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10 top picks · 3 audience rankings

Best open source database tools

The best open source database tool is MindsDB, with 39,780 GitHub stars, the MIT license and a Docker image; Teable and Directus (source-available) are strong alternatives. NocoDB ranks higher on these signals but is source-available, not open source. This page also breaks the picks down by team size and use: MindsDB leads for startups, enterprise and solo developers. The overall ranking weighs GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits across the 22 apps in the database management category of the appsgit catalog.

Updated · data from GitHub, refreshed nightly

Top picks

  1. Rank 1:

    NocoDB

    nocodb/nocodb

    No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).

    Source-availableDatabase ManagementTypeScriptDocker

    NocoDB has 65,197 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,636 commits in the last year; it replaces Supabase and Airtable.

  2. Rank 2:

    MindsDB

    mindsdb/mindshub

    AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries.

    Database ManagementMakefileDocker

    AI-nativeMindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 751 commits in the last year.

  3. Rank 3:

    Teable

    teableio/teable

    Next-gen Airtable alternative with a Postgres-backed spreadsheet UI.

    Database ManagementTypeScriptDocker

    Teable has 21,858 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,156 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access.

1 of 4 · 10 picks

Top picks

10 of the 22 apps in the database management category, ranked on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits.

  1. 1

    NocoDB

    No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).

    NocoDB has 65,197 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,636 commits in the last year; it replaces Supabase and Airtable.

  2. 2

    MindsDB

    AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries.

    AI-nativeMindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 751 commits in the last year.

  3. 3

    Teable

    Next-gen Airtable alternative with a Postgres-backed spreadsheet UI.

    Teable has 21,858 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,156 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access.

  4. 4

    Directus

    An Instant App & API for your SQL Database. Directus wraps your new or existing SQL database with a realtime GraphQL+REST API for developers, and an intuitive admin app for non-technical users.

    Directus has 38,026 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 736 commits in the last year; it replaces Firebase and Supabase.

  5. 5

    VictoriaMetrics

    Fast, cost-effective time series database and monitoring solution compatible with Prometheus.

    VictoriaMetrics has 17,828 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,563 commits in the last year; it replaces Grafana Cloud.

  6. 6

    Bytebase

    Safe database schema change and version control for DevOps teams, supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, TiDB, ClickHouse, and Snowflake.

    Bytebase has 14,538 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 3,384 commits in the last year.

  7. 7

    ChartDB

    Database diagrams editor that allows you to visualize and design your DB with a single query.

    ChartDB has 22,989 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 98 commits in the last year; it replaces Microsoft Visio.

  8. 8

    Datasette

    Explore and publish data with easy import and export and database management.

    Datasette has 11,503 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 712 commits in the last year; it replaces Tableau.

  9. 9

    Mathesar

    Intuitive UI to manage data collaboratively, for users of all technical skill levels. Built on Postgres – connect an existing DB or set up a new one.

    Mathesar has 5,145 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 993 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable.

  10. 10

    CloudBeaver

    Manage databases, supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite and more. A web/hosted version of DBeaver.

    CloudBeaver has 5,181 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 725 commits in the last year.

2 of 4 · 5 picks

Best for startups

Ranked for startups on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses, project websites and recent commits.

  1. 1

    MindsDB

    AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries.

    AI-nativeMindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 751 commits in the last year. For startups it also scores on a Docker image, a permissive license (MIT), a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.

  2. 2

    VictoriaMetrics

    Fast, cost-effective time series database and monitoring solution compatible with Prometheus.

    VictoriaMetrics has 17,828 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,563 commits in the last year; it replaces Grafana Cloud. For startups it also scores on a Docker image, a permissive license (Apache-2.0), a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.

  3. 3

    Bytebase

    Safe database schema change and version control for DevOps teams, supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, TiDB, ClickHouse, and Snowflake.

    Bytebase has 14,538 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 3,384 commits in the last year. For startups it also scores on a Docker image, a permissive license (MIT), a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.

  4. 4

    Teable

    Next-gen Airtable alternative with a Postgres-backed spreadsheet UI.

    Teable has 21,858 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,156 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access. For startups it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.

  5. 5

    NocoDB

    No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).

