Take control of your data: Choosing between Cloud and Self-hosted deployments

When building databases and managing operations, deciding where your data lives is just as critical as how you use it. For teams migrating from tools like Airtable, Smartsheet, or Monday.com, gaining strict control over data residency and infrastructure is often a primary motivation.

Baserow gives you complete flexibility in how you deploy and run your platform. Whether you want a fully managed SaaS experience or require total ownership over your server environment, you have options. Here is how to decide between Baserow Cloud and a Self-hosted deployment.

Choosing your database infrastructure: Baserow Cloud vs. Self-hosted

Both deployment options give you access to the same core, powerful features to build your database, but they cater to very different IT and compliance needs.

Baserow Cloud: Fully managed, instant database setup

Baserow Cloud is the fastest way to get your team up and running. It functions similarly to standard SaaS platforms; you sign up, create a workspace, and start building immediately.

With the Cloud deployment, all infrastructure, security patches, backups, and platform updates are entirely managed by the Baserow team. It boasts 99.9% uptime and enterprise-grade security standards.

Best for teams that:

• Want to start building applications immediately without technical setup.
• Do not have dedicated IT resources to manage servers and maintenance.
• Are comfortable with their data being hosted in Baserow’s secure, EU-based cloud infrastructure.

Self-hosted Baserow: Total control over data residency and compliance

For organizations handling sensitive information, standard cloud solutions often fall short of strict internal governance or regulatory compliance. Self-hosted Baserow allows you to install the platform on your own on-premise servers, a private cloud environment, or any infrastructure you completely control.

Because the core codebase is open-source (MIT-licensed), you manage your own data location, network accessibility, and scalability. You can even run Baserow in a completely offline, air-gapped environment.

Best for teams that:

• Require strict data residency to meet HIPAA, GDPR, or internal compliance frameworks.
• Need to run their databases entirely offline or within internal company networks.
• Want unlimited rows, storage, and API usage without SaaS tier limits.
• Have the technical resources to manage updates, scaling, and server backups.

Migrating your data: Moving between Cloud and Self-hosted

One of the major pain points with legacy spreadsheet and database tools is vendor lock-in. Baserow ensures you are never trapped in a deployment model that no longer fits your business.

If you start on Baserow Cloud to prototype your databases, you can easily export your workspaces and seamlessly migrate them to a Self-hosted instance later. Conversely, if your team decides they no longer want to manage their own servers, data can be exported and imported back into the Baserow Cloud environment (with the help of the support team to ensure data integrity).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Baserow Cloud and self-hosted?

Baserow Cloud is a fully managed SaaS environment where infrastructure, security, and updates are handled for you, allowing instant setup. Self-hosted Baserow requires you to install and maintain the software on your own servers, giving you 100% control over data location, compliance, and network access.

How do I know if my database is cloud or self-hosted?

Look at your browser’s URL bar. If the web address begins with baserow.io, you are using the managed Baserow Cloud. If the URL is a custom company domain or an internal IP address, you are using a self-hosted instance.

Can I migrate my data from Baserow Cloud to self-hosted?

Yes. You can export your workspace data from Baserow Cloud and import it directly into your newly configured self-hosted instance. Note that you will need to purchase a new self-hosted license if you require advanced, premium features.

Do I need a paid license to self-host Baserow?

No, the core self-hosted version of Baserow is free and open-source, offering unlimited usage and core features. You only need to purchase a paid license if you want to unlock advanced enterprise features like role-based access control (RBAC) or specific integrations.

Can I run a Baserow database completely offline?

Yes. Self-hosted Baserow supports fully air-gapped deployments. You can install and run the platform on servers with absolutely no internet access, making it highly secure for sensitive government, medical, or financial data.

Can I run direct SQL queries on my Baserow database?

If you are on Baserow Cloud, direct SQL database access is not permitted for security reasons; you must use the REST API. However, if you use the Self-hosted deployment, you have full access to the underlying PostgreSQL database and can run raw SQL queries as needed.

Learn more about Baserow deployment options.