NocoDB Alternative: Loocey DB
NocoDB puts a spreadsheet interface on a database you run or connect. If you would rather have the database managed for you, here is how Loocey DB compares.
- Last Updated October 8, 2026
- Category No-Code Database Software
- Approach Facts with sources, no made-up claims
NocoDB is a no-code database with a spreadsheet interface, relational link fields (including many-to-many), lookups, rollups, automations, an API and an official MCP server. It runs in the cloud or self-hosted, and can connect to an existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database on Business and above.
NocoDB is also one of the lowest-cost options for larger teams, because Plus and Business bill at most 9 editor seats. This page is honest about that, and about where Loocey DB is different.
Key Differences at a Glance
- NocoDB at 10 Users
- $108/month (Plus, 9-editor billing cap)
- Loocey DB at 10 Users
- $49/month (Pro, 10 users included)
Why Teams Look Elsewhere
- A license change
- Record limits on cloud plans
- Connecting your own database costs more
- Gantt and Timeline need Business
What Loocey DB Offers
- A dedicated PostgreSQL database
- Relationships with real foreign keys
- Unlimited records, nothing to run
- SQL tools built in
- Users included in every plan
- An MCP server for AI assistants
Why Teams Look for a NocoDB Alternative
A license change
Since January 9, 2026, self-hosted NocoDB is licensed under the Sustainable Use License (fair-code, source-available) instead of AGPL-3.0.
Record limits on cloud plans
Cloud workspaces allow 1,000 records on Free, 50,000 on Plus and 300,000 on Business.
Connecting your own database costs more
Connecting an external PostgreSQL or MySQL database is not supported on Plus; it starts on Business.
Gantt and Timeline need Business
Gantt and Timeline views are on Business and above.
Where NocoDB Is Strong
To be fair: NocoDB is cheaper than Loocey DB for teams of 20 ($108/month on Plus billed annually, because billing caps at 9 editors, compared with $198 on Loocey DB Enterprise).
It also has field permissions on Plus, many-to-many links, Gallery, Map and Gantt views, automations, AI features and self-hosting.
If price at 20+ users or self-hosting matters most, NocoDB is a strong fit.
NocoDB vs Loocey DB: Head-to-Head
| Feature | NocoDB | Loocey DB |
|---|---|---|
| Category | No-code database (cloud or self-hosted) | No-code relational database & app builder |
| Real PostgreSQL / Dedicated Database | Partial Can connect to your own PostgreSQL or MySQL (Business+ on cloud) | ✓ A dedicated PostgreSQL database instance for every account |
| Relational Links / Foreign Keys | ✓ Links (incl. many-to-many), lookups and rollups | ✓ Relationship columns create real foreign keys (Cascade, Restrict, Set Null, No Action) |
| Column (Field) Types | “30+” field types | ✓ 50+ column types, stored as typed database columns |
| Views | Grid, Form, Gallery, Kanban, Calendar, List, Map; Gantt/Timeline on Business+ | Table, Kanban/Pipeline and Calendar, saved as view tabs |
| Field-Level Permissions | ✓ Field permissions on cloud Plus+ | Coming Soon Granular Access Controls (App, table, field and record level). Today: company-wide roles |
| Automations | ✓ Webhooks and workflows; 30,000 runs/month on Plus | Coming Soon Workflows & Automations |
| MCP Server for AI Assistants | ✓ Official MCP server | ✓ Tables, columns, records, views/filters, imports and search |
| API | ✓ REST API; 100,000 calls/month on Plus | ✓ API keys, Main API included on every plan |
| Self-Hosting | ✓ Yes (Sustainable Use License) | ✗ Cloud only |
| Price at 10 Users (Annual Billing) | $108/month (Plus, 9-editor billing cap) | $49/month (Pro, 10 users included) |
| Free Plan / Trial | ✓ Free plan | See the pricing page for current offers |
| Public Reviews | See G2 (rating not quoted) | Customer reviews published on loocey.com |
A ✗ means the capability was not advertised in the vendor’s published materials (pricing page, help center and developer docs) when we checked (October 8, 2026).
Vendors change their products, so always verify current capabilities.
NocoDB vs Loocey DB: Price by Team Size
| Monthly Cost, Billed Annually | 5 Users | 10 Users | 20 Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| NocoDB (Plus) | $60 | $108 | $108 |
| Loocey DB | $29 Standard | $49 Pro | $198 Enterprise |
NocoDB: Billing caps at 9 editor seats ($108).
