Open-Source DevOps · undb-io

undb

undb is an open-source no-code database and backend-as-a-service platform built on SQLite, designed for self-hosted deployment. It offers a UI for table management, formula fields, REST API support, and can run as a single binary, Docker container, or cloud service.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/undb-io/undb

GitHub stars

153

Forks

TypeScript

Primary language

AGPL-3.0

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	undb-io/undb
Owner	undb-io
Primary language	TypeScript
License	AGPL-3.0 — OSI-approved
Stars	3k
Forks	153
Open issues	54
Latest release	v1.0.0-143 (2025-03-28)
Last updated	2025-07-13
Source	https://github.com/undb-io/undb

What undb is

TypeScript-based no-code platform using SQLite as the datastore, packaged via Bun for binary distribution, and deployable as Docker containers or cloud services. Supports OpenAPI REST APIs, formula fields, offline-first operation, and progressive deployment from single-file to distributed stacks.

Quickstart

Get the undb source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/undb-io/undb.git2cd undb3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Self-hosted internal data management

Teams needing full control over database hosting, data residency, and infrastructure can deploy undb on-premise or private cloud with no external dependencies or SaaS lock-in.

Rapid prototyping and MVP development

Founders and small engineering teams can quickly build database-backed applications without writing backend code, using the no-code interface and REST API to iterate fast.

Airtable-like workflows for non-technical users

Organizations wanting spreadsheet-like data management with rich views (kanban, calendar, gallery, pivot) and formula support without vendor dependency can use undb as a self-hosted alternative.

Implementation considerations

SQLite file-based storage requires backup and disaster recovery planning; production deployments must include volume/persistence strategy for Docker or equivalent.
No-code UI simplifies entry but workflow customization may require extending the REST API; evaluate feature parity with Airtable or other alternatives before migration.
Bun runtime dependency adds build and runtime complexity; ensure team familiarity or risk operational friction in deployment and debugging.
AGPL-3.0 license requires careful review if building commercial products; any modifications or network-distributed use may trigger copyleft obligations.
Latest release is v1.0.0-143 (pre-release tag); production use should validate stability and maturity, especially for critical workloads.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Highly transactional or mission-critical systems — SQLite is optimized for read-heavy workloads and concurrent writes are limited; avoid for systems requiring horizontal scaling, high-throughput OLTP, or strict ACID guarantees at scale.
Need for proprietary vendor support contracts — undb is community-supported; if your organization requires commercial SLAs, dedicated support, or vendor accountability, this is not the right fit.
Complex multi-tenant SaaS applications — Built-in multi-tenancy, role-based access control beyond basic permissions, and data isolation are not clearly documented; unsuitable for production SaaS with strict tenant segregation.
Enterprise compliance and audit requirements — Security posture, audit logging, encryption at rest/in transit, and compliance certifications (SOC2, HIPAA, etc.) are not documented; unsuitable for regulated industries without security assessment.

License & commercial use

Licensed under AGPL-3.0 (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0), a strong copyleft license requiring source code disclosure and copyleft compliance for any distributed modifications or network services.

AGPL-3.0 permits commercial use, but with caveats: any modifications, derivatives, or network-distributed versions must be released under the same license and source code made available. Using undb as an internal tool is permissible; bundling it into a proprietary product or SaaS requires careful licensing review and likely source disclosure. Consult a legal specialist for commercial deployment strategies.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Low
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	Medium

Security considerations

Security posture is not documented in provided materials. No mention of authentication mechanisms (basic auth, OAuth, API keys), encryption at rest/in transit, input validation, SQL injection mitigations, or security audit history. SQLite file-based storage and local-first design have both benefits (no external data transmission) and risks (file permissions, backup security). Before production deployment, conduct security assessment and confirm compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Alternatives to consider

Airtable

Commercial SaaS no-code platform with built-in multi-tenancy, mobile apps, and enterprise support; avoid if data residency or cost predictability is critical.

NocoDB

Open-source no-code database (MIT license) with similar features; better for commercial use due to permissive license, though architectural and feature differences may apply.

Supabase

Open-source PostgreSQL-based backend platform with built-in real-time and auth; better for scalable multi-user applications but requires more infrastructure.

Software development agency

Build on undb with DEV.co software developers

Evaluate undb as a self-hosted no-code database solution. Review licensing terms (AGPL-3.0), deployment options, and security requirements with your team. Visit docs.undb.io and try the hosted demo at app.undb.io.

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ydb libsql sqlite-jdbc

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undb FAQ

Can I use undb commercially?

Yes, AGPL-3.0 permits commercial use, but any modifications or network-distributed versions must release source code under the same license. Using undb as an internal tool is unrestricted; bundling or SaaS use requires licensing review.

What database does undb use?

SQLite, a lightweight, file-based SQL database. Suitable for read-heavy and small-to-medium workloads, but not for high-concurrency or horizontally-scaled systems.

How do I deploy undb in production?

Use Docker (with volume mounts for persistence), deploy to Render.com or similar PaaS, or self-host on your infrastructure. Ensure backup, monitoring, and disaster recovery are in place.

Does undb support multi-tenancy?

Not clearly documented. The README does not describe built-in multi-tenant isolation or per-tenant data segregation; evaluate before using for multi-tenant SaaS.

Custom software development services

DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If undb is part of your open-source devops roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.

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