Baserow

Baserow is an open-source, no-code platform that helps you create and manage databases easily. It allows you to build powerful databases and workflows without writing any code. As an alternative to Airtable, Baserow focuses on flexibility, customization, and data ownership.

Whether you need to organize complex projects, manage customer data, or track inventory, Baserow’s user-friendly interface lets you do it all with simple, spreadsheet-like tables.

Features of Baserow

Open-source and Self-hosting: Baserow is open-source, allowing you to host it yourself. This gives you full control over your data and how you customize the platform. You can integrate it with existing infrastructure like AWS, Heroku, or DigitalOcean.

Real-time Collaboration: Baserow supports real-time updates for teams. Changes made by one user are instantly visible to others through WebSockets, enhancing team coordination.

Multiple Views: Whether you like a traditional Grid View, Kanban boards for workflows, or Calendar views for tracking events, Baserow offers flexible ways to visualize your data.

Automation and Integration: It works with tools like Zapier and Make to automate workflows and connect with external applications. You can also use its API to create custom automations.

Customizable Dashboards: Create personalized dashboards with visual elements like charts and graphs. Connect with external tools such as Google Data Studio for advanced analytics.

Role-based Permissions: Manage who can access and change data by setting permissions based on user roles, enhancing security in collaborative environments.

Pros of Baserow

Data Ownership: Self-hosting ensures you own and control your data, meeting strict compliance and privacy requirements.

Cost-effective: Baserow’s open-source model lets you avoid recurring subscription fees, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses that need to scale.

Flexible Customization: From custom fields to personalized data views, Baserow provides a highly flexible environment tailored to your needs.

Developer-friendly API: Its API-first design makes it easy to integrate with other tools and platforms, allowing you to automate processes and extend its functionality.

No Vendor Lock-in: Being open-source means you’re not tied to any vendor, so you can move your data anytime without hassle.

Cons of Baserow

Limited Native Integrations: While it supports many external integrations through tools like Zapier, its list of native integrations is smaller compared to competitors.

Learning Curve for Advanced Customization: The platform is easy to use for basic tasks, but its more advanced features might require technical skills, especially if you’re self-hosting.

Fewer Templates: Compared to Airtable and other competitors, Baserow offers a smaller selection of pre-made templates for specific use cases.

Community-driven Support: Being open-source, most support comes from the community, which might not be as fast or comprehensive as a traditional support team.

Alternatives to Baserow

Airtable: Airtable offers a spreadsheet-like interface with a more visual and beginner-friendly experience, featuring pre-built blocks for quick app building. However, it doesn't have the open-source flexibility and self-hosting options that Baserow offers. Read our detailed review of Airtable.

Notion: Notion is great as an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, project management, and database management. However, it doesn't provide the same level of database flexibility as Baserow. Read our detailed review of Notion.

Supabase: Supabase is a more technical option focused on backend infrastructure, making it ideal for developers who want more database control and API integration. However, it has a steeper learning curve compared to Baserow.

Baserow is for you if

You’re looking for a customizable, self-hosted database solution that lets you fully own your data.

You want an affordable platform that can grow with your business without raising subscription costs.

You need real-time collaboration and a developer-friendly API to automate workflows and connect with external tools.

Baserow is not for you if

You prefer a platform with many pre-built templates and native integrations ready to use immediately.

You need extensive customer support, as Baserow's support mainly comes from the community.

You are looking for a platform that emphasizes more visual and less technical data management, like Airtable or Notion.

Baserow FAQs

What makes Baserow different from Airtable?

Baserow is open-source and allows for self-hosting, giving you full control over your data. Unlike Airtable, Baserow’s free plan isn't limited by the number of records or storage, and it offers more flexibility in customizing database structures.

Can I automate tasks with Baserow?

Yes, Baserow works with Zapier and other automation tools to help you automate workflows. It also has an API-first approach, making it great for setting up custom automation tasks.

Is Baserow suitable for large teams?

Definitely. Baserow supports real-time collaboration with role-based permissions, allowing multiple team members to work on the same database at the same time while controlling who can access or change data.

Does Baserow offer templates?

Yes, Baserow provides pre-made templates, though the selection is smaller compared to Airtable. These templates can help you start with common database uses like project management or inventory tracking.

How secure is Baserow?

Baserow focuses on security with encryption, role-based access control, and the option to self-host, allowing you to manage your data under strict compliance standards. Its open-source nature also lets you modify and enhance security features.

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Pratik M.

Pratik is a technical writer passionate about AI, no-code tools, and the SaaS ecosystem. He enjoys building creative side projects and sharing his insights to help others explore the limitless possibilities of no-code and AI.