Flashboard vs Rocketadmin
Flashboard and Rocketadmin are both no-code admin panels designed for managing database records without writing SQL. They're direct competitors solving the same problem: giving teams a way to view and edit database data without writing code. The main differences are in their approach — Rocketadmin is open-source and supports multiple databases, while Flashboard specializes in PostgreSQL and includes CMS capabilities. This page documents the differences and trade-offs to help you choose.
Quick comparison
| Aspect | Flashboard | Rocketadmin |
|---|---|---|
| Type | PostgreSQL admin panel + CMS | Multi-database admin panel |
| Database support | PostgreSQL only | MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle, MongoDB |
| Deployment | Cloud only | Cloud + self-hosted (Docker/Helm) |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | Under 5 minutes |
| CMS features | Notion-like rich text editor, file uploads | None |
| Custom actions | No | Yes (webhook-based) |
| Automation integrations | None | Zapier, OpenAI API |
| Storage integrations | S3-compatible (AWS, Supabase, etc.) | None |
| White-label | No | Yes |
| 2FA | Yes | No |
| IP whitelisting | Yes (application-level) | Yes (broad database-level permissions required) |
| Credential security | End-to-end encryption | Client encryption |
| Pricing model | Per team (unlimited seats on higher tiers) | Per user |
What Flashboard does well
CMS built in. Write and edit rich text content with a Notion-like block editor. Upload images and files directly. The content is stored as HTML in your database columns, ready to render in your application. Rocketadmin focuses on data management and doesn't include content editing features.
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 for many databases, it goes deep on PostgreSQL features.
Unlimited seats on higher tiers. Flashboard's Team and Pro plans include unlimited seats at a flat monthly rate. Rocketadmin charges per user, which adds up as your team grows. For teams larger than 10 people, Flashboard's pricing can be significantly more predictable.
End-to-end credential encryption. Your database credentials are encrypted with a key only you own. Even Flashboard's team cannot access them. Rocketadmin offers client encryption but doesn't use the same end-to-end model.
2FA and application-level IP whitelisting. Flashboard includes two-factor authentication and IP-based access control built into the application. You can restrict which IP addresses can access your admin panel without modifying your database configuration. Flashboard works seamlessly with provider-level trusted sources (like DigitalOcean, Supabase, or Neon). Rocketadmin requires adding their server IP to your pg_hba.conf file with a rule like <database_name> all <ip> md5, which grants any user from their IP address authentication access to your database. This is an additional configuration step that may not be possible on some managed database providers, and also a security concern.
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.
What Rocketadmin does well
Open source. Rocketadmin's source code is available on GitHub. For organizations that need to audit their tools, contribute fixes, or understand exactly how their admin panel works, this transparency is valuable. Flashboard is a closed-source cloud service.
Self-hosting option. Rocketadmin can be deployed on your own infrastructure using Docker containers or Helm charts. For organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements or those who cannot use cloud services, this is a significant advantage. Flashboard is cloud-only.
Multi-database support. Rocketadmin works with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle, and MongoDB. If you manage multiple database types and want a single tool for all of them, Rocketadmin handles that. Flashboard only supports PostgreSQL.
Custom actions. Rocketadmin lets you create webhook-based operations that trigger external services. Ban a user, send an email, generate a PDF report, or call any API endpoint. These custom actions appear as buttons in the interface. Flashboard doesn't currently offer custom actions.
White-label branding. Customize Rocketadmin with your company logo, business name, and brand colors. For agencies or companies embedding the admin panel into their product, this helps maintain brand consistency. Flashboard doesn't offer white-label customization.
Zapier and AI integration. Connect Rocketadmin to thousands of apps through Zapier. Use OpenAI integration for AI-powered data analysis. Flashboard doesn't currently have integrations with this kind of services.
Lower per-user cost for small teams. Rocketadmin uses per-user pricing with a free tier for small teams. For teams of just a few people, this can be more economical than Flashboard's fixed monthly plans.
When to choose Flashboard
- You need CMS capabilities alongside database management
- You work exclusively with PostgreSQL and want deep PostgreSQL features
- You have a growing team and want predictable pricing without per-seat costs
- You want the fastest possible setup with minimal configuration
- End-to-end credential encryption is a requirement
- You need two-factor authentication (2FA)
- You need IP whitelisting without broad database configuration
When to choose Rocketadmin
- You need self-hosting (data cannot leave your infrastructure)
- You work with multiple database types and want one tool for all of them
- You need custom webhook-based actions for operations workflows
- You want white-label branding for client-facing deployments
- You're a small team (under 10) where per-user pricing is cheaper
- You prefer open-source solutions you can audit and modify
- You need Zapier integration or AI features
Frequently asked questions
Are Flashboard and Rocketadmin the same type of tool?
Yes, both are no-code admin panels designed for managing database records without writing SQL. They serve similar use cases: giving non-technical team members access to view and edit data, building internal tools for customer support, and managing production databases safely. The main differences are in database support, deployment options, and additional features like CMS or custom actions.
Which is cheaper for my team?
It depends on team size. Rocketadmin charges per user with a free tier for small teams. Flashboard charges per team with unlimited seats on higher tiers. For small teams, Rocketadmin's per-user pricing is often cheaper. For larger teams, Flashboard's unlimited seats provide more predictable costs. Check each product's pricing page for current rates.
Can I migrate from Rocketadmin to Flashboard?
If your data is in PostgreSQL, yes. Connect Flashboard to the same database. Flashboard reads your existing schema without requiring migrations. Custom actions and Zapier workflows built in Rocketadmin won't transfer since Flashboard doesn't have those features. If you're using Rocketadmin with MySQL, Oracle, MSSQL, or MongoDB, Flashboard won't work since it only supports PostgreSQL.
Can I migrate from Flashboard to Rocketadmin?
Yes. Since Flashboard doesn't modify your database schema, you can connect Rocketadmin to the same PostgreSQL database. Rich text content created in Flashboard is stored as HTML, which will display as text in Rocketadmin since it doesn't have CMS features. Your saved filters and UI customizations won't transfer.
Which is better for customer support teams?
Both tools work well for customer support and both include activity logs for tracking changes. The main difference is that Rocketadmin has custom actions for operations like banning users or triggering emails, while Flashboard has CMS features for content management. If you need custom operational workflows, Rocketadmin may be more suitable. If you need content management alongside data management, Flashboard is designed for that.
Do I need self-hosting?
Most teams don't. Self-hosting adds operational complexity: you're responsible for updates, backups, and security patches. However, some organizations have compliance requirements that prevent using cloud services, or strict data sovereignty rules that require data to stay on-premises. If that's your situation, Rocketadmin's Docker/Helm deployment is the only option between these two tools.
Which is better for agencies building client projects?
Both can work. Rocketadmin's white-label feature lets you brand the admin panel with your client's logo and colors. Flashboard's CMS features are useful if clients need to edit content. If you're building for multiple clients with different database types, Rocketadmin's multi-database support helps. If all your clients use PostgreSQL and need content management, Flashboard may be more focused on that workflow.
What are the best alternatives to both?
For full-featured internal tool builders: Retool, Appsmith, and Budibase. For admin panels focused on existing databases: Forest Admin, Basedash, and JetAdmin. The right choice depends on whether you need a simple admin panel (Flashboard, Rocketadmin) or a platform for building custom internal applications (Retool, Appsmith).
Still not sure?
If you need a PostgreSQL admin panel with CMS features, try Flashboard for free. If you need multi-database support or self-hosting, explore Rocketadmin. Both offer free tiers, so you can evaluate each without commitment.
