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No-Code · head to head

Draftbit vs NocoDB

Draftbit logo

Draftbit

No-Code

Visual builder for React Native apps that exports the source code you keep

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NocoDB logo

NocoDB

Spreadsheets

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Draftbit export is one way; once a developer edits the exported React Native project those changes cannot be returned to the visual builder, so the team must pick a handover moment and accept that the visual tooling stops applying from then on.; NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
  • They diverge on capability: Draftbit covers React Native source export, NocoDB covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Draftbit and NocoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Draftbit and NocoDB differ
AttributeDraftbitNocoDB
Pricing modelquotefreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidCloud, Self-hosted, Docker
CategoryNo-CodeSpreadsheets
FoundedUnknown2020

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 Draftbit

  • React Native source export
  • Component library
  • Any REST API as a data source
  • Live device preview
  • Custom code blocks
  • Theming
  • Service connectors
  • Team collaboration

Only in NocoDB

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

What people use each for

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

Draftbit

  • Shipping a first mobile version quickly with a deliberate plan to hand it to engineers laternot NocoDB
  • Agencies building client apps where the contract requires source code as a deliverablenot NocoDB
  • Teams that have a designer and a backend but no mobile engineernot NocoDB
  • Prototyping a native app against a real API rather than building a clickable mockupnot NocoDB

NocoDB

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

Where each one falls short

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

Draftbit

  • Export is one way; once a developer edits the exported React Native project those changes cannot be returned to the visual builder, so the team must pick a handover moment and accept that the visual tooling stops applying from then on.
  • There is no bundled backend or database, so the real stack is Draftbit plus a service such as Supabase or Xano, and the cost and operational burden of that second system falls on you.
  • The output is mobile only with no web application target, so any product that also needs a browser version needs a second tool and a second build to maintain.
  • It is built on Expo, so native modules outside what Expo supports require ejecting and native build tooling, which is exactly the expertise the tool was meant to remove the need for.
  • App store submission, signing, review responses and release management are entirely yours, and that is where non-technical teams lose the time they saved in the builder.

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

Draftbit

Free
  • Draftbit$undefined/month
    • Free tier for building and previewing
    • Source export and publishing sit behind paid tiers
    • Priced per project and per collaborator

NocoDB

Free
  • Free (Cloud)Free
    • 3 editor seats
    • 10 commenter seats
    • 1 GB storage
  • Plus$12/month
    • Unlimited seats
    • 50,000 records
    • 20 GB storage
  • Business$24/month
    • Unlimited seats
    • 300,000 records
    • 100 GB storage
  • Scale$45/month
    • Minimum 3 seats required
    • 1,000,000 records
    • 150 GB storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Draftbit if

  • You need react native source export.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want component library.
Draftbit 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 Draftbit or NocoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Draftbit 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, Draftbit or NocoDB?
Draftbit starts at Free and NocoDB at Free.
Does Draftbit or NocoDB run on more platforms?
Draftbit runs on Web, iOS, Android. NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
Can I use Draftbit for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Draftbit best used for?
Draftbit is most often used for shipping a first mobile version quickly with a deliberate plan to hand it to engineers later, agencies building client apps where the contract requires source code as a deliverable, teams that have a designer and a backend but no mobile engineer, prototyping a native app against a real api rather than building a clickable mockup. Of those, shipping a first mobile version quickly with a deliberate plan to hand it to engineers later and agencies building client apps where the contract requires source code as a deliverable are not what NocoDB is typically brought in for.
What can Draftbit do that NocoDB cannot?
Draftbit covers React Native source export, Component library, Any REST API as a data source, Live device preview. NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Draftbit: Do I own the code?

Yes. Paid plans export a React Native and Expo project you can keep, host and ship without Draftbit involved.

NocoDB: Is NocoDB free?

Yes, NocoDB offers a free cloud plan with 3 editor seats, 1,000 records, 1 GB storage, and 1,000 API calls per month. A free self-hosted Community edition with unlimited records and seats is also available.

Source
Draftbit: Can I import edited code back into the builder?

No. Export is one way, so plan the handover deliberately because after it the visual builder is no longer part of your workflow.

NocoDB: How much does NocoDB Plus cost?

NocoDB Plus costs $12 per seat per month (billed annually) or $15 per seat per month (monthly). For unlimited seats, it costs $108/month annually or $180/month monthly. Plus includes 50,000 records, 20 GB storage, and 100,000 API calls per month.

Source
Draftbit: Does it include a database?

No. You connect your own backend, commonly Supabase, Xano, Airtable or a REST API you already run.

NocoDB: What is the difference between NocoDB Plus and Business plans?

Plus ($12/seat annual) includes 50,000 records and 100,000 API calls per month. Business ($24/seat annual) includes 300,000 records, 1,000,000 API calls per month, external database connections, SAML SSO, and table/field permissions.

Source
Draftbit: Can it build a web app as well?

No. The output is a React Native mobile application for iOS and Android only.

NocoDB: Can I self-host NocoDB for free?

Yes, NocoDB's Community edition is free for self-hosting. It includes unlimited records, storage, and seats, with all core features including webhooks and 6 view types.

Source
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