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Technology · head to head

ClickUp vs NocoDB

ClickUp logo

ClickUp

Technology

One app to replace them all

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NocoDB logo

NocoDB

Spreadsheet & Data

Open-source no-code database platform with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ClickUp the free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count; NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
  • They diverge on capability: ClickUp covers Multiple view types, NocoDB covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ClickUp and NocoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where ClickUp and NocoDB differ
AttributeClickUpNocoDB
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsCloud, Self-hosted, Docker
CategoryTechnologySpreadsheet & Data
Founded20172020

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 ClickUp

  • Multiple view types
  • Custom fields
  • Time tracking
  • Goal tracking
  • Document collaboration
  • Whiteboards
  • Mind maps
  • Slack

Only in NocoDB

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • No-code database
  • Multiple SQL databases
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Self-hosted support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • Automation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ClickUp

  • Project managementnot NocoDB
  • Software developmentnot NocoDB
  • Marketing campaignsnot NocoDB
  • Product roadmapsnot NocoDB
  • Client managementnot NocoDB

NocoDB

  • Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet databasenot ClickUp
  • Putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing Postgres or MySQL databasenot ClickUp
  • Building internal tools on structured data with an APInot ClickUp
  • Team bases with per-field and per-table permissions on the paid tiersnot ClickUp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ClickUp

  • The free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count
  • Gantt charts, time tracking and goals require Unlimited at $7 per user per month billed yearly
  • Automations are rationed by tier, at 5,000 a month on Business and 250,000 on Enterprise
  • SAML SSO, custom roles and HIPAA compliance are Enterprise only
  • AI is charged separately, at $9 per user per month for Brain and $28 for Everything AI
  • Monthly billing is substantially dearer, at $10 and $19 against the yearly rates

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

ClickUp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited tasks
    • 60 MB storage
    • Collaborative docs
  • Unlimited$7/user/month
    • Unlimited storage
    • All views
    • Time tracking
  • Business$12/user/month
    • Sprint reporting
    • Private docs
    • All Unlimited features
  • Business Plus$null/custom
    • Advanced features

NocoDB

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted NocoDB
    • Community support
  • Starter$5/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Basic features

Which should you pick?

Choose ClickUp if

  • You need multiple view types.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want custom fields.
ClickUp review

Choose NocoDB if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want graphql api.
NocoDB review

Questions people ask

Is ClickUp or NocoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. ClickUp 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, ClickUp or NocoDB?
ClickUp starts at Free and NocoDB at Free.
Does ClickUp or NocoDB run on more platforms?
ClickUp runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
Can I use ClickUp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ClickUp best used for?
ClickUp is most often used for project management, software development, marketing campaigns, product roadmaps. Of those, project management and software development are not what NocoDB is typically brought in for.
What can ClickUp do that NocoDB cannot?
ClickUp covers Multiple view types, Custom fields, Time tracking, Goal tracking. NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases. Both handle Automation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ClickUp: How many views does ClickUp support?

ClickUp includes List, Table, Board, Calendar, Gantt, and Inbox views, plus Whiteboards for collaboration and multiple specialized views for different workflows.

Source
ClickUp: What is ClickUp Brain?

ClickUp Brain is the AI feature providing workspace Q&A, task summaries, and AI-powered automation available as an add-on at $9 or $28/user/month depending on usage.

Source
ClickUp: How long does it take to set up ClickUp?

Initial setup typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on team size and complexity needs, which is longer than Monday.com (1-2 days) but necessary for ClickUp's flexibility.

Source
ClickUp: Does ClickUp have built-in time tracking?

Yes, time tracking is included in the first paid plan (Unlimited) at $7/user/month, allowing teams to track project hours without additional tools.

Source
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Related pages

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