# Airtable alternatives for AI agents

2 alternatives to Airtable. 2 have an interface an agent can drive. 1 is open source.

Page: alternatives/airtable.html

## Baserow

Open-source Airtable alternative with a full REST API and an official row-level MCP server; MIT core, env-configured.

- Listing: apps/baserow--baserow.html
- JSON: apps/baserow--baserow.json
- License: MIT core with premium/ and enterprise/ under separate license
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 2 of 9 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-02
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Add or change fields; Create and filter views; Build automations; Build and publish applications and portals; Dashboards; Import from Airtable or files; Set up webhooks
- Use it when: I want a CRM that is just tables I control, with our agent writing rows from other tools
- Use it when: I want to replace Airtable without a per-seat bill and keep the data on our server
- Gotcha: The MCP endpoint URL is the credential: treat it as a password
- Gotcha: MCP covers rows and tables only; fields, views, automations and apps need the REST API
- Gotcha: premium/ and enterprise/ directories are not MIT
- Gotcha: Repository moved from GitLab in 2026; old merge requests were not imported

## Directus

Backend and Studio over any SQL database with a built-in MCP server; source-available, free under revenue caps.

- Listing: apps/directus--directus.html
- JSON: apps/directus--directus.json
- License: MSCL-1.0 (source-available; GitHub NOASSERTION)
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 6 of 10 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-02
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Build Studio dashboards and insights
- Use it when: I have a database already and want an admin UI and API on top that my agent can also write to
- Use it when: I want editors in a Studio and an agent creating collections and content under the same permission rules
- Gotcha: MSCL 1.0 is source-available, not OSI open source; organizations over $5M revenue or 50 employees need a commercial license
- Gotcha: Free Core tier caps at 3 seats, 25 collections, and 5 flows unless you apply for the Open Innovation Grant
- Gotcha: Remote MCP requires v11.12+; older versions fall back to a Node.js MCP server
- Gotcha: Create a dedicated MCP user and token rather than using an admin token
- Gotcha: 398 open issues; large surface, expect upgrade notes between releases

## Questions

### Is there an open source alternative to Airtable?

Yes. 1 of the 2 listings here is open source: Baserow (MIT core with premium/ and enterprise/ under separate license).

### Which Airtable alternatives have an MCP server?

Baserow and Directus have MCP servers from their builders.

### Which Airtable alternative can an agent do the most with?

Directus: 6 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Jobs differ by listing, so read each list before you choose.