Airtable review: Pros, cons, and the best alternative

Airtable is a popular cloud-based platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the features of a database. But is it the right fit for everyone? This Airtable review offers a comprehensive overview of the software, detailing its pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Airtable is a well-known cloud platform. It mixes the ease of a spreadsheet with the tools of a database. We will also compare it with Baserow.

Baserow is an open-source alternative to Airtable. You can self-host and customize it to fit your needs. This gives you full control over your data at a much lower cost than Airtable.

Airtable review at a glance

Airtable overview

Airtable is a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed for no-code data management. It combines the user-friendly interface of spreadsheets like Excel with the capabilities of a relational database. The platform caters to a broad spectrum of needs, from project and content management, to contact databases, task lists, and more, which allow users to create applications to store, organize, and collaborate on data.

Airtable offers a suite of features such as linking related records and displaying data in a variety of views including Grid, Calendar, and Kanban. It supports real-time collaboration with notifications, comments, and adjustable permission levels for collaborators. Plus, it offers native integrations with popular work apps like Slack, Jira, and Salesforce. This makes Airtable one of the more versatile management tools available for small to mid-sized teams.

However, no Airtable review would be complete without mentioning its limitations. Notably, it doesn’t offer an open-source version, preventing users from accessing the source code and customizing the software to unique requirements. Additionally, the inability to self-host restricts the level of data control for users, making it impossible for enterprises in highly regulated industries to use Airtable’s capabilities.

Another drawback with Airtable is its more restrictive record and storage limits on some plans. This will have significant implications, especially for medium to large-sized teams, for whom the costs might prove to be prohibitive.

In light of these limitations, it’s worth exploring Baserow. Baserow offers an open-source version with unlimited rows and storage, infinite customization, and the option to self-host the software on your own infrastructure, all at a more cost-effective price point than Airtable.

Airtable’s key features and capabilities

• User interface: At first glance, Airtable’s colorful user interface stands out, with its drag-and-drop features and user-friendly layouts.
• Customizable views: Whether you’re a Kanban board lover, a calendar enthusiast, or a traditional grid spreadsheet user, Airtable has got you covered with a range of customizable views.
• Relational database: Unlike traditional spreadsheets, Airtable allows users to create links between records, fostering a relational database environment. This brings a new layer of depth and organization to your data.
• Collaboration tools: Collaborating in real-time, leaving comments, and setting user permissions are easy, making teamwork a breeze, even if your team is spread across the globe.
• Integrations and automation: With native integrations available for many tools and the power of external platforms like Zapier, Airtable can be at the heart of your workflow. Its built-in automation features further reduce manual tasks.
• Templates and forms: Kickstart your projects with a range of ready-made templates and create forms for easy data collection, making Airtable adaptable for a myriad of tasks.

Airtable’s usability and performance

One of the first things you notice upon using Airtable is its clean and intuitive user interface. The design feels both modern and familiar, making it intuitive and easy for new users to adopt without training. The drag-and-drop functionality coupled with inline editing removes the intimidation that can come with managing data.

Those familiar with standard spreadsheet functions will find Airtable’s formula capabilities relatively easy to use. Even if you hit a bump, the software is right there offering helpful hints, and ensuring that even complex operations like string manipulations or data calculations are made accessible. Multiple team members can work on the same project, with instant updates, cell-specific comments, and revision history.

However, users have reported performance issues. One of the more prevalent issues is the noticeable lag experienced when handling larger databases. This can be worrying because a base that functions well can suddenly face performance problems due to various factors, leading to slow UI loads, pending automation, API lag, and delayed synchronization.

For larger businesses, Airtable’s strict record and storage limitations can also be restrictive. Even on the premium plans, there are limits on records, automation runs, and storage, so you might feel the pinch, both in terms of operational constraints and costs.

Airtable pros and cons

Pros:

1. Intuitive design: Airtable’s no-code interface makes it easy to set up, edit, and manage databases without a steep learning curve.
2. Adaptability: With its blend of spreadsheet-like grids and database capabilities, it allows users to structure and handle their data effectively.
3. Team communication: Its real-time updates and comments make it simple for any team to collaborate effectively, even across different time zones…
4. Personalized data views: Airtable offers versatile view choices such as Grid, Calendar, Timeline, List, and Kanban.
5. Seamless connections: You can connect with mainstream tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, with many integrations powered through Zapier.
6. Industry-specific templates: Users can make the most of a big library of pre-built templates designed to cater to a broad range of sectors and functions.

