If you’re deciding between AppSheet and Airtable, knowing their differences is important. Both tools are designed to build apps and manage data without coding. This guide will compare their features, pricing, and use cases in detail.
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What is Google AppSheet?
Google AppSheet is a no-code development platform that allows users to create powerful applications and automate workflows without requiring any programming skills. It is fully integrated with Google Workspace and supports a wide range of data sources such as Google Sheets, Google Drive, Excel files, SQL databases, and third-party apps like Salesforce and Dropbox.
What is Airtable?
Airtable is a versatile app-building and workflow management platform that allows teams to create custom applications without needing to write code. It combines elements of spreadsheets and databases, making it ideal for organizing and automating workflows.
AppSheet vs Airtable features
AppSheet and Airtable are both solid no-code platforms that allow users to create custom applications without writing complex code. However, they have distinct strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different use cases.
Airtable features
No-Code App Building:
- Build custom business apps without writing code using drag-and-drop tools.
- Use Airtable Cobuilder and AI to create apps in seconds and iterate seamlessly.
AI Integration:
- Embed AI throughout workflows to automate recurring actions and generate actionable insights.
- Leverage Airtable AI on platforms like Amazon Bedrock to enhance and streamline processes.
Data Connectivity:
- Connect data from multiple apps, workflows, and tools to create a unified source of truth.
- Integrate with tools like Slack, Google Drive, Salesforce, Jira, and Zendesk.
Platform Features:
- Automations: Save time with automation of repetitive tasks.
- Interface Designer: Customize user interfaces tailored to business needs.
- Views: Tailor data visualizations for teams using grids, calendars, or Kanban boards.
- Reporting: Analyze, measure, and share insights for decision-making.
Governance and Scalability:
- Centralized control over security, data permissions, and AI usage.
- Standardize processes using shared data sets and enforce governance at scale.
Industry Solutions:
- Tailored solutions for product operations, marketing, project management, HR, sales, and finance.
- Streamline workflows for specific needs like campaign management, product launches, or budgeting.
Templates and Extensions:
- Access 1,000+ templates and extensions in the marketplace for various industries and use cases.
- Prebuilt templates for tasks like content calendars, event planning, and inventory tracking.
Collaboration and Workflow Management:
- Enable cross-team collaboration with real-time updates and shared data.
- Automate workflows to improve team productivity and alignment.
Enterprise-Ready Features:
- Robust tools for managing apps and data across large organizations.
- Advanced governance features for IT teams and citizen developers.
Resources and Support:
- Extensive learning resources, including tutorials, guides, webinars, and customer stories.
- Developer tools like API documentation, scripting capabilities, and custom extensions.
Real-World Impact:
- Success stories from companies like JetBlue and BlackRock showcasing increased productivity and faster go-to-market strategies.
- Demonstrated ROI through faster product releases and enhanced customer experiences.
Cross-Platform Availability:
- Apps for desktop and mobile, ensuring accessibility for teams on the go.
Scalable Pricing and Adoption:
- Free and paid tiers to suit organizations of various sizes and requirements.
AppSheet features
No-Code Development:
- Build apps without coding using an intuitive, spreadsheet-like interface.
- AI-powered app creation with Gemini for efficiency and intelligence.
Integration with Data Sources:
- Connect to Google Drive, Google Sheets, Office 365, Dropbox, Salesforce, SQL databases, Apigee, and OData.
- Built-in database for storing app data.
Automation and Workflows:
- Automate tasks with workflow logic, triggers, and branches.
- AI capabilities for intelligent document processing and optical character recognition (OCR).
- Automate communications via email, SMS, and push notifications.
Customization and Scalability:
- Tailor apps to business needs with custom features, UX, branding, and security.
- Embed apps and data in Google Docs with Smart Chips.
- Publish Google Chat apps with one click.
Integration with Google Workspace:
- Fully integrated with Gmail, Google Sheets, Apps Script, and Google Chat.
- Supports integration with BigQuery and third-party tools like Salesforce and Dropbox.
Governance and Security:
- Built-in security with Zero Trust architecture, encryption, and verification.
- Governance policies for managing developers, users, and apps within an organization.
- Full control over data; AppSheet does not manage or control customer data.
User-Friendly Design:
- Rapid app prototyping with automatic generation and smart customization suggestions.
- Forms, barcodes, geolocation, signature, and photo capture for rich data input.
- Cross-platform functionality for desktop and mobile devices.
Templates and Tutorials:
- Prebuilt templates for various industries and use cases.
