Estimated reading time: ~11 minutes
Key takeaways
- Four contenders: Baserow, Airtable, SeaTable, and ClickUp serve different needs, budgets, and compliance profiles. 🎯
- Self-hosting matters: Baserow and SeaTable enable data sovereignty and unlimited scaling on your own infra; Airtable and ClickUp are cloud-only.
- Pricing diverges: Airtable’s polished ecosystem comes at a premium; SeaTable offers EU-friendly value; Baserow shines for cost-conscious technical teams; ClickUp is the all-in-one work hub.
- Feature depth vs. breadth: Airtable leads in integrations/automation; Baserow emphasizes open-source extensibility; SeaTable pairs scale with GDPR; ClickUp prioritizes project ops.
- Pick by use case: Choose based on compliance, team skills, data size, and total cost of ownership—not hype.
Table of contents
Introduction
Excel and Google Sheets have dominated data manipulation for decades.
But a new wave of Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) tools blends spreadsheet familiarity with true database power—relational structure, automation, and no-code app building.
Systems as CRM, PIM, DAM, can be easily and quickly built on using these platforms (read my post about building an online product catalog in 48 hours using AirTable).
This post compares four notable platforms: Baserow (Netherlands), Airtable (United States), SeaTable (Germany/China JV), and ClickUp (United States).
Pricing
Baserow offers cloud and self-hosted options. The Free tier supports unlimited databases with 3,000 rows and 2GB per workspace. Paid tiers start at $10/user/month (Premium) and $20/user/month (Advanced), with self-hosted tiers removing row/storage/history limits.
Airtable raised prices in recent years. Free: 1,000 records/base, 1GB storage, up to 5 editors. Team: $20/user/month (annual), 50,000 records & 20GB/base. Business: $45/user/month, 125,000 records & 100GB/base. Enterprise Scale: custom pricing and 500,000+ records; AI credits included on paid plans.
SeaTable targets EU value: Free with 10,000 rows and 2GB. Plus: €7/user/month with 50,000 rows & 50GB. Enterprise: €14/user/month with 100GB and automations; self-hosted Enterprise with custom pricing and unlimited usage; strong GDPR emphasis.
ClickUp this platform is a project hub, comparable to Notion, but it also offers straightforward database-style views as the other tools in this post. Free Forever (unlimited users/tasks; 100MB storage). Unlimited: $7/user/month; Business: $12/user/month; Enterprise: custom. Optional AI (ClickUp Brain) is +$7/user/month.
Hosting Options
Baserow provides true flexibility: cloud-hosted or fully self-hosted (open-source MIT). Cloud instances in Germany/Amsterdam for GDPR-aligned residency—ideal for strict data sovereignty.
Airtable is cloud-only (primarily US-hosted on AWS). Enterprise Scale can request EU residency (Frankfurt). Benefits: consistent features/updates; trade-off: no on-prem control.
SeaTable supports cloud and self-hosting. Cloud runs on Swiss provider Exoscale’s German data centers (since 2021). Self-hosting via Docker on Linux grants full control—attractive for regulated industries.
ClickUp is SaaS-only with global data centers (US, Ireland, Australia). It prioritizes accessibility and a uniform experience over data-sovereignty customization.
Main Features
Baserow delivers core database power: unlimited databases, multiple views (grid, gallery, kanban, calendar), 25+ field types, row-level permissions, no-code Application Builder, REST API coverage, forms, conditional fields, and growing automations—especially performant when self-hosted.
Airtable offers an extensive feature set: diverse views, Interface Designer, robust automations (up to 100k runs/month on Business), advanced sync, powerful formulas, and deep integrations. Recent foc us adds generative AI for content and analysis.
SeaTable emphasizes scale and EU compliance: 50,000+ rows on paid plans, many views (calendar, timeline, kanban, statistics), 100+ plugins, Python scripting, SQL queries, and integrations with n8n/Make/Zapier.
ClickUp approaches from project management: tasks, time tracking, goals, mind maps, whiteboards, chat, table view with relational fields, automations, docs, and reporting. It’s a unified workspace rather than a pure DBaaS.
Flexibility (Integration Options)
Baserow is API-first: full REST coverage, webhooks, and open-source extensibility. Fewer native integrations but strong connections via Zapier, n8n, and Make. Great for dev teams who like to tinker.
Airtable leads with hundreds of native integrations (Slack, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Microsoft 365, etc.). The automation platform and webhooks enable sophisticated workflows, though the closed ecosystem limits deep customization.
SeaTable balances native connectors with automation-platform compatibility, plus REST API and Python scripting. Self-hosted deployments are highly customizable; marketplace breadth is smaller but growing.
ClickUp offers 1,000+ integrations (GitHub/GitLab, Slack/Teams, Google Drive/Dropbox). Public API supports custom builds; embedded views pull external data into ClickUp spaces. Advanced integration depth often sits behind higher tiers.
Conclusion
Baserow excels when data sovereignty, self-hosting, and open-source flexibility are must-haves—especially for technical teams optimizing costs and control.
Airtable remains the polished, ecosystem-rich leader for collaboration and automation—but expect higher per-seat costs and cloud-only deployment.
SeaTable is a compelling EU-centric option, pairing generous scale with GDPR-aligned hosting and self-hosting flexibility—though some may scrutinize the China-Germany JV structure.
ClickUp is best when you want an all-in-one work hub with light database features; for deep relational data or massive datasets, the pure DBaaS tools fit better.
