What database solutions work best with n8n workflows? Looking for recommendations between Airtable, Google Sheets, NocoDB and others

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1

I’m working on various n8n automation projects and trying to figure out the best database approach. Right now I’m testing several options but can’t decide which one to stick with.

Current options I’m considering:

  • Google Sheets - easy to set up but gets slow with lots of data
  • Airtable - looks nice but the free plan is pretty restrictive
  • NocoDB - seems promising as a self-hosted option
  • CockroachDB - powerful but maybe overkill for simple tasks

The main challenge is that each database has different integration quirks with n8n. Some have better API connections while others are easier to configure but slower to run.

What I’m hoping to learn:

  • Which database do you prefer for n8n integrations?
  • Have you run into any major issues with specific combinations?
  • Any setup tips that made your workflow smoother?

I’d appreciate hearing about your real-world experience with these tools. Thanks for any insights you can share!

2

In my experience with n8n, PostgreSQL is the recommended choice for handling larger datasets effectively while maintaining seamless integration. Google Sheets is suitable for lightweight tasks and team collaboration but tends to slow down significantly with heavy data usage. CockroachDB is also worth considering for scalability, especially when facing API constraints. For critical applications, I advise opting for PostgreSQL, while Google Sheets can be utilized for simpler team-oriented projects.