Baserow vs Timely: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Baserow and Timely to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
Baserow
6.9/10
Open-source no-code database and application builder that teams use to manage projects, data, and workflows, available in the cloud or self-hosted.
Timely
6.4/10
AI-powered automatic time tracking and project budgeting software for agencies, consultancies and knowledge-work teams that bill or plan by the hour.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.9/10 | 6.4/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | $12/user/mo Premium | $11/user/mo Starter |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free | $200/mo Premium |
| Features | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Databases | Not listed | |
| Spreadsheet interface | Not listed | |
| Client collaboration | Not listed | |
| App integrations | ||
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
| Task management | ||
| Workflow automation | Not listed | |
| Dashboards | ||
| Kanban boards | Not listed | |
| Collaboration tools | Not listed | |
| Time tracking | Not listed | |
| Reporting | Not listed | |
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Baserow
- Has a free plan (Timely does not)
- Lower estimated cost for 10 users: Free vs $200/mo
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Customization score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for developers (6/10 vs 4/10)
Why choose Timely
- Higher Analytics score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Support score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for agencies (9/10 vs 6/10)
Pros & Cons
Baserow
Pros
- Open-source self-hosted edition has no row, storage, or API caps, which suits teams that need data sovereignty.
- Paid seats cost about half as much as Airtable seats, starting at $10 per user per month on annual billing.
- Native Airtable import and a familiar grid interface make it easier for Airtable users to switch.
- Built-in application builder can turn databases into client portals with up to 500 external users.
- Open REST API, an MCP server, and connectors for Zapier, Make, and n8n.
Cons
- Kanban, calendar, and timeline views require a paid plan, even when self-hosted.
- No native iOS or Android apps, and reviewers report poor mobile and embed compatibility.
- Viewer roles, data sync, and direct support only start at the Advanced tier.
- Automation builder is still in beta, and the integration ecosystem is smaller than Airtable's.
- Reviewers note fewer templates and possible performance issues with very large databases.
Timely
Pros
- The background Memory app records app, web, document and meeting activity, so users do not have to start and stop timers.
- AI-drafted timesheets make it fast to log billable hours from captured activity.
- The privacy-first design keeps tracking data private to each user, with no screenshots or keystroke logging.
- Budgets, billable rates and capacity planning sit alongside tracking, which suits client-billing firms.
- ISO 27001:2022 certified, with AWS hosting in the EU and AES-256 encryption at rest.
Cons
- No free plan, and Starter is capped at 5 users and 20 projects.
- Task management is a paid add-on, and there are no Gantt charts, docs or boards.
- Reviewers report the AI sometimes misidentifies tasks when drafting entries.
- Reviewers describe the mobile app as glitchy and say tracking does not work offline.
- Not SOC 2 certified, which may matter for some US enterprise buyers.
