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Spreadsheets · head to head

Baserow vs Rowy

Baserow logo

Baserow

Spreadsheets

Open-source no-code database platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rowy logo

Rowy

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet interface for Google Cloud Firestore with cloud functions written in the browser

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; Rowy every Firestore limit is inherited, including the one megabyte per document ceiling and roughly one sustained write per second per document, which surprises users who expect spreadsheet behaviour.
  • They diverge on capability: Baserow covers Database tables, Rowy covers Firestore backed grid.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baserow and Rowy actually diverge.

Attributes where Baserow and Rowy differ
AttributeBaserowRowy
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, Api, Self-hostedWeb
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 Rowy

  • Firestore backed grid
  • Browser authored cloud functions
  • Typed columns
  • Runs in your Google Cloud project
  • Role based access
  • Form view

Both cover

  • Open source

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 Rowy
  • Structured team data with Kanban, calendar and grid viewsnot Rowy
  • Building internal tools on top of a database with an APInot Rowy
  • Sharing data with external app users without giving them full seatsnot Rowy

Rowy

  • A Firebase application that needs an internal admin interface without building onenot Baserow
  • Operations staff correcting production records in Firestore without developer involvementnot Baserow
  • Attaching a small transformation or notification function to a field change without a full deployment pipelinenot Baserow
  • A content team populating documents that a mobile application reads directly from Firestorenot 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

Rowy

  • Every Firestore limit is inherited, including the one megabyte per document ceiling and roughly one sustained write per second per document, which surprises users who expect spreadsheet behaviour.
  • Firestore has no joins, so linking tables in the grid is a convenience layer rather than a relational feature and reports across collections still need a separate query.
  • It is useful only to teams already on Firebase, so choosing it effectively locks the operational tooling to one cloud vendor.
  • Query costs are billed by document read, and an unfiltered grid on a large collection can generate a bill that a spreadsheet user has no intuition for.
  • Development activity has slowed relative to the broader category, so evaluate current maintenance before making it load bearing for internal operations.

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

Rowy

Free
  • Open source self hostedFree
    • No licence fee
    • Deploys into your own Google Cloud project
    • You pay Google Cloud for Firestore reads, writes and storage

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 Rowy if

  • You need firestore backed grid.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want browser authored cloud functions.
Rowy review

Questions people ask

Is Baserow or Rowy better?
Neither clearly leads. Baserow starts at Free and Rowy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Baserow or Rowy?
Baserow starts at Free and Rowy at Free.
Does Baserow or Rowy run on more platforms?
Baserow runs on Web, Api, Self-hosted. Rowy runs on Web.
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 Rowy is typically brought in for.
What can Baserow do that Rowy cannot?
Baserow covers Database tables, Multiple views, Forms, API access. Rowy covers Firestore backed grid, Browser authored cloud functions, Typed columns, Runs in your Google Cloud project. Both handle Open source.

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
Rowy: Where is my data stored?

In your own Firestore instance inside your own Google Cloud project. Rowy does not hold a copy.

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
Rowy: What does it cost to run?

No licence fee. You pay Google Cloud for Firestore reads, writes, storage and function invocations, and an open grid on a big collection reads a lot.

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
Rowy: Can it do joins across collections?

Not really. Firestore does not support joins, and no interface layer can add them.

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
Rowy: Is there a row limit?

Not from Rowy. The limits that bite are Firestore document size and per document write throughput.

Rowy: Is it suitable if I am not on Firebase?

No. It is specifically a Firestore interface.

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