While Airtable is great for database management, it has its limits — especially when it comes to pricing and flexibility.
Read on to learn more about:
- Why some users look for Airtable alternatives
- 8 powerful alternatives to Airtable for 2024
- How each tool can improve your data management and productivity
Our 8 Favorite Airtable Alternatives
What is Airtable?
Airtable is a no-code backend builder that lets you create your backend without technical or programming experience. You’ll also be able to integrate several third-party applications into your Airtable database, such as Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Hubspot, and many more.
Airtable's third-party integrations allow seamless data transfer into your database for easy organization and manipulation.
Why Look for an Airtable Alternative?
While Airtable provides a powerful database-building platform for some, it falls short in a few different areas. Here are some reasons why some folks might seek an alternative to Airtable:
- Can get expensive: Airtable’s cheapest version costs $24/month per user (billed monthly) — which can add up if you have a large team of users. Additionally, if you need to leverage more advanced features, you’ll probably need to go with the $54/month per user (billed monthly) version, which is quite the expense for a team of 10.
- Backend builder only: Airtable is excellent for creating a database and backend logic. However, if you want to transform your data into an app, you’ll need a front-end builder, meaning you’ll need to pay for another platform.
- Lack of flexibility: While it provides several essential functions, Airtable’s functionalities might be too basic, especially for people looking to create complex data relationships or schema. If you’re looking to build a sophisticated database with a unique structure, you will most likely need to look beyond Airtable.
#1 Adalo
Overview
Adalo is a no-code native mobile app builder that balances simplicity and power.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- While Airtable only allows for database and backend construction, Adalo provides the total package: You can create an app’s frontend, backend, and database on the Adalo platform.
- Just like Airtable, Adalo comes with tons of integrations: You can connect to Mailchimp, Zapier, QuickBooks, and many more to send data to your Adalo app.
- You can ensure that all users, whether a handful of internal team members or a few thousand clients, can access your app. Adalo allows for publishing on the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store.
Who It’s Best For
Over the years, we’ve recommended Adalo to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium businesses more than any other app.
Pricing
Start using Adalo for only $45/month (billed monthly).
Final Verdict
For non-technical folks looking to create an app for their small or medium-sized business that they can publish on a variety of platforms, Adalo is clearly the best choice.
#2 Xano
Overview
Xano is one of the most powerful backend builders available. It gives you freakish control over constructing your database, backend logic, and more.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- Xano is Turing complete, making it flexible enough to perform any backend calculation and control all loops and conditions. If you want to build a robust backend, look no further than Xano.
- Enterprises and startups looking to grow will find Xano especially useful. This is because you’ll be able to scale your backend to accommodate nearly any database size you can imagine.
Who It’s Best For
Xano has a steep learning curve, and it’s catered to techies. So, if you aren’t sure how to create your database schema or don’t have any experience with SQL, you might encounter difficulties with Xano.
Pricing
After the free version, Xano’s first plan is $99/month (billed monthly) and provides 3 workspaces and unlimited records. Plus, if you sign up for Adalo’s Business Version, you’ll get free access to this plan.
If you need more power, try the $225/month (billed monthly) plan, which allows you to run unlimited background tests and gives you an option to make your backend HIPAA compliant.
Final Verdict
For advanced users looking to scale their backend, Xano provides unparalleled flexibility compared to Airtable.
#3 Coda
Overview
Coda is a collaborative platform that integrates several functionalities into one versatile workspace many can access.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- While you’ll build your database and backend from one source using Airtable, Coda lets you integrate several data sources into one, allowing you to streamline your workflows effectively — this is a plus for teams working with multiple databases.
- Coda also has a simple frontend component that allows you to create and send forms via a link. The completed form data is then stored in your database — ideal for businesses seeking feedback, conducting research, or doing anything else.
Who It’s Best For
Teams who need to collaborate on databases and workflows will find Coda a viable option.
Pricing
Coda’s pricing starts at $12/month per user (billed monthly), which gives you 5GB of attachment space and custom-branded forms. The $36/month per user (billed monthly) allows you to assign specific permissions and editing access and provides unlimited attachment space.
Final Verdict
Businesses with several people updating and editing their databases, those who need to gather information, and those who are budget-conscious will find Coda a solid Airtable alternative.
#4 Smartsheet
Overview
Smartsheet is a robust work management platform that facilitates business operations as it’s designed to unify collaboration, workflows, and content management.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- Several Fortune 100 companies use Smartsheet because the platform is built to scale to the 100,000s. So, if you’re one of the big kids, Smartsheet has more scalability power than Airtable.
Who It’s Best For
Due to its scaling capabilities and multi-functional collaboration tools, Smartsheet excels as a functional platform for large teams across several locations — or continents.
Pricing
For $12/month per user (billed monthly), Smartsheet gives you 250 automations and unlimited sheets. The $36/month per user (billed monthly) version allows a huge 1TB of attachment storage and unlimited automations.
Final Verdict
Smartsheet is the optimal Airspace alternative for large organizations with multiple locations or remote teams that need to handle, automate, and organize large amounts of data.
