Baserow vs Airtable: Open-Source Alternative Comparison 2026

Detailed comparison of Baserow and Airtable for no-code databases. Compare features, pricing, and find out which spreadsheet-database hybrid fits your team's needs.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

Baserow

Open-source no-code database platform

0month (self-hosted)

Strengths

+Completely free and open-source for self-hosting
+Full data ownership and control
+No vendor lock-in with exportable data

Weaknesses

-Fewer integrations than Airtable
-Smaller template library
-Self-hosting requires technical knowledge

Best for

Teams wanting full control over their data, technical teams comfortable with self-hosting, or those needing a truly free database solution

Airtable

Popular no-code database and collaboration platform

20user/month (billed annually; $24/user/month billed monthly)

Strengths

+Extensive app ecosystem and integrations
+Rich template gallery for quick starts
+Advanced automation capabilities

Weaknesses

-Expensive for larger teams ($20-24/user/month)
-Free tier very limited (1,000 records per base)
-Data stored on Airtable's servers only

Best for

Non-technical teams needing extensive integrations, businesses requiring advanced automations, or those prioritizing ease of use over cost

Feature Comparison

Feature	Baserow	Airtable
Free Tier	Unlimited (self-hosted)	1,000 records/base, 1GB attachments
Paid Plans Start At	$5/user/month (cloud)	$20/user/month (annual billing)
Self-Hosting	Yes, fully supported	No
API Access	Yes, REST API	Yes, REST API
Views	Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban	Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban, Calendar, Timeline, Gantt
Automations	Basic webhooks and triggers	Advanced with 100+ actions
Integrations	Limited native, Zapier support	Extensive (1,000+ apps)
Collaboration	Real-time editing, comments	Real-time editing, comments, @mentions
Field Types	20+ types	25+ types including AI fields
Record Limits	Unlimited (self-hosted)	50,000 per base (Team plan)
Mobile Apps	Web responsive only	Native iOS and Android
Data Export	CSV, JSON	CSV only

The Verdict

Baserow is the clear winner for budget-conscious teams and those wanting data ownership—it's completely free to self-host with no record limits. Airtable justifies its $20-24/user/month price with superior automations, integrations, and polish, but most small teams won't need these features. If you have basic technical skills or a developer on your team, Baserow offers 90% of Airtable's functionality at 0% of the cost.

How to switch from Baserow to Airtable

1Export every table from Baserow individually using Table > Export to CSV (or dump the Postgres database directly if self-hosted) so you have a complete backup of all records and fields before migrating.
2Create a new Airtable base and import each CSV file using Airtable's 'Add or import table' option, then manually review field types since Baserow and Airtable don't map every field type 1:1 (e.g., some formula fields need to be rebuilt).
3Recreate any linked/relational fields between tables in Airtable, as CSV imports flatten relationships and you'll need to re-link records manually or via a lookup/link field.
4Rebuild your automations in Airtable's Automations tab or reconnect existing Zapier/Make workflows, since Baserow webhooks don't transfer over.
5Recreate views (Kanban, Gallery, Form) in Airtable to match your Baserow setup, adding any new views like Calendar or Gantt that weren't available before.
6Run both systems in parallel for one to two weeks, invite your team to Airtable, confirm data accuracy, then decommission or archive the Baserow instance.

Baserow vs Airtable: common questions

How do I export my data from Baserow before switching to Airtable?+

Use Baserow's built-in table export feature (Table menu > Export) to download each table as a CSV file — do this per table since there's no single-click whole-database export. If you're on the self-hosted version, you can also use the database export/snapshot feature or query the Postgres database directly for a full backup before migrating.

What features do I lose moving from Baserow to Airtable?+

You lose self-hosting and full data ownership — your data now lives on Airtable's servers under their terms of service. You'll also give up unlimited free records and CSV/JSON dual export in favor of Airtable's polish, but you gain calendar/timeline/Gantt views and far more integrations.

Is Airtable's free plan actually enough for a small team?+

For most small teams, no — the 1,000 records per base and 1GB attachment limit gets tight fast once you're tracking customers, projects, or inventory. If you're switching from Baserow specifically for automations or integrations, budget for at least the Team plan ($20/user/month annual).

Will my Baserow webhooks and integrations carry over to Airtable?+

No, they don't transfer automatically. You'll need to rebuild automations using Airtable's native Automations feature or reconnect through Zapier/Make, since Baserow and Airtable use different automation engines and trigger formats.

How much more will Airtable cost me over Baserow long-term?+

For a 5-person team, Airtable's Team plan runs about $1,200/year ($20/user/month), versus $0 for self-hosted Baserow or roughly $300/year for Baserow's cloud Premium tier at $5/user/month. Over 3 years that's a $3,600+ difference for the same core functionality, plus Airtable's per-seat cost scales as you add users.