What is Baserow? A Complete 2026 Overview

Baserow is a no-code data collaboration platform that helps teams structure data, build internal tools, create custom applications, automate workflows, and meet strict security and compliance requirements — all without writing code.

It combines the power of a relational database, the flexibility of custom apps, the efficiency of automation workflows, and the intelligence of AI-assisted building, making it a modern alternative to spreadsheets, legacy systems, and proprietary SaaS tools. With its user-friendly interface, real-time collaboration, and open-source platform architecture, Baserow reduces the learning curve and empowers both technical and non-technical team members.

Whether you’re building GRC management tools, streamlining manufacturing operations, powering student case management, supporting legal/finance processes, or tracking marketing performance, Baserow offers a vendor-lock–free platform for building scalable, secure systems.

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Baserow in 360° — How the Platform Works

Baserow is composed of four fully integrated modules:

• Database Builder — structure data, organize information, and collaborate with your team
• Application Builder — create custom apps, portals, dashboards, and management tools
• Automation Builder — automate workflows with triggers, actions, routing, and AI
• Baserow AI — build databases, forms, views, and automations in plain language

Together, these modules form an end-to-end platform for building databases and applications, suitable for enterprise environments, self-hosting, and organizations with strict governance needs.

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Database Builder: A Fast, Flexible No-Code Database

The Database Builder gives you the power of a relational database with the simplicity of a spreadsheet — making it ideal for teams migrating from Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, or legacy software. Anyone can start organizing and modeling data — even on the free plan.

Key capabilities

• Structure data in scalable relational models
• Developer-friendly, REST API for integrations
• Collaborative features for teams working in real time
• Import/export capabilities for quick onboarding
• Designed for speed, even with large datasets

30+ powerful field types

Perfect for modelling project management, compliance tracking, operations, and more:

• Text, long text
• Single/multi select
• Collaborator
• Email, phone, URL
• Duration, date, rating
• Formula & AI fields
• Lookup & link fields for relationships

These fields allow teams to build custom management tools and automate their workflows.

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Views: Work With Data the Way You Want

Baserow supports multiple views so teams can manage, analyze, and visualize data the way they need:

• Grid View — spreadsheet-style editing for structured data
• Gallery View — visual overview for assets
• Kanban View — ideal for task management and project workflows
• Form View & Survey Mode — collect data from team members or external users
• Calendar View — date and deadline management
• Timeline View — long-range planning and Gantt-like visualization

Every view supports filtering, sorting, grouping, and color coding — essential for real-time collaboration and clarity across teams.

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Collaboration: Real-Time, Structured, and Secure

Collaboration is at the core of Baserow’s design:

• Row-level comments for contextual communication
• @mentions for team collaboration
• Row history showing all changes
• Permission controls to manage team members
• Public, private, and read-only options

Teams always share a single source of truth, making Baserow an ideal project management tool and operational database.

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Application Builder: Create Custom Apps and Portals

The Application Builder allows you to turn your database into custom apps and internal tools without writing code:

• Client portals
• Reporting dashboards
• Public websites
• Internal management tools
• Admin interfaces

Core concepts

• Pages — structure your app
• Elements — visual building blocks
• Data Sources — connect pages to your tables
• Events — build logic into interactions
• Domains — publish securely on custom domains

This module allows teams to create custom-built applications without vendor lock-in.

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Automation Builder: Automate Workflows With Ease

Automations help teams eliminate repetitive tasks:

• Triggers: Start workflows when events occur (e.g., “When row is created”).
• Actions: Update records, send notifications, call APIs, run AI, or branch logic.
• Routers: Add conditional flows for complex processes.
• Workflow lifecycle: - Draft → Test Run → Published

All execution history is stored for auditing.

This makes Baserow a powerful task management and workflow automation platform.

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Baserow AI: Build Systems in Plain Language

AI is deeply integrated into the platform.

1. Kuma (AI Assistant)

Helps you:

• Build databases
• Create views, forms
• Generate formulas
• Build automations
• Suggest workflows

2. AI Field

Classify, summarize, extract, or enrich data — even from PDFs or images.

3. Formula Generator

Describe what you need; AI writes the formula.

4. MCP Server

Allows AI agents to:

• Read/write data securely
• Trigger workflows
• Operate under strict governance

5. Bring your own LLM

Choose OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure, or self-host a private model.

This is ideal for regulated industries that require AI privacy and compliance.

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Security, Governance & Compliance

Baserow is built for organizations that require strong governance controls.

Governance & controls

• Role-based permissions at the database and table level, with view-level permissions coming soon
• Audit logs
• Snapshots & backups
• Data governance tooling
• SSO support

Compliance

Supports:

• SOC 2 standards
• GDPR
• HIPAA-ready deployments
• Data residency through self-hosting

Baserow minimizes vendor lock-in and gives organizations full control over their deployment.

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Developers: Open Source, Extensible, API-First

Baserow is an open source and ideal for teams needing extensibility.

Developer capabilities

• Modular, transparent architecture
• Plugin ecosystem
• Full self-hosting
• REST API endpoints
• Real-time webhooks

This makes Baserow flexible enough for engineering teams while staying user-friendly for business users.

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Templates: Start Faster

Baserow includes 100+ templates, helping teams:

• Reduce setup time
• Learn platform best practices
• Speed up onboarding

Templates cover GRC, manufacturing, education, legal, finance, marketing, and more.

Use Cases: What Teams Build With Baserow

GRC management tools

Risk registers, controls, issue tracking, evidence logs.

Manufacturing operations

Incidents, safety, shift reports, operational workflows.

Education systems

Student case tracking, reporting tools, admin workflows.

Legal & finance

Matter tracking, document review, approval processes.

Marketing analytics

Campaign performance, UTM tracking, dashboards.

Baserow replaces spreadsheets, legacy software, and rigid SaaS tools with a flexible, open-source alternative.

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FAQ:

What is Baserow used for?

Managing data, creating custom apps, automating workflows, and building internal tools without code.

Is Baserow an Airtable alternative?

Yes — Baserow is a self-hostable, open-source alternative with stronger AI features and governance controls.

Does Baserow support AI?

Yes. Baserow includes an AI assistant, AI fields, formula generation, and MCP server support for agent workflows.

Can Baserow be self-hosted?

Yes — ideal for teams requiring compliance, security, or data residency.

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Start Building With Baserow

With its user-friendly interface, open-source flexibility, and powerful AI and automation features, Baserow gives teams everything they need to build databases, applications, and automated workflows—with full control over their data.

Try Baserow for free