Baserow: Open Source Alternative to Airtable

Baserow is an open-source no-code database and application builder for teams that want spreadsheet-like databases, relational data, internal tools, dashboards, automations, and self-hosting.

It is often used as an alternative to Airtable, NocoDB, Grist, Notion, and Smartsheet by teams that want source code access, data ownership, API-first workflows, and more control over their database infrastructure.

What is Baserow?

Baserow is a no-code database platform that lets teams create relational databases, views, forms, dashboards, and applications without building everything from scratch.

It combines the ease of a spreadsheet with the structure of a database, making it useful for operations, internal tools, lightweight CRMs, project tracking, content workflows, inventory management, and custom business apps.

Baserow is especially useful for:

• startups replacing Airtable
• teams building internal tools
• operations teams managing structured data
• agencies managing client workflows
• no-code builders
• teams that need self-hosted databases
• organizations that want data ownership and open-source code

Key features

No-code database

• Spreadsheet-like interface
• Relational databases
• Linked fields
• Filters, sorting, and views
• Forms
• Kanban and gallery-style views
• Role-based collaboration
• Import from Airtable, CSV, and spreadsheets

Application builder

• Build internal apps and portals
• Publish interfaces on your own domain
• Create dashboards and workflows
• Connect data to user-facing views
• Build no-code apps on top of structured databases

Automation and integrations

• Workflow automations
• Webhooks
• REST API
• API-first architecture
• External integrations
• Plugin system
• Import and export tools

Self-hosting and control

• Self-hosted deployment
• Docker support
• PostgreSQL database
• Redis and Celery workers
• Full source access for non-premium features
• More control over data, infrastructure, and compliance

Baserow vs Airtable

Feature	Baserow	Airtable
Main use case	Open-source no-code database and app builder	Managed no-code database and app platform
License	MIT open-core	Proprietary SaaS
Deployment	Self-hosted or Baserow Cloud	Managed cloud SaaS
Database model	Relational databases with spreadsheet-like views	Relational no-code databases with spreadsheet-like views
App builder	Built-in application builder and portals	Interfaces and app-building features
Automations	Workflow automations and API integrations	Built-in automations and integrations
Data control	High control when self-hosted	Vendor-hosted infrastructure
Best for	Teams wanting open-source code, self-hosting, and ownership	Teams wanting a polished managed no-code database
Cost model	Open-core software; infrastructure or optional cloud costs apply	Subscription-based SaaS pricing

Choose Baserow if you want an open-source Airtable alternative with self-hosting, source code access, relational databases, APIs, and more control over your data.

Choose Airtable if you want a mature managed SaaS with polished collaboration, ecosystem integrations, and minimal infrastructure setup.

Baserow vs NocoDB

Baserow and NocoDB are two of the closest open-source Airtable alternatives.

NocoDB is especially useful if you want to turn an existing database into a spreadsheet-like interface. Baserow is a better fit if you want a full no-code database platform with its own database experience, app builder, automations, dashboards, and self-hosting.

Feature	Baserow	NocoDB
Main use case	No-code database and app builder	Spreadsheet interface for existing databases
Database approach	Baserow-managed relational database	Connects to existing databases
App builder	Yes	More limited
Self-hosting	Yes	Yes
Best for	Teams wanting a full Airtable-like platform	Teams exposing existing databases as no-code tables

Baserow vs Grist

Grist is a strong alternative for spreadsheet-database workflows with formulas and structured data.

Baserow is better if you want a more Airtable-like no-code database and app builder. Grist is better if your workflows are closer to spreadsheets with advanced formulas and programmable logic.

Feature	Baserow	Grist
Main use case	No-code database and app builder	Spreadsheet-database hybrid
Interface	Airtable-like database UI	Spreadsheet-like documents
App builder	Yes	More document-oriented
Formulas	Available, but not the main differentiator	Strong formula-driven workflows
Best for	No-code databases and internal apps	Spreadsheet-heavy structured workflows

Baserow vs Notion

Baserow and Notion both support database-style workflows, but they are built for different priorities.

Notion is a workspace for notes, docs, wikis, and lightweight databases. Baserow is more focused on structured relational databases, APIs, self-hosting, and no-code app building.

Choose Notion if your main need is documentation, knowledge management, and flexible team workspaces.

Choose Baserow if your main need is a structured no-code database with self-hosting and API access.

Baserow vs Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a managed work management and project tracking platform.

Baserow is a better fit if you want a self-hosted, open-source database and app builder. Smartsheet is better if you need enterprise project management, reporting, and workflow management in a managed SaaS.

At a glance

Attribute	Details
License	MIT open-core
Category	No-Code / Database
Main users	Operations teams, startups, agencies, no-code builders, internal tool teams
Focus	No-code databases, app builder, automations, dashboards
Deployment	Self-hosted or Baserow Cloud
Self-hosted	Yes
Stack	Python, Django, Nuxt.js, Vue.js, PostgreSQL, Redis
API	REST API and webhooks
Alternatives	Airtable, NocoDB, Grist, Notion, Smartsheet

Self-hosting

Baserow can be self-hosted by teams that want more control over data, deployment, infrastructure, and compliance.

A typical self-hosted Baserow setup includes:

• Docker or Docker Compose
• Baserow backend
• Baserow web frontend
• PostgreSQL
• Redis
• Celery worker
• Celery beat
• Object storage depending on setup
• Reverse proxy and HTTPS
• Monitoring and backups for production deployments

Self-hosting is a good fit for teams that need data ownership, internal infrastructure control, custom integrations, or compliance requirements.

Baserow Cloud is a better fit if you want a managed no-code database platform with less operational work.

FAQ

Is Baserow an Airtable alternative?

Yes. Baserow is an open-source alternative to Airtable for no-code databases, relational tables, views, forms, automations, app building, and collaboration.

What is the difference between Baserow and Airtable?

Baserow is open source and can be self-hosted, while Airtable is a proprietary managed SaaS. Baserow is better for teams that want data ownership, source code access, and infrastructure control. Airtable is better for teams that want a polished managed product with minimal setup.

Is Baserow open source?

Yes. Baserow has an MIT-licensed open-core model. Core features are open source, while some premium or enterprise features may require a paid plan.

Can Baserow be self-hosted?

Yes. Baserow can be self-hosted with Docker. A production setup typically includes PostgreSQL, Redis, Celery workers, reverse proxy, HTTPS, monitoring, and backups.

Is Baserow better than NocoDB?

Baserow is better if you want a full no-code database platform with an app builder, automations, and a native Airtable-like experience. NocoDB is better if you mainly want to turn an existing database into a spreadsheet-like interface.

Is Baserow better than Grist?

Baserow is better for Airtable-like no-code databases and internal apps. Grist is better for spreadsheet-heavy workflows with formulas and programmable logic.

Can Baserow replace Notion?

Only partially. Baserow can replace Notion databases for structured data workflows, but Notion is broader for docs, wikis, notes, and team knowledge management.

Is Baserow suitable for internal tools?

Yes. Baserow is suitable for internal tools because it supports structured databases, forms, views, dashboards, automations, APIs, webhooks, and self-hosting.

Is Baserow suitable for production?

Yes. Baserow can be used in production. For production self-hosting, teams should plan for PostgreSQL, Redis, Celery workers, HTTPS, monitoring, backups, and infrastructure scaling.

What are the best alternatives to Baserow?

The closest alternatives are Airtable, NocoDB, Grist, Notion, and Smartsheet. Airtable is the main managed no-code database. NocoDB is strong for existing databases. Grist is strong for spreadsheet-database workflows. Notion is better for workspaces and documentation. Smartsheet is stronger for enterprise work management.