Airtable is a cloud-based productivity tool that combines the power of a spreadsheet with the flexibility of a database. Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps that connect your data, workflows and teams. It lets you create and manage databases, automate tasks, integrate with other tools, design custom interfaces and more. Airtable is designed to be user-friendly, versatile and customizable, so you can create solutions that match your specific needs and preferences.
Airtable is not open-source and cannot be self-hosted.
Some of the pros of Airtable are:
- It has a free plan that allows you to create unlimited bases (projects) with up to 1,200 records (rows) and 2 GB of attachment space per base.
- It offers a variety of views to display your data, such as grid, gallery, calendar, kanban, form, chart and map.
- It supports real-time collaboration and communication with your team members and external stakeholders. You can invite guests to view or edit your bases, add comments and mentions, and share links or embeds.
- It has a rich marketplace of pre-built apps and templates that you can use to extend the functionality of your bases. You can also create your own apps using the interface designer, scripting and custom blocks features.
- It integrates with many popular services and tools, such as Slack, Gmail, Zapier, Miro, Jira and more. You can also use the Airtable API to connect with other applications or platforms.
Some of the cons of Airtable are:
- It has some limitations on the number of records, attachment space, revision history and automation runs per base depending on your plan. You may need to upgrade to a higher plan or contact the enterprise team if you need more resources.
- It does not have native time tracking or Gantt chart features. You may need to use third-party apps or extensions to add these functionalities to your bases.
- It can get expensive for larger teams or complex projects. The paid plans start from $12 per user per month for the Plus plan and go up to $24 per user per month for the Pro plan. The Enterprise plan does not have a fixed price and requires a custom quote.
Airtable is especially useful for non-profits and social enterprises that need a flexible and affordable tool to manage their data and workflows. Some of the examples of how non-profits and social enterprises can use Airtable are:
Use Cases and Examples for Non-profits and Social Enterprises
- Project Management: Non-profits can use Airtable to create project plans, assign tasks to team members, and track progress.
- Event Planning: Social enterprises can use Airtable to manage event logistics, track RSVPs, and coordinate volunteers.
- Fundraising: Non-profits can use Airtable to manage donor information, track donations, and monitor fundraising campaigns.
- Content Planning: Social enterprises can use Airtable to plan and schedule content for social media, blogs, and other marketing channels.
- Volunteer Management: Non-profits can use Airtable to maintain volunteer information, track hours, and organize schedules.
- Grant Management: Non-profits can use Airtable to track grant applications, manage deadlines, and monitor funding progress.
- Resource Management: Social enterprises can use Airtable to manage inventory, track equipment, and coordinate resource allocation.
- Collaboration: Both non-profits and social enterprises can use Airtable to collaborate with team members, share information, and communicate updates.
- Reporting: Non-profits can use Airtable to generate reports on program outcomes, financial data, and other key performance indicators.
- Contact Management: Social enterprises can use Airtable to store contact information for stakeholders, partners, and clients.
Cost-Benefit Table
| Tool | Open Source | Self-Hosted | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtable | No | No | Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/user/month | Highly customizable, easy to use, powerful integrations | Limited free plan, not open-source |
| Google Sheets | No | No | Free; included with Google Workspace | Accessible, collaborative, easy to use | Less flexible than Airtable |
| Smartsheet | No | No | Plans start at $14/user/month | Robust project management features, automation capabilities | Higher cost, steeper learning curve |
| Notion | No | No | Free plan available; paid plans start at $8/user/month | All-in-one workspace, easy to use, customizable | Limited offline capabilities |
| Microsoft Lists | No | No | Included with Microsoft 365 subscription | Integration with Microsoft ecosystem, customizable | Limited to Microsoft 365 users |
Getting Started with Airtable
- Sign up for an account at https://airtable.com/.
- Choose a template or create a new base from scratch.
- Customize your base with fields, views, and formulas to meet your needs.
- Invite team members to collaborate on your base.
- Utilize Airtable’s integrations and API to connect with other tools and services.
Mapping Benefits and Features
| Benefit | Airtable Feature |
|---|---|
| Customizable tables | Flexible field types, views, and formulas |
| Project management | Kanban, calendar, and timeline views |
| Task tracking | Task assignment, due dates, and priority |
| Collaboration | Real-time collaboration, comments, and @mentions |
| Integration | Zapier, Integromat, and native integrations |
| Reporting | Custom views, filtering, and grouping |
| Event planning | Calendar view, RSVP tracking |
| Fundraising management | Donation tracking, donor information |
Source: (1) Airtable Reviews - Pros & Cons, Ratings & more | GetApp. https://www.getapp.com/project-management-planning-software/a/airtable/reviews/ Accessed 02/05/2023.
(2) Airtable Review | PCMag. Airtable Review | PCMag Accessed 02/05/2023.
(3) Airtable review | TechRadar. Airtable review | TechRadar Accessed 02/05/2023.
(4) Airtable Software Reviews & Ratings | 2023 | Software Advice. Airtable Software Reviews & Ratings | 2023 | Software Advice Accessed 02/05/2023.
(5) Airtable Review 2023: Pricing, Features & More - The Motley Fool. Airtable Review 2023: Pricing, Features & More Accessed 02/05/2023.