Airtable has become a popular platform for teams to manage data and build simple database-driven applications. With its spreadsheet-like interface and easy drag-and-drop tools, Airtable allows non-technical users to quickly set up databases, collaborate with team members, and even build web and mobile apps.
However, Airtable does have some limitations that may motivate teams to look for alternatives:
Cost – Airtable‘s pricing starts at $12 per user/month for the Plus plan which can add up quickly for larger teams. There are more budget-friendly options.
Customization – While Airtable is very flexible, it may not allow for advanced customizations or support complex data relationships like a full database platform.
Scalability – Airtable may not work as well for large datasets or complex databases with thousands of records.
Offline access – Airtable does not allow for offline data access or synchronization.
Here are 9 top-rated Airtable alternatives to consider for your data management and application development needs:
1. Knack
Knack is a highly flexible no-code platform for building database-driven apps and workflows. Some key advantages over Airtable include:
- More affordable pricing starting at $39/month for 5 users
- Very customizable – build apps from scratch or modify templates
- Robust access controls and data permissions
- Integrates with Zapier for connecting 1000+ other apps
- Can be self-hosted on your own servers as well
The drag-and-drop interface is just as easy to use as Airtable‘s while providing more advanced database functionality under the hood.
2. Zoho Sheet
Zoho Sheet offers Airtable-like spreadsheets with real-time collaboration capabilities and AI-powered assistant features.
Some of the key highlights include:
- Affordable plans starting at $3 per user/month
- Workspace access controls and activity logs
- Custom formulas, charts, and pivot tables
- Integrates nicely with Zoho CRM and other apps
- Can handle large datasets up to 5 million rows
Zoho Sheet allows you to build basic apps and workflows on top of shared spreadsheets. While not as full-featured as Knack, it is cheaper and great for real-time collaboration across teams.
3. Infinity
Infinity is an impressive work management platform built specifically as an Airtable alternative. Some key features:
- All-in-one solution for task management, docs, spreadsheets
- Automations to trigger actions based on conditions
- Customizable views like tables, calendars, charts
- Zapier integration to connect 1000+ other apps
- Plans start at $7 per user/month
Infinity combines spreadsheets, task lists, kanban boards, and calendars into a single collaborative workspace. For managing projects and workflows across teams, it provides more functionality than Airtable‘s basic building blocks.
4. Tadabase
Tadabase allows you to turn any database or spreadsheet into a customizable web app or internal tool. Some top features:
- Connect Tadabase to existing databases like Postgres or MySQL
- Drag-and-drop builder to create forms, charts, calendars, etc
- Automate workflows and integrations with Zapier
- Public portals for sharing data as customer databases
- Generous free plan, paid plans start at $12 per user/month
For developers needing to build on top of larger, more complex databases, Tadabase provides the tools without coding. Like Airtable but with more advanced database functionality.
5. Rowy
Rowy is an open-source Airtable alternative focused on providing spreadsheet-database access and sharing capabilities. Some advantages:
- Completely free and open-source
- Connect and interact with MySQL, Postgres, etc.
- Share spreadsheets and control editing access
- Embed spreadsheet views into web apps
- API querying and automation with Javascript
- Self-hosted option with good developer support
For developers and small teams, Rowy‘s open source approach balances functionality with total cost of ownership. However it does require more technical skills versus a turnkey SaaS platform.
6. Baserow
Baserow is another great open-source alternative to Airtable, featuring:
- Open-core model: free open source version + paid cloud hosting
- Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite databases
- Intuitive spreadsheet-like interfaces
- Embed views into any web application
- REST APIs available for automation
- Marketplace of plugins and addons
Baserow comes the closest to Airtable in terms of user experience while offering more advanced backend database options. Self-hosting and custom development is made accessible to technically skilled users.
7. NocoDB
NocoDB allows you to instantly turn existing databases like MySQL and Postgres into smart spreadsheets with no coding:
- Connect NocoDB to existing databases
- Easily view, manage, analyze database data
- Table, gallery, kanban, and calendar views
- REST APIs to integrate and embed
- 30-day free trial, paid plans start at $7 per user/month
For accessing existing databases through an Airtable-like interface, NocoDB is a leading solution. It supercharges database reporting and analytics through easy custom views, charts, and layouts.
8. Mathesar
Mathesar provides a web-based GUI and API layer specifically for Postgres databases. The main highlights:
- Open source tool hosted on your infrastructure
- Intuitive web interface for accessing Postgres DBs
- Custom views, filters, permissions built on REST API
- Client SDK libraries (JS, Java, Go)
- Free with paid support options
For teams already running Postgres, Mathesar makes database management and application building more accessible to non-developers. The open source approach provides total flexibility and control.
9. Budibase
Budibase is an advanced low-code platform for building admin panels, internal tools, and web apps leveraging built-in or external data storage.
- Connects to external DBs or provides built-in indexes and document storage
- App hosting included on Budibase Cloud or self-hosted
- Developer-friendly with ability to customize via code
- Custom plugins and integrations available
- Generous free tier, paid plans start at $15 per user/month
Budibase allows both low-code and pro-developer builds, making it one of the most flexible in terms of use cases ranging from simple admin panels to complex web apps rivaling custom software projects.
While Airtable pioneered the self-service database model with its elegant spreadsheet interface, many compelling alternatives exist without Airtable‘s limitations around customization, scalability, pricing, and offline access.
Tools like Knack, NocoDB and Zoho Sheet make database-backed application development accessible to non-coders. Open source options like Baserow and Rowy provide greater customization for skilled developers. And new innovators like Infinity are tailoring solutions explicitly for the shortcomings in Airtable‘s approach.
Every organization should consider its specific requirements and budget when evaluating Airtable against the growing landscape of alternatives solving similar business problems. Hopefully this guide provides a starting point to find the right long-term platform for managing data and building apps without engineering teams.
