NocoDB vs Baserow: Which Airtable Alternative?

Quick Verdict

NocoDB wins if you need to put a spreadsheet interface on an existing database — it connects to PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQL Server without migrating data. Baserow wins if you want to build no-code applications, not just manage data. For pure Airtable replacement, NocoDB is simpler to deploy and more flexible with data sources.

Overview

Both apps give you an Airtable-like spreadsheet interface on your own server. They share the same core concept — structured data with views, forms, and APIs — but diverge significantly in scope and philosophy.

NocoDB (first released 2021) focuses on being a database UI layer. Its killer feature is connecting to existing databases and instantly creating a spreadsheet interface on top of them. It’s lightweight and stays in its lane.

Baserow (first released 2020) has evolved into a no-code platform. Beyond the spreadsheet, it includes an application builder, workflow automation, dashboards, and AI tools. It’s broader but requires more resources.

Feature Comparison

Feature	NocoDB	Baserow
View types	Grid, Gallery, Kanban, Form, Calendar	Grid, Gallery, Kanban, Form, Calendar
Field types	22+ (Link, Lookup, Rollup, Formula, QR, Barcode)	20+ (Link, Lookup, Formula, AI, File)
External database support	Yes — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite	No — PostgreSQL only (own data)
Application builder	No	Yes — publish full apps on your domain
Workflow automation	Webhooks only (use n8n/Zapier)	Built-in automation engine
Dashboards	No native dashboards	Yes — data visualization built-in
AI features	No	Yes — AI assistant and auto-generation
REST API	Auto-generated for every table	Full REST API, headless-first
Shared views	Yes (with optional password)	Yes
Audit log	Yes	Yes (premium)
Import/Export	CSV, Excel, Airtable, JSON	CSV, JSON, XML, Airtable
Plugin system	API-based extensions	Plugin architecture for fields, views, endpoints
LDAP/SSO	Enterprise	Enterprise
License	Sustainable Use License (source-available)	MIT (core, OSI-approved open source)

Deployment Complexity

NocoDB is significantly easier to deploy and maintain.

Aspect	NocoDB	Baserow
Minimum services	1 (SQLite mode)	1 (all-in-one container)
Production services	2 (NocoDB + PostgreSQL)	9 (backend, frontend, 3 Celery workers, PostgreSQL, Redis, Caddy, init container)
Docker image	nocodb/nocodb:0.301.2	baserow/baserow:2.1.1
PostgreSQL version	16.6	15 with pgvector
Redis required	Optional (improves caching)	Required
First-start time	~30 seconds	~60-90 seconds

NocoDB minimal setup:

services:
  nocodb:
    image: nocodb/nocodb:0.301.2
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    volumes:
      - nocodb-data:/usr/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
  nocodb-data:

That’s it — a single container with SQLite. Add PostgreSQL for production.

Baserow minimal setup:

services:
  baserow:
    image: baserow/baserow:2.1.1
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    volumes:
      - baserow-data:/baserow/data
    environment:
      BASEROW_PUBLIC_URL: "http://localhost"
    restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
  baserow-data:

Also a single container, but it bundles Django, Nuxt.js, Celery, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Caddy inside one image. This works for small deployments but limits scalability.

Resource Usage

Resource	NocoDB	Baserow
RAM (idle)	~200 MB	~800 MB (all-in-one)
RAM (production)	500 MB - 1 GB	2-4 GB
CPU	Low	Medium
Disk (base)	~300 MB	~2 GB
Architecture	amd64, arm64	amd64, arm64

NocoDB is roughly 4x lighter on resources. This matters on budget VPS instances or Raspberry Pi deployments.

The External Database Advantage

NocoDB’s ability to connect to existing databases is a genuine differentiator, not just a feature checkbox. If your team already has a PostgreSQL or MySQL database with real data, NocoDB can:

1. Connect to it without copying or migrating data
2. Auto-detect the schema and present it as a spreadsheet
3. Let non-technical team members browse, filter, and edit records
4. Generate API endpoints for that existing data

Baserow cannot do this — it only works with its own PostgreSQL instance. You’d need to import data, which creates a sync problem.

The No-Code Platform Advantage

Baserow’s application builder is equally distinctive. You can:

1. Build multi-page applications with forms, tables, and charts
2. Publish them on your own domain
3. Control access with user roles
4. Automate workflows without external tools

NocoDB doesn’t attempt this. If you need more than a spreadsheet UI — if you want to build internal tools or customer-facing apps — Baserow is the more capable platform.

Licensing

This is worth considering. Baserow’s core is MIT-licensed (genuine open source, OSI-approved). NocoDB uses a “Sustainable Use License” — source-available but with restrictions on commercial redistribution. For personal and internal business use, both are free. But if licensing freedom matters to you (or your legal team), Baserow has cleaner terms.

Community and Development

Metric	NocoDB	Baserow
GitHub stars	51K+	21K+
Release frequency	Weekly patches	Monthly releases
First release	2021	2020
Primary language	TypeScript/Node.js	Python/Django + Nuxt.js
Backing	NocoDB Inc.	Baserow (Bram Wiepjes)

Both projects are actively maintained with regular releases.

Use Cases

Choose NocoDB If…

• You have an existing database and want a spreadsheet UI on top of it
• You want the simplest possible deployment (1-2 containers)
• You’re running on limited hardware (Raspberry Pi, small VPS)
• You primarily need a data management interface, not an app builder
• You want auto-generated APIs for existing data

Choose Baserow If…

• You want to build no-code applications, not just manage data
• You need built-in workflow automation (no external tools)
• You need data visualization dashboards
• MIT licensing is important to your organization
• You’re comfortable with a heavier deployment (more RAM, more services)

Final Verdict

For most self-hosters replacing Airtable, NocoDB is the better starting point. It’s lighter, easier to deploy, and its external database support is a feature no competitor matches. You get a fully functional Airtable alternative in a single Docker container.

Choose Baserow when you’ve outgrown “just a spreadsheet” and need the application builder, automation, and dashboard capabilities. It’s a more powerful platform, but that power comes with more complexity and higher resource requirements.

Related

• How to Self-Host NocoDB
• Docker Compose Basics
• Best Self-Hosted Automation Tools
• How to Self-Host n8n
• Reverse Proxy Guide