Baserow

What is Baserow?

Baserow is an open-source, no-code platform that lets users create and manage databases and applications without needing technical skills. It has an easy-to-use interface, helping individuals and teams organize, display, and work with data to meet their specific needs.

Baserow supports different data views, such as grid, gallery, kanban, calendar, form, and survey, which help with efficient data management and teamwork. Being open-source ensures it is scalable and flexible, making it a good alternative to proprietary platforms like Airtable.

Key Features of Baserow

• No-Code Database Management – Easily create, manage, and customize databases without writing any code, making data organization accessible to non-technical users.
• Open-Source & Self-Hosted Option – Unlike proprietary alternatives, Baserow can be self-hosted, offering full data control and customization for developers.
• Multiple Data Views – Organize and visualize data using grid, gallery, kanban, calendar, form, and survey views to match different workflow needs.
• Flexible API & Webhooks – Integrate Baserow with other tools and automate workflows using its REST API and webhook support.
• Unlimited Rows & Tables – Unlike some alternatives that impose row limits, Baserow allows unlimited data storage, making it scalable for large projects.
• Advanced User Permissions – Control access by assigning roles and permissions, ensuring secure and organized collaboration.
• Real-Time Collaboration – Work with team members on the same database in real-time, reducing delays in project updates and decision-making.
• Custom Formulas & Fields – Add calculated fields and dynamic formulas to automate data processing without external tools.
• Self-Hosting & Cloud Deployment – Choose between using Baserow’s hosted service or deploying it on your own server for full data ownership.
• Import & Export Options – Easily migrate data with CSV imports and exports, making it simple to transition from other database platforms.

Benefits of Baserow

• Freedom from Subscription Costs – Unlike SaaS platforms with recurring fees, Baserow’s open-source model allows businesses to self-host and reduce long-term expenses.
• Customizable to Fit Unique Business Needs – Because it’s open-source, developers can modify the platform, add new features, and create tailored solutions that proprietary tools can’t offer.
• No Forced Data Migrations – Users aren’t locked into a proprietary ecosystem, making it easy to move data in and out without restrictions or risks of service shutdowns.
• Reduces Spreadsheet Overload – Baserow helps teams transition from scattered spreadsheets to a structured, centralized database that improves efficiency and collaboration.
• Minimizes Downtime Risks – Since users can host Baserow on their own infrastructure, they aren’t dependent on a third-party service’s uptime or policy changes.

Limitations of Baserow

• Limited Built-In Features for Complex Applications – Baserow focuses primarily on database management and lacks advanced features such as built-in reporting, data visualization, or multi-step automation that other platforms like Airtable or Notion offer.
• Steep Learning Curve for Non-Developers – While Baserow is no-code, advanced customizations, API integrations, and self-hosting setup may require technical knowledge, making it harder for non-developers to leverage the full potential.
• Performance Issues with Large Datasets – As with many open-source platforms, Baserow can experience performance degradation with very large datasets or complex queries, especially when compared to enterprise-grade tools.
• Limited Pre-Built Integrations – While Baserow supports integrations through APIs, it has fewer pre-built integrations compared to platforms like Airtable, which can seamlessly connect to various third-party apps.
• No Mobile App – Baserow does not have a dedicated mobile app for accessing or editing databases on the go, limiting its usability for mobile-first workflows.
• No Full Business Intelligence (BI) Features – Baserow is not designed for in-depth analytics or BI, so users looking for advanced reporting, dashboards, or data analysis capabilities might need to explore other tools.
• Requires External Hosting for Advanced Features – While Baserow offers self-hosting, setting up and maintaining your own infrastructure may be more challenging for teams without technical resources.

Pricing of Baserow

Cloud-Hosted Plans:

• Free Plan - Ideal for individuals and small teams, this plan includes unlimited databases, 1,000 rows per workspace, and 2GB of storage per workspace. It supports grid, form, and gallery views and provides access to a library of over 65 templates.
• Premium Plan ($12 per user/month) - Designed for growing teams, the Premium Plan offers everything from the Free Plan, plus 50,000 rows per workspace, 20GB of storage per workspace, kanban, survey, and calendar views. It also includes XML and JSON export, row comments, and row coloring.
• Advanced Plan ($22 per user/month) - Tailored for scaling businesses, this plan includes all features from the Premium Plan, with 250,000 rows per workspace, 100GB of storage per workspace, role-based permissions, free read/comment users, and audit logs.

