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Spreadsheets · head to head

SeaTable vs Tally

SeaTable logo

SeaTable

Spreadsheets

German-hosted database-spreadsheet hybrid from the team behind Seafile, with a self-hosted server edition

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tally logo

Tally

Surveys

Form builder with unlimited forms and responses on the free plan, edited like a text document

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SeaTable the free self-hosted Developer Edition is capped at three users, so the pattern that makes Baserow and NocoDB attractive, running it yourself for free at real headcount, is not available and any serious on-premises deployment needs a paid per-user licence.; Tally built-in analysis is limited to basic summaries, so any real analysis means exporting responses to a spreadsheet or database.
  • They diverge on capability: SeaTable covers Typed column database, Tally covers Document-style editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SeaTable and Tally actually diverge.

Attributes where SeaTable and Tally differ
AttributeSeaTableTally
Pricing modelPer user per monthFree tier, paid for branding and team features
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, LinuxWeb
CategorySpreadsheetsSurveys

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 SeaTable

  • Typed column database
  • Multiple views
  • Universal app builder
  • Python and JavaScript scripting
  • Self-hosted server
  • German data centres

Only in Tally

  • Document-style editor
  • Unlimited free responses
  • Conditional logic and calculations
  • Payment collection
  • Notion and Airtable sync
  • Custom domains

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

SeaTable

  • A German or Austrian company that needs a shared operational database but cannot put customer records on a US-hosted servicenot Tally
  • Replacing a sprawl of Excel files used by several departments with one permissioned base and per-view sharingnot Tally
  • Running a small internal tool, such as an equipment register or an application tracker, without commissioning a bespoke buildnot Tally
  • Teams already using Seafile that want structured data alongside their file sync platformnot Tally

Tally

  • A startup collecting waitlist or beta signups that will grow well past a free response cap elsewherenot SeaTable
  • A small team that wants form submissions landing directly in Notion or Airtablenot SeaTable
  • A charity or community group running a public consultation with no software budgetnot SeaTable
  • A quick internal request or intake form that needs to exist within the hournot SeaTable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

SeaTable

  • The free self-hosted Developer Edition is capped at three users, so the pattern that makes Baserow and NocoDB attractive, running it yourself for free at real headcount, is not available and any serious on-premises deployment needs a paid per-user licence.
  • Row limits are counted across the whole account rather than per base, so the free plan ceiling of 10,000 rows and the Plus ceiling of 50,000 rows arrive sooner than people expect once a few tables hold historical records.
  • The integration catalogue is short compared with Airtable, and many connections have to be routed through Zapier, Make or n8n, which adds a second subscription and a second failure point.
  • English documentation and community content lag the German material, so non-German teams hit thinner tutorials and fewer worked examples when they get to scripting and the app builder.
  • The vendor is a small German company rather than a venture-funded platform, which is a stability advantage but means a slower feature pace and fewer third-party consultants available to hire if a project needs outside help.

Tally

  • Built-in analysis is limited to basic summaries, so any real analysis means exporting responses to a spreadsheet or database.
  • There is no offline data collection, which rules it out for field research or events without reliable connectivity.
  • The company is very small and bootstrapped, so support is email and documentation with no account management, and some procurement processes will reject that.
  • Advanced research features such as quotas, randomisation and panel integration are absent, so it is a form builder rather than a research instrument.
  • Design control is deliberately narrow, so brands that need pixel-level form styling will find the theming options constraining even on the paid tier.

Pricing, plan by plan

SeaTable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 25 users
    • 10,000 rows in total
    • 2 GB storage
  • Plus$7/month
    • Billed annually, 9 EUR if billed monthly
    • 50,000 rows
    • 50 GB storage
  • Enterprise$14/month
    • Billed annually, 18 EUR if billed monthly
    • Unlimited rows
    • 100 GB storage
  • Dedicated Cloud$undefined/year
    • Quoted, minimum 100 users
    • Dedicated instance
    • Unlimited rows

Tally

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited forms, questions and responses
    • Conditional logic, calculations and file uploads
    • Integrations including Notion, Google Sheets and webhooks
  • Tally Pro$29/month
    • Remove Tally branding
    • Custom domains and form redirects
    • Team workspaces and collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose SeaTable if

  • You need typed column database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Linux.
  • You also want multiple views.
SeaTable review

Choose Tally if

  • You need document-style editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want unlimited free responses.
Tally review

Questions people ask

Is SeaTable or Tally better?
Neither clearly leads. SeaTable starts at Free and Tally at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SeaTable or Tally?
SeaTable starts at Free and Tally at Free.
Does SeaTable or Tally run on more platforms?
SeaTable runs on Web, iOS, Android, Linux. Tally runs on Web.
Can I use SeaTable for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is SeaTable best used for?
SeaTable is most often used for a german or austrian company that needs a shared operational database but cannot put customer records on a us-hosted service, replacing a sprawl of excel files used by several departments with one permissioned base and per-view sharing, running a small internal tool, such as an equipment register or an application tracker, without commissioning a bespoke build, teams already using seafile that want structured data alongside their file sync platform. Of those, a german or austrian company that needs a shared operational database but cannot put customer records on a us-hosted service and replacing a sprawl of excel files used by several departments with one permissioned base and per-view sharing are not what Tally is typically brought in for.
What can SeaTable do that Tally cannot?
SeaTable covers Typed column database, Multiple views, Universal app builder, Python and JavaScript scripting. Tally covers Document-style editor, Unlimited free responses, Conditional logic and calculations, Payment collection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SeaTable: Where is SeaTable cloud data actually stored?

In data centres in Germany, under German and EU law, with a standard GDPR processing agreement available.

Tally: Is the free plan really unlimited?

Yes for forms, questions and responses. The paid tier sells branding removal, custom domains and team features rather than volume.

SeaTable: Is SeaTable open source?

No. Seafile, from the same team, is open source. SeaTable is a commercial product with a free self-hosted edition limited to three users.

Tally: Is Tally suitable for research surveys?

Only simple ones. It has logic and calculations but no quotas, randomisation or panel management.

SeaTable: How does it compare with Airtable on price?

Plus is 7 EUR per user per month billed annually against Airtable Team at 20 USD, but SeaTable applies hard row ceilings on every plan below Enterprise.

Tally: Is it GDPR compliant?

Tally is a European company operating under GDPR, and buyers with strict requirements should request the data processing agreement before rollout.

SeaTable: Can I move an existing Airtable base across?

Yes, SeaTable imports Airtable bases and Excel files, though formula fields and automations usually need rebuilding by hand.

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