded20192021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Baserow

  • Database tables
  • Multiple views
  • Forms
  • API access
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Templates
  • Plugins
  • Self-hosting

Only in Lightdash

  • dbt Integration
  • Metrics Layer
  • Dashboards
  • Scheduling
  • Version Control
  • dbt
  • BigQuery
  • Snowflake

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

Lightdash

  • Self-service analyticsnot Baserow
  • Data explorationnot Baserow
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot Baserow
  • Collaborative analysisnot Baserow
  • Embedded analyticsnot 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

Lightdash

  • Requires existing dbt infrastructure, not suitable for teams without data models
  • Enterprise features and AI agents unavailable in open-source MIT-licensed core

Pricing, plan by plan

Baserow

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited rows
    • Core features
    • Community support
  • Premium$5/user/month
    • Row comments
    • Kanban view
    • Survey form

Lightdash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • MIT-licensed core
    • Self-hostable
    • dbt integration
  • Cloud Managed$undefined/mo
    • Managed hosting
    • Premium features
    • AI agent capabilities

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 Lightdash if

  • You need dbt integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise).
  • You also want metrics layer.
Lightdash review

Questions people ask

Is Baserow or Lightdash better?
Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and Lightdash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Baserow or Lightdash?
Baserow starts at Free and Lightdash at Free.
Does Baserow or Lightdash run on more platforms?
Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Lightdash runs on Web, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise).
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 Lightdash is typically brought in for.
What can Baserow do that Lightdash cannot?
Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Lightdash covers dbt Integration, Metrics Layer, Dashboards, Scheduling. Both handle Web support, Self-hosted support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lightdash: Is Lightdash free?

Yes. Lightdash is free and open source under the MIT license. Self-hosting is completely free. Managed cloud services and enterprise features require separate licensing.

Source
Lightdash: How does Lightdash integrate with dbt?

Lightdash reads dbt models and metric definitions directly. A team defines metrics once in dbt and reuses them across dashboards, exploration, and AI agents without redefinition.

Source
Lightdash: Does Lightdash support SQL queries?

Yes. As a modern BI platform for analysts, Lightdash supports full SQL capabilities alongside dbt model exploration and visual query builders.

Source
Lightdash: What are Lightdash AI agents?

Lightdash AI agents, available on paid plans, allow natural language queries against your data, generating SQL and visualizations automatically from questions.

Source
Lightdash: Can Lightdash be self-hosted?

Yes. Lightdash's MIT-licensed core is completely self-hostable and free. Enterprise features and AI agents ship under separate licensing.

Source
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