Matrify

Matrify is a configurable database for organizing records in tables, with linked data, shared access controls, and a choice of cloud or self-hosted deployment. It is best for people and teams who need structured records and API access more than spreadsheet-style calculations. Its flexibility is useful, but the free tier’s 300-record ceiling and lack of formulas put firm boundaries on its reach.

Overview

Users can shape tables around information such as customers, assets, products, or action items, choosing fields for text, dates, numbers, images, video, and comments. Multi-column search and shareable filters make it easier to focus on a slice of a dataset, while record links connect related information within or across tables. Validation rules and constraints add structure; the absence of calculation formulas means Matrify is a poor fit when derived values or spreadsheet-like analysis are central.

Key features

Table sharing includes permission controls, so collaborators can be given different levels of access rather than blanket control. CSV import and export help with data exchange, and the database is stored natively as an XML file. Its RESTful API can read, write, delete, and query database data, which gives technically capable teams a way to build custom automation. The maker describes integrations through the API but names no ready-made connectors, so teams should not choose Matrify expecting a particular plug-and-play integration.

Deployment is a meaningful choice: Matrify can run on a self-hosted server or in cloud hosting on Amazon AWS, with a server dedicated to each team. The server guide says SSL/TLS encryption and IP access restrictions can be configured, while putting responsibility for a secure installation on the user. That makes self-hosting attractive to teams wanting control, but it also brings operational and security duties.

Pricing

The free Standard License costs nothing and allows up to 300 records and 3 users. It is a sensible starting point for a small personal or team database, but the record cap makes it unsuitable for growing collections unless users move to a paid license.

The 1–10 user Starter annual license costs $10 a year and includes maintenance; its perpetual counterpart costs $20, paid once and includes one free year of maintenance. These are the lowest-cost paid options and suit small groups choosing between annual payment and a one-time license purchase. The annual tiers are $500 a year for 11–15 users, $1,000 a year for 16–25 users, $2,000 a year for 26–50 users, and $4,000 a year for 51–100 users; each includes maintenance. Perpetual licenses cost $1,000, paid once for 11–15 users, $2,000, paid once for 16–25 users, and $4,000, paid once for 26–50 users, each including one free year of maintenance. The listed team-size bands make the paid structure more relevant to organizations that know their seat needs; beyond 50 users, only an annual tier is given.

Platforms

Matrify supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, as well as self-hosting and API access. The maker lists Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer as compatible browsers and says the server runs on Linux, Mac, and Windows.

Who it's for

Corporations, organizations, and private users can use Matrify to manage information. It is strongest for users who want linked tables, configurable fields, controlled collaboration, and either a dedicated cloud server or a server they operate themselves. It is not the right choice for calculation-heavy work, and the free tier’s 300-record cap limits its usefulness as a long-term home for expanding datasets.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Linked records, validation rules, and constraints support more structured data than disconnected lists.
• Pros: Permissions, shareable filters, CSV exchange, and a RESTful API cover collaboration and custom workflows.
• Pros: Cloud and self-hosted deployment give teams a choice of operating model.
• Cons: No calculation formulas, so spreadsheet-oriented analysis requires another tool.
• Cons: The free plan stops at 300 records and 3 users, which can constrain even a useful small database.
• Cons: Self-hosting leaves secure installation to the user, and API-based integrations may require custom work.

Alternatives

Compare no-code database software if you want to weigh Matrify against more options in the category. Choose Lark instead if a free plan for up to 20 users, 100 GB of storage, 18 months of message history, and 1,000 monthly automations better suits a collaborative workspace. Ninox is a stronger alternative when a free allowance of up to 5 users and 5,000 records matters more than Matrify’s deployment choices. For a self-hosted database with no per-seat fee, consider Saltcorn, whose open-source platform is MIT-licensed. Airtable is worth considering for its Team plan’s 50,000 records per base and 100,000 monthly API calls per workspace. Grist is another option for users who want unlimited documents with up to 5,000 records per document on its free plan. Choose Memento Database if unlimited entries on its free plan are a priority. Stackby may suit teams that need a free allowance of 1,500 rows per stack, while Ragic offers 1,000 records per custom sheet and unlimited users on its free plan.

Verdict

Matrify is a good fit for small teams and organizations that need linked records, permissions, API-driven workflows, and a choice of hosting. Its defining advantages are relational structure and deployment flexibility; the main reasons to look elsewhere are the missing formulas and the free plan’s 300-record cap. If calculations or a larger no-cost dataset are essential, another database tool will be a better match.