Is NocoDB a self-hosted Airtable alternative?

Yes. NocoDB gives teams an Airtable-like spreadsheet interface that can run on their own infrastructure and connect to SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and SQLite.

What license does NocoDB use?

The current GitHub README points to the Sustainable Use License, and the official self-hosting docs describe it as Fair Code Sustainable Use License. Internal self-hosting is supported, but managed hosting for third parties may require commercial licensing.

Can NocoDB connect to an existing database?

Yes. NocoDB is designed to work with existing SQL databases, so teams can create spreadsheet-style views over operational tables instead of exporting data into a proprietary hosted base.

What is the fastest way to try NocoDB?

The fastest official path is Docker with SQLite, exposed on port 8080. Teams that want a more realistic shared setup can use the PostgreSQL Docker command from the README.

When should a team choose Airtable instead?

Airtable is still a better fit when a team wants a fully hosted workspace, rich managed templates, and no responsibility for servers, databases, backups, or upgrades.

NocoDB: NocoDB is an open source Airtable alternative that turns

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NocoDB: NocoDB is an open source Airtable alternative that turns

versus alternatives

NocoDB vs alternatives#

NocoDB vs Airtable

Airtable is the easier choice for teams that want a fully hosted workspace with managed templates, hosted storage, and no database administration. NocoDB is the stronger fit when the team already owns SQL data and wants spreadsheet workflows without moving that data into a proprietary SaaS base.

Feature	NocoDB	Airtable
License	Sustainable Use License / Fair Code Sustainable Use License	Proprietary SaaS
Self-hosting	Yes	No
Data location	Your database and server	Airtable cloud
Database support	PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite	Airtable-managed base
API access	REST APIs and SDK

install · self-host

Install and self-host#

bash

```bash
docker run -d \
  --name noco \
  -v "$(pwd)"/nocodb:/usr/app/data/ \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  nocodb/nocodb:latest
```

```bash
docker run -d \
  --name noco \
  -v "$(pwd)"/nocodb:/usr/app/data/ \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  -e NC_DB="pg://host.docker.internal:5432?u=root&p=password&d=d1" \
  -e NC_AUTH_JWT_SECRET="569a1821-0a93-45e8-87ab-eb857f20a010" \
  nocodb/nocodb:latest
```

```bash
bash <(curl -sSL http://install.nocodb.com/noco.sh) <(mktemp)
```

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NocoDB

What NocoDB does#

Who NocoDB is for#

Replace Airtable for operations teams

Skip if

Give product teams a controlled workflow builder

Skip if

Expose application data to non-technical staff

What it's built on#

FAQ#

Similar open-source tools#

Totum

Skip if

Prototype internal tools on owned data

Skip if

The problem it solves#

How it solves it#

Connect existing SQL databases

Switch between workflow views

Share with role-based access controls

Automate with app-store integrations

Expose tables through APIs and SDK access

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

Trade-offs

NocoDB vs alternatives#

NocoDB vs Airtable

Install and self-host#

Orgnise

CocoIndex

Grav

GrapesJS

Tolaria