Free database software stores and organises your data so you can search, sort and report on it far more reliably than in a spreadsheet. Spreadsheet-style apps suit small teams who want something visual, while SQL databases suit websites, apps and anything that needs to grow. Pick based on who will use it, because the right choice for a developer is wrong for an office manager.
Most small businesses start with a spreadsheet and stay with it far too long. A database stops duplicate records, broken formulas and the 'which version is right?' problem.
Here are ten free database tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from no-code apps to the open-source engines behind much of the web. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If customer data is the main thing you store, my guide on capturing first-party data helps you collect it well.
Think about who touches the data. Non-technical teams need a friendly interface, while developers need a database engine they can connect an app to.
And think about where the data lives. Some of these run on your own computer or server, others in the cloud, and that affects backups, privacy and who can reach it.
Free database tools side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baserow | No-code database | Spreadsheet-style databases you can self-host | Yes |
| DBeaver | Database management tool | Working with many databases in one app | Yes |
| Grist | Spreadsheet-database hybrid | Spreadsheets with database structure | Yes |
| LibreOffice Base | Desktop database app | Simple databases on the desktop | Yes |
| MariaDB | Open-source SQL database | Websites and apps needing SQL | Yes |
| MySQL | Open-source SQL database | Web apps and content systems | Yes |
| NocoDB | Open-source no-code database | Turning SQL databases into spreadsheets | Yes |
| PostgreSQL | Open-source relational database | Serious apps that need to scale | Yes |
| SQLite | Embedded database engine | Small apps and local data | Yes |
| Teable | No-code database | Fast, spreadsheet-like data apps | Yes |
Ten free database tools to try
Baserow
Best for: Teams who want a friendly, spreadsheet-style database with the option to host it themselves.
DBeaver
Best for: Developers and analysts who want one free app to browse and query lots of different databases.
Grist
Best for: People who like spreadsheets but want linked tables and formulas that don't break.
LibreOffice Base
Best for: People who want a free desktop database for forms, queries and reports alongside office apps.
MariaDB
Best for: Developers who want a free, open-source SQL database that's widely supported by web hosts.
MySQL
Best for: Developers running websites and web apps that expect a MySQL database.
NocoDB
Best for: Teams who want a spreadsheet-style interface on top of an existing SQL database.
PostgreSQL
Best for: Developers who want a powerful open-source database for apps that will grow.
SQLite
Best for: Developers who want a tiny database that lives in a single file inside their app.
Teable
Best for: Teams who want a quick, spreadsheet-like database with a free plan for individuals.
The database that's in the public domain
Here's an unusual fact. SQLite's own copyright page says all of the code and documentation has been dedicated to the public domain by the authors, and that anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell or distribute it. There's no licence to agree to at all.
That's partly why it turns up inside so many apps and devices. For most other databases on this page, read the licence, especially if you'll build it into something you sell.
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What to check in free database software
- Users: is it for developers, office staff or both?
- Hosting: does it run on your computer, your server or in the cloud?
- Limits: are there row, storage or user limits on the free version?
- Backups: how do you back up and restore your data?
- Access control: can you control who sees and edits what?
How to move from a spreadsheet to a database
- Clean your spreadsheet first: one row per record, one column per detail.
- Split repeated information into separate tables, such as customers and orders.
- Import the clean data into your new database.
- Set who can view and who can edit.
- Schedule automatic backups before you rely on it.
Database mistakes small teams make
- Messy imports. Clean the data before moving it.
- No backups. Schedule them from the start.
- Everyone can edit everything. Set permissions.
- Duplicate tables. One source of truth for each thing.
If your database feeds marketing, my piece on using a CRM to improve your website's SEO shows how the data can work harder.
Do you make database tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free database software
If you're not technical, start with a spreadsheet-style database. You'll get most of the benefits without needing to learn SQL.
And set up backups on day one. A database is only as good as your ability to get the data back after a mistake. Test a restore once, too, so you know the backup works before the day you need it.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a database and a spreadsheet?
A database stores structured records with rules, so data stays consistent. Spreadsheets are more flexible but easier to break.
Is there free database software for small businesses?
Yes. No-code databases and open-source engines are both free to start.
Do I need to learn SQL?
Not for no-code tools. For SQL databases, basic SQL helps a lot.
Which free database is best for a website?
Most web hosts support open-source SQL databases that content systems expect.
Can I self-host a no-code database?
Some no-code tools offer a self-hosted version you run on your own server.
What's an embedded database?
It's a database stored in a file inside an app, rather than running as a separate server.
Are free databases secure?
They can be, if you set access controls, keep software updated and back up regularly.
How do I back up a database?
Use the database's export or dump tool on a schedule, and test restoring it.
Can I connect a database to forms?
Many no-code databases include forms that feed records straight in.
When should I switch from a spreadsheet?
When you have duplicates, several people editing, or data you need to link together.
Can I use a database for customer records?
Yes, but follow data protection rules on what you store and who can see it.
