Spreadsheets · head to head
Fibery vs Mathesar
Mathesar
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet style interface that edits an existing PostgreSQL database directly, with no schema of its own
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Fibery free plan limited to 10 users and 10 guests; Mathesar there is no hosted offering of any kind, so a team without someone who can run and secure a server cannot use it at all.
- They diverge on capability: Fibery covers Customizable databases, Mathesar covers Direct PostgreSQL editing.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Fibery and Mathesar actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Spreadsheets).
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 Fibery
- Customizable databases
- Bi-directional linking
- Whiteboards
- Documents
- Timelines
- Formulas
- Automations
- API access
Only in Mathesar
- Direct PostgreSQL editing
- PostgreSQL permissions
- Schema editing
- Data exploration
- Relationship navigation
- Import of tabular files
- Self hosted only
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Fibery
- Work management and product development platformnot Mathesar
- Relational database with multiple view types (table, board, gallery, timeline, calendar, Gantt)not Mathesar
- Knowledge base and document collaborationnot Mathesar
Mathesar
- A nonprofit or research group whose data is already in PostgreSQL and whose staff cannot write SQLnot Fibery
- Giving analysts a safe editing interface governed by database roles that already existnot Fibery
- Replacing a hand built Django or Rails admin screen that nobody wants to maintainnot Fibery
- Editing production reference data where an export, edit and reimport cycle would risk losing concurrent changesnot Fibery
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Fibery
- Free plan limited to 10 users and 10 guests
- Free plan limited to 10 databases
- Enterprise plan requires minimum of 25 paid users
- SAML SSO available only on Enterprise plan
Mathesar
- There is no hosted offering of any kind, so a team without someone who can run and secure a server cannot use it at all.
- It works only with PostgreSQL, so a MySQL, SQL Server or SQLite estate is excluded outright.
- There are no automations, no webhooks and effectively no integration catalogue, so it edits data and does nothing else.
- Because it writes to the live database, a careless bulk edit or column type change is a production change with no staging step and no undo.
- Development is grant and community funded rather than commercially funded, so roadmap pace and long term continuity carry a different risk profile from a venture backed vendor.
Pricing, plan by plan
Fibery
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Fibery review.
Mathesar
Free- Self hosted open sourceFree
- No licence fee
- No hosted option offered
- Connects to your existing PostgreSQL database
Which should you pick?
Choose Fibery if
- You need customizable databases.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want bi-directional linking.
Choose Mathesar if
- You need direct postgresql editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Linux.
- You also want postgresql permissions.
Questions people ask
- Is Fibery or Mathesar better?
- Neither clearly leads. Fibery starts at Free and Mathesar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Fibery or Mathesar?
- Fibery starts at Free and Mathesar at Free.
- Does Fibery or Mathesar run on more platforms?
- Fibery runs on Web. Mathesar runs on Web, Linux.
- Can I use Fibery for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Fibery best used for?
- Fibery is most often used for work management and product development platform, relational database with multiple view types (table, board, gallery, timeline, calendar, gantt), knowledge base and document collaboration. Of those, work management and product development platform and relational database with multiple view types (table, board, gallery, timeline, calendar, gantt) are not what Mathesar is typically brought in for.
- What can Fibery do that Mathesar cannot?
- Fibery covers Customizable databases, Bi-directional linking, Whiteboards, Documents. Mathesar covers Direct PostgreSQL editing, PostgreSQL permissions, Schema editing, Data exploration.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Fibery: What is the cost difference between Fibery Free and Standard plans?
Fibery Free costs $0 and supports up to 10 users plus 10 guests with 1 GB file storage. Standard is $12 per user per month when billed annually, offers unlimited file storage, and includes AI features and human support.
SourceMathesar: Is there a cloud version?
No. Self hosting is the only option, and that is a deliberate project decision rather than a gap waiting to be filled.
Fibery: How many automation runs can I use on each Fibery tier?
Automation limits vary by plan. The Free plan has a lower limit, Standard plan includes a base amount, Pro plan includes 10,000 automation runs per month plus 1,000 per paid seat, and Enterprise plan offers unlimited automations.
SourceMathesar: How does it handle permissions?
Through PostgreSQL roles and privileges directly, so there is no second permission model to keep in step.
Fibery: Does Fibery offer special pricing for nonprofits or open-source projects?
Yes, nonprofits receive 50% discount, educational and Ukrainian organizations also get 50% off, and open-source projects receive 100% free access to the Pro plan.
SourceMathesar: What is the row limit?
Whatever PostgreSQL can handle. Mathesar adds no storage layer of its own.
Fibery: What is the free trial for Fibery?
All new workspaces receive a 14-day free trial of the Pro plan. Observers and guests remain free across all paid tiers.
SourceMathesar: Does it support databases other than PostgreSQL?
No.
Fibery: Is there a startup discount for Fibery?
Yes, companies under 42 employees qualify for Fibery's startup program, which includes 6 months free access to the Pro plan.
SourceMathesar: Can it replace Airtable?
Only for editing and exploring data. There are no automations, apps or integrations.
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