Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Airtable

NocoDB is an open-source no-code platform that sits on top of existing relational databases and exposes them through a spreadsheet-like UI. It helps teams collaborate on data, build lightweight apps (grids, forms, kanban), and integrate workflows without replacing their underlying database.

Key Features

• Connects to existing SQL databases and works as an overlay (keeps data in your DB)
• Spreadsheet-like grid with sorting, filtering, grouping, and rich field types
• Multiple views: grid, form, kanban, calendar, and gallery (depending on configuration)
• Form builder for data entry and sharing
• Built-in REST APIs for tables and views; supports API tokens
• Automations and integrations (e.g., webhooks) for workflow triggers
• Collaboration features: roles/permissions, shared views, and team workspaces
• Import/export and data sync helpers for onboarding existing datasets

Use Cases

• Replace Airtable-style bases while keeping Postgres/MySQL as the source of truth
• Create internal tools (tracking, CRM-lite, inventory, ops dashboards) over existing tables
• Build forms and lightweight workflows for teams to enter and review structured data

NocoDB is a strong fit when you want an Airtable-like experience without moving data out of your relational database, while still retaining database control and programmability through APIs and integrations.

Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform for building internal tools such as admin panels, CRUD apps, dashboards, and workflow apps. It provides a browser-based editor to compose UIs, connect to data sources, and write logic with JavaScript, then deploy apps with access controls.

Key Features

• Visual app builder with drag-and-drop widgets (tables, forms, charts, modals, tabs) and theming
• Connectors for databases and services plus REST/GraphQL APIs; query editor with parameters and environment configuration
• JavaScript logic for actions, data transformations, and client-side state (bindings between widgets and queries)
• Reusable modules/components and templates to accelerate common internal-tool patterns
• Authentication and authorization options, including role-based access control (RBAC) and SSO integrations
• Git-based version control and CI-friendly workflows for app promotion across environments
• Auditability features such as activity/audit logs (plan-dependent) and granular permissions
• Deployment via Docker and Kubernetes with support for external database and object storage configurations

Use Cases

• Build admin consoles for operational workflows (users, orders, inventory) backed by SQL/NoSQL
• Create internal dashboards and reporting apps that combine multiple data sources
• Rapidly ship support/ops tooling (approval flows, customer lookup, incident utilities)

Limitations and Considerations

• Advanced enterprise features (some SSO options, audit/advanced governance) may be plan-dependent
• Complex UI/UX beyond provided widgets may require custom code or embedding external components

Appsmith fits teams that want a developer-friendly low-code builder while keeping full control over deployment and data access. It is commonly used to replace spreadsheet-driven operations with governed, repeatable internal applications.

Monica is a personal CRM (PRM) designed to help you keep track of the people in your life—family, friends, clients, or colleagues—by storing contact details and the history of your interactions. It focuses on relationship context: notes, activities, reminders, and life events, so you can follow up thoughtfully and consistently.

Key Features

• Contact profiles with structured fields (contact info, relationships, important dates)
• Interaction/activity logging to record meetings, calls, messages, and notes
• Reminders for follow-ups and key dates (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries)
• Relationship management (link people together and track how they are connected)
• Tagging and searching to organize contacts and quickly retrieve context
• Multi-user support for shared instances (useful for teams/households)
• Import/export capabilities (for migrating contact data)

Use Cases

• Maintain a personal address book with rich context and interaction history
• Track client/stakeholder relationships and follow-ups outside of a sales CRM
• Keep family/household knowledge (important dates, preferences, and notes)

Limitations and Considerations

• Oriented to relationship tracking rather than sales pipelines/forecasting typical of full sales CRMs

Monica is well suited for anyone who wants a lightweight, structured way to remember details, log interactions, and set reminders around relationships. It fills the gap between simple contact lists and heavy sales-focused CRM platforms by emphasizing personal context and continuity.

Grist is a spreadsheet-like database for building and sharing structured data apps. It combines familiar spreadsheet editing with relational tables, Python-style formulas, and multiple views (grids, charts, forms) to support lightweight workflows without writing a full application.

