dbBee
Turn your Excel, Access, or MySQL data into apps and APIs with no coding
About dbBee
dbBee is a hosted no-code service that turns Excel workbooks, Access databases, or an external MySQL database into web apps and APIs. Its wizards generate searchable lists, input forms, admin CRUD panels, and JSON/XML API endpoints, and you can embed the results in WordPress, Joomla, Wix, Squarespace, or any site that accepts embedded content.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Works directly from existing Excel or Access files, so non-developers can publish data without rebuilding it in a new tool
- Free plan is free forever and covers commercial use, with unlimited users and databases
- Paid plans are inexpensive, starting at $6.95/mo billed annually
- Generates JSON/XML APIs with filtering, sorting, and pagination, so it can act as a lightweight backend for a custom frontend
- Embeds into common site builders and CMSs, with dedicated WordPress and Joomla plugins
Cons
- Free plan is capped at 100 records and 10 MB of monthly data transfer, which only suits testing
- API, CUD, and export wizards are locked to the Professional plan
- Generated apps and wizard UI look dated next to modern no-code builders like Airtable or Glide
- Almost no independent user reviews, and the WordPress plugins have very low install counts
- Payment is through PayPal only, and prices exclude VAT
Key Features
Excel and Access upload
Upload an Excel workbook or Access database (including .accdb) and use it as an online database without migrating it to a new format.
External MySQL connections
Connect an existing MySQL database as a project data source on paid plans.
Search app wizard
Generate search forms and reports that let visitors search, filter, browse, and view record details.
Input form wizard
Build forms that collect new records directly into your dataset, with a range of input field types.
Admin CRUD wizard
Create a browser-based admin interface to create, edit, update, and delete records.
JSON/XML data exchange APIs
Expose your data as JSON or XML endpoints with search, SQL-style filtering, sorting, and pagination parameters (dbBee_qs, dbBee_sql, dbBee_mr, dbBee_sr, dbBee_order).
Export wizard
Export records as XML formatted for import back into a local Access database or Excel workbook.
Authorization files
Protect any dbBee project with a user name and password.
Website embedding
Embed projects through iframe or script code, with plugins for WordPress and Joomla and guides for Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and Jimdo.
Report styling controls
Paid plans control fonts, colors, buttons, column alignment, records per page, and search box visibility.
Pricing
- Limited to first 100 database records
- Unlimited users and databases
- 3 projects
- 10 MB data transfer per month
- 10 MB upload file size limit
- Shows "Powered by dbBee" footer
- $83.40/year when billed annually ($6.95/mo)
- Unlimited records, users, and databases
- 30 projects
- 1 GB data transfer per month
- No dbBee branding
- 100 MB upload file size limit
- External MySQL connections
- Full control over report style
- $167.40/year when billed annually ($13.95/mo)
- Everything in Standard
- 100 projects
- 5 GB data transfer per month
- No upload file size limit
- JSON and XML data exchange wizards
- CUD wizard (create, update, delete)
- Export wizard
Best For
Publishing a searchable directory
Turn a spreadsheet of listings, products, or members into a searchable, filterable list embedded on your website.
Collecting data through web forms
Use input forms to gather submissions straight into an Excel or Access dataset without a backend.
Browser-based admin for small databases
Give staff a CRUD admin panel to maintain records that previously lived in a shared spreadsheet.
Lightweight API backend
Serve spreadsheet or MySQL data as JSON/XML endpoints for a JavaScript frontend, charts, or integrations.
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