Flashboard vs NocoDB

Flashboard and NocoDB solve different problems in the database tooling space. Flashboard is a database-first admin panel and CMS that connects to your existing PostgreSQL database. NocoDB is an open-source Airtable alternative that provides a spreadsheet-like interface for building lightweight apps and databases. This page documents the differences and trade-offs to help you choose.

Quick comparison

What Flashboard does well

Instant setup. Connect your PostgreSQL database and get a working admin panel in under 2 minutes. No configuration files, no designing interfaces. Flashboard reads your schema and generates the UI automatically.

Unlimited seats on higher tiers. Flashboard's Team and Pro plans include unlimited seats. NocoDB Cloud charges per user, which adds up as your team grows.

No record limits. Flashboard doesn't limit how many rows you can manage. NocoDB Cloud plans have record limits that vary by tier.

CMS with rich text editing. Write and edit content with a Notion-like block editor. The content is stored as HTML in your database columns, ready to render in your application. NocoDB provides basic text fields but isn't designed for content management.

PostgreSQL specialization. Flashboard is built specifically for PostgreSQL. It handles foreign key relationships, JSON columns, and array types natively. Instead of being a generic tool, it goes deep on PostgreSQL features.

End-to-end credential encryption. Your database credentials are encrypted with a key only you own. Even Flashboard's team cannot access them.

What NocoDB does well

Open-source and self-hostable. NocoDB is MIT-licensed and can be self-hosted for free. For organizations that cannot use cloud services or need data residency control, this is a significant advantage.

Multiple database support. NocoDB works with PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and SQLite. You can bring your own database or use NocoDB's hosted storage. If you work with multiple database types, NocoDB handles them from one interface.

Spreadsheet-familiar interface. NocoDB feels like Airtable or Excel. For teams who think in spreadsheets, the learning curve is minimal. Users can sort, filter, and edit records without training.

Multiple views. Beyond the standard grid, NocoDB offers Kanban boards for workflow visualization, Gallery view for visual content, Form view for data collection, and Calendar view for date-based organization. Flashboard focuses on table-based CRUD operations.

API generation. NocoDB automatically generates REST APIs from your database structure. If you need programmatic access to your data or want to build integrations, the API is ready without extra configuration.

Airtable migration. NocoDB can import data directly from Airtable. If you're looking for an Airtable alternative, NocoDB provides a migration path.

When to choose Flashboard

• You have an existing PostgreSQL database and need an admin panel now
• You query your database directly and don't need an API layer
• You want a CMS with rich text editing for content management
• You want predictable per-team pricing with unlimited seats
• Non-technical team members need to manage data without training
• You want the fastest possible setup with minimal configuration

When to choose NocoDB

• You need self-hosting (data cannot leave your infrastructure)
• You want an open-source solution you can modify
• You need multiple views (Kanban, Calendar, Gallery) for different workflows
• You're migrating from Airtable and want a familiar interface
• You work with multiple database types
• You need auto-generated APIs for integrations

Frequently asked questions

Are Flashboard and NocoDB the same type of tool?

Not exactly. NocoDB is an Airtable alternative designed for building lightweight apps with a spreadsheet interface. Flashboard is an admin panel and CMS designed for managing data in existing PostgreSQL databases. NocoDB is useful when you want to create a new database with a spreadsheet UI. Flashboard is useful when you already have a PostgreSQL database and need a way to manage its data.

Is NocoDB worth it for managing an existing production database?

NocoDB can connect to external databases, but its strength is the spreadsheet-like interface for building new apps. If you already have a PostgreSQL production database with an established schema, Flashboard's auto-generated admin panel may be more appropriate since it's designed specifically for that use case.

What are the best NocoDB alternatives?

For spreadsheet-like interfaces: Airtable (the original), Baserow (open-source), and Seatable. For admin panels that connect to existing databases: Flashboard, Forest Admin, and Retool. The right alternative depends on whether you're building a new app or managing an existing database.

Can I migrate from NocoDB to Flashboard?

If your data is in a PostgreSQL database that NocoDB connects to, you can connect Flashboard to the same database. Flashboard reads your existing schema without requiring migrations. However, if you're using NocoDB's hosted database, you'd need to export your data to PostgreSQL first.

Can I migrate from Flashboard to NocoDB?

Yes. Since Flashboard doesn't modify your database schema, you can connect NocoDB to the same PostgreSQL database. If your needs evolve to require NocoDB's views (Kanban, Calendar) or self-hosting, you can transition. Note that rich text content created in Flashboard is stored as HTML, which would appear as text in NocoDB.

Which is better for non-technical team members?

Both tools are designed for non-technical users, but for different contexts. NocoDB provides a spreadsheet interface that feels familiar to anyone who has used Excel or Google Sheets. Flashboard provides an auto-generated admin panel with forms and tables. If your team thinks in spreadsheets, NocoDB may feel more natural. If your team needs to manage records in an existing application database, Flashboard's purpose-built interface may be clearer.

Should I use NocoDB or Flashboard for my startup's admin panel?

If you're building a new product and want a spreadsheet-based database to get started, NocoDB is a good choice. If you already have a PostgreSQL database powering your application and need an admin panel for your team to manage data, Flashboard is designed for that specific need. Many startups use both: NocoDB for internal project management and Flashboard for production database administration.

Still not sure?

If you have a PostgreSQL database and need an admin panel with CMS features, try Flashboard for free. If you want an open-source spreadsheet interface with multiple views and self-hosting options, explore NocoDB. Both offer free tiers, so you can evaluate each without commitment.