PickYourTechPickYourTech home
NocoDB logo

NocoDB

Build powerful online databases with a spreadsheet‑style no‑code UI

Low-Code/No-Code Platforms

NocoDB lets teams create, share, and automate databases through an intuitive spreadsheet interface, supporting multiple views, fine‑grained access control, and extensible integrations, all self‑hosted.

NocoDB banner

Overview

Overview

NocoDB provides a spreadsheet‑style interface that turns any relational database into a collaborative, no‑code workspace. It targets startups, SMBs, and internal teams that need quick data management without writing SQL, while still offering the power of a full database backend.

Core Capabilities

Users can create tables, define columns, and switch between Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban, and Calendar views. Fine‑grained role‑based permissions let administrators lock or share specific bases and views. The built‑in App Store adds workflow automations for chat (Slack, Discord), email (AWS SES, SMTP) and storage (AWS S3, Minio). For developers, a REST API and an SDK expose all actions programmatically.

Self‑Hosted Deployment

NocoDB runs in Docker with SQLite or PostgreSQL, and an auto‑upstall script can provision a full stack (PostgreSQL, Redis, Minio, Traefik) with SSL on a single command. Binaries are also available for macOS, Linux and Windows for local testing. Documentation and community channels guide installation and scaling.

Highlights

Spreadsheet UI with Grid, Gallery, Form, Kanban, and Calendar views
Fine‑grained role‑based access control and view permissions
App Store offering chat, email, and storage workflow automations
REST API and SDK for full programmatic interaction

Pros

  • Self‑hosted eliminates vendor lock‑in and recurring SaaS fees
  • Spreadsheet‑like interface reduces learning curve for non‑technical users
  • Supports multiple databases (SQLite, PostgreSQL) and deployment methods
  • Extensible via app store integrations and open APIs

Considerations

  • Requires users to manage their own infrastructure and updates
  • Advanced setup (Docker Compose, SSL) may be complex for beginners
  • UI lacks some enterprise‑grade reporting and analytics out‑of‑the‑box
  • Community support varies; no dedicated 24/7 support contract

Managed products teams compare with

When teams consider NocoDB, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.

Airtable logo

Airtable

Cloud collaboration platform combining the flexibility of a spreadsheet with database power

AppSheet logo

AppSheet

No-code app builder to create data-driven web & mobile apps from sheets and databases

Budibase logo

Budibase

Open-source low-code platform for rapidly building internal tools and CRUD web applications with minimal coding

Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.

Fit guide

Great for

  • Small to medium teams needing a no‑code database layer
  • Startups wanting to avoid SaaS lock‑in and control data locally
  • Developers who require API access to a spreadsheet‑style UI
  • Organizations with existing PostgreSQL that want a visual front‑end

Not ideal when

  • Enterprises requiring fully managed SaaS with guaranteed SLAs
  • Teams that need built‑in deep analytics dashboards
  • Highly regulated industries that mandate certified SaaS compliance
  • Users looking for native mobile applications

How teams use it

Project Management Dashboard

Teams track tasks, assign owners, and visualize progress via Kanban and Calendar views, enabling real‑time collaboration.

Customer Feedback Collection

A Form view gathers user responses, storing them in a structured database for easy analysis without writing code.

Automated Invoice Processing

REST API creates invoice records from an external billing system and triggers email notifications through the App Store integration.

Internal Knowledge Base

A shared Grid view with rich text and attachments provides a secure, searchable documentation hub protected by password.

Tech snapshot

TypeScript65%
Vue29%
JavaScript5%
PLpgSQL1%
Shell1%
CSS1%

Tags

airtableno-coderestful-apiswaggerrest-apilow-codepostgresqlhacktoberfestsqliteairtable-alternativeautomatic-apino-code-databasespreadsheetno-code-platform

Frequently asked questions

How do I install NocoDB?

You can run it via Docker, use the auto‑upstall script for a full stack, or download binaries for macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Which databases does NocoDB support?

NocoDB works with SQLite for quick setups and PostgreSQL for production workloads.

Is NocoDB free to use?

Yes, NocoDB is released under the AGPL‑3.0 license and can be self‑hosted at no cost.

How can I secure my NocoDB instance?

Use the auto‑upstall script to enable SSL, configure role‑based permissions, and protect shared bases with passwords.

Can I extend NocoDB with custom integrations?

Yes, you can develop custom apps or use the REST API and SDK to build integrations beyond the built‑in App Store.

Project at a glance

Active
Visit siteView repo
Stars
61,598
Watchers
61,598
Forks
4,588
Repo age8 years old
Last commit14 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript

Last synced 13 hours ago