Software · head to head
NocoDB vs Looker
NocoDB
Software
Open-source no-code database platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only NocoDB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage; Looker requires annual commitment with no month-to-month billing option
- They diverge on capability: NocoDB covers REST API, Looker covers LookML Data Modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which NocoDB and Looker actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 NocoDB
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- No-code database
- Multiple SQL databases
- Webhooks
- Automation
- Cloud support
- Self-hosted support
Only in Looker
- LookML Data Modeling
- Embedded Analytics
- API Access
- Version Control
- Data Actions
- BigQuery
- Snowflake
- Redshift
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
Looker
- Business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision makingnot NocoDB
- Embedded analytics for integrating BI capabilities into third-party applicationsnot NocoDB
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Looker
- Requires annual commitment with no month-to-month billing option
- Conversational analytics will incur token overage charges ($3.00 per 1M input tokens, $20.00 per 1M output tokens) after October 1, 2026
Pricing, plan by plan
NocoDB
Free- CommunityFree
- Self-hosted NocoDB
- Community support
- Starter$5/monthly
- Cloud hosting
- Basic features
Looker
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Looker review.
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Looker if
- You need lookml data modeling.
- You work on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform).
- You also want embedded analytics.
Questions people ask
- Is NocoDB or Looker better?
- Neither clearly leads. NocoDB starts at Free and Looker at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, NocoDB or Looker?
- NocoDB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for NocoDB and On request for Looker.
- Does NocoDB or Looker run on more platforms?
- NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. Looker runs on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform).
- 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 NocoDB best used for?
- NocoDB is most often used for self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database, putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing postgres or mysql database, building internal tools on structured data with an api, team bases with per-field and per-table permissions on the paid tiers. Of those, self-hosting an open source alternative to a spreadsheet database and putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing postgres or mysql database are not what Looker is typically brought in for.
- What can NocoDB do that Looker cannot?
- NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases. Looker covers LookML Data Modeling, Embedded Analytics, API Access, Version Control.