Airtable vs Smartsheet — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Airtable and Smartsheet to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Airtable takes the lead with a 4.4 rating and is best for operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code.. Smartsheet (4.1) is the better pick if you need operations and pmo teams who think in spreadsheets but need project management features..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Airtable | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.4(345) | ★★★★ 4.1(198) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starter Price | $20/seat/mo (Team) | $9/user/mo (Pro) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web, ios, android, mac, windows | web, ios, android |
| Learning Curve | medium | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code. | Operations and PMO teams who think in spreadsheets but need project management features. |
| Verdict | recommended | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Airtable | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Relational database with linked records | — | |
| Multiple views (grid, kanban, calendar, Gantt) | — | |
| Automation builder | — | |
| Interface Designer | — | |
| Forms and shared views | — | |
| Scripting and extensions | — | |
| Spreadsheet-based interface | — | |
| Gantt charts and dependencies | — | |
| Automated workflows | — | |
| Dashboards and reporting | — | |
| Resource management | — | |
| Proofing and approvals | — |
Airtable
Pros
- ✓Most flexible no-code database with relational capabilities
- ✓Multiple views transform the same data for different use cases
- ✓Interface Designer creates custom apps without code
Cons
- ✕Record limits per tier force expensive upgrades at scale
- ✕Per-seat pricing adds up for larger teams
- ✕Complex bases can become difficult to maintain
Smartsheet
Pros
- ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface minimizes learning curve for Excel users
- ✓Strong automation and cross-sheet formula capabilities
- ✓Excellent for operations and PMO workflows
Cons
- ✕Spreadsheet paradigm limits visual project management options
- ✕No free tier — trial is the only way to evaluate
- ✕Business plan at $32/user/mo is expensive
The Bottom Line
Both Airtable and Smartsheet are solid tools in the Project Management space. Airtable edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.4 vs 4.1) and is the better choice for operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code.. However, if you prioritize operations and pmo teams who think in spreadsheets but need project management features., Smartsheet is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.