Key Features

• Spreadsheet UX backed by a relational data model (multiple tables with references)
• Python-like formulas for computed columns and data transformations
• Multiple views of the same data (tables, charts, and forms for data entry)
• Fine-grained access control (document/table/column-level permissions)
• Import/export for common formats (e.g., Excel/CSV) and data portability
• Audit/history features (change tracking and document revisions)
• Extensible “widgets”/custom views and an API for integrations and automation

Use Cases

• Replace Airtable-style team bases for ops tracking, inventories, and request intake
• Build internal tools (CRUD-style apps) from tables + forms + permission rules
• Maintain relational datasets (customers/projects) with computed fields and reports

Limitations and Considerations

• Complex, highly interactive apps may outgrow the spreadsheet-centric UI and require a dedicated app framework.

Grist is well-suited to teams that want the speed and approachability of spreadsheets with the structure and governance of a database. It works particularly well for operational data, lightweight internal tools, and collaboration where permissions and relational modeling matter.

CryptPad is a privacy-first collaborative workspace for creating and editing documents online with end-to-end encryption. It provides a browser-based suite of office-style apps plus encrypted file storage, designed so the server cannot read your content.

Key Features

• End-to-end encrypted collaboration where document contents are encrypted in the browser
• Real-time co-editing with share links and granular sharing options (e.g., view/edit)
• Multiple app types: rich text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, kanban boards, code/markdown, whiteboard, forms, and polls
• Encrypted Drive for organizing files and documents (folders, uploads, and shared content)
• Optional accounts; supports sharing without requiring recipients to sign up
• Version history and change tracking features (vary by app)
• Team/shared spaces for organizing collaborative work
• Import/export options for common formats (varies by app)

Use Cases

• Collaborative writing and internal documentation for privacy-sensitive teams
• Collecting responses using encrypted forms/polls without exposing content to the server
• Secure project coordination using kanban/notes with share-by-link access

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature parity with mainstream office suites varies by app (advanced formatting and compatibility can be limited)
• Search/indexing of content is constrained by the encryption model

CryptPad is a strong fit for organizations and communities that want practical online collaboration while minimizing trust in the hosting server. It combines a broad set of document tools with encrypted storage and link-based sharing for flexible collaboration workflows.

InvenTree is a web-based inventory management system focused on parts, assemblies, and manufacturing workflows. It helps teams track component data, stock levels and locations, BOMs, suppliers, purchasing, and production builds with traceability.

Key Features

• Parts catalog with parameters/metadata, internal part numbering, attachments, and revision history
• Stock management with locations, status, allocations, and stock tracking per part
• Bill of Materials (BOM) management for assemblies, including sub-assemblies and BOM validation
• Manufacturing/build workflows with build orders, consumption of stock, and output tracking
• Purchasing and supplier management (supplier parts, pricing breaks, manufacturer part info)
• Sales/orders support for allocating stock to customer orders (where configured)
• Barcode/label workflows (scan to find/move/consume stock; label generation)
• REST API and integrations (e.g., external tools, ERP/light automation, scripting)
• Role-based access control, multi-user operation, and audit/traceability features

Use Cases

• Electronics/mechanical labs tracking parts, reels/bins, and BOMs for prototypes
• Small manufacturers managing builds, stock consumption, and component traceability
• Makerspaces tracking shared inventory, locations, and reorder processes

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature depth is geared toward inventory/manufacturing; full ERP modules (finance/payroll) are out of scope
• Some advanced workflows may require configuration, plugins, or custom integration via the API

InvenTree is well-suited for organizations that need accurate parts data, stock control, and BOM-driven production processes. Its web UI plus API and barcode-centric workflows make it practical for both day-to-day inventory operations and lightweight manufacturing execution.

Mathesar is an open source web application that turns a PostgreSQL database into an approachable, spreadsheet-like workspace for non-technical and technical users. It focuses on easy data entry, exploration, and sharing while keeping PostgreSQL as the source of truth.

