Airtable has earned its reputation as a go-to tool for structuring data with the simplicity of a spreadsheet. Still, its limitations eventually show. Maybe the feature set no longer fits your workflow, or the price climbs as records pile up. Who knows? But whatever the reason, you should start exploring stronger alternatives.
We know the feeling. After testing a wide range of platforms, we’ve gathered clear, practical insights into the top Airtable replacements for 2025. These aren’t surface-level comparisons – we’ve pushed each option to its limits, including our own Tadabase, to see how they perform in real use.
Curious to know what its alternatives are? Well, let’s get started.
What Is Airtable?
Have you seen a spreadsheet or Excel on steroids, but with the ability to create relationships between different tasks and build workflows without needing technical database knowledge? Well, that is more or less what Airtable is. It is a web-based platform that marries the ease of a spreadsheet with the capability of a relational database.
Since 2012, Airtable has become a leading name among no-code applications used to organize data, projects, and collaboration. Recent statistics report that Airtable serves over 450,000 organizations globally, including Netflix, Shopify, and TIME.
Why should one seek alternatives?
Airtable is a widely used app for a reason. It’s easy to use and minimalistic, and it doesn’t take a database savant to get it up and running. It’s a spreadsheet/database hybrid—the ultimate answer to a small team or solo project application.
However, not all famous people are considered to be perfect. If you have ever needed more records or higher-end functionalities, then chances are that you will have felt the rise in costs.
Users typically feel constrained in this area, which can become limiting if they need higher levels of customization or to automate deeper flows.
14 Best Airtable Alternatives for 2025
Are you searching for the best Airtable alternatives of 2025? Do you need more affordable rates, open-source adaptability, or enterprise-level features? Here are 14 leading tools compared, along with their pros and cons, pricing, and best use, to help you make the best decision for your team.
1. ClickUp – Overall Best All-in-One Work Management
ClickUp is now arguably the most used productivity tool, and over 800,000 global teams rely on it. While Airtable is centered around database-style workflows, ClickUp integrates task management, docs, goals, dashboards, and automation all in one place. That makes it a serious challenger to teams that’d rather have fewer standalone applications.
Pros:
- It connects work, docs, objectives, dashboards, and automations.
- Highly customizable with templates and integrations.
- Generous free plan with unlimited tasks and members.
Cons:
- Feature overload can overwhelm new users.
- Mobile app performance is often slower.
Best For: Businesses that require an out-of-the-box project + database solution.
Pricing: Free plan available, unlimited $7/ 7/person/month, business $12.
2. Smartsheet – Most Ideal for Business & Large Teams
Image Source: SmartSheet
Smartsheet is widely used in the enterprise collaboration environment, utilized in 90% of companies listed in the Fortune 100. Its spreadsheet-oriented interface combines powerful workflow automation, reporting, and connectivity, and operates beautifully in large institutions. It has compliance and scaling features that Airtable lacks.
Pros:
- Table-like interface reminiscent of Excel
- Powerful reporting and automation features
- Excellent scalability for enterprises
Cons:
- Too bulky for small groups
- Less customizable compared to Airtable.
Recommended For: Businesses that require a scalable spreadsheet-like solution.
Pricing: Pro $7/user/month, Business $25/user/month, Enterprise custom.
3. Coda – Best for Document + Database Hybrid
Coda transforms how teams work by unifying docs, spreadsheets, and databases into one adaptive space.
Its document-centric model enables you to integrate tables, charts, and automation directly into documents. If you require Airtable’s functionality but write before you design, Coda is a viable alternative.
Pros:
- Combines documents, spreadsheets, and databases
- Advanced formulas and building blocks
- Integrations with Slack, Figma, and Jira
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- It can be slow with enormous datasets.
Best For: Teams that require a document-centric workspace with strong database capabilities.
Pricing: Free plan, Pro $10/user/month, Team $30/user/month, Enterprise custom.
4. Notion – Best for Knowledge Management + Databases
Notion is an easy-to-use bundle that combines wikis, notes, minimalist databases, and project management. Although Airtable is better for complicated relational databases, Notion is great for knowledge management and low-key work.