#5 Backendless
Overview
Backendless is an app builder that allows you to create all three parts of your app.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- While you’ll need some tech experience, Backendless provides a powerful platform allowing you to customize your database and backend just the way you want, with much more customization control and flexibility than Airtable.
- Backendless also comes with a feature that Airtable doesn’t provide: A frontend builder. This means you can create an app from one platform without paying for both a backend and a frontend builder.
Who It’s Best For
Folks who know their way around a computer and how to customize a database and backend will find Backendless a much more feasible option than Airtable.
Pricing
Backendless’s pricing starts at $15/month (billed monthly). While you’re limited to 100 database tables with 100,000 objects per table, you can purchase features at individual prices. For instance, get an extra 200,000 database objects for $10/month (billed monthly) or 50 database tables for $25/month (billed monthly).
If you want to run your app off your server (on-prem), Backendless allows you to do so starting at $10,000 per year, which can be a pretty good deal for large enterprises.
Final Verdict
Offering pricing options for small businesses and enterprises, Backendless is a tech-heavy Airtable alternative that lets you create a scalable, highly customized app.
#6 SmartSuite
Overview
SmartSuite is a platform that allows you to create multiple databases to organize your business’s processes and data.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- Get your building started quickly by selecting from one of SmartSuite’s 150+ templates, which SmartSuite calls “Solutions.” You can customize these to your needs and preferences.
- SmartSuite knows security is a top priority, so it has several features to keep bad actors away from your data. Some eye-catching security features include SOC type II and GDPR compliance, 2-factor authentication, and a few more lockdown features.
- Starting at $12/month per user (billed monthly), SmartSuite is a budget-friendly alternative to Airtable.
Who It’s Best For
Businesses needing to build workflows from databases to optimize nearly any internal process will find SmartSuite’s features well-suited to their needs.
Pricing
As we mentioned, SmartSuite starts at $12/month per user (billed monthly), which gives you unlimited solutions (templates) and up to 5,000 records per one with 50GB of total storage — and billing starts after the 14-day free trial. The $24/month per user (billed monthly) version provides 50,000 solutions and 100GB of storage.
Final Verdict
SmartSuite is a budget-friendly alternative to Airtable, which has the template selection to get your building done fast.
#7 Stackby
Overview
Stackby is a flexible, no-code database-building platform combining the functionalities of spreadsheets, databases, and automations into one interface.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- With pricing starting at $6/month per user, Stackby is one of the most budget-friendly Airtable alternatives.
- Stackby is a seriously customizable alternative to Airtable. It provides over 300 templates with 25 different record types, allowing you to configure your data to your precise tastes.
Who It’s Best For
Stackby is best suited for small- to medium-sized businesses looking for a customizable way to manage their operations, marketing, content management, and project tracking.
Pricing
As you know, Stackby starts at $6/month for only one user (billed monthly), granting you up to 15 “stacks” (Stackby speaks for “database”) with up to 3,500 rows each. If you have a team, go for the $10/month per user (billed monthly) plan, providing up to 25 stacks of 7,000 rows each.
Final Verdict
Stackby is the Airtable alternative for solopreneurs to medium-sized teams needing a cheap, simple, no-frills application for managing and customizing their data.
#8 SeaTable
Overview
SeaTable is a versatile collaborative database application that combines a simple spreadsheet interface for seamless data management with the capability to handle more complex data relationships and structures.
What It Does Better Than Airtable
- With over 20 different column types, SeaTable provides more customization than Airtable, allowing you more versatility in viewing, storing, and marking up your data.
- If you’ve got your servers, SeaTable’s enterprise version will let you run your app on-prem. This will give you granular control over your app’s security and might even mold permanent smiles on the faces of every member of your IT team.
Who It’s Best For
SeaTable has database solutions for nearly anyone, with affordable pricing for smaller teams and enterprise solutions for behemoth organizations.
Pricing
SeaTable starts at €9/month per user (billed monthly — yes, that’s Euro — Seatable is based in Germany), providing unlimited tables with 50,000 and up to 50GB of file storage. For €14/month per user (billed monthly), you get unlimited tables and rows with 100GB of file storage.
Final Verdict
SeaTable is a strong choice for those who need more customization than Airtable but still seek ease of use. It’s cheap enough for companies on a budget while also providing robust enterprise options.
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Adalo: A Simple and Versatile Airtable Alternative
Are you looking for a platform that provides you with the capabilities to build a database and a frontend? Go with Adalo.
Adalo is a simple, no-code, all-in-one app-building platform that lets you create your frontend, backend, and database. Ultimately, when you build with Adalo, you won’t have to worry about paying for and learning another platform.
While you won’t need technical or coding skills to create your app, Adalo doesn’t skimp on power. You’ll have near-granular control over your app’s design, and you’ll also be able to add several performance-boosting components and have access to 1,000s of third-party integrations.
Publish your app to the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store to get it in front of as many eyes as possible. Try out Adalo today, and start building your app for free.