Cons:

1. Cost considerations: Airtable’s pricing model introduces tighter constraints on its free tier and becomes notably pricier as you ascend tiers. A per-user pricing model also means costs can escalate rapidly with team growth.
2. Data entry limitations: The Free tier caps at 1,000 entries per database, and even the Enterprise level is restricted to 500,000 entries. This could be a bottleneck for larger enterprises.
3. Storage constraints: Lower-tier plans have decreased attachment space, which can be problematic for businesses handling extensive attachments or multimedia. Higher-tier plans have increased storage but come with a significantly higher price tag.
4. Closed source: Airtable being closed-source can limit customization which can feel restrictive for businesses with unique needs. The lack of plug-in support or direct source code access means less flexibility for added functionalities.
5. Limited APIs: The platform enforces rate limits on its API, potentially slowing down applications handling vast data or requiring intricate integrations.
6. No self-hosted option: The lack of a self-hosting option translates to reduced control over data security, privacy, and compliance. This is a significant concern for sectors with strict data protection regulations.
7. Vendor lock-in: Airtable’s proprietary platform means you are locked into its ecosystem. This poses risks, as any changes or company-related issues could necessitate a time-consuming and costly platform switch.
8. Scalability concerns: As your data requirements grow, Airtable’s inherent limitations could potentially impede your business’s adaptability, especially given the lack of stability and speed at higher volumes of data.

Real-world applications

For many teams, Airtable doubles as a project management platform, helping them organize tasks, deadlines, and deliverables in one central hub. Airtable is ideal for individuals and businesses aiming to do things like manage projects, track inventory, handle lightweight CRM systems or plan content. With its visually appealing data views and real-time collaboration features it’s especially beneficial for small to medium-sized teams. For example, marketing departments might use it to schedule social media posts, while retailers could use it to track product stocks.

However, Airtable falls short if you’re managing large-scale databases or sensitive data. Industries such as healthcare and finance often operate under stringent data governance regulations, making them hesitant or even prohibited from using purely cloud-based SaaS platforms like Airtable due to concerns over data security and compliance.

In contrast, Baserow excels in real-world applications where scalability, compliance, and flexibility are critical. Because it is open-source and self-hostable, organizations can deploy Baserow on their own infrastructure and customize it to suit industry-specific workflows.

Enterprises in healthcare, finance, and government can maintain full control over sensitive data while still enabling teams to build intuitive applications for project management, CRM, HR, or content planning. With unlimited rows, robust API integrations, and a no-code interface that’s accessible to non-technical users, Baserow makes it possible for businesses of all sizes to scale operations without running into the performance or compliance roadblocks often experienced with Airtable.

Comparisons with similar tools like Baserow

In light of Airtable’s limitations, Baserow stands out as a cost-effective, flexible alternative that provides a comparable experience to Airtable while offering more generous limits and customization options at a fraction of the cost. Baserow positions itself not just as a database builder but as powerful management software that scales with your business.

This open-source database and application builder lets you create, organize, and manage data with ease—no coding required. It’s designed to be highly customizable and accessible, which means it’s perfect for anyone looking to streamline workflows, manage projects, or build custom applications. And with an intuitive interface and robust features like custom views, data linking, and automation, Baserow lets you bring complex projects together in one place without needing technical skills.

One of the best things about Baserow is that it’s open-source, giving you the freedom to self-host if you want total control over your data and security. Unlike Airtable, which limits certain features to paid plans and caps record sizes, Baserow is highly scalable and offers unlimited databases and rows in its self-hosted plan. This makes it ideal for users handling large datasets or businesses with strict security and compliance requirements, as you can fully customize it to suit your needs.

Another big advantage is Baserow’s flexibility with integrations. It’s API-first, so you can seamlessly connect with other tools, automate workflows, and create custom apps that adapt to your exact needs. And because it’s open-source, you’re not locked into any vendor limitations or pricing models—you can expand and tailor Baserow to fit your unique processes without compromise.

For those looking for a database builder that combines open-source flexibility with powerful features, Baserow is a great alternative to Airtable, especially for users who need scalability, customization, and control.

Here’s a quick look at the many advantages of using Baserow over Airtable:

