Airtable vs Things 3 — Which One Wins?

A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Airtable and Things 3 to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.

TLDR

Quick Verdict

Things 3 takes the lead with a 4.7 rating and is best for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. Airtable (4.4) is the better pick if you need operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code..

Side-by-Side Comparison

CriteriaAirtableThings 3
Rating★★★★ 4.4(345)★★★★★ 4.7(287)
Pricing Modelfreemiumpaid
Starter Price$20/seat/mo (Team)$9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad)
Free TierYesNo
Platformsweb, ios, android, mac, windowsios, mac
Learning Curvemediumeasy
API AvailableYesNo
Best ForOperations teams building custom workflows and databases without code.Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management.
Verdictrecommendedsituational

Feature Checklist

FeatureAirtableThings 3
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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

Things 3

Pros

  • Most beautifully designed task manager available
  • One-time purchase — no subscription fees
  • GTD-inspired workflow is intuitive and effective

Cons

  • Apple-only — no Windows, Android, or web version
  • No collaboration features whatsoever
  • No API or third-party integrations beyond Apple ecosystem

The Bottom Line

Both Airtable and Things 3 are solid tools in the Project Management space. Things 3 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and is the better choice for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. However, if you prioritize operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code., Airtable is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airtable better than Things 3?
Things 3 scores higher overall with a 4.7 rating vs 4.4. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Airtable is best for Operations teams building custom workflows and databases without code., while Things 3 is best for Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management..
Can I switch from Airtable to Things 3?
Yes, most users can migrate between the two. Things 3 offers trial options to help you evaluate the switch.
Which is more affordable, Airtable or Things 3?
Airtable starts at $20/seat/mo (Team), while Things 3 starts at $9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad). Airtable offers a free tier.