Prices as listed on each vendor’s pricing page on October 8, 2026, in USD per month with annual billing. Per-seat plans assume every user is billable (many vendors do not charge for viewers).
Loocey DB uses the cheapest plan for each team size, plus $19/user/month above the plan’s included users. Verify current pricing before you buy.
NocoDB at a Glance
NocoDB is a web-based no-code database with a spreadsheet interface, relational link fields, views, automations, an API and an MCP server, available in the cloud or self-hosted.
It can also connect to an existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database (Business+ on cloud).
Since January 9, 2026, self-hosted NocoDB is licensed under the Sustainable Use License (fair-code, source-available); it was previously AGPL-3.0.
- Founded
- Launched on GitHub in 2021 (project began 2017)
- Headquarters
- Not verified
- Pricing
- Free; Plus $12, Business $24 and Scale $45 per seat/month billed annually ($15, $30 and $54 billed monthly); Enterprise custom. Only editors are billed, and Plus and Business bill at most 9 editor seats.
- Free Plan / Trial
- Free plan: 1,000 records, 3 editors
- Public Reviews
- Rating not quoted; see G2
Independent Sources
The Alternative
How Loocey DB Replaces NocoDB
A dedicated PostgreSQL database
Every Loocey account gets its own dedicated PostgreSQL database instance. Tables are real PostgreSQL tables with typed columns, indexes and unique, regex and min/max constraints.
Relationships with real foreign keys
Relationship columns create foreign keys with On Delete rules (Cascade, Restrict, Set Null or No Action), work across Apps, and support Existing Relationship (join) columns and dependent dropdowns.
Unlimited records, nothing to run
Records are unlimited on every Loocey DB plan, and there are no servers, upgrades or backups for your team to manage.
SQL tools built in
Create tables from a SQL script, add or update columns with ALTER TABLE, and export your schema as PostgreSQL DDL.
Users included in every plan
Standard includes 5 users for $29/month, Pro includes 10 users for $49/month and Enterprise includes 20 users for $198/month, billed annually. Additional users are $19/user/month.
An MCP server for AI assistants
A compatible AI assistant can create tables and columns, add and update records, search your data, build saved views and filters, and import spreadsheets, acting as a real Loocey user with that user’s role.
Not Built Yet, and Labeled That Way
- Coming Soon Workflows & Automations
- Coming Soon Granular Access Controls (App-, table-, field- and record-level permissions)
See every feature on the Loocey DB page and every plan on the Loocey DB pricing page.
Which Should You Pick?
Pick NocoDB If…
Pick NocoDB if you want to self-host, or put a spreadsheet interface on an existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database you already run.
Pick Loocey DB If…
Pick Loocey DB if you want a real relational database (a dedicated PostgreSQL instance, typed columns, foreign keys, indexes and SQL tools) behind a no-code interface, with users included in every plan, an MCP server for AI assistants, and room to grow into other Loocey apps such as Loocey CRM and Loocey DLA.
NocoDB Alternative FAQ
Is NocoDB cheaper than Loocey DB?
At some team sizes. As listed on October 8, 2026, NocoDB Plus is $12 per editor per month billed annually and bills at most 9 editors: $60/month for 5 editors and $108 for 10 or more.
Loocey DB is $29 for 5 users, $49 for 10 and $198 for 20, billed annually.
Can Loocey DB be self-hosted like NocoDB?
No. Loocey DB is cloud only. Each account gets a dedicated PostgreSQL database instance that Loocey manages.
Can I move from NocoDB to Loocey DB?
Yes. Export each table to CSV and import it into Loocey DB, mapping each column.
Link fields can be rebuilt as relationship columns with real foreign keys.
What does NocoDB have that Loocey DB does not?
Loocey DB does not have automations yet (Workflows & Automations are coming soon), and field-, record- and App-level permissions are coming soon as Granular Access Controls; today, permissions are company-wide roles. Loocey DB has Table, Kanban/Pipeline and Calendar views, with no Gallery, Gantt or Timeline view, and it is cloud only.
Compare the head-to-head table on this page for the details.
How we compare: product facts on this page were checked against each vendor’s public pricing page, help center and developer documentation on October 8, 2026. A ✗ means the capability was not advertised in the vendor’s published materials at that time; “Partial” marks a related but not equivalent feature.
Vendors change their products and prices, so always confirm current details directly. We link to independent sources such as G2, Crunchbase and Wikipedia rather than to competitor websites.