Airtable’s trick is a database that feels like a spreadsheet. Several open-source projects now do the same, most of them on top of a real SQL database you control. That matters: when your data outgrows the tool, it is already in Postgres or MySQL.
1
nocodb nocodb/nocodb
The most-starred option and the one that names Airtable directly. It can also put a spreadsheet interface on top of an existing database, which is useful when the data already exists.
2
teable teableio/teable
A newer spreadsheet-style database on Postgres with AI features. The archived undb project points its users here.
3
apitable apitable/apitable
API-first: every table is meant to be reached by code as well as by people. Pick it when integrations matter more than looks.
4
grist-core gristlabs/grist-core
Closer to a spreadsheet than a database UI: formulas in Python, strong for calculations and reporting. Apache-2.0 licensed.
5
baserow baserow/baserow
No-code databases, automations and apps in one platform. Development mainly happens outside GitHub, so its star count understates its use.
6
mathesar mathesar-foundation/mathesar
A spreadsheet-like interface for an existing Postgres database, aimed at non-technical users. Run by a non-profit foundation.
How to choose
Replacing Airtable for a team: start with NocoDB or Teable. Heavy formulas and reports: Grist. Putting a friendly face on a database you already run: NocoDB or Mathesar. Check the activity column too; spreadsheet tools hold business data, so pick one that is still being updated.
How we pick: we start from every public GitHub repository with 1,000+ stars, keep the projects that do the job in the title, and read their descriptions and licenses. Stars show community size, not quality, so we also show maintenance status. Nobody paid to be listed.