Pros:
- Combines docs, wikis, and databases
- Large template library and active community
- Clean, modern interface.
Cons:
- Limited offline access
- The database features are less advanced than those of Airtable.
Best For: Startups and freelancers dealing with files and tiny databases.
Pricing: Free plan, Plus $8/user/month, Business $15/user/month, Enterprise custom
5. Quickbase – Best for App Building & Enterprise Customization
Quickbase is no-code software that more than 6,000 companies rely on to give businesses the ability to create their own proprietary data-driven applications. It features enterprise-powerful compliance-ready infrastructure and powerful automation that gives it its best use with heavily regulated businesses. Quickbase has far more enterprise-grade customization features than Airtable.
Pros:
- Advanced database and workflow automation
- Allows custom app creation
- Strong security and compliance.
Cons:
- Higher learning curve
- Expensive for small businesses.
Best For: Businesses requiring special apps and procedures.
Pricing: Starts at $35/user/month, Business and Enterprise custom
6. Wrike – Best for Project Managers Needing Flexibility
Wrike revolves around project management with robust planning features like Gantt charts, workload, and real-time reporting. In case teams do not like their Airtable project views to be too limited, they can opt for Wrike owing to its enhanced abilities.
Pros:
- Gantt charts, workload views, and time tracking
- Powerful automation and reporting
- Great for cross-functional teams.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- The interface can feel crowded
Best For: Project managers who need high-level project visibility.
Pricing: Free plan, Team $9.80/user/month, Business $24.80/user/month, Enterprise custom.
7. Microsoft Lists – Best for Microsoft 365 Users
Microsoft Lists comes with Microsoft 365 and is therefore simple for existing users. It allows teams to track issues, schedule tasks, and catalog information with templates. While it is simpler than Airtable, it integrates with Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook without issue.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Teams and Outlook
- Familiar UI for Office users
- Suitable for structured data and simple workflows.
Cons:
- Limited automation compared to Airtable
- Works best only within Microsoft ecosystem.
Best For: Microsoft 365 users who seek a hassle-free replacement for Airtable.
Pricing: Included in Microsoft 365 plans starting at $6/user/month.
8. Google Sheets – Best Free Spreadsheet-Style Alternative
Google sheet has an extremely popular globally used tool with over 2 billion active users of Google Workspace. It is not actually a database but because of its user-friendliness, availability, and collaborative working feature, it is often opted over Airtable. It is most affordable for solo users and small teams.
Pros:
- Free, easy-to-use, highly accessible
- Real-time collaboration
- Wide integration options via Google and third-party add-ons.
Cons:
- Not a true database
- Limited scalability for large projects.
Best For: Small teams and anyone looking for easy, free tracking of data.
Pricing: Free with a Google account, Business Starter $6/user/month.
9. Zapier Tables – Best for Workflow Automation
Started in 2023, Zapier Tables adds no-code databases to the Zapier ecosystem. Although it is still developing, it is a great option if automation is your main reason for moving away from Airtable.
Pros:
- Native integration with 5,000+ apps via Zapier.
- Easy-to-set automation triggers.
- Flexible database for workflows.
Cons:
- New product, still maturing.
- Limited compared to Airtable’s relational features.
Best For: Automation-first databases focused teams.
Pricing: Free plan available, Starter $20/month, Professional $49/month.
10. Tadabase – Best for No-Code App Development
Tadabase assists companies in creating applications that utilize data without requiring coding knowledge. Many small and large businesses use it to create unique websites and procedures. Compared to Airtable, Tadabase is a superior option for creating full apps.
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop app builder
- Advanced automation and reporting
- Scales for both SMBs and enterprises.
Cons:
- UI can feel outdated compared to Airtable
- Higher price for small teams.
Best For: Companies that need custom database-powered apps.
Pricing: Plans start at $62/month, with higher tiers for enterprise.