Self-Hosted Plans:

• Open Source Plan (Free) - The Open Source Plan allows users to host Baserow on their own servers, providing unlimited databases, rows, and storage. It supports grid, form, and gallery views, with access to all available fields.
• Premium Plan ($12 per user/month) - The Premium Plan for self-hosting users includes all features from the Open Source Plan, along with kanban, survey, and calendar views, and access to all available fields.
• Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing) - Designed for organizations needing customized solutions, this plan includes all Premium Plan features, along with role-based permissions, free read/comment users, an instance-wide admin panel, single sign-on (SSO), payment by invoice, and audit logs.

Who Should Use Baserow

• Small to Medium-Sized Teams – Ideal for teams that need a flexible, no-code solution to manage structured data without relying on complex databases or enterprise tools.
• Project Managers – Use Baserow to manage tasks, timelines, and project information, allowing for easy collaboration and data sharing within teams.
• Developers Looking for Simplicity – Developers who want a lightweight, open-source database solution that can be easily customized and extended for specific use cases.
• Researchers & Academics – Great for managing research data, organizing surveys, and collaborating on projects with minimal setup or technical requirements.

Baserow May Not Be Right for You If

• You Need Advanced Data Analytics – Baserow is a powerful database tool, but it lacks advanced analytics, reporting, and BI features like those found in Tableau or Power BI.
• You Require Full-Stack Customization – While Baserow is open-source and flexible, it’s still limited in terms of fully custom back-end development compared to platforms like Firebase or a custom-built solution.
• You Need Real-Time Collaboration – Baserow doesn't support real-time collaboration as seamlessly as platforms like Airtable, making it less ideal for teams that need instant updates and concurrent edits.
• You Want a Full-Featured CMS – Baserow doesn't provide a complete content management system for websites or blogs, so it's not suitable if you need a fully integrated CMS.
• You Need Built-In E-Commerce Functionality – Baserow doesn’t have native e-commerce tools, so if you require advanced e-commerce features like product inventory or shopping carts, other platforms like Shopify may be better.
• You Work with Extremely Large Datasets – Handling complex queries and huge datasets may cause performance issues in Baserow, especially when compared to more robust enterprise-level database management systems.
• You Need Multi-Source Data Integration – Baserow has limited integrations compared to other platforms like Zapier, which offer more connectivity to a variety of third-party apps and services.

Alternatives to Baserow

• Airtable – A no-code platform that blends spreadsheets with database features, offering rich views, integrations, and automation for managing and visualizing data. It's perfect for teams that need flexibility and ease of use. Read our detailed review of Airtable.
• Google Sheets – A familiar and widely-used tool that works well for managing structured data with real-time collaboration. Ideal for small projects or teams looking for a free solution with basic database capabilities.
• Notion – A versatile all-in-one workspace that includes databases, notes, tasks, and wikis, offering more customization than a typical spreadsheet. It's excellent for personal and team productivity. Read this guide to explore all the features and benefits of Notion.
• Coda – A no-code platform that blends documents, spreadsheets, and databases into one collaborative workspace, suitable for project management, task tracking, and custom team workflows. Read our detailed review of Coda.
• Trello – While primarily a project management tool, Trello's boards, lists, and cards can be adapted to manage databases and workflows with the help of Power-Ups and integrations.
• ClickUp – A robust work management tool that combines task tracking, document management, and database functionalities with built-in reporting and collaboration features.
• Zoho Creator – A low-code platform for building custom apps and databases, offering more control and automation for complex workflows than traditional spreadsheets. Read our detailed review of Zoho Creator.
• Knack – A cloud-based platform that lets you create online databases with built-in user authentication, reports, and API access, making it great for business applications and complex data management.

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FAQs About Baserow

What is Baserow used for?

Baserow is an open-source, no-code platform that lets users create and manage databases without needing technical skills. It's often used for managing data, organizing workflows, tracking projects, and creating simple applications with structured data.

Can I use Baserow for free?

Yes, Baserow offers a free plan with unlimited databases and rows, but it has some feature limitations like advanced user roles, API access, and integrations. For more advanced features, paid plans are available.

Is Baserow suitable for large datasets?

While Baserow can handle many rows of data, it might not perform as well as traditional database management systems for very large datasets. For projects needing complex data processing, a more robust database solution might be necessary.

Can I host Baserow on my own server?

Yes, Baserow is open-source and can be self-hosted. Users can deploy it on their own servers, providing full control over data storage and security.

What integrations does Baserow support?

Baserow supports integrations with popular tools like Zapier for automation and has a REST API for custom integrations with other services and platforms. However, its integration library is more limited compared to platforms like Airtable.

Does Baserow support collaboration?

Yes, Baserow allows team collaboration with role-based access control, enabling multiple users to work on the same database with different permissions (view, edit, admin).

Can I customize the views in Baserow?

Yes, Baserow provides different views such as grid, kanban, gallery, and calendar to display your data. You can customize these views to fit your needs, including filtering and sorting the data.

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