Key Features

• Connects directly to PostgreSQL and works on existing schemas (no proprietary storage layer)
• Spreadsheet-style table browsing and editing with typed columns and validation
• Create and manage tables, columns, and relationships from the UI
• Filter, sort, group, and build saved “explorations” (query-like views) without writing SQL
• Rich data types support (e.g., numbers, text, dates/times, booleans; behavior depends on PostgreSQL types)
• Shareable/savable views for common reporting and operational workflows
• Role-based access control aligned to database permissions (designed to respect Postgres roles)

Use Cases

• Replace spreadsheets for teams that need multi-user editing backed by PostgreSQL
• Provide a friendly UI for business users to view and maintain operational data
• Quickly explore unfamiliar PostgreSQL databases (tables, relationships, and subsets)

Limitations and Considerations

• PostgreSQL-only (not intended as a generic multi-database GUI)
• Feature coverage depends on underlying PostgreSQL schema/types; advanced DB features may still require SQL/admin tools

Mathesar is best suited for organizations that want spreadsheet-like usability while keeping data in PostgreSQL. It bridges the gap between raw database tools and end-user-friendly data workflows, improving accessibility without replacing the database.

Baserow is an open-source, web-based no-code database for creating and collaborating on structured data. It provides spreadsheet-like tables with multiple views, supports building data entry forms, and exposes your data through APIs for integrations and lightweight internal tools.

Key Features

• Airtable-style databases with workspaces, databases, tables, and field types
• Multiple views (e.g., grid and kanban) to organize and visualize records
• Form view for collecting data via shareable forms
• Role-based access and collaboration features for teams
• REST API and webhook support for integrations and automation
• Import/export capabilities (commonly including CSV) for data migration
• Extensible architecture designed for plugins/enterprise add-ons and scaling

Use Cases

• Build internal tools (inventory, CRM-lite, operations trackers) without custom code
• Replace spreadsheets with structured, permissioned team databases
• Collect and manage submissions (intake requests, surveys, applications) via forms

Limitations and Considerations

• Advanced analytics/dashboarding and complex relational reporting are more limited than dedicated BI tools
• Feature completeness can vary by view type and edition (community vs. paid offerings)

Baserow is a strong choice for teams that want an Airtable-like experience with control over deployment and data. Its combination of no-code UI, collaboration, and APIs makes it suitable for operational databases, simple apps, and integration-driven workflows.

Manifest is an open-source backend tool that generates an admin application and an API on top of your existing database. It focuses on speeding up internal tools and CRUD backends by introspecting your schema and exposing resources with sensible defaults.

Key Features

• Database introspection to automatically generate resources, fields, and relations
• Admin web UI for CRUD operations (create, edit, list, delete) over your data
• API layer generated from the same model (commonly used for internal apps and integrations)
• Authentication and role-based access control to restrict admin/API access
• Configuration-driven customization (adjust resources, fields, permissions, and UI behavior)
• Support for common relational database patterns (tables, relations/foreign keys)

Use Cases

• Build internal admin panels for operational teams (support, ops, content)
• Rapidly expose CRUD APIs for services or integrations from an existing database
• Prototype back-office tooling for early-stage products without writing a custom admin

Limitations and Considerations

• Best suited for CRUD-style workflows; highly bespoke UIs may require custom development
• Feature set and supported databases depend on the project’s current adapters and maturity

Manifest is useful when you already have a database and want a practical admin interface plus an API quickly, while still keeping the option to customize behavior via configuration. It can reduce time spent building repetitive admin CRUD screens and basic access control from scratch.

OpnForm is an open-source web application for building and sharing online forms, collecting submissions, and managing responses. It aims to provide a modern alternative to hosted form tools with a clean builder, theming, and integrations.

Key Features

• Form builder with multiple field types and configurable form settings
• Shareable form pages and embeddable forms for websites
• Custom domains and branding options for published forms
• Spam protection features (e.g., CAPTCHA/anti-bot options depending on setup)
• File uploads on form submissions (storage depends on deployment configuration)
• Submission management with export options (e.g., CSV) and basic analytics
• Email notifications and webhook-based integrations for automations
• Team/workspace features and access control (plan/edition dependent)

Use Cases

• Collect leads and contact requests on a marketing or company website
• Run surveys, registrations, and internal data collection workflows
• Replace hosted form products while keeping data under your control

Limitations and Considerations

• Some features and collaboration capabilities may differ by edition/plan and deployment configuration.
• Advanced reporting and deep workflow automation may require external tools via webhooks/integrations.

