Softwr

Spreadsheets · head to head

Baserow vs Mathesar

Baserow logo

Baserow

Spreadsheets

Open-source no-code database platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mathesar logo

Mathesar

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet style interface that edits an existing PostgreSQL database directly, with no schema of its own

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace; 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: Baserow covers Database tables, Mathesar covers Direct PostgreSQL editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baserow and Mathesar actually diverge.

Attributes where Baserow and Mathesar differ
AttributeBaserowMathesar
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, Api, Self-hostedWeb, Linux
Founded2019Unknown

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 Baserow

  • Database tables
  • Multiple views
  • Forms
  • API access
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Templates
  • Plugins
  • Self-hosting

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.

Baserow

  • Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet databasenot Mathesar
  • Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Mathesar
  • Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Mathesar
  • Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Mathesar

Mathesar

  • A nonprofit or research group whose data is already in PostgreSQL and whose staff cannot write SQLnot Baserow
  • Giving analysts a safe editing interface governed by database roles that already existnot Baserow
  • Replacing a hand built Django or Rails admin screen that nobody wants to maintainnot Baserow
  • Editing production reference data where an export, edit and reimport cycle would risk losing concurrent changesnot Baserow

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

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

Baserow

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3000 rows per workspace
    • 2 GB storage per workspace
    • 2000 automation credits monthly
  • Premium$10/month
    • 50000 rows per workspace
    • 20 GB storage per workspace
    • 100000 automation credits monthly
  • Advanced$18/month
    • 250000 rows per workspace
    • 100 GB storage per workspace
    • 500000 automation credits monthly
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • 1000000 rows per workspace
    • 1000 GB storage per workspace
    • 2000000 automation credits monthly

Mathesar

Free
  • Self hosted open sourceFree
    • No licence fee
    • No hosted option offered
    • Connects to your existing PostgreSQL database

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.
Baserow review

Choose Mathesar if

  • You need direct postgresql editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux.
  • You also want postgresql permissions.
Mathesar review

Questions people ask

Is Baserow or Mathesar better?
Neither clearly leads. Baserow 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, Baserow or Mathesar?
Baserow starts at Free and Mathesar at Free.
Does Baserow or Mathesar run on more platforms?
Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Mathesar runs on Web, Linux.
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, self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database and structured team data with kanban, calendar and grid views are not what Mathesar is typically brought in for.
What can Baserow do that Mathesar cannot?
Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Mathesar covers Direct PostgreSQL editing, PostgreSQL permissions, Schema editing, Data exploration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Baserow: Does Baserow have a free plan?

Baserow's Free plan includes 3000 rows per workspace, 2 GB storage, 2000 automation credits monthly, and access to Grid, Form, and Gallery views. It supports up to 500 external app users and includes 65+ templates with no credit card required.

Source
Mathesar: 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.

Baserow: What row and storage limits does Baserow provide by plan?

Free plan: 3000 rows and 2 GB storage; Premium plan: 50000 rows and 20 GB; Advanced plan: 250000 rows and 100 GB; Enterprise plan: 1000000 rows and 1 TB. All limits are per workspace.

Source
Mathesar: How does it handle permissions?

Through PostgreSQL roles and privileges directly, so there is no second permission model to keep in step.

Baserow: How much does Baserow Premium cost?

Baserow Premium costs $10 per user per month when billed annually, or $12 per month when billing monthly. Yearly billing provides better rates than monthly. Advanced plan costs $18/user/month annually or $22/month monthly.

Source
Mathesar: What is the row limit?

Whatever PostgreSQL can handle. Mathesar adds no storage layer of its own.

Baserow: What are automation credit limits in Baserow?

Free plan provides 2000 monthly automation credits, Premium provides 100000 monthly credits, Advanced provides 500000 monthly credits, and Enterprise provides 2000000 monthly credits for workflow automation.

Source
Mathesar: Does it support databases other than PostgreSQL?

No.

Mathesar: Can it replace Airtable?

Only for editing and exploring data. There are no automations, apps or integrations.

Share

Related pages

More on Baserow

More on Mathesar

Keep looking

Other head to heads