Top Airtable alternatives for teams – Smarter & cost-effective

Airtable continues to be popular as a powerful database-based business management tool. It is preferred by many users from individuals to large businesses thanks to its easy-to-use, flexible structure and various integration options. With its no-code and collaboration-focused structure, it allows teams to organize their data, manage their projects and optimize their processes with automations.

However, not every tool is ideal for everyone. Airtable's pricing policy, customization limits and scalability issues for large teams pose disadvantages for some users. The limitations of the free plan and the need for advanced automation also lead those looking for more powerful or more affordable alternatives than Airtable to explore different solutions.

So, who is looking for Airtable alternatives?

• ✅ Those who want a platform that is more affordable but offers similar or more advanced features
• ✅ Those looking for more customization and flexibility
• ✅ Users who are tired of Airtable's data limits and automation restrictions
• ✅ Businesses looking for better customer support and a transition process

In this article, we will examine the best Airtable alternatives and compare them according to pricing, features and usage scenarios. A guide content that will help you decide which tool is best for you is waiting for you!

Table of contents

• Airtable’s major shortcomings
• Best Airtable alternatives and comparisons
• Conclusion: Which is the best Airtable alternative?
• Frequently asked questions about Airtable alternatives

Airtable’s major shortcomings (Why are alternatives wanted?)

Although Airtable offers flexible database management, it may be insufficient for some users due to reasons such as cost, restrictions, and scalability. Especially for growing businesses and teams that require advanced workflows, some critical limitations lead users to seek Airtable alternatives. Here are Airtable’s biggest shortcomings:

Expensive pricing model

One of the biggest drawbacks of Airtable is the high cost of its paid plans. The free plan may be sufficient for individual users, but the cost increases rapidly as teams grow. For example:

• Since automations and integrations in the free plan are limited, it is necessary to upgrade to a paid plan to create a truly efficient workflow.
• The Pro and Enterprise plans are quite expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Alternative platforms can offer similar features at much more affordable prices.

📌 One user says the following about Airtable’s prices:

“Airtable seemed great at first, but as our team grew, the costs skyrocketed. The monthly fee we paid for a team of 10 people became too high to manage our large-scale projects.”

Source: g2.com/products/airtable/reviews

Usage restrictions (Data storage and automation limits)

The flexibility offered by Airtable cannot be used to its full potential due to some limitations. For example:

• It can be difficult to manage your data in large-scale projects due to data storage limits.
• Automation limits are a serious problem, especially for businesses looking to automate repetitive tasks.
• Linked records and advanced data processing features are more robust than many competing platforms.

📌 One project manager noted the following about automation limits:

“Airtable’s automations looked great, but we quickly reached our limit. They weren’t enough for our large-scale operations, and we had to pay extra.”

Source: g2.com/products/airtable/reviews

Lack of customization

While Airtable is a no-code platform, it’s not flexible enough for those looking to manage more complex workflows. For example:

• Advanced formulas and calculations are not possible. Detailed formulas that can be easily done in Google Sheets or Excel are quite limited in Airtable.
• User interface customizations are limited, especially for companies that do large-scale data management.
• Advanced automations and workflows can get too complicated in Airtable.

📌 A technical team leader comments on the lack of customization:

“We wanted to build advanced formulas and fully integrate our business processes in Airtable, but we couldn’t. We had to look for a more flexible and programmable alternative.”

Source: g2.com/products/airtable/reviews

Support and customer service complaints

Fast and effective customer support is critical, especially for large teams and enterprise customers. However, Airtable falls short of some users’ expectations when it comes to customer service:

• The support team is difficult to reach and response times can be long.
• While the user community and documentation are adequate, it’s difficult to get one-on-one support to resolve technical issues.
• Users who expect better support, especially on the Enterprise plan, can be disappointed.

📌 A user describes his experience with the support team as follows:

“I had an issue with my account and it took me days to get through to support. I started looking for an alternative where I could get a faster response.”

Source: g2.com/products/airtable/reviews

Scalability issues for large teams

Airtable can be a great tool for small teams and individual users, but it lacks scalability at the enterprise level:

• It’s hard to manage large data sets, and the platform can sometimes be slow.
• Access controls can be inadequate when working with a large number of users.
• Advanced integrations and API limits can be restrictive for large organizations.

📌 An operations manager at a SaaS company described the scalability issues as follows:

“As our team grew, Airtable became slower. We started experiencing performance issues when working with large data sets. So we started looking for a more robust alternative.”

