Software · head to head
Metabase vs Baserow
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Metabase row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above; Baserow the free tier is capped at 3,000 rows and 2GB of storage per workspace
- They diverge on capability: Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, Baserow covers Database tables.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Metabase and Baserow actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Metabase
- No-code Query Builder
- SQL Editor
- Interactive Dashboards
- Alerts
- Embedding
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- MongoDB
Only in Baserow
- Database tables
- Multiple views
- Forms
- API access
- Real-time collaboration
- Templates
- Plugins
- Self-hosting
Both cover
- Web support
- Self-hosted support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Metabase
- Business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical usersnot Baserow
- Embedded analytics for SaaS applicationsnot Baserow
- Self-service reporting and dashboard creationnot Baserow
- Integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehousesnot Baserow
Baserow
- Self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet databasenot Metabase
- Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Metabase
- Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Metabase
- Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Metabase
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Metabase
- Row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
- Advanced analytics features like multi-tenant embedded analytics require Pro tier or higher
- AI-powered features incur additional usage-based costs: $3.75 per 1M tokens
- Self-hosted deployment on Free/Open Source tier requires infrastructure management
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Metabase
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Metabase review.
Baserow
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited rows
- Core features
- Community support
- Premium$5/user/month
- Row comments
- Kanban view
- Survey form
Which should you pick?
Choose Metabase if
- You need no-code query builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
- You also want sql editor.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Metabase or Baserow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Metabase starts at Free and Baserow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Metabase or Baserow?
- Metabase starts at Free and Baserow at Free.
- Does Metabase or Baserow run on more platforms?
- Metabase runs on Web, Self-hosted cloud. Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Metabase for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Metabase best used for?
- Metabase is most often used for business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical users, embedded analytics for saas applications, self-service reporting and dashboard creation, integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehouses. Of those, business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical users and embedded analytics for saas applications are not what Baserow is typically brought in for.
- What can Metabase do that Baserow cannot?
- Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, SQL Editor, Interactive Dashboards, Alerts. Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Both handle Web support, Self-hosted support.