NocoDB: Self-Hosted Airtable Alternative

NocoDB turns any SQL database into a smart spreadsheet with a collaborative interface. With over 61,000 GitHub stars, it is the most popular open-source alternative to Airtable. Connect NocoDB to an existing MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, or SQLite database and instantly get a spreadsheet-like UI with grid views, form views, Kanban boards, gallery views, and a full REST API — all without writing code.

Self-hosting NocoDB lets you build no-code applications on top of your own databases while keeping complete control over your data.

Key Features

• Connects to existing MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, and SQLite databases
• Multiple views per table — grid, form, Kanban, gallery, and calendar
• Rich field types including attachments, checkboxes, ratings, formulas, and lookups
• Collaborative features with comments, row-level discussions, and user mentions
• Automated workflows with webhooks and built-in automations
• REST API and GraphQL API automatically generated for every table
• Role-based access control with workspace, base, and table-level permissions
• CSV, Excel, and JSON import/export for data migration

Why Self-Host NocoDB?

Your database, your rules. NocoDB connects directly to your existing databases. Self-hosting means your business data stays on your infrastructure — not in Airtable's cloud. You maintain full SQL access to the underlying tables while giving non-technical team members a friendly spreadsheet interface.

No row or record limits. Airtable limits free plans to 1,000 records per base and charges for more. Self-hosted NocoDB has no artificial limits — your database can hold as many rows as your PostgreSQL or MySQL instance supports.

API-first architecture. Every table in NocoDB automatically exposes a REST API. Self-hosting lets you use these APIs from internal tools, scripts, and applications without rate limits or authentication complexity imposed by third-party platforms.

Connect to production databases. Self-hosted NocoDB can connect to your existing production or analytics databases, giving teams a visual interface to data that already exists. No data duplication, no sync issues — just a smarter view on top of your SQL.

System Requirements

Resource	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	1 vCPU	2 vCPUs
RAM	1 GB	4 GB
Storage	10 GB SSD	20 GB SSD
OS	Ubuntu 22.04+	Ubuntu 24.04

NocoDB runs a Node.js application that connects to your database. The lightweight runtime means resource requirements are modest. For embedded use with SQLite, it can run on minimal hardware. When connected to external databases, NocoDB itself uses little memory — the database engine handles the heavy lifting.

Getting Started

Deploy NocoDB on your VPS using Docker Compose through Dokploy. Our guide covers PostgreSQL backend configuration, persistent storage, user management, and SSL setup.

Deploy NocoDB with Dokploy →

Alternatives

• Baserow — Open-source no-code database platform with a clean, modern interface
• Directus — Headless CMS that wraps any SQL database with an API and admin UI
• Supabase — Postgres-based development platform with real-time subscriptions
• AppFlowy — Workspace with database views alongside documents and wikis

FAQ

Can NocoDB connect to my existing database? Yes. NocoDB's core feature is connecting to existing SQL databases. Point it at your MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, or SQL Server instance and it creates a spreadsheet interface on top of your existing tables and columns. No data migration needed.

Does NocoDB modify my database schema? NocoDB creates its own metadata tables to track views, filters, and UI settings. It does not modify your existing tables or data. When you add columns through NocoDB's UI, it executes standard ALTER TABLE statements on the underlying database.

How does NocoDB compare to Airtable? NocoDB provides similar spreadsheet-database functionality — grid views, Kanban boards, forms, galleries, formulas, and automations. The key differences: NocoDB is open source, self-hosted, connects to real SQL databases, and has no row limits. Airtable has more polished UX and a larger integration marketplace.

Can I build applications with NocoDB? Yes. NocoDB's auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs let you build frontend applications that read and write to your database through NocoDB. Combine this with forms, webhooks, and automations to create no-code workflows and internal tools.

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App data sourced from selfh.st open-source directory.