NocoDB vs Baserow: Open-Source Airtable Alternatives Compared

Compare NocoDB and Baserow, two popular open-source database platforms. Both offer free self-hosted options as alternatives to Airtable, but differ in architecture and features.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

NocoDB

Open-source Airtable alternative that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet

Freeself-hosted (cloud from $99/mo)

Strengths

+Works on top of existing databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite)
+Rich API support with automatic REST and GraphQL endpoints
+Advanced features like webhooks, automations, and custom views

Weaknesses

-Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
-Self-hosted setup requires technical knowledge
-Cloud pricing is higher than Baserow

Best for

Teams with existing databases who need a spreadsheet interface, developers wanting API-first solutions, and organizations requiring advanced automation

Baserow

No-code database platform that's simple, open-source, and self-hostable

Freeself-hosted (cloud from $5/user/mo)

Strengths

+Extremely user-friendly interface, easier than NocoDB
+More affordable cloud pricing starting at $5/user/month
+Built-in database (doesn't require external DB setup)

Weaknesses

-Fewer advanced features compared to NocoDB
-Limited automation capabilities
-Smaller plugin ecosystem

Best for

Small teams wanting simplicity, non-technical users needing an Airtable replacement, and startups on tight budgets who prefer cloud hosting

Feature Comparison

Feature	NocoDB	Baserow
Self-Hosted Option	Yes, fully open-source	Yes, fully open-source
Cloud Pricing	From $99/mo (3 users)	From $5/user/mo
Database Backend	MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite	Built-in PostgreSQL
API Access	REST + GraphQL auto-generated	REST API
Automations	Advanced webhooks & workflows	Basic automations
Views	Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban, Calendar	Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban
User Interface	Feature-rich, more complex	Simple, cleaner, more intuitive
Collaboration	Real-time with comments	Real-time with better UX
Mobile App	Progressive Web App	Progressive Web App
Import/Export	CSV, Excel, JSON, Airtable	CSV, JSON, XML
Learning Curve	Moderate to steep	Easy, beginner-friendly
Community Size	Larger, more active	Growing, active

The Verdict

Choose NocoDB if you need advanced features, API-first architecture, or want to add a spreadsheet interface to existing databases. Choose Baserow if you prioritize simplicity, have non-technical users, or want more affordable cloud hosting. Both are excellent free self-hosted options, but NocoDB offers more power while Baserow offers more ease-of-use.

How to switch from NocoDB to Baserow

Full NocoDB export guide →

1Export every table from NocoDB using the built-in 'Download as CSV/Excel' function per table, or run pg_dump/mysqldump if NocoDB is layered on an external database, to get clean CSV files for each table.
2Create a matching workspace and database in Baserow, then use Baserow's 'Import from file' wizard to upload each CSV, reviewing the auto-detected field types since date, number, and link fields often need manual correction.
3Rebuild your views in Baserow (Grid, Gallery, Kanban, Form) manually, and note that any NocoDB Calendar views have no direct Baserow equivalent so you'll need a workaround using date-filtered grid views.
4Recreate any automations or webhooks in Baserow's native automation builder, or reconnect existing Zapier/Make scenarios to Baserow's triggers, since NocoDB's advanced webhook workflows don't migrate automatically.
5Re-point any custom apps or scripts from NocoDB's REST/GraphQL endpoints to Baserow's REST API, updating authentication tokens and request formats since Baserow has no GraphQL layer.
6Run both systems in parallel for a week, verify row counts and key records match, then switch team logins over to Baserow and archive the NocoDB instance.

NocoDB vs Baserow: common questions

How do I export my data from NocoDB before migrating to Baserow?+

Use NocoDB's built-in 'Download as CSV/Excel' option on each table, which exports data with headers intact. If your NocoDB instance sits on an external database (Postgres, MySQL), you can also dump the raw tables directly with pg_dump or mysqldump for a more complete backup. For attachments, export them separately since file links don't always carry over in a flat CSV.

What features do I lose by switching from NocoDB to Baserow?+

You lose the auto-generated GraphQL API, the ability to layer NocoDB on top of an external MySQL/SQL Server database, the Calendar view, and NocoDB's more advanced webhook/workflow automations. Baserow only offers a REST API and simpler built-in automations, so any complex workflow logic will need to be rebuilt with Zapier, Make, or Baserow's own automation feature.

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

Self-hosting Baserow is fully free with unlimited rows, bases, and users, which covers most small teams. If you use Baserow's hosted cloud instead, the free tier is limited (small number of rows and snapshots) and most teams end up on the $5/user/month paid plan once they need more storage or collaborators.

Does Baserow support the same integrations as NocoDB?+

Both connect to Zapier and Make, and both expose a REST API for custom integrations. NocoDB has an edge for developers because it also auto-generates a GraphQL API and supports richer webhook triggers, so teams relying on those will need to rework their integration logic in Baserow.

How much money will switching from NocoDB to Baserow actually save?+

If you're self-hosting both, there's no cost difference since both are free and open-source. On managed cloud plans the gap is bigger: a 3-person team on NocoDB Cloud starts at $99/mo versus about $15/mo on Baserow Cloud ($5/user), a savings of roughly $1,000/year for a small team.