Software · head to head
Baserow vs NocoDB
NocoDB
Software
Open-source no-code database platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- 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; NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
- They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, NocoDB covers GraphQL API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Baserow and NocoDB 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 NocoDB
- GraphQL API
- No-code database
- Multiple SQL databases
- Webhooks
- Automation
- Cloud support
- Docker support
Both cover
- REST API
- 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 database
- Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot NocoDB
- Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot NocoDB
- Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot NocoDB
NocoDB
- Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database
- Putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing Postgres or MySQL databasenot Baserow
- Building internal tools on structured data with an APInot Baserow
- Team bases with per-field and per-table permissions on the paid tiersnot Baserow
Both are used for self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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
NocoDB
- The free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
- Records are the metering unit on cloud, so Plus covers 50K and Business 300K rather than scaling by seat alone
- Row-level security, audit log retention and team hierarchy require the Scale tier
- SCIM provisioning and air-gapped deployment are Enterprise only
- The self-hosted Community edition is unlimited on records and seats but does without workflows, scripts and dashboards, which start at the paid self-hosted tiers
Pricing, plan by plan
Baserow
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited rows
- Core features
- Community support
- Premium$5/user/month
- Row comments
- Kanban view
- Survey form
NocoDB
Free- CommunityFree
- Self-hosted NocoDB
- Community support
- Starter$5/monthly
- Cloud hosting
- Basic features
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 NocoDB if
- You need graphql api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
- You also want no-code database.
Questions people ask
- Is Baserow or NocoDB better?
- Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and NocoDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Baserow or NocoDB?
- Baserow starts at Free and NocoDB at Free.
- Does Baserow or NocoDB run on more platforms?
- Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
- 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, structured team data with kanban, calendar and grid views and building internal tools on top of a database with an api are not what NocoDB is typically brought in for.
- What can Baserow do that NocoDB cannot?
- Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. NocoDB covers GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases, Webhooks. Both handle REST API, Self-hosted support.