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Spreadsheets · head to head

NocoDB vs Zoho Sheet

NocoDB logo

NocoDB

Spreadsheets

Open-source no-code database platform with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoho Sheet logo

Zoho Sheet

Spreadsheets

Free standalone cloud spreadsheet from Zoho, also bundled into the low-cost Zoho Workplace suite

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: NocoDB the free cloud tier is capped at 3 editor seats, 1,000 records and 1 GB of storage; Zoho Sheet its template, add-on and third-party integration ecosystem is much smaller than Google Sheets or Excel, so specialised workflows may not have a ready-made extension.
  • They diverge on capability: NocoDB covers REST API, Zoho Sheet covers Real-time collaboration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which NocoDB and Zoho Sheet actually diverge.

Attributes where NocoDB and Zoho Sheet differ
AttributeNocoDBZoho Sheet
Pricing modelfreemiumFree standalone, bundled into paid Zoho Workplace for organisations
PlatformsCloud, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded2020Unknown

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 NocoDB

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • No-code database
  • Multiple SQL databases
  • Webhooks
  • Automation
  • Cloud support
  • Self-hosted support

Only in Zoho Sheet

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Deluge scripting
  • Pivot tables and formulas
  • Excel compatibility
  • Zoho ecosystem integration
  • Offline access

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 Zoho Sheet
  • Putting a spreadsheet interface over an existing Postgres or MySQL databasenot Zoho Sheet
  • Building internal tools on structured data with an APInot Zoho Sheet
  • Team bases with per-field and per-table permissions on the paid tiersnot Zoho Sheet

Zoho Sheet

  • An individual wanting a genuinely free spreadsheet without a Google or Microsoft account requirementnot NocoDB
  • A small business already using Zoho CRM that wants spreadsheet data flowing directly from itnot NocoDB
  • A price-sensitive team choosing Zoho Workplace over Google Workspace for the same headcountnot NocoDB
  • A nonprofit or startup on the Zoho Workplace Forever Free plan for up to 5 usersnot 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

Zoho Sheet

  • Its template, add-on and third-party integration ecosystem is much smaller than Google Sheets or Excel, so specialised workflows may not have a ready-made extension.
  • Collaborators outside a company who are used to Google Sheets or Excel face a small adjustment to the Zoho interface and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Zoho Workplace Forever Free is capped at 5 users and 5GB, so it stops being viable the moment a team grows past that.
  • Deluge, its scripting language, is Zoho-specific, so automation logic written for Zoho Sheet does not transfer to Google Apps Script or Excel VBA if a company later switches suites.
  • Brand recognition and market share are far smaller than Google or Microsoft, so IT departments evaluating vendors may have less familiarity or fewer case studies to draw on.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Zoho Sheet

Free
  • Zoho Sheet (standalone)Free
    • Full core spreadsheet functionality
    • No forced account upgrade
    • Individual use
  • Zoho Workplace Forever FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • 5GB storage
    • Sheet, Docs, Slides, Mail and Meeting bundled
  • Zoho Workplace Professional$6/month
    • Full Workplace suite for teams
    • Annual billing rate
    • Larger storage per user

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.
NocoDB review

Choose Zoho Sheet if

  • You need real-time collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want deluge scripting.
Zoho Sheet review

Questions people ask

Is NocoDB or Zoho Sheet better?
Neither clearly leads. NocoDB starts at Free and Zoho Sheet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, NocoDB or Zoho Sheet?
NocoDB starts at Free and Zoho Sheet at Free.
Does NocoDB or Zoho Sheet run on more platforms?
NocoDB runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. Zoho Sheet runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use NocoDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Zoho Sheet is typically brought in for.
What can NocoDB do that Zoho Sheet cannot?
NocoDB covers REST API, GraphQL API, No-code database, Multiple SQL databases. Zoho Sheet covers Real-time collaboration, Deluge scripting, Pivot tables and formulas, Excel compatibility.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Zoho Sheet: Is Zoho Sheet free on its own, without buying the suite?

Yes, it can be used as a standalone spreadsheet with a free Zoho account with no forced upgrade.

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
Zoho Sheet: How does Zoho Workplace pricing compare with Google Workspace?

Independent pricing comparisons put Zoho Workplace at roughly 50 to 70 percent cheaper than equivalent Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 plans.

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
Zoho Sheet: Does Zoho Sheet open Excel files?

Yes, it imports, edits and exports Microsoft Excel format files.

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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