- Comprehensive tutorials to guide users in app creation.
Real-World Impact:
- Success stories from companies like Airbus, Veolia, Carrefour, and Globe Telecom highlight fast deployment and productivity gains.
Flexible Licensing:
- Included with some Google Workspace Enterprise plans.
- Scalable licensing options for larger teams and organizations.
AppSheet vs Airtable pricing
AppSheet pricing
Free Plan
- Cost: Free
- Includes: use of basic app and automation features, connect to spreadsheets and cloud file storage providers, up to 10 test users, AppSheet database access (limited to 5 databases and 2,500 rows per database).
Starter Plan
- Cost: $5/user/month
- Includes: Basic application and automation features, connect to spreadsheets and cloud file storage providers, AppSheet database access (up to 5 databases and 2,500 rows per database), automate email, SMS, and push notifications
Core Plan
- Cost: $10/user/month
- Includes: Everything in Starter, plus: advanced application and automation features, application security controls, email customer support, AppSheet database access (up to 10 databases and 2,500 rows per database).
Enterprise Plus Plan
- Cost: $20/user/month
- Includes: Everything in Core, plus: connect to cloud databases, APIs, SaaS services, and enterprise data services, enhanced application security, team management, and governance controls, machine learning modeling and optical character recognition (OCR), priority customer support, AppSheet database access (up to 200 databases and 200,000 rows per database)
Add-On: Publisher Pro Plan
- Cost: $50/app/month
- Includes: Publicly accessible apps without user sign-in requirements, core Plan features (excluding user sign-in and security filters), unlimited public users
Airtable pricing
Free Plan
- Cost: Free
- Includes: Unlimited bases, 1,000 records per base, up to 5 editors, 1 GB of attachments per base, 100 automation runs per month, interface Designer.
Team Plan
- Cost: $20/seat/month (billed annually) or $24/seat/month (billed monthly)
- Includes: Everything in Free, plus: 50,000 records per base, 25,000 automation runs per month, 20 GB of attachments per base, standard sync integrations, extensions, Gantt and timeline views, expanded color, formatting, and calendar options.
Business Plan
- Cost: $45/seat/month (billed annually) or $54/seat/month (billed monthly)
- Includes: Everything in Team, plus: 125,000 records per base, 100,000 automation runs per month, 100 GB of attachments per base, premium sync integrations, verified data and two-way sync, admin panel, SAML-based single sign-on, app Sandbox.
Enterprise Scale Plan
- Cost: Custom pricing
- Includes: Everything in Business, plus: 500,000 records per base, 500,000 automation runs per month, 1,000 GB of attachments per base, on-premises sync integrations, app Library and HyperDB, enterprise Hub, enhanced security and admin controls, enterprise API, extension and integration management, audit logs and data loss prevention (DLP).
AppSheet vs Airtable: user interface & design capabilities
AppSheet and Airtable are both powerful no-code platforms that allow you to create custom applications without writing code. However, they have different approaches to user interface (UI) and design capabilities.
AppSheet Strengths:
- Focus on functionality: AppSheet excels at building functional apps quickly. It has a strong emphasis on data management and automation, making it ideal for creating workflow-driven solutions.
- Customization options: While not as extensive as Airtable’s, AppSheet offers a range of customization options for your app’s UI. You can choose from various pre-built templates and components, and you can also create custom layouts and branding elements.
- Mobile-first approach: AppSheet is designed to work seamlessly on mobile devices, making it perfect for field service, sales, and other mobile-centric use cases.
Airtable Strengths:
- Visual design and customization: Airtable offers a wide range of customization options for your app’s UI. You can create visually appealing interfaces with custom colors, fonts, and layouts.
- Flexible data structures: Airtable’s flexible data structures allow you to organize your data in various ways, making it easy to create complex and dynamic apps.
- Collaboration features: Airtable’s collaboration features make it easy for teams to work together on app development and data management.
AppSheet vs Airtable overview
AppSheet and Airtable are great for different things, so they’re perfect for specific use cases. AppSheet is all about automation and integration with Google Workspace, which makes it perfect for apps that need to work like a well-oiled machine. Airtable is great for teams that need flexible data structures and design options because it allows users to customize the look and feel of their workspaces.
How you use the platform is also a big factor. AppSheet is all about functionality and mobile-friendly designs for when you’re on the go. Airtable is more about visual appeal and collaborative features, which work well for creative and complex projects. Choose the platform that fits your team’s workflow and technical priorities.
And if none of the platforms are right for you consider contacting a No-Code agency that can create a custom solution for you.