    NocoDB has 65,197 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,636 commits in the last year; it replaces Supabase and Airtable. For startups it also scores on a Docker image, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.

3 of 4 · 5 picks

Best for enterprise

Ranked for enterprise on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, open-source licenses and recent commits.

  1. 1

    NocoDB

    No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).

    NocoDB has 65,197 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,636 commits in the last year; it replaces Supabase and Airtable. For enterprise it also scores on a commit in the last 90 days.

  2. 2

    MindsDB

    AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries.

    AI-nativeMindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 751 commits in the last year. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

  3. 3

    Directus

    An Instant App & API for your SQL Database. Directus wraps your new or existing SQL database with a realtime GraphQL+REST API for developers, and an intuitive admin app for non-technical users.

    Directus has 38,026 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 736 commits in the last year; it replaces Firebase and Supabase. For enterprise it also scores on a commit in the last 90 days.

  4. 4

    Teable

    Next-gen Airtable alternative with a Postgres-backed spreadsheet UI.

    Teable has 21,858 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,156 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

  5. 5

    VictoriaMetrics

    Fast, cost-effective time series database and monitoring solution compatible with Prometheus.

    VictoriaMetrics has 17,828 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,563 commits in the last year; it replaces Grafana Cloud. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

4 of 4 · 5 picks

Best for solo developers

Ranked for solo developers on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits.

  1. 1

    MindsDB

    AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries.

    AI-nativeMindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image, is written in Makefile and had 751 commits in the last year. For solo developers it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

  2. 2

    Teable

    Next-gen Airtable alternative with a Postgres-backed spreadsheet UI.

    Teable has 21,858 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image, is written in TypeScript and had 1,156 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access. For solo developers it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

  3. 3

    NocoDB

    No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).

    NocoDB has 65,197 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image, is written in TypeScript and had 6,636 commits in the last year; it replaces Supabase and Airtable. For solo developers it also scores on a Docker image and a commit in the last 90 days.

  4. 4

    VictoriaMetrics

    Fast, cost-effective time series database and monitoring solution compatible with Prometheus.

    VictoriaMetrics has 17,828 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image, is written in Go and had 1,563 commits in the last year; it replaces Grafana Cloud. For solo developers it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

  5. 5

    Bytebase

    Safe database schema change and version control for DevOps teams, supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, TiDB, ClickHouse, and Snowflake.

    Bytebase has 14,538 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image, is written in Go and had 3,384 commits in the last year. For solo developers it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.

FAQ

Questions and answers

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

What is the best open source database tool?

The best open source database tool is MindsDB, with 39,780 GitHub stars, the MIT license and a Docker image; Teable and Directus (source-available) are strong alternatives. NocoDB ranks higher on these signals but is source-available, not open source. This page also breaks the picks down by team size and use: MindsDB leads for startups, enterprise and solo developers. The overall ranking weighs GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits across the 22 apps in the database management category of the appsgit catalog.

Is NocoDB free?

Not by the OSI definition. NocoDB is source-available rather than open source: its code is public under the Sustainable Use License 1.0, which is not an OSI-approved open-source license. The Sustainable Use License allows use and changes for your own internal business or personal purposes, but not reselling the software or offering it as a paid hosted service. Check the license in the repository before using it commercially.

Which open source database tool is best for a startup?

MindsDB ranks first for startups, with 39,780 GitHub stars, the MIT license and a Docker image; VictoriaMetrics and Bytebase follow. The startups ranking adds points for Docker images, permissive licenses, project websites and recent commits on top of stars and activity.

Which open source database tool is best for an enterprise team?

MindsDB ranks first for enterprise, with 39,780 GitHub stars, the MIT license and a Docker image; NocoDB (source-available) and Directus (source-available) follow. The enterprise ranking adds points for open-source licenses and recent commits on top of stars and activity.

Can I self-host these database tools with Docker?

Yes, all of them. NocoDB, MindsDB and Teable publish Docker images, so you can run them on a VPS or home server with Docker Compose.

Are all of these database tools open source?

8 of the 10 apps on this list are open source; 2 are source-available. Source-available licenses add conditions, such as limits on hosted or commercial use, so read them before you deploy.

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