Question 1

What's the key difference between NocoDB and Baserow?

Accepted Answer

NocoDB is a lightweight UI layer that connects to your existing database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MSSQL, or SQLite). Baserow is a complete platform: it owns the database, includes collaboration, automations, and an app builder, and works out of the box. Think of NocoDB as a spreadsheet on top of your data, and Baserow as a replacement for Airtable.

Question 2

Can I connect NocoDB to an existing PostgreSQL database?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is NocoDB's primary use case. You provide a connection string to your production database, and NocoDB exposes it as a spreadsheet interface with auto-generated REST APIs. No data migration needed. You keep full control of your database and can disconnect at any time without vendor lock-in.

Question 3

Does NocoDB support real-time collaboration?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. In NocoDB, when a teammate updates a row, others see the change only when they refresh the page. Baserow supports real-time collaboration, making it better for highly collaborative teams. If your team can tolerate page refreshes or uses NocoDB primarily as an admin interface with fewer simultaneous users, this limitation rarely matters in practice.

Question 4

Which one should I choose for a brand-new database?

Accepted Answer

Baserow is simpler for greenfield projects. It includes everything in one product and requires no external database setup. NocoDB makes sense if you already have a SQL database running elsewhere, or if you prefer to own the database layer separately. For most teams without existing infrastructure, Baserow is the faster path to production.

Question 5

What's the difference in open-source licensing?

Accepted Answer

Baserow is MIT-licensed, which is fully permissive open-source. NocoDB uses the Sustainable Use License (fair-code), which permits self-hosting for internal use but restricts offering NocoDB as a managed service to third parties without a commercial license. This is why Opsily can host both: we have the right licenses in place.

Question 6

What's the pricing difference for self-hosting Baserow vs NocoDB?

Accepted Answer

For a 10-person team on minimal infrastructure: NocoDB costs roughly $192 per year (1 vCPU, 2GB RAM), and Baserow costs roughly $348 per year (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM). Both are 28 times cheaper than Airtable. With Opsily managed hosting, you skip the infrastructure cost and get daily backups, updates, and monitoring included.

Question 7

Can I use Baserow's automations with NocoDB?

Accepted Answer

No. Baserow includes a native automation builder with triggers, actions, and conditional logic. NocoDB does not have a built-in automation layer, but you can trigger external workflows via webhooks and REST APIs. Most teams pair NocoDB with workflow tools like n8n or Zapier for automation.

Question 8

Is it safe to host these databases in Germany with Opsily?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Opsily's German infrastructure ensures GDPR compliance by default. Your data stays within the EU. We provide audit logs, encrypted backups, and role-based access controls. Both Baserow and NocoDB support EU deployments and GDPR workflows. Baserow also holds SOC 2 Type II certification on its cloud offering.

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