NocoBase vs Rowy (2026): which should you pick?

Pick NocoBase if

• Fits if you have someone who can run a server and want to own the data
• Works for agencies that deliver systems to clients and don't want per-seat fees

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a hosted service, as the listing offers self-hosting only
• Not for you if nobody on your team can maintain a server
• Pricey if you need Studio, advanced approvals or SSO, all on the $8,000 Professional licence
• Watch out: an older NocoBase page still shows an $800 Standard edition the current page doesn't, and renewal cost after year one isn't stated

Pick Rowy if

• Fits if your app runs on Firebase and you want a grid for the data
• Works for developers who want cloud functions attached to rows

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you don't use Firebase, as it only sits on Firestore
• Skip it if you want a maintained product, since the site shows a 2023 copyright and promotes BuildShip
• Tight if you export a lot, as Base exports up to 10K rows
• Watch out: Google Cloud charges apply outside Rowy's plans
• Watch out: Pro's billing basis isn't stated, only a 10% saving

NocoBase

• Self-hosted only: you run the servers, models and agents, and pay those providers yourself.
• An older NocoBase 2 pricing page still lists a $800 Standard edition, which the current pricing page does not show.
• Studio, advanced approvals and enterprise SSO need the $8,000 Professional edition.
• Upgrades and support are included for 1 year with each paid license; the page does not state what a renewal costs.

Rowy

• The page notes the Pro plan's $12 as the monthly price and mentions a 10% saving without giving the annual figure.
• Cloud functions run on your own Google Cloud project, so GCP charges apply outside Rowy's plans.
• The site promotes the newer BuildShip product and shows a 2023 copyright date, so check that Rowy is still maintained.
• Export on the Base plan is limited to 10K rows.

NocoBase

Core building blocks

Core provides over 20 ready blocks, including permissions, workflows, files and notifications, so builders write only business-specific logic.

Databases and external sources

Core runs on SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server or Oracle and can connect existing databases as external data sources.

Permissions and SSO

Role-based access covers pages, actions and data, with the same rules applied to people and agents. SAML and LDAP SSO is a paid feature.

Studio for agent teams

Studio connects Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode as an agent team with checks, review and human sign-off before every merge.

Solution apps

Ready apps such as NocoCRM, NocoITAM and NocoReach are built on Core, are free and open source, and run on your own servers.

Own your data and models

Code and data stay in your repositories and on your servers, and you pay your chosen model and agent providers directly.

Rowy

Spreadsheet UI on your database

Shows Firestore data in a familiar grid with more than 30 field types.

Cloud functions

Write backend logic beside the table and use any npm package or API.

Derivative and action fields

Calculate values when fields change and run tasks from a button.

Webhooks and extensions

Receive data from outside sources and send changes to services such as SendGrid and Slack.

Your data stays yours

Data lives in your own Firebase project, so you pick the region.

NocoBase

• Community$0

  Open-source Core and every Solution app, which you host yourself, with docs and community support.

• Professional$8,000

  one-time, perpetual license with 1 year of upgrades and support

  Adds Studio, advanced approvals, enterprise SSO and one deployment done by the NocoBase team.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Adds clustering, multi-tenant and multi-app setups, audit logs, air-gapped delivery and priority support; also a one-time license.

Rowy

• Base$0

  1 project, 30+ column types, unlimited cloud functions, CSV, TSV and JSON import, community support.

• Pro$12

  per seat / month, billing basis not stated

  Unlimited projects, full-text search, large exports, email support, GCP billing hard cap; page mentions a 10% saving.

• BusinessCustom

  Adds custom domain, priority support, data version control and automated backups. Contact sales.

NocoBase

• Lifetime license

  One-time perpetual license

  Professional is $8,000 once, with a perpetual license and 1 year of upgrades and support; Enterprise is a custom-quoted one-time license.

Rowy

No public discounts listed.