Mathesar

Mathesar is an open-source, self-hosted web application that provides a spreadsheet-style web interface for viewing, editing, and querying PostgreSQL databases without requiring knowledge of SQL. The software is deployed as a server application, often via Docker, to allow users to manage data directly on their own infrastructure while maintaining full ownership of their information.

Users can connect Mathesar to an existing Postgres database or start a new one from scratch. The application maps its interface directly to database schemas, tables, and constraints, ensuring that data remains portable and compatible with other tools in the Postgres ecosystem. It is designed for users of varying technical skill levels who need to collaborate on structured data without writing code or managing complex database administration tools.

Key features

• Spreadsheet-like interface for creating, updating, and deleting records
• Native Postgres access control using existing roles and privileges
• Visual query builder for filtering, sorting, and grouping data
• Form builder to collect external data via unique links
• Schema management tools to create and update tables and columns
• Support for Postgres primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints
• Data import and export capabilities
• Schema migrations to transfer columns between tables
• Custom validated data types for emails and URLs

The technical stack consists of a Django backend and a Svelte frontend. Because it operates directly on PostgreSQL without adding an abstraction layer, the software maintains the scalability and performance of the underlying database, making it suitable for production environments. It is intended for teams that require the strict structure of a relational database but prefer a no-code interface for daily data entry, exploration, and internal collaboration. By utilizing native Postgres roles, it ensures that security is handled at the database level rather than through a separate application layer.

Mathesar is maintained by a nonprofit foundation and is licensed under the GPLv3.