Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Rows · 🗄️ databases
Rows vs Stackby Free
Rows with tables instead of theatre: two live API columns, manual refresh, and 100 automations a month. Here is how Stackby Free ($0/mo free) stacks up against Rows ($8/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Rows vs Stackby Free Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Rows (Paid) | Stackby Free (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $8 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $96 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $96) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $480 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $480) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $960 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $960) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free proprietary, free |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Hosted (their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | mobilewebthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from Rows to Stackby Free
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Stackby is a database table with connected columns rather than a full spreadsheet, so cell-level formulas, analysis, and flexible connected calculations are weaker.
How to deploy Stackby Free
Hosted signup
Where your data lives
Stacks and attachments live in Stackby cloud; individual tables/views export to CSV and complete stacks can export to Excel
Why fork Stackby Free instead of vibe-coding a Rows clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Rows, build connected spreadsheets with a limited set of API-powered cells. The hard boundary is integration catalog, formulas, ai, collaboration, and hosted computation, plus data model flexibility, collaboration, and integrations.
Rows vs Stackby Free FAQ
Is Stackby Free a good free alternative to Rows?+
Yes. Stackby Free is a verified free replacement for Rows. Rows with tables instead of theatre: two live API columns, manual refresh, and 100 automations a month.
What is the catch when switching from Rows to Stackby Free?+
Stackby is a database table with connected columns rather than a full spreadsheet, so cell-level formulas, analysis, and flexible connected calculations are weaker.
How much do you save switching from Rows to Stackby Free?+
Rows costs $8/mo ($96/yr) per seat, whereas Stackby Free is $0/mo. Switching saves $96/yr for a solo user, $480/yr for a 5-person team, and $960/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Stackby Free instead of Rows?+
Install: Hosted signup.
