Mathesar vs SeaTable (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Mathesar if

• Fits if you run Postgres and want non-technical people to edit rows
• Makes sense if you want a database screen under your own control

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you don't have a Postgres database, as it works with nothing else
• Skip it if you don't want to run a server, since you host it with Docker
• Watch out: Mathesar Cloud is described as early beta and has no published price
• Watch out: no desktop or phone apps are listed

Pick SeaTable if

• Fits if you want an Airtable-style database with your data hosted in the EU
• Works for teams that must self-host, with Active Directory, LDAP or SAML sign-in

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want an iPhone app, as one is planned with no release date, and the Android app only opens SeaTable Cloud
• Not for you if you want prices in dollars, because they're listed in euros and exclude VAT
• Tight if a self-hosted team will grow mid-year, since the 10 and 25 user licences can't be extended during their term
• Too light for free teams that need private views, row locking or table, view and column permissions
• Watch out: Free gets a fixed 100 automations and 12.5 AI credits a month, and SSO needs Enterprise at €14

Mathesar

• It works only with PostgreSQL databases.
• You host it yourself; Mathesar Cloud is noted in the documentation as early beta and no price is published.
• No mobile or desktop apps are listed; it is a web interface.

SeaTable

• Prices are listed in euros and exclude VAT; the pricing page shows no US dollar prices.
• The Free plan stops at 10,000 rows and 2 GB, and lacks private views, row locking and table, view and column permissions.
• SeaTable's help center lists an Android app, which only simplifies access to SeaTable Cloud, and says an iOS app is planned without a release date.
• Server licenses for 10 and 25 users cannot be extended during their term; needing more users means buying a new license.

Mathesar

Spreadsheet-like editing

View, add and edit Postgres records in a grid, and import or export data in the UI.

Queries without SQL

Join tables, filter, sort, group and summarize data to make custom views.

Postgres permissions

Access control relies on native Postgres roles, schemas and tables rather than a separate layer.

Self-hosting

Installs with Docker Compose in minutes, with guides for DigitalOcean and Railway.

Single sign-on

The administrator guide documents SSO configuration.

SeaTable

Bases, tables and 26 column types

Bases hold linked tables with 26 column types, plus filtering, sorting, grouping and row color highlighting. Private views and the sharing of single views need a paid plan.

Gallery, kanban, timeline and calendar

Besides the table editor, the same data can be shown as an image gallery, a kanban board with drag and drop, a timeline or a calendar.

App Builder

A drag-and-drop builder for data-driven apps such as a CRM or a project tracker, included on every plan. Public apps can be used without a user account; page permissions need Enterprise.

Automations and scripts

Automations run a process at a set time or status, and notifications fire on defined triggers. JavaScript runs are unlimited, while Python runs, automations and AI credits have monthly quotas.

Web forms and external links

Web forms collect entries from people without an account, and external links open a base to people who have no login. Adding a logo and header image to a form needs Enterprise.

Self-hosting with SeaTable Server

The server edition installs on a Linux server or virtual machine and supports SAML, OAuth, Shibboleth, Active Directory and LDAP sign-in, custom roles and self-set API limits.

Mathesar

• Self-hosted$0

  Open-source software you install and host yourself, with Docker; no paid plan is listed.

SeaTable

• Free€0

  Cloud plan for up to 25 users: 10,000 rows, 2 GB for files, 1 month of snapshots, and a fixed 100 automations and 12.5 AI credits a month.

• Plus€7

  per user / month, billed annually (€9 billed monthly), excl. VAT

  50,000 rows, 50 GB for files, 6 months of snapshots, private views, base permissions, and 500 automations and 50 AI credits per user.

• Enterprise€14

  per user / month, billed annually (€18 billed monthly), excl. VAT

  Unlimited rows (100,000 per base), 100 GB for files, 12 months of snapshots, big data storage, email support and single sign-on via SAML.

• SeaTable Server€500

  per year for 10 users (€1,250 for 25 users)

  Self-hosted license with every Enterprise feature. Free for up to 3 users, and €90 per user a year from 50 users.

• DedicatedCustom

  A dedicated cloud for at least 100 users on annual billing, with 1,000 GB for files, unlimited automations and an enterprise admin panel.

Mathesar

No public discounts listed.

SeaTable

• Annual discount

  About 20% less with annual billing

  Plus is €7 per user a month billed annually against €9 billed monthly, and Enterprise is €14 against €18. SeaTable's FAQ puts the saving at about 20%.

• Nonprofit

  50% off for non-profit organizations

  Non-profit organizations generally receive a 50% discount on Plus and Enterprise subscriptions, and local associations up to 75% in exceptional cases, on request through team management.

• Education

  50% off for educational institutions

  The pricing page says educational institutions generally receive the same 50% discount as non-profit organizations, requested through team management.

• Other savings

  Multi-year server licenses save 5% or 10%

  A SeaTable Server license costs 5% less on a 2-year term and 10% less on a 3-year term: for 10 users, €950 for two years or €1,350 for three against €500 a year.