Summary Table
| Feature / Category | Baserow | Airtable | SeaTable | ClickUp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands | United States | Germany | United States |
| Row / Table Scale & Limits | Unlimited self-hosted; 3,000 rows/workspace (free cloud) | Scales to millions (Enterprise) | Unlimited self-hosted; “Big Data Backend” for large datasets | Task-oriented; practical view ≈ 5,000 tasks |
| Views & Interface | Grid, gallery, kanban, calendar, form, survey | Grid, gallery, kanban, timeline, calendar; interface builder | Spreadsheet-style, 20+ column types, kanban, calendar | Table, list, board, Gantt, timeline, mind map |
| Scripting / Automation / API | REST, webhooks, open-source plugins; n8n/Make | REST, scripting blocks, automation builder, AI assists | REST, JavaScript & Python, automation plugins | Custom fields, automations, REST; less deep DB logic |
| Integration & Ecosystem | Zapier, n8n, Make; open extensibility | Large marketplace (Slack, Google Drive, etc.) | API + plugins; on-prem integrations | Workflow tool integrations (Slack, Google Workspace, GitHub, ...) |
| Self-Hosting / On-Prem | ✅ Yes – open-source Docker | ❌ No – cloud only | ✅ Yes – cloud or self-host | ❌ No – SaaS only |
| AI Features Included | ❌ None (extend via plugins) | ✅ Airtable AI (gen-AI, classification, formulas) | ⚙️ Limited; connect via API | ✅ ClickUp AI (add-on) |
| Pricing (annual) | Free; Premium $10 / Advanced $20 pp/mo | Free; Team $20 / Business $45 pp/mo | Free; Plus €7 / Enterprise €14 pp/mo | Free; Unlimited $7 / Business $12 pp/mo |
| Strengths | Open-source, cost control, self-host | Polished UI, strong automation & ecosystem | EU compliance, scale, flexible hosting | Unified productivity (work, tasks, docs) |
| Best For | Dev teams needing open internal tools | Teams wanting cloud DB + automations | Orgs needing on-prem/EU residency | Work-management with DB-style views |
Book a call to learn more on how to choose between these platforms.
Watch videos of these platforms below.
Baserow
AirTable
SeaTable
ClickUp
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is DBaaS, and how is it different from a spreadsheet?
A: DBaaS platforms look familiar but are real relational databases. They enforce data types, support linked tables, scale to larger datasets, and include automation & APIs—database power without SQL admin.
Q: Can I migrate my existing data between these platforms?
A: Yes, with caveats. All support CSV import/export. Airtable and Baserow are relatively straightforward. SeaTable imports Excel/Airtable formats. ClickUp can import CSVs but complex relations may need re-builds. Expect to recreate automations, forms, and views.
Q: Which platform has the steepest learning curve?
A: Airtable and ClickUp offer the gentlest onboarding. Baserow is moderate (simple basics; technical for self-hosting). SeaTable rewards power users—Python/SQL unlock advanced capabilities.
Q: The pricing per user adds up. Any budget-friendly approaches?
A: Baserow self-hosted removes per-user fees (infra required). SeaTable’s €7 tier is generous. Very small teams may get by on free plans: Baserow (3,000 rows), Airtable (1,000 records), SeaTable (10,000 rows), ClickUp (unlimited tasks; limited storage).
Q: What if I exceed row limits?
A: Airtable blocks new records until you upgrade or prune. Baserow warns and may allow slight overages. SeaTable enforces strict limits with upgrade prompts. ClickUp limits apply to database views; task storage remains generous on free.
Q: Are the AI features worth it?
A: Depends. Airtable AI aids content generation, classification, and formulas. ClickUp Brain helps with summaries and writing across work. If you only need structured data management, AI add-ons might not justify the spend.
Q: Self-hosted vs. cloud—how to choose?
A: Choose self-hosted if you need strict data residency, unlimited scale without per-seat costs, or custom security posture—and have IT capacity. Choose cloud for convenience, zero maintenance, and rapid updates.
Q: Is my data safe, and what about GDPR?
A: All four offer standard security. For GDPR: SeaTable and Baserow provide EU-centric hosting and positioning; Airtable’s EU residency is Enterprise-only; ClickUp hosts globally. If GDPR is critical, prioritize EU hosting or self-hosting.
Q: What happens to my data if I stop paying?
A: Cloud tools typically allow export during a grace period. Always maintain regular exports. With self-hosted Baserow/SeaTable, you retain full data control regardless of subscription changes.
Q: Can these platforms replace Excel/Sheets entirely?
A: For relational data, collaboration, and automations—yes. For heavy financial modeling, pivot wizardry, or cell-level formula gymnastics—traditional spreadsheets still win.
Q: Real-world record limits before slowdown?
A: Airtable is smooth up to ~50k records/base (plan-dependent ceilings rise higher). Baserow handles 100k+ (especially self-hosted with solid resources). SeaTable explicitly supports 50k+. ClickUp’s DB views fit ~10–20k before friction.
Q: Can I build customer-facing apps?
A: Yes, within limits. Baserow’s Application Builder and Airtable’s Interface Designer support branded frontends and permissions. SeaTable allows external sharing. ClickUp is primarily internal, with guest access. True white-labeling often requires Enterprise tiers or companion tools.
Q: Do I need to code?
A: No for basics. Coding unlocks more: Baserow API customization, SeaTable Python/SQL, and complex automations. Airtable/ClickUp remain friendly to non-technical users while still offering APIs.
Q: Will these integrate with my stack?
A: Yes—breadth varies. Airtable has the richest native ecosystem; ClickUp follows for work tools. Baserow and SeaTable rely more on Zapier/Make/n8n or custom integrations via API.
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