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Stackby costs $15/mo.
These cost $0.

10 free alternatives to Stackby, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.

⚡ Quick Verdict · 2027 Guide

The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Stackby is Baserow (MIT Open Source). Across this category, 8 self-hostable tools are available (including Baserow and NocoDB). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $900/year compared to Stackby's $15/mo subscription.

The catch: Baserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.

See the 10 picks ↓

Stackby vs Free Alternatives

Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $15/mo

Alternative	Type	License	Where It Runs	Stars	Head-to-Head
Baserow	open source	MIT	Self-host	★ 6.3k	Stackby vs Baserow →
NocoDB	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 65.4k	Stackby vs NocoDB →
NocoBase	open source	NocoBase Community	Self-host	★ 24.9k	Stackby vs NocoBase →
Teable	open source	AGPL-3.0	Self-host	★ 22k	Stackby vs Teable →
AITable	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 15.7k	Stackby vs AITable →
Grist	open source	Apache-2.0	Self-host	★ 12.1k	Stackby vs Grist →
Mathesar	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 5.2k	Stackby vs Mathesar →
Rowy	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 6.8k	Stackby vs Rowy →
undb	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 3k	Stackby vs undb →
Busabase	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 725	Stackby vs Busabase →

The picks

10 open source · ranked by fit

01
Baserow
open sourceMITSelf-host
6.3knov 2026
Open-source platform for building databases, internal apps, and automated workflows without writing code. Available on cloud or self-hosted.
The catch vs Stackby
Baserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Hosted signup, or Docker/Docker Compose for self-hosting
setup
Self-hosting requires Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and public-URL/TLS configuration
your data
Cloud workspaces live in Baserow Cloud; self-hosted records live in PostgreSQL and uploaded files in the mounted Baserow data volume; CSV export is available
checked
2026-11-07
Visit baserow.io ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 3 other apps →
02
NocoDB
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
65.4knov 2026
Convert any database into a no-code platform with spreadsheet interface. Connect PostgreSQL/MySQL or use hosted database. Scale to millions of rows effortlessly.
The catch vs Stackby
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stackby.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/nocodb/nocodb or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit nocodb.com ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 1 other app →
03
NocoBase
open sourceNocoBase CommunitySelf-host
24.9knov 2026
Open-source no-code platform for creating tailored business applications quickly, with full customization and easy deployment options.
The catch vs Stackby
It is a self-hosted database web-app platform rather than a turnkey offline mobile app builder, making mobile field work the largest loss.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
NocoBase CLI or Docker deployment with MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL
setup
Requires a database, secrets, and deployment administration; the community license also preserves NocoBase branding and restricts some uses
engines
Built-in AI employees can connect to common LLMs; exact provider support depends on installed AI plugins
your data
Business data lives in standard relational tables in the configured MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL database; files use configured local or object storage
checked
2026-11-07
Visit nocobase.com ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 12 other apps →
04
Teable
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host
22knov 2026
Open-source platform combining powerful database capabilities with a user-friendly spreadsheet interface for efficient data management and collaboration.
The catch vs Stackby
Teable is an Airtable-like database rather than a project execution suite, so dependencies, portfolio reporting, and resource management are substantially weaker.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Hosted signup, or Docker Compose/Kubernetes for self-hosting
setup
Self-hosting needs Docker, at least 4 GB RAM, PostgreSQL, secrets, storage, and a public URL; the full AI/App Builder stack is materially heavier than the standalone deployment
engines
AI features can use a configured model provider or self-hosted compatible service; standalone community deployment omits AI and App Builder
your data
Cloud records live in Teable Cloud; self-hosted records live in PostgreSQL, with attachments in local, MinIO, S3, or Aliyun object storage; bases export as .tea backups and tables as CSV
checked
2026-11-07
Visit teable.io ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 4 other apps →
05
AITable
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
15.7knov 2026
AITable.ai offers a visual database platform that simplifies workflow automation and connects to over 6,000 apps through integrations like Zapier and Make.
The catch vs Stackby
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/apitable/apitable or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit aitable.ai ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 1 other app →
06
Grist
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host
12.1knov 2026
A versatile data management platform combining spreadsheet simplicity with relational database capabilities for efficient data organization and analysis.
The catch vs Stackby
Self-hosting preserves the product but gives up the paid hosted service's managed upgrades, backups, secure sharing, support, and operational reliability.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Hosted signup, desktop app, or Docker container for self-hosting
setup
None for hosted or desktop use; shared self-hosting requires Docker, authentication, backups, a public URL, and safe Python-formula sandboxing
your data
Each document is a .grist SQLite database containing table data, attachments, document metadata, and recent history; CSV/Excel exports are also available
checked
2026-11-07
Visit getgrist.com ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 6 other apps →
07
Mathesar
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
5.2knov 2026
A self-hosted tool that provides an intuitive, spreadsheet-style interface for viewing, editing, and querying PostgreSQL databases without technical expertise.
The catch vs Stackby
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stackby.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/mathesar-foundation/mathesar or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit mathesar.org ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 1 other app →
08
Rowy
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
6.8knov 2026
A low-code platform for creating robust backends, complete with a spreadsheet UI for easy data management and custom functions.
The catch vs Stackby
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/buildship-ai/rowy or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit rowy.io ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →
09
undb
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
3knov 2026
Build and manage custom databases with ease, create type-safe APIs, and develop applications quickly
The catch vs Stackby
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stackby.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/undb-io/undb or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit undb.io ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →also replaces 2 other apps →
10
Busabase
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
725nov 2026
Busabase gives AI agents a shared database, knowledge base, and skills registry where every proposed change goes through human review before becoming canonical data.
The catch vs Stackby
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stackby.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/busabase/busabase or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit busabase.com ↗Source Compare vs Stackby →

Stackby Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)

Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 10 free alternatives

Stackby vs BaserowMIT · Self-host →

Stackby vs NocoDBOpen Source · Self-host →

Stackby vs NocoBaseNocoBase Community · Self-host →

Stackby vs TeableAGPL-3.0 · Self-host →

Stackby vs AITableOpen Source · Local →

Stackby vs GristApache-2.0 · Self-host →

Stackby vs MathesarOpen Source · Self-host →

Stackby vs RowyOpen Source · Local →

Stackby vs undbOpen Source · Self-host →

Stackby vs BusabaseOpen Source · Self-host →

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers · Stackby open-source replacements

What is the best free alternative to Stackby?+

The top free alternative to Stackby is Baserow (open source, MIT). Open-source platform for building databases, internal apps, and automated workflows without writing code. Available on cloud or self-hosted. Other popular Stackby replacements include NocoDB, NocoBase, Teable.

Can I self-host a free replacement for Stackby?+

Yes. Of the 10 free alternatives to Stackby, 8 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Baserow (MIT), NocoDB (Open Source), NocoBase (NocoBase Community), Teable (AGPL-3.0), Grist (Apache-2.0), Mathesar (Open Source), undb (Open Source), Busabase (Open Source).

How much does switching from Stackby to a free alternative save?+

Stackby starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Baserow saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.

Should I vibe-code or build my own Stackby clone from scratch?+

Our build verdict for Stackby is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Stackby or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 10 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Baserow.

What is the catch when switching from Stackby to Baserow?+

Baserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.