Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to NocoDB Cloud · 🗄️ databases
NocoDB Cloud vs NocoDB Free
The same managed product: three editors, 1,000 records, forms, grid, kanban, gallery, webhooks, and API access. Here is how NocoDB Free ($0/mo free) stacks up against NocoDB Cloud ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
NocoDB Cloud vs NocoDB Free Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | NocoDB Cloud (Paid) | NocoDB Free (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free Sustainable Use-1.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Hosted (their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from NocoDB Cloud to NocoDB Free
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is the same cloud product, but the free workspace's record, editor, storage, and automation limits are too small for many paid NocoDB deployments.
How to deploy NocoDB Free
Hosted signup
Where your data lives
Free-plan records and attachments live in NocoDB Cloud; records can be exported through the UI/API, but external database connections are not included on the free plan
Why fork NocoDB Free instead of vibe-coding a NocoDB Cloud clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For NocoDB Cloud, use a managed spreadsheet interface over structured data. The hard boundary is managed hosting, integrations, collaboration, storage, and support, plus data model flexibility, collaboration, and integrations.
NocoDB Cloud vs NocoDB Free FAQ
Is NocoDB Free a good free alternative to NocoDB Cloud?+
Yes. NocoDB Free is a verified free replacement for NocoDB Cloud. The same managed product: three editors, 1,000 records, forms, grid, kanban, gallery, webhooks, and API access.
What is the catch when switching from NocoDB Cloud to NocoDB Free?+
It is the same cloud product, but the free workspace's record, editor, storage, and automation limits are too small for many paid NocoDB deployments.
How much do you save switching from NocoDB Cloud to NocoDB Free?+
NocoDB Cloud costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas NocoDB Free is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host NocoDB Free instead of NocoDB Cloud?+
Install: Hosted signup.