The Ultimate Guide to Baserow: The Open-Source No-Code Database Tool

In today’s fast-paced digital world, agility and flexibility are essential. Whether you're a startup founder, product manager, or operations team, the ability to create internal tools, databases, and applications without waiting on developers is a game-changer. Enter Baserow—a powerful open-source no-code database tool that puts you in control.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

• What is Baserow?

• Key features and benefits

• Limitations of the platform

• Who should use Baserow

• A comparison with other no-code tools

• What apps you can build using Baserow

• Final thoughts and conclusion

What is Baserow?

Baserow is a no-code, open-source database platform that enables users to create relational databases in a spreadsheet-like interface. Think of it as Airtable’s open-source cousin—but with greater flexibility, no vendor lock-in, and the ability to self-host.

Designed for creators, analysts, developers, and teams, Baserow gives you complete control of your data while helping you automate workflows and build internal apps easily—without writing a single line of code.

Baserow supports:

• Spreadsheet-style table views

• Row-based permissions

• Real-time collaboration

• API access for automation

• Integrations with third-party tools

Key Benefits of Using Baserow

1. Open Source and Transparent

You can host Baserow on your own servers, inspect the code, and modify it to fit your needs. This makes it perfect for privacy-focused organizations and developers who need more control.

2. No-Code, Yet Developer-Friendly

While Baserow is designed for no-code users, it also provides REST APIs, Webhooks, and plugin support, which developers can use to build advanced use cases.

3. Spreadsheet-Like Interface

Familiar and intuitive for users coming from Excel or Airtable, Baserow reduces the learning curve and accelerates productivity.

4. Real-Time Collaboration

Multiple team members can collaborate on data in real time—ideal for teams managing tasks, inventory, customer records, and more.

5. Unlimited Rows (on self-hosted version)

While most no-code platforms limit the number of rows per table, Baserow’s self-hosted version allows unlimited rows and tables, making it highly scalable for data-heavy applications.

6. Powerful API Access

Every action you perform in the UI can be replicated via REST API, enabling seamless automation, integration, and development.

Limitations of Baserow

While Baserow is a strong contender in the no-code space, it does have some limitations:

1. Fewer Templates and Integrations

Compared to Airtable or Notion, Baserow currently lacks a large library of pre-built templates or deep third-party integrations.

2. No Built-In Frontend Builder (Yet)

You can’t build full-fledged apps with a custom frontend within Baserow itself. However, you can use tools like WeWeb, Appsmith, or Retool with Baserow as a backend.

3. Limited Field Types

Although expanding, the number of available field types is still growing (e.g., no built-in file storage or image fields with advanced controls).

4. Smaller Community

As a newer tool, Baserow doesn’t have as large a user base or support community as Airtable or Notion.

Who Should Use Baserow?

Baserow is ideal for:

• Startups and SMBs that want control over their database without incurring high SaaS costs.

• Enterprises looking for secure, self-hosted internal tools.

• No-Code Builders who need a backend database for their apps.

• Data Analysts and Ops Teams who prefer a flexible spreadsheet interface.

• Developers who want to build custom APIs and dashboards with minimal backend setup.

Apps You Can Build with Baserow

Here’s a table of example apps and use cases that can be built using Baserow as the backend:

These can be extended further with frontend builders or visualization tools like WeWeb, Softr, or Retool.

🔍 Baserow vs Other No-Code Tools (Comparison Table)

Conclusion

Baserow is an emerging powerhouse in the no-code space, especially for teams and builders who want more control, transparency, and scalability. With its spreadsheet-like interface, open-source foundation, and extensive API support, Baserow is well-suited to serve as the backend of your no-code stack.

While it may not yet have the frontend polish or templates of some competitors, its flexibility, unlimited scaling (self-hosted), and transparent development roadmap make it a compelling choice.

If you’re building internal tools, dashboards, project trackers, or databases—and want to break free from SaaS lock-ins—Baserow deserves a serious look.