Source: g2.com/products/airtable/reviews

🚀 Final decision: Time to explore Airtable alternatives

While Airtable is a powerful tool for many users with its flexibility, it falls short of some users’ expectations in terms of pricing, restrictions, lack of customization, customer support, and scalability.

If you are looking for a more affordable, powerful and flexible alternative, don't miss the next episode where we compare the best alternatives to Airtable!

Best Airtable alternatives and comparisons

Although the flexibility offered by Airtable is advantageous for many users, users are looking for alternatives due to some cost, scalability and customization restrictions. So, what are the best alternatives to Airtable?

In this section, we will examine the 4 best Airtable alternatives, including Retable, according to their advantages and usage scenarios.

Retable – The most powerful alternative to Airtable

Why Retable?

Retable is one of the best Airtable alternatives that provides many of the advanced features offered by Airtable in a more affordable and flexible way. Due to Airtable’s pricing model and restrictions, it is an ideal option for teams looking for a more affordable and scalable solution.

• More affordable plans – Offers Airtable’s premium features at a lower cost.
• Advanced customization – Users have access to more flexible data visualization, formulas and data management features.
• Ideal for larger data sets – Offers a better solution for those working with large data sets.
• Powerful integrations and collaboration tools – Works with popular tools like Make.com, Zapier, ChatGPT, SendGrid, Twilio.
• Better customer support – Unlike Airtable, you can get answers to your questions with fast and effective customer support.

Who is it best for?

• ✅ Those who complain about Airtable’s price.
• ✅ Teams who want more customization and flexibility.
• ✅ Businesses looking to switch from Airtable.

👉🏻 Try Retable for free now!‍

Notion – A more content-focused alternative

Why Notion?

Although Notion is not a database manager like Airtable, it can be a powerful Airtable alternative for knowledge management and content-focused work systems.

• Document and database integration – Unlike Airtable, Notion also provides rich content management.
• Extensive page and block-based structure – You can keep your data and projects in one place.
• Free plan offers broad usage – Free version has more features compared to Airtable.

Who is it best for?

• Teams that focus on project management and content.
• Users who don’t need Airtable’s database features.
• Individuals and small teams who want to use the document + database combination.

📌 Notion’s biggest shortcoming: It’s not as powerful as Airtable and Retable in terms of database management.

ClickUp – A hybrid of Airtable and Trello

Why ClickUp?

ClickUp is a platform designed for task management and workflows, rather than a database-based work management tool like Airtable. However, it can be a good alternative to Airtable for organizing projects and tracking tasks.

• Task management features like Trello – Includes Kanban, lists, and Gantt charts.
• Also offers database management features – But not as powerful as Airtable.
• Wide integration support and automations – Works with Zapier, Google Workspace and Slack.

Who is it ideal for?

• Those who use Airtable mostly for project management.
• Teams who want task management + database combination.
• Large teams who want to create comprehensive workflows.

📌 ClickUp's biggest shortcoming: It is not as advanced as Airtable and Retable in terms of database management.

Google Sheets – The simplest and free alternative

Why Google Sheets?

Google Sheets offers less automation and integration support compared to Airtable, but it is a completely free alternative for basic database management and calculations.

• Completely free – A big advantage compared to Airtable's paid plans.
• Easy access and use – It has a classic table structure that everyone is familiar with.
• Advanced formulas and macros – Calculations and formulas that are limited in Airtable are more flexible in Google Sheets.

Who is it best for?

• Individuals and small teams working with a minimum budget.
• Those who need more advanced formulas and table calculations.
• Those who want a flexible spreadsheet solution instead of a database.

📌 Google Sheets' biggest shortcoming: It's not as powerful as Airtable and Retable in terms of automation, custom data views, and collaboration.

You can check out the table below to compare Airtable alternatives in terms of pricing, customization, and collaboration features:

🚀 Conclusion: Which is the best Airtable alternative?

While Airtable is a powerful data management and collaboration tool for many teams and businesses, its high pricing, usage restrictions, and lack of customization may not be the ideal solution for some users. Fortunately, Airtable alternatives like Retable, Notion, ClickUp, and Google Sheets offer better solutions for different needs.

So, which Airtable alternative is best for you?

The most powerful and affordable Airtable alternative: Retable

Retable offers the features of Airtable at a more affordable price and with more customization options.

• More affordable plans
• Advanced customization and automation support
• Big data management and scalability advantages
• Ideal for businesses looking to migrate from Airtable

📌 If you are tired of Airtable's limitations, you can try Retable to optimize your workflow at a more affordable price.

👉🏻 Try Retable for free now!‍

Best Airtable alternative for content and document-focused teams: Notion

More suitable for teams that need document-based work processes rather than data management.