• Baserow is open-source: Baserow’s self-hosted, open-source version provides superior data control and customization. For example, users in industries like construction and accounting are increasingly using Baserow as the foundational data layer in their application portfolios to meet specific customer needs. Being closed-source and proprietary, Airtable works in the opposite way, so you can’t self-host it or customize it to suit your specific needs.
• Higher limits: Baserow offers higher limits on records and storage compared to Airtable. For example, at the same price point of $20/month, Baserow Advanced provides 250,000 rows and 100 GB storage, while Airtable Team offers only 50,000 rows and 10 GB storage. Baserow’s self-hosted enterprise version has unlimited rows and storage.
• More cost-effective: Baserow not only delivers more bang for your buck but also provides users with access to advanced features and resources at a cheaper price point than comparable Airtable plans. Baserow offers a generous Free plan, with paid plans starting from just $10 per user/month.
• More deployment options: Unlike Airtable’s exclusive SaaS model, Baserow provides both hosted and self-hosted plans. Sign up for immediate access with Baserow Cloud handling all backend details, or choose Baserow Self-Hosted to ensure data remains in GDPR, HIPAA, SOC-2, and other compliance.
• Built for scale: Baserow can handle unlimited records without compromising speed or stability. As your data grows in complexity and size, the platform can adapt and handle the increased demands at lightning-fast speeds. In contrast, Airtable could face challenges with stability and speed at higher volumes of data.
• API-first & interoperable: Baserow is an API-first platform, meaning that every action can be automated through its open API, granting users far more flexibility compared to Airtable. What’s more, Integrations with Zapier, Make, n8n, and more allow you to integrate with virtually anything.
• No vendor lock-in: There is no vendor lock-in with Baserow, allowing you to move your data anywhere at any time.
• Permissive MIT license: Many users build businesses with Baserow because of the very permissive MIT license. Anyone can freely build apps on top of Baserow or offer Baserow as a service without having to report to us or pay any fee.
• Advanced features: Baserow lets you build impressive custom database and applications with lots of functionality. Easily integrate your data for analysis and reporting, visualize it using a variety of views, and link it across multiple tables to handle complex workflows. Use Baserow’s plugin capabilities to expand your database functionalities far beyond what Airtable offers.
• Responsive customer support: As a startup, Baserow’s fast and accurate support responses and dedicated community stand out for users.

Why Baserow is the Best Alternative to Airtable for Enterprises

When evaluating Airtable, it’s clear the platform shines for small to mid-sized teams needing a simple, visually appealing way to manage projects and workflows. However, as businesses scale, many run into limitations such as restrictive record caps, rising per-user costs, and the inability to self-host or customize the platform. For enterprises with complex needs, Airtable’s closed-source SaaS model can create bottlenecks in growth, flexibility, and compliance.

This is where Baserow emerges as the best alternative to Airtable. Unlike Airtable, Baserow is open-source and self-hostable, which gives organizations full control over their infrastructure and data governance. For enterprises operating in highly regulated industries—such as finance, healthcare, or government—this is a game-changer. You can deploy Baserow on your own servers or in a private cloud environment, ensuring compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOC-2, and other frameworks without relying on a third-party SaaS vendor.

Beyond compliance, Baserow’s scalability is unmatched. While Airtable imposes strict record and storage limits—even on enterprise plans—Baserow’s self-hosted version offers unlimited rows and databases. This means enterprises can manage millions of records without performance slowdowns, making it ideal for large-scale projects, data-heavy workflows, and cross-departmental collaboration.

Baserow also embraces an API-first approach, which is crucial for enterprises that need to integrate databases into a broader digital ecosystem. Every action inside Baserow is accessible through its open API, giving technical teams the freedom to build custom apps, automate workflows, and connect with existing business systems. At the same time, its intuitive, no-code interface ensures non-technical business users can still configure and manage data easily. This balance empowers both IT teams and business stakeholders to work together efficiently.

Cost-effectiveness is another major advantage. Enterprises often face skyrocketing SaaS costs as teams grow, with Airtable’s per-user pricing model quickly becoming unsustainable. Baserow, on the other hand, offers a more affordable pricing structure, with advanced features available at a fraction of Airtable’s cost. Its permissive MIT license also means enterprises can build on top of the platform without vendor lock-in or hidden restrictions.

In short, enterprises that want flexibility, scalability, and long-term control should strongly consider Baserow over Airtable. It’s not just a cheaper alternative—it’s a platform that adapts as your organization evolves.

👉 To explore more about why Baserow consistently ranks as one of the best Airtable alternatives, check out our in-depth guide here: Best Airtable Alternatives

Conclusion

This Airtable review highlights the tool’s advantages and areas where it might not be suitable for specific businesses or use cases. Airtable offers a user-friendly interface and a robust set of features, including collaboration tools, customizable views, and native integrations.

However, it’s crucial to weigh its limitations against your organization’s future growth and data needs. For those searching for more flexibility, control, and scalability, Baserow’s open-source, no-code database is a cost-effective alternative. Both tools have their merits, but your choice will hinge on what you prioritize: the ease of a pre-built system or the flexibility of an open-source platform.

Get started with Baserow

If you’re fed up with Airtable’s costly pricing and performance limitations, try Baserow today for free! Baserow’s open-source alternative makes it easy to create your own bespoke database without technical experience. With use cases ideal for human resources, operations, marketing, finance, and other departments, it’s easy to get started with our library of pre-built templates.

👉 Sign up for free on Baserow and start building your own database today.