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Baserow: An Open-Source Take on No-Code Databases

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Baserow Tech and Meet at Howest

Recently, I attended an insightful Tech and Meet session at Howest featuring a guest speaker who, interestingly enough, was a Howest alumnus from quite some time back! The focus of the evening was Baserow, an open-source tool carving its niche in the rapidly expanding world of no-code and low-code platforms.

The Rise of No-Code/Low-Code

The speaker started by setting the stage, defining no-code as software design systems primarily aimed at non-technical users, while low-code platforms aim to accelerate development for those who can code.

These tools are booming for several reasons:

  • They significantly decrease the technical skill gap, empowering more people to build applications or automate processes.
  • For technical people, they offer a way to create quick proofs-of-concepts or internal tools without extensive development time.
  • It’s a massive market, reportedly valued at $187 billion, with popular examples including WordPress, Wix, Glide, and automation tools like n8n.

However, the speaker also highlighted common drawbacks found in many no-code/low-code solutions:

  • Scalability issues: Many platforms struggle as complexity or user load increases.
  • Closed Source: Limits customization, integration, and control.
  • API Access: Often limited or comes at a high cost.
  • Data Ownership: Using SaaS platforms can mean you don’t truly own or control your data, leading to vendor lock-in.

Introducing Baserow: An Open-Source Alternative

This is where Baserow (https://baserow.io) enters the picture. As an open-source platform, it immediately addresses some of the core concerns mentioned above, particularly around data ownership and flexibility.

What is Baserow?

Baserow primarily focuses on the database layer, differentiating itself from tools focused purely on website design or complex automation workflows. Key aspects include:

  • Spreadsheet-like UI: It provides a familiar and intuitive interface for structuring data, similar to tools like Airtable.
  • Structured Data: It’s built for creating robust, relational databases.
  • Self-Hosting: You typically run your own Baserow instance using Docker, giving you full control over your environment and data.
  • Use Cases: Users leverage Baserow to build:
    • Product roadmaps
    • CRM systems
    • Back-end databases for web or mobile applications
    • Centralized data repositories

Technical Setup and Features

Getting started involves setting up an instance, often via Docker. Within Baserow:

  • You organize work into Workspaces.
  • Workspaces contain Databases and potentially other applications.
  • Databases contain Tables, where you define fields and relationships.
  • You can link fields across tables to create relational structures.
  • API Access: A major plus is that Baserow automatically generates API documentation (like OpenAPI specs) for your databases, making it easy to integrate with other applications.
  • App Builder: They have also introduced a no-code application builder, extending its capabilities beyond just the database.

While Baserow excels at the database and UI layer, complex automation is often handled by integrating with dedicated tools like n8n via REST API calls.

Personal Reflection: Overcoming No-Code Skepticism

Initially, I admit I was skeptical. My perception of “no-code” was that it couldn’t be genuinely useful for anything beyond the very basic. However, seeing the structured approach of Baserow, its focus on the database layer, its open-source nature, and the automatic API generation really impressed me.

It made me rethink the potential of these tools, not just for non-technical users, but also for developers looking for rapid backend setup or internal tool development. I was immediately brainstorming potential use cases. It was a valuable lesson in keeping an open mind about evolving technologies.

The evening wrapped up nicely with a chance to chat with peers and enjoy a drink in a relaxed setting.

Networking after the talk.

Baserow presents a compelling option in the no-code space, particularly for those who value data ownership, flexibility, and API accessibility. Definitely worth checking out if you’re exploring database or internal tool solutions!