11. Baserow – Best Open-Source Airtable Alternative
Baserow is a free, community-created database program with thousands of users. Unlike Airtable, it provides full control over your data with self-hosting, which makes it appealing to developers or organizations that do not wish to risk vendor lock-in.
Pros:
- Fully open-source and self-hosted option
- No vendor lock-in
- Active developer community.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge for self-hosting
- Fewer out-of-the-box integrations.
Best For: Development teams that desire control and open-source flexibility.
Pricing: Free self-hosted, Cloud Pro €5/user/month, Enterprise custom.
12. NocoDB – Self-Hosted Open-Source Database Alternative
NocoDB is an open-source Airtable alternative that has over 20,000 users all over the world. It converts SQL databases to intelligent spreadsheets that can be customized without writing code by anyone. For teams requiring full control of their data, it is one of the most flexible solutions.
Pros:
- Open-source and self-hosted
- Connects to SQL databases directly
- No licensing fees.
Cons:
- Requires server setup
- Community-driven support.
Best For: IT teams and developers who require SQL and no-code functionality.
Pricing: Free (open-source), Enterprise custom.
13. Grist – Best for Data Analytics and Privacy-Focused Teams
Grist is a privacy-minded tool that combines databases and spreadsheets with decent analytical capabilities. It is open-source software, so it is of interest to organizations that value control and transparency. When compared with Airtable, Grist prioritizes data ownership and flexible analysis.
Pros:
- Privacy-focused and customizable
- Strong analytics and relational database features
- Open-source with a self-host option.
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem than Airtable
- Less polished UI.
Best For: Analytics-intensive use cases and privacy-aware teams.
Pricing: Free for individuals, Pro $8/user/month, Business $20/user/month.
14. Rows – Best for Finance Teams and Data-Driven Collaboration
Rows has rapidly gained popularity as a new spreadsheet and database primarily used by analytical and finance teams. It integrates seamlessly with regular services such as Google Analytics, Stripe, and HubSpot to pull real-time data into spreadsheets. For teams that want spreadsheets that are friendly to the cloud, Rows provides something different.
Pros:
- Built-in integrations with APIs (Google Analytics, Stripe, HubSpot)
- Modern UI with spreadsheet familiarity.
- Great for financial and data-driven teams.
Cons:
- Not as flexible as Airtable for general use
- Limited offline support.
Best For: Analytic and finance teams that need a spreadsheet + integrations.
Pricing: Free plan, Plus $10/user/month, Pro $59/user/month, Business custom.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Airtable do?
Airtable is best used by teams that need a dynamic tool that provides databases and spreadsheets. It is typically used in customer management, marketing calendars, product management, and project management. Different views, such as calendar, kanban, and grid, are also included.
- What is the ultimate Airtable free alternative?
Google Sheets is by far the most popular free Airtable alternative because it is easy and collaborative in real time. NocoDB and Baserow are also good options as free open-source team solutions.
- What would get you to switch out of Airtable?
Teams do migrate due to cost constraints, issues with big data, or requirements of specific features such as more automation, self-hosting, or enterprise security for commercial purposes.
Summary
Airtable is perhaps the highest-profile no-code collaboration software, but it’s not alone. There is a host of other software that spans the spectrum of small and free like Google Sheets, to bigger software like Quickbase and Smartsheet, that can be matched to varying sizes of budgets and needs.
By comparing pros and downsides, costs, and highest uses, you’ll be able to obtain a tool that perfectly complements how you collaborate with your team – you’re a small startup, a huge corporation, or a coder considering open-source solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Airtable do?
What is the ultimate Airtable free alternative?
What would get you to switch out of Airtable?
Summary
Airtable is perhaps the highest-profile no-code collaboration software, but it’s not alone. There is a host of other software that spans the spectrum of small and free like Google Sheets, to bigger software like Quickbase and Smartsheet, that can be matched to varying sizes of budgets and needs.
By comparing pros and downsides, costs, as well as highest uses, you’ll be able to obtain a tool that perfectly complements how you collaborate with your team – you’re a small startup, a huge corporation, or a coder considering open-source solutions.
