Local-first vs cloud-native is back in the spotlight after an Ask HN thread about leaving the cloud for installable apps. The idea: a one-time licensed, local version of software could replace ongoing SaaS in some markets, with SQLite and DuckDB as potential data engines. [1]
Use cases named include accounting software, POS, scheduling, CRM, and electronic medical records. [1]
A video post touts a self-hosted Airtable alternative. [2]
On the database tooling front, Visual DB positions itself as a web front end for databases that preserves ACID semantics rather than spreadsheet-like hybrids. [3]
- It enforces proper concurrency control, with explicit conflict notifications and a visual merge UI. [3]
- It sits on a backing store built with PostgreSQL; the team emphasizes strong consistency. [3]
- The stack includes Kubernetes on Azure. [3]
- Features include a query builder, server-side filtering, AI-assisted query building, and Row-Level Security (RLS). [3]
- Passionate founder Sandhya leads the effort to shift from spreadsheet-style UIs to true database tooling. [3]
Bottom line: the debate is evolving into a toolbox-heavy future where local-first installable apps and self-hosted options coexist with cloud-native services.
References
Ask HN: Do businesses want to leave the cloud and return to installable apps?
Discusses local-first database ideas (SQLite, DuckDB) as cloudless software, contrasting one-time licenses with SaaS subscriptions for small businesses.
View sourceSelf-hosted Airtable alternative [video]
Video discusses self-hosted Airtable alternatives, comparing features, hosting requirements, privacy, control, scalability, and database-like workflow implications for teams and organizations.
View sourceShow HN: Visual DB – Web front end for your database (update)
ACID emphasis, concurrency controls, comparing to Airtable hybrids; favors DB semantics over spreadsheet-like UI; PostgreSQL backing supports it in practice.
View source