Airtable vs Smartsheet - Which Tool is Best For Your Business? [2025]
Feeling overwhelmed by the ever-growing sea of project management tools? Do you crave a platform that bends to your will, perfectly mirroring your unique workflows and data needs? If so, then Stackby might be the project management holy grail you've been searching for.
While Smartsheet and Airtable are powerhouses in their own right, Stackby offers a level of customization and data manipulation at affordable prices to small businesses, entrepreneurs, big enterprises, and 3 months economic plan free for all startups.
Are you still confused between Airtable vs Smartsheet vs Stackby? Which one is a perfect fit for your business? No worries we have researched this in-depth comparison and will dive into the strengths and weaknesses of all three platforms, so you can make an informed decision and choose the tool that best empowers your team.
What is Airtable?
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that combines the familiar structure of spreadsheets with the power of relational databases. This means it lets you organize information in a grid-like format but with the ability to link data across different tables and automate tasks.
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What is a Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform designed to help teams collaborate and manage work. It combines features of spreadsheets, project management tools, and document sharing, all in one. Users can assign tasks, track progress, manage calendars, and share files in a user-friendly interface.
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What is a Stackby?
Stackby.com is an all-in-one work management platform that combines the ease of spreadsheets with the power of databases. It allows you to build custom databases for tasks like project management, CRM, or anything else you need. You can easily collect data, collaborate with your team in real-time, and automate workflows. While it has a bit of a learning curve for advanced features, Stackby is a powerful option for those who need a highly customizable solution to manage their work.
Airtable vs Smartsheet Vs Stackby - Feature Table Comparison
Pros & Cons of Smartsheet vs Airtable Vs Stackby
Feature | Smartsheet | Airtable | Stackby |
Spreadsheet Interface | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Unique Column Types | Limited | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Formulas | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Relational Database (Link, Lookup, Rollup, Aggregation) | Limited | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Push Message - Column type | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
View - Calendar | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
View - Kanban | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
View - Gallery | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Views - Gantt | ✔️ | ✔️ | Coming Soon |
In-built custom forms | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Updatable Forms | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Checklists & Reminders on each row | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | |
❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | |
View Level Sharing | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Embed on any Webpage | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Real-time Collaboration | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
Apps & Dashboards | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | |
❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
#1 Pros & Cons of Airtable
Pros & Cons of Airtable | |
Pros | Cons |
Highly Customizable: Create databases tailored to your specific needs (project management, CRM, etc.) | Learning Curve: Can take some time to master all features |
Flexible Data Management: Design fields, add attachments, include various data types | Limited Free Plan: Free tier has limitations on storage and collaborators |
Real-Time Collaboration: Seamless editing, commenting, and sharing with teams and clients | Pricing for Large Teams: Costs can add up for large teams with many users |
Integration Capabilities: Connects with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, etc. | Limited Reporting & BI: Lacks advanced business intelligence tools (pivot tables, reporting analytics) |
Easy to Use for Basic Tasks: Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality | Automation Complexity: Powerful automations, but can be intricate to set up |
Multiple Views: Kanban boards, calendars, grids for different data visualisations | |
Overall, Airtable offers a powerful and versatile platform for managing projects and data. However, there's a learning curve to leverage its full potential, and the free plan has limitations. Consider your needs and budget when deciding if Airtable is the right fit for you.
#2 Pros & Cons of Smartsheet
Pros & Cons of Smartsheet | |
Pros | Cons |
Easy to Use Interface: Familiar spreadsheet-like layout with intuitive features | Limited Customization for Complex Projects: May not be suitable for highly intricate workflows |
Strong Collaboration Features: Real-time editing, commenting, and task assignment | Mobile App Limitations: Mobile app may not be as robust as the web version |
Automated Workflows: Streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency | Costly for Large Teams: Pricing tiers can become expensive for teams with many users |
Gantt Charts and Reporting: Visualise project timelines and generate reports | Dated User Interface: Looks clunky and old, not build for modern teams |
Integration Capabilities: Connects with various business tools | |
#3 Pros & Cons of Stackby
Pros & Cons of Stackby | |
Pros | Cons |
Highly Customizable: Create databases tailored to your specific needs (project management, CRM, etc.) with a high degree of flexibility. | Learning Curve: Mastering advanced features and automation can take time and effort. |
Powerful Data Management: Design fields, add attachments, include various data types, and manipulate data with formulas for complex workflows. | Limited Free Plan but generous amongst all: The free tier has limitations on storage, collaborators, and features. |
Real-Time Collaboration: Seamless editing, commenting, and sharing with teams and clients, fostering efficient teamwork. | Basic Reporting & BI: Lacks advanced business intelligence tools like pivot tables and in-depth reporting analytics |
Integration Capabilities: Connects with popular tools like Google Sheets, Trello, and Airtable, expanding functionality. | Mobile App Limitations: The mobile app may have limitations compared to the desktop experience. |
Automation Potential: Automate tasks and workflows to streamline processes and improve efficiency. | |
Apps and Dashboards: Create real-time dashboards with charts, pivot table, page designer and more. | |
Most Cost Effective for Teams: Annual plans start at $129/3 users for Economy and $249/3 users for Business plans. | |
Pricing Comparison of Smartsheet vs Airtable Vs Stackby
Pricing Comparison of Smartsheet vs Airtable vs Stackby | |||
Pricing Plan | Smartsheet | Airtable | Stackby |
Free Plan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Basic Plan (Personal) | $7 | NA | $5 |
Pro Plan (Economy) | - | $24 | $9 |
Business Plan | $25 | $54 | $18 |
Enterprise | Contact to Sales | Contact to Sales | |
If you’re looking for value for money amongst these 3 tools, Stackby is great for teams of all sizes from 3 to 100. Stackby’s annual plans start as low as $129 for 3 users for Economy and $249 for 3 users for Business and scale as your team goes. With their solid product roadmap and more personalized customer support, you can set your workflows more effectively in your teams.
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Conclusion
While all three platforms - Smartsheet, Airtable, and Stackby - are excellent project management tools, Stackby emerges as a strong contender for those seeking the ultimate in customization and data manipulation. Here's why Stackby shines:
- Unmatched Flexibility: Craft databases specifically designed for your unique workflows, no matter how intricate.
- Data Powerhouse: Go beyond basic spreadsheets with powerful formulas and automation capabilities to manage complex data structures.
- Collaborative Power: Seamless editing, commenting, and sharing empower your team to work together efficiently.
However, Stackby isn't perfect. There's a learning curve to mastering its full potential, and the free plan has limitations.
So, is Stackby the clear winner?
Still confused to choose to platform, Let's connect with our Founder for free demo and use 14 days free business trial of Stackby.