# 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. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Question | What is the best open source database tool? | | Picks | 25 | | Top pick | NocoDB (65,197 stars) | | Data as of | Oct 7, 2026 | | Canonical URL | https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-database-tools | ## 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. - [NocoDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/nocodb) (65,197 stars, SUL-1.0, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [MindsDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/mindsdb) (39,780 stars, MIT, Makefile, Docker, AI features): MindsDB has 39,780 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 751 commits in the last year. - [Teable](https://appsgit.com/apps/teable) (21,858 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [Directus](https://appsgit.com/apps/directus) (38,026 stars, MSCL-1.0-GPL, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [VictoriaMetrics](https://appsgit.com/apps/victoriametrics) (17,828 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker): 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. - [Bytebase](https://appsgit.com/apps/bytebase) (14,538 stars, MIT, Go, Docker): Bytebase has 14,538 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 3,384 commits in the last year. - [ChartDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/chartdb) (22,989 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [Datasette](https://appsgit.com/apps/datasette) (11,503 stars, Apache-2.0, Python, Docker): 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. - [Mathesar](https://appsgit.com/apps/mathesar) (5,145 stars, GPL-3.0, Svelte, Docker): 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. - [CloudBeaver](https://appsgit.com/apps/cloudbeaver) (5,181 stars, Apache-2.0, TypeScript, Docker): CloudBeaver has 5,181 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 725 commits in the last year. ## Best for startups Ranked for startups on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses, project websites and recent commits. - [MindsDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/mindsdb) (39,780 stars, MIT, Makefile, Docker, AI features): MindsDB 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. - [VictoriaMetrics](https://appsgit.com/apps/victoriametrics) (17,828 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker): 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. - [Bytebase](https://appsgit.com/apps/bytebase) (14,538 stars, MIT, Go, Docker): 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. - [Teable](https://appsgit.com/apps/teable) (21,858 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [NocoDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/nocodb) (65,197 stars, SUL-1.0, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. ## Best for enterprise Ranked for enterprise on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, open-source licenses and recent commits. - [NocoDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/nocodb) (65,197 stars, SUL-1.0, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [MindsDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/mindsdb) (39,780 stars, MIT, Makefile, Docker, AI features): MindsDB 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. - [Directus](https://appsgit.com/apps/directus) (38,026 stars, MSCL-1.0-GPL, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [Teable](https://appsgit.com/apps/teable) (21,858 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [VictoriaMetrics](https://appsgit.com/apps/victoriametrics) (17,828 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker): 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. ## Best for solo developers Ranked for solo developers on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits. - [MindsDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/mindsdb) (39,780 stars, MIT, Makefile, Docker, AI features): MindsDB 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. - [Teable](https://appsgit.com/apps/teable) (21,858 stars, AGPL-3.0, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [NocoDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/nocodb) (65,197 stars, SUL-1.0, source-available, TypeScript, Docker): 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. - [VictoriaMetrics](https://appsgit.com/apps/victoriametrics) (17,828 stars, Apache-2.0, Go, Docker): 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. - [Bytebase](https://appsgit.com/apps/bytebase) (14,538 stars, MIT, Go, Docker): 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. ## How this list was made - Candidates: the 22 apps in the database management category. Archived projects and projects with no commit in the last two years are left out. - Base score: GitHub stars on a log scale plus commits in the last 12 months (log scale, capped at 1,000). - Bonus points for a published Docker image, an OSI-approved open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days. - Each "Best for" section re-ranks the same apps with that audience's profile (for example startups add points for permissive licenses, project websites and recent commits; small business for Docker images and deploy guides). - Source-available apps can rank, but they are labelled and never described as open source. ## FAQ ### 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. ## Related questions - [What is the best open source alternative to Excel and Access?](https://appsgit.com/best/spreadsheet-and-database-apps) - [What is the best open source analytics tool?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-analytics) - [What is the best open source workflow automation tool?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-workflow-automation) - [What is the best open source monitoring tool?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-monitoring-tools) - [What is the best open source developer tool?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-developer-tools) - [What is the best open source CMS?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-cms) - [What is the best open source budgeting app?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-budgeting-software) - [What is the best open source CI/CD tool?](https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-ci-cd-tools) ## See also - [Best open source spreadsheet and database apps (Excel and Access alternatives)](https://appsgit.com/best/spreadsheet-and-database-apps) - [All database management apps](https://appsgit.com/categories/database-management) - [All analytics apps](https://appsgit.com/categories/analytics) - [All automation & workflows apps](https://appsgit.com/categories/automation) - [Open-source alternatives to Supabase](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/supabase) - [Open-source alternatives to Airtable](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/airtable) - [Open-source alternatives to Google Forms](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/google-forms) - [Open-source alternatives to Retool](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/retool) - [Open-source alternatives to Bubble](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/bubble) - [Open-source alternatives to Microsoft Access](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/microsoft-access) - [NocoDB vs Teable](https://appsgit.com/compare/nocodb-vs-teable) - [Strapi vs Directus](https://appsgit.com/compare/strapi-vs-directus) --- Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/best/open-source-database-tools Source: appsgit (https://appsgit.com), the app store for github. Data from the GitHub API, refreshed nightly. Machine access: JSON API https://appsgit.com/api/v1/apps (OpenAPI: https://appsgit.com/openapi.json), MCP server https://mcp.appsgit.com/mcp, full index https://appsgit.com/llms-full.txt.