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Spreadsheets · head to head

Looker vs NocoDB

Looker logo

Looker

Spreadsheets

Modern business intelligence platform by Google

From
On request
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

  • Only NocoDB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Looker no pricing published on website; quote-based model requires contacting Google Cloud sales; NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage
  • They diverge on capability: Looker covers LookML Data Modeling, NocoDB covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Looker and NocoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Looker and NocoDB differ
AttributeLookerNocoDB
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform)Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20082020

Identical on both: 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 Looker

  • LookML Data Modeling
  • Embedded Analytics
  • API Access
  • Version Control
  • Data Actions
  • BigQuery
  • Snowflake
  • Redshift

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.

Looker

  • Business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision makingnot NocoDB
  • Embedded analytics for integrating BI capabilities into third-party applicationsnot NocoDB

NocoDB

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

Where each one falls short

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

Looker

  • No pricing published on website; quote-based model requires contacting Google Cloud sales
  • Pricing typically based on user count, deployment type, and feature requirements with no transparency

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

Looker

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Looker review.

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 Looker if

  • You need lookml data modeling.
  • You work on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform).
  • You also want embedded analytics.
Looker 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 Looker or NocoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Looker starts at On request and NocoDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Looker or NocoDB?
NocoDB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Looker and Free for NocoDB.
Does Looker or NocoDB run on more platforms?
Looker runs on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform). NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
Can I use NocoDB for free?
Yes. NocoDB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Looker starts at On request.
What is Looker best used for?
Looker is most often used for business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision making, embedded analytics for integrating bi capabilities into third-party applications. Of those, business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision making and embedded analytics for integrating bi capabilities into third-party applications are not what NocoDB is typically brought in for.
What can Looker do that NocoDB cannot?
Looker covers LookML Data Modeling, Embedded Analytics, API Access, Version Control. NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Looker: How much does Looker cost?

Looker does not publish pricing on its website. The platform uses a custom quote model where organizations contact Google Cloud sales for personalized pricing. Pricing is typically based on factors including user count, deployment type (cloud-hosted versus self-hosted), and required feature set.

Source
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
Looker: What are Looker's pricing tiers?

Looker offers subscription-based tiers typically including Standard with core BI capabilities, Advanced with enhanced features and integrations, and Premium with enterprise-grade features. Specific pricing and feature distinctions require contacting Google Cloud sales.

Source
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
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
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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