• Does not offer as powerful a database as Airtable
• Page and block-based structure
• Ideal for content and information management

Best Airtable alternative for task management and project-based teams: ClickUp

A good option for teams that want both task management and simple database features.

• Trello-like task tracking + database combination
• Wide integration support
• Not as flexible as Airtable, but great for project-based workflows

Completely free and best for basic needs: Google Sheets

If you’re looking for a simple database and calculation tool, Google Sheets might be enough.

• Free
• Doesn’t offer as many powerful automations as Airtable
• More flexible with formulas and calculations

Final decision: Which Airtable alternative should you choose?

• If you want to get the features that Airtable offers at a more affordable price and with advanced customization options, Retable is the best alternative.
• If you are looking for a document-based alternative, Notion is a good choice.
• If you are looking for a tool focused on project management and task tracking, ClickUp may be a better fit for you.
• If you are looking for a completely free solution, Google Sheets is the simplest option.

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Frequently asked questions about Airtable alternatives

Here are some of the most common questions users have when looking for alternatives to Airtable:

Why should I look for an alternative to Airtable?

Airtable is a powerful tool, but it may not be the best fit for everyone due to:

• High pricing – Paid plans can be expensive, especially for large teams.
• Limited automation – Automation and workflow capabilities are restricted in lower-tier plans.
• Customization limitations – Users looking for advanced formulas and deeper integrations may find Airtable lacking.
• Scalability concerns – Large datasets can slow down performance.

If any of these limitations impact your workflow, exploring alternatives might be a good idea.

What are the best alternatives to Airtable?

Some of the top Airtable alternatives include:

• ✅ Retable – The best all-around alternative with better pricing, advanced customization, and strong automation.
• 💡 Notion – Best for content and document management rather than structured databases.
• 📊 ClickUp – A mix of project management and database features, great for teams handling tasks and workflows.
• 🛠 Google Sheets – A free and simple alternative for those who only need basic data organization.

Each alternative has its own strengths depending on your needs.

Is Retable a better alternative to Airtable?

Yes, Retable is one of the strongest alternatives because it offers:

• More affordable pricing with advanced features at lower costs.
• Stronger customization options, allowing more flexible data visualization.
• Higher data limits and better API compared to Airtable.
• Superior collaboration tools for teams.

👉🏻 Try Retable for free and get 20% off your first subscription! 🚀

Which Airtable alternative is the cheapest?

• Google Sheets is the most affordable because it's free, but it lacks Airtable’s database features.
• Retable offers the best balance between affordability and advanced functionality.
• Notion’s free plan provides decent basic features, but it isn’t as database-oriented as Airtable.

Can I migrate my data from Airtable to Retable?

Yes! Retable offers an import from Airtable feature to easily migrate your data from Airtable to Retable. Since Airtable does not have an export feature, importing your data from Airtable to another platform may seem like a difficult process, but Retable's import from Airtable feature helps you easily transfer your data from Airtable to Retable. Moreover, the format of your data will never be corrupted. Even your column types match exactly

Here is the simple step-by-step migration guide for a smooth transition from Airtable to Retable.

What is the best Airtable alternative for project management?

If you need project management features, the best alternatives are:

• ClickUp – Ideal for task tracking and team workflows with database capabilities.
• Retable – A more flexible alternative that includes collaboration, automation, and structured data management.

Does Retable offer a free trial?

Yes! Retable offers 14-days free trial so you can explore all features before committing. Plus, new users get 20% off their first subscription!

👉🏻 Sign up now and claim your 20% discount! 🚀

How do I choose the right Airtable alternative?

To choose the best alternative, consider:

• Your budget – How much are you willing to pay?
• Your needs – Do you need automation, collaboration, or specific integrations?
• Scalability – Will the platform grow with your business?
• Ease of migration – Can you easily transfer your data from Airtable?

What are some real-world use cases for Retable?

Retable is a versatile tool that can be used across various industries and workflows. Here are some popular use cases:

• Project management – Organize tasks, track progress, and manage deadlines in one place.
• Marketing management – Plan and organize your marketing projects with real-time collaboration.
• Education – Manage student records, class schedules, assignments, and academic progress tracking.
• Sales & CRM – Manage customer relationships, track leads, and monitor sales pipelines.
• HR & Recruitment – Keep track of job applications, candidate pipelines, and employee records.
• Event Planning – Manage budgets, guest lists, and schedules efficiently.
• Data Collection & Analysis – Use forms, automation, and charts to streamline data workflows.

📌 Looking for a specific use case? 👉🏻 Explore Retable’s templates and see how it fits your needs! 🚀