Discovering Open-Source Airtable Alternatives
A few years ago, I created an Airtable account. This cloud-based database service is user-friendly and requires no coding skills. You can build databases and view them in multiple formats—spreadsheets, image cards, task lists, or project trackers. It’s like having a personal, cloud-powered workspace. However, I wanted more control over my data, so I started exploring open-source Airtable alternatives.
One notable alternative is Baserow. It offers a similar experience to Airtable but is built on free, open-source software. This gave me peace of mind because I could easily export and import data if I chose to self-host. While Airtable also supports data import/export, Baserow’s open-source nature appealed to me.
Trying Nocodb: Another Open-Source Airtable Alternative
After using Baserow for over a year, I discovered Nocodb, another open-source Airtable alternative. The key difference is that some features in Baserow require a subscription, even for self-hosting, while Nocodb offers these features without extra cost. Since I aim to reduce subscriptions, I decided to self-host Nocodb at home.
I set up Nocodb on a Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM. Surprisingly, it runs smoothly alongside other self-hosted services, like a Photoprism instance, both managed via Docker. I imported all my Baserow databases into Nocodb, now fully hosted at home.
Challenges and Solutions with Self-Hosting
Initially, some external services that automatically updated my Baserow databases stopped working. Unlike Airtable, Nocodb didn’t have a public IP address, making it inaccessible outside my home network. Thankfully, Cloudflare tunnels fixed this by securely routing traffic to my Nocodb server. Now, external services can update my databases seamlessly without exposing my server.
Why Choose Nocodb for Your Database Needs?
Nocodb offers a cloud-based database service free for up to 20 users, with an enterprise edition available for larger teams. Self-hosting doesn’t require any subscription unless you opt for enterprise features like SAML and SSO. For solo users like me, this is ideal.
If you want a simple, versatile database solution that functions like a spreadsheet, supports form-based data entry, and lets you view information in calendar format, Nocodb is worth trying. It combines ease of use with the flexibility of open-source software and self-hosting benefits.
For more news and updates on open-source Airtable alternatives, visit Filipinokami.com.