Baserow is an open-source, no-code platform designed for teams and developers who need to build custom databases, internal tools, dashboards, and automated workflows without writing code. Built on Django, Vue.js, and PostgreSQL, it combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with the power of relational databases. Unlike proprietary tools like Airtable, Baserow gives users full data ownership and control through self-hosted deployment options while maintaining enterprise-grade compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II standards. With its API-first architecture and plugin system, Baserow is ideal for organizations that require data sovereignty, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure.
The platform includes an AI assistant named Kuma that enables users to create databases and automations using natural language, lowering the barrier for non-technical team members. Whether you’re building a project tracker, customer portal, or inventory system, Baserow provides a visual interface for structuring data, designing forms, creating kanban boards, and publishing applications to custom domains—all without code.
What You Get
- Spreadsheet-like database with relational power - Create and manage tables with fields like text, number, date, file uploads, and linked records—similar to Airtable but fully self-hostable and extensible.
- AI-powered database creation with Kuma - Use natural language prompts to generate tables, fields, and views; the AI assistant helps automate data structure setup without manual configuration.
- Application and portal builder - Design and publish custom web applications with forms, views, and pages that can be hosted on your own domain without needing a frontend developer.
- Automations engine - Trigger actions like email notifications, record updates, or API calls based on events such as new row creation or field changes—no code required.
- Visual dashboards - Build real-time data visualizations using charts, graphs, and summary cards to monitor KPIs or operational metrics directly from your database.
- Self-hosted deployment with Docker, Helm, and more - Deploy Baserow on your own infrastructure using Docker, Docker Compose, Helm, or cloud platforms like AWS, DigitalOcean, and Render with full data control.
- Headless API and OpenAPI schema - Access all database functionality via a RESTful API with comprehensive documentation at https://api.baserow.io/api/redoc/, enabling integration with external systems.
- Plugin system for extensibility - Extend Baserow with custom fields, views, applications, or endpoints using the official plugin boilerplate and documented API.
- GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II compliance - Enterprise-grade security controls ensure data privacy and regulatory adherence for sensitive industries like healthcare and finance.
Common Use Cases
- Building a multi-tenant SaaS dashboard with custom data models - Use Baserow to create separate database instances for each client, publish branded portals, and automate data syncs—all without code.
- Creating a mobile-first e-commerce inventory system with 10k+ SKUs - Model products, suppliers, and stock levels in Baserow tables, connect to external APIs for pricing updates, and generate real-time dashboards for warehouse teams.
- Problem: Manual data entry from PDFs → Solution: Automate with Kuma and forms - Upload scanned invoices, use AI to extract fields into structured records, trigger email alerts to accounting teams when thresholds are exceeded.
- DevOps teams managing internal tooling across cloud providers - Self-host Baserow on AWS or DigitalOcean to build and share custom monitoring dashboards, incident tracking systems, and vendor management portals with team-wide access.
Under The Hood
Baserow is a no-code database platform built on Python and Django, offering a flexible and extensible solution for managing data through a web-based interface. It combines a robust backend with a modern frontend to enable users to build and customize database applications without writing code.
Architecture
Baserow follows a monolithic architecture with clear module separation and layered design principles.
- The backend is organized into Django apps, with distinct layers for API, admin, and domain logic
- Middleware patterns are extensively used to handle cross-cutting concerns like authentication and rate limiting
- Design patterns such as singleton and strategy are applied in task handling and throttling implementations
- Component interactions are managed through well-defined APIs, admin interfaces, and extensible plugin-like structures
Tech Stack
Baserow leverages a modern tech stack built around Python and Django for the backend, with Vue.js powering its frontend.
- The core is built in Python using Django as the primary backend framework, supported by djangorestframework and Celery
- Frontend is developed with Vue.js and TypeScript, ensuring type safety and component reusability
- Development and deployment tooling includes Ruff for linting, Hatch for building, Uv for dependency management, and Docker for containerization
- Testing is conducted using pytest with Playwright for end-to-end automation, and tools like Faker and freezegun for test isolation
Code Quality
Baserow maintains a high level of code quality with strong testing practices and consistent error handling.
- Comprehensive test coverage is achieved through pytest, Playwright, and various mocking utilities
- Error handling is consistently implemented across modules with structured exception management
- Code organization and naming conventions promote clarity and maintainability in the codebase
- While the codebase is well-structured, some technical debt remains in test suite design and fixture usage
What Makes It Unique
Baserow stands out in the no-code space by combining deep extensibility with a modular, user-friendly interface.
- Its modular architecture allows for extensive customization and plugin-like functionality through well-defined extension points
- The platform supports a wide variety of database operations and integrations, making it highly adaptable to different use cases
- Strong emphasis on API-first design enables third-party developers to extend functionality with minimal friction
- The integration of modern frontend technologies with a powerful backend creates a seamless and scalable user experience