Airtable combines a spreadsheet interface with a relational database, forms, views and automations. Open-source alternatives give you the same grid-on-a-database model while keeping data on your own server, and several can sit directly on top of PostgreSQL.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (MIT, AGPL-3.0, Apache-2.0 or GPL-3.0), checked against its repository. NocoDB and Directus, both often described as open source, are listed separately because their licences are source-available.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
What you're replacing
•Spreadsheet-style tables with linked records
•Multiple views: grid, form, kanban, gallery and calendar
The secure, open-source platform for building databases, applications, automations and AI agents with no code. A spreadsheet and database hybrid built with Django, Vue.js and PostgreSQL, with an API-first design. Self-host with Docker, Helm and many one-click platforms.
Strengths
+ Spreadsheet-database hybrid with an API
+ Applications, automations and dashboards
+ Many self-hosting options including Docker and Helm
Trade-offs
− Open-core: premium and enterprise directories carry separate terms
A platform for data management, AI workflows and app building with a spreadsheet-style interface over PostgreSQL. Offers grid, form, kanban, gallery and calendar views, formulas, real-time collaboration and an API. Standalone self-hosting uses Docker.
Strengths
+ Grid, form, kanban, gallery and calendar views
+ Real-time collaboration and API
+ Standalone Docker self-host option
Trade-offs
− AI features and App Builder need the full deployment and licence key
− Packages under packages/ are MIT while the app is AGPL-3.0
Best for: Relational spreadsheet with Python formulas
A modern relational spreadsheet that combines the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the robustness of a database. Columns are typed, formulas are written in Python, and documents are stored in a SQLite-based file format. Run it with the gristlabs/grist Docker image.
Strengths
+ Python formulas and Excel-style functions
+ Card and calendar views, charts and linked widgets
+ Fine-grained document, row and column access control
Trade-offs
− Different model from Airtable's, so templates don't carry over
− Docker image mixes in non-open code; the grist-oss image is open source only
Best for: A spreadsheet view over your existing Postgres
A spreadsheet-like interface for working with PostgreSQL data without code, self-hosted with native Postgres access control. Works directly on existing databases, with a Data Explorer query builder and shareable forms.
Best for: Extensible no-code platform for business systems
An open-source AI plus no-code platform for building business systems fast, with built-in modules for data models, permissions, workflows and audit logs. Business data stays in standard relational databases and a plugin architecture adds capabilities.
Strengths
+ Data models, workflows and permissions built in
+ Plugin architecture
+ Data stored in standard relational databases
Trade-offs
− Closer to a business-app builder than a spreadsheet database
− Install via CLI; Docker steps aren't in the repo README
Best for: Internal tools and workflows on your data
An open-source operations platform for building AI agents, apps and automations. Self-host with Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, DigitalOcean or Portainer. The README says the core is GPL v3, client libraries are MPL and paid features are under the Business Source License.
Strengths
+ Apps, automations and a public API
+ Docker, Kubernetes and Portainer deployment
+ Central management of users, SMTP and theming
Trade-offs
− An app builder more than a spreadsheet-style database
− Paid features in packages/pro are under the Business Source License
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How to choose
If you need…
Start with
The closest Airtable-style experience
Baserow or Teable
Powerful formulas and a spreadsheet-first mindset
Grist
A friendly view on a Postgres database you already have
Mathesar
Internal business apps with workflows and permissions
NocoBase or Budibase
Forms and views shared with external collaborators
Baserow, Teable or Grist
Often called open source, but aren't
Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.
NocoDB(Sustainable Use License)
NocoDB is a free, self-hostable Airtable alternative, but its README says it is licensed under the Sustainable Use License, a source-available licence that is not OSI-approved.
The README describes MSCL as a source-available licence derived from the Fair Core License. Free for smaller organisations, but not OSI-approved.
Open-source Airtable alternatives: FAQ
Quick answers to common questions
Is there an open-source alternative to Airtable?
Yes. Baserow (MIT) and Teable (AGPL-3.0) are the closest no-code database options, and Grist (Apache-2.0) is a relational spreadsheet with Python formulas.
Is NocoDB open source?
Not by the OSI definition. NocoDB's README says it is licensed under the Sustainable Use License, which is source-available. It is a self-hostable Airtable alternative, but it isn't listed among the open-source options above.
Which Airtable alternative works on an existing Postgres database?
Mathesar works directly with existing Postgres databases and uses Postgres roles for access control. Teable also provides a spreadsheet-style interface over PostgreSQL.
Can I import my Airtable base?
Airtable exports tables as CSV, and most of these tools can import CSV data. Linked records, formulas and automations usually have to be rebuilt, so test with one base first.
Are Baserow and Teable fully open source?
Both are open-core. Baserow's MIT licence covers everything outside its premium and enterprise directories, and Teable's community edition is AGPL-3.0 with paid features unlocked by a licence key.
Maintain an open-source Airtable alternative?
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this page.
