Baserow
Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent.
An open-source Airtable alternative: tables with typed fields, grid and gallery views, forms and an API, either hosted by them or run on your own server.
Self-host it, or build a typed table over Postgres. THE HONEST OPTION - Baserow's core is open source and self-hosting is a Docker Compose file IF YOU WANT THE SMALL VERSION STACK - Postgres with one physical table per logical table, a Node API, one HTML page FIELD TYPES - Start with text, number, date, single select, checkbox and a link to another table - Store the field definitions in a metadata table; generate DDL from it and run real migrations - A link field is a foreign key, not JSON: this decision is what keeps queries fast later VIEWS - A view is a saved filter, sort, field order and row height, stored as JSON - Filters compile to parameterised SQL — never string concatenation EDITING TOGETHER - Optimistic updates with a version column; a stale write is rejected and refetched - Broadcast changes over server-sent events so other tabs catch up Include the metadata schema, the DDL generator and the filter compiler.
What you lose
- A field type system — links between tables, rollups, formulas — that is where the real work in these products lives
- Real-time collaboration, so two people editing the same table do not overwrite each other
- A hosted instance with backups and updates
If you would rather not build
- NocoDB, if you want a grid over an existing database
The escape hatch
open source · no votes, no paid placement
Directus
$0An admin interface and API generated over a database you already have.
directus/directusfree · open source
Why this verdict
our own opinion · changed only by a person
74/100
Verdict yes at 74, again because self-hosting is the real route. Formula and rollup fields are the part that quietly becomes a compiler.
History
tracked since 10 Aug 2026 · nothing is ever overwritten
Nothing recorded yet. This chart fills in once the page has visitors, votes or prompt copies — it will not draw a flat line to look busy.
Questions about Baserow
answered from the record above
Is Baserow free?
No — the plan we track is $12 a month. Premium at around $12 per user per month billed monthly on the hosted plan; self-hosting the core is free.
Can you replace Baserow by building your own?
YES. Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent. Replacement score 74 out of 100, build time one session. Read what you lose before you decide.
How much does Baserow cost?
$12 a month on Premium — $144 a year. Recorded 9 Aug 2026.
What do you lose by replacing Baserow?
A field type system — links between tables, rollups, formulas — that is where the real work in these products lives; Real-time collaboration, so two people editing the same table do not overwrite each other; A hosted instance with backups and updates. If any of those carry weight for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Baserow?
Yes: Baserow, Directus. The prompt on this page is for when you want it your way instead.
Related entries
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Grist
Pory
NocoDB
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