Airtable
Airtable is a flexible cloud-based platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a robust database to help teams build custom workflows and connected applications.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a flexible work management platform that combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with powerful project management features to help you automate workflows and track complex projects.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Airtable | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Website | airtable.com | smartsheet.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Bellevue, USA |
Overview
Airtable
Airtable gives you the freedom to organize your work exactly how you want by combining a flexible database with a familiar spreadsheet interface. You can track anything from inventory and marketing campaigns to product roadmaps and applicant tracking systems. Instead of being forced into a rigid structure, you build custom applications that perfectly match your team's specific requirements and data needs.
You can visualize your information through multiple lenses, including grid, kanban, calendar, and gallery views. The platform allows you to automate repetitive tasks and integrate with your existing tech stack to keep your data synced. Whether you are a solo creator or part of a global enterprise, you can create a single source of truth that evolves alongside your growing business operations.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet gives you a dynamic workspace where you can manage projects, automate workflows, and build new solutions without writing code. You can switch between grid, card, Gantt, and calendar views to visualize your work exactly how you want. It bridges the gap between simple spreadsheets and complex project tools, allowing you to track individual tasks or manage massive enterprise portfolios in one centralized location.
You can eliminate manual data entry by setting up automated alerts, status updates, and approval requests. The platform scales with your needs, whether you are a small team organizing a launch or a large corporation managing global operations. It helps you increase transparency across your organization by sharing real-time dashboards and reports with stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays aligned on key goals and deadlines.
Overview
Airtable Features
- Interface Designer Build custom, interactive interfaces for your team so they can interact with data without seeing the underlying complexity.
- Multiple Data Views Switch between grid, kanban, calendar, and Gantt views to see your project progress from every possible angle.
- Native Automations Create multi-step workflows that trigger actions in other apps or update records automatically to save your team hours.
- Relational Databases Link records between different tables to create smart relationships and eliminate the need for duplicate data entry.
- Airtable AI Summarize long text fields, categorize information, and generate content directly within your workflow using integrated artificial intelligence.
- Real-time Collaboration Work simultaneously with your teammates on the same base and see updates instantly across all devices and views.
Smartsheet Features
- Flexible Work Views. Switch instantly between Grid, Gantt, Card, and Calendar views to manage your tasks from any perspective you prefer.
- Automated Workflows. Create visual automated actions to send alerts, request approvals, and update sheet rows without manual intervention.
- Real-time Dashboards. Build custom widgets and charts to give your team and executives a live look at project health and performance.
- Dynamic Reports. Consolidate information from multiple sheets into a single report to identify trends and risks across different departments.
- Proofing and Approvals. Streamline content reviews by uploading files directly to rows and collecting feedback through dedicated proofing workflows.
- Resource Management. Track team availability and allocate hours effectively to ensure your projects stay on schedule and under budget.
Pricing Comparison
Airtable Pricing
- Unlimited bases
- Up to 5 editors
- 1,000 records per base
- 6GB attachments per base
- 1,000 automation runs
- Interface Designer
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 50,000 records per base
- 20GB attachments per base
- 25,000 automation runs
- Gantt and Timeline views
- Verified data sync
Smartsheet Pricing
- 1 user and 2 editors
- Up to 2 sheets
- Gantt, Grid, Card views
- 500MB attachment storage
- 100 automations per month
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited viewers
- Up to 10 sheets
- Unlimited reports and dashboards
- 20GB attachment storage
- Forms and branding
Pros & Cons
Airtable
Pros
- Highly customizable interface adapts to any workflow
- Relational database features prevent data duplication
- Excellent mobile app for managing data anywhere
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder requires no coding
- Powerful automation engine reduces manual data entry
Cons
- Pricing is expensive for large teams
- Learning curve for complex relational setups
- Record limits can be restrictive on lower tiers
Smartsheet
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces the initial learning curve
- Highly customizable views for different project management styles
- Powerful automation engine saves hours of manual work
- Excellent reporting capabilities across multiple different sheets
- Strong mobile app for managing tasks while traveling
Cons
- Advanced features require a significant time investment
- Real-time collaboration lacks the speed of Google Sheets
- Pricing can become expensive as you add more members