Software · head to head
Baserow vs Metabase
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace; Metabase row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
- They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, Metabase covers No-code Query Builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Baserow and Metabase actually diverge.
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 Metabase
- No-code Query Builder
- SQL Editor
- Interactive Dashboards
- Alerts
- Embedding
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- MongoDB
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 Metabase
- Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Metabase
- Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Metabase
- Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Metabase
Metabase
- Business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical usersnot Baserow
- Embedded analytics for SaaS applicationsnot Baserow
- Self-service reporting and dashboard creationnot Baserow
- Integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehousesnot 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
Metabase
- Row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
- Advanced analytics features like multi-tenant embedded analytics require Pro tier or higher
- AI-powered features incur additional usage-based costs: $3.75 per 1M tokens
- Self-hosted deployment on Free/Open Source tier requires infrastructure management
Pricing, plan by plan
Baserow
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited rows
- Core features
- Community support
- Premium$5/user/month
- Row comments
- Kanban view
- Survey form
Metabase
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Metabase review.
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 Metabase if
- You need no-code query builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
- You also want sql editor.
Questions people ask
- Is Baserow or Metabase better?
- Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and Metabase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Baserow or Metabase?
- Baserow starts at Free and Metabase at Free.
- Does Baserow or Metabase run on more platforms?
- Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Metabase runs on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
- 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 Metabase is typically brought in for.
- What can Baserow do that Metabase cannot?
- Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, SQL Editor, Interactive Dashboards, Alerts. Both handle Web support, Self-hosted support.