OpnForm is a strong fit for individuals and teams that need a polished, customizable forms product with common integrations and ownership of form data. It provides core form-building and response-handling features while remaining extensible through webhooks and configuration.

Saltcorn is a no/low-code platform for building database-backed web applications. It provides a UI to define tables and relationships, generate forms and views, and add logic (workflows) and access control—aimed at quickly delivering internal tools and custom business apps.

Key Features

• Data modeling for tables, fields, and relationships with a built-in admin UI
• Auto-generated CRUD apps: forms, list views, detail pages, and dashboards
• Multiple view types (e.g., tables, cards, calendars, maps, charts) via core and plugin views
• Role-based access control (RBAC) and user authentication for securing pages and data
• Workflow/automation actions triggered by events (e.g., form submits) to implement business logic
• Plugin architecture for extending field types, views, authentication, and integrations
• SQL database support with a focus on PostgreSQL; can connect to existing schemas
• Import/export utilities and configurable page routing/navigation

Use Cases

• Build internal admin tools (inventory, CRM-lite, request/approval apps) on an existing database
• Rapidly prototype and deploy custom data collection apps with forms and dashboards
• Create lightweight portals with authenticated access to records and reports

Limitations and Considerations

• Advanced UI customization may require writing templates/plugins rather than only point-and-click configuration
• Feature depth depends on available plugins; some enterprise features (e.g., complex BI) may require external tools

Saltcorn is a good fit when you want Airtable/Retool-style speed while keeping data in your own SQL database and retaining the option to extend functionality in code. Its plugin system and RBAC make it practical for real-world internal applications beyond simple CRUD prototypes.

Koillection is a web-based collection manager for cataloging and organizing items you own or track (e.g., books, movies, games, coins, LEGO, wine, etc.). It focuses on flexible data modeling (custom fields per collection), media attachments, and fast filtering/search so you can maintain a personal inventory and optionally share parts of it.

Key Features

• Create multiple collections and define custom fields/attributes per collection
• Item management with images and file attachments
• Tagging, categories, and advanced filtering for browsing large catalogs
• Full-text search across items and metadata
• Import/export capabilities to move data in/out of the system
• Multi-user support with authentication and access controls
• Public sharing/pages for showcasing selected collections

Use Cases

• Maintain a personal home inventory for insurance and asset tracking
• Catalog hobby collections (trading cards, vinyl, games, books) with photos and metadata
• Publish a read-only showcase of a curated collection

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature depth varies by collection type; specialized domain features may require custom fields rather than dedicated workflows.

Koillection suits individuals or small groups who want a flexible, general-purpose catalog for many item types. Its strengths are customizable schemas and strong organization/search features for growing collections.

Docassemble is an open-source platform for building web-based “guided interviews” that ask users questions, apply rules/logic, and produce documents and outputs. It is widely used for legal aid and court forms, but can support any data-collection workflow that benefits from branching logic and document assembly.

Key Features

• Author interviews in YAML with Python code/hooks for complex logic and integrations
• Powerful branching logic (conditional questions, loops, validations, computations)
• Document generation using templates (e.g., DOCX) with automatic assembly from collected answers
• Web UI for running interviews, reviewing answers, and downloading generated documents
• Multi-user deployment with authentication options and role-based administration
• Package system for distributing/reusing interviews and components
• Background task processing for long-running jobs and integrations
• Internationalization support for multilingual interviews

Use Cases

• Court/self-help portals that guide users through forms and produce filings
• Legal aid intake and triage with eligibility logic and document outputs
• Any compliance or administrative workflow that requires structured Q&A and generated PDFs/DOCX

Limitations and Considerations

• Building non-trivial interviews typically requires comfort with YAML plus Python and templating
• Production deployments may require tuning multiple services (app, workers, database) for scale

Docassemble fits teams that need repeatable, logic-driven questionnaires and automated document assembly with full control over hosting and customization. Its interview/package model makes it practical to iterate on complex workflows and share reusable components across projects.