Smartsheet vs Airtable: A data-backed comparison
Explore Smartsheet and Airtable’s features, pricing, adoption trends, and ideal use cases to help you determine which project management tool will work best for your team.
Smartsheet vs Airtable at a glance
Both Smartsheet and Airtable offer powerful project management capabilities, but they cater to different types of teams through their distinct approaches to spreadsheet-database hybrid functionality.
Smartsheet is a better option for business teams that prefer a familiar grid interface with advanced features like resource management, Gantt charts, and real-time reporting.
Airtable is a better option for teams managing complex datasets, offering a database-like structure with project tracking, customizable views, and collaboration tools.
Metrics | Smartsheet | Airtable |
|---|---|---|
Relative cost | 22% lower cost than category average | 38% lower cost than category average |
Adoption trend | 15% QoQ adoption growth | 12% QoQ adoption growth |
Primary user segment | – | 42% of users are micro businesses |
Best for | Organizations of all sizes that need collaborative project management and scalable workflow solutions that can grow with their business. | Teams that need flexible data organization that combines spreadsheet simplicity with database capabilities. |
Smartsheet overview
Smartsheet is a project management tool that combines the functionality of spreadsheets with task tracking and automation. It helps teams plan, manage tasks, and set deadlines within organized sheets. With views like Gantt charts, cards, and calendars, Smartsheet offers different ways to track progress.
Automation handles tasks like approvals, status updates, and notifications, making workflow management more efficient. Smartsheet works well for projects that require detailed tracking and team collaboration.
Smartsheet key features
Features | Description |
|---|---|
Customizable project views | Grid, Gantt, and card views support flexible project tracking. |
Workflow automation | No-code templates streamline repetitive tasks and complex workflows. |
Enterprise reporting | Custom dashboards provide deep analytics and real-time project insights. |
Resource management | Built-in timesheets and resource tracking for project planning. |
Secure collaboration | Access controls and integrations with Microsoft 365 and Salesforce support enterprise use. |
Data connectivity | Syncs with external systems like ServiceNow, Jira, and Google Sheets. |
Airtable overview
Airtable is a tool that combines spreadsheets and databases, allowing teams to manage information flexibly and visually. Teams can create custom databases tailored to specific project needs, with an intuitive interface for interactive data arrangement.
With features like linked records and various field types, Airtable supports different views, grid, calendar, gallery, and Kanban, adapting to different project management styles. It’s a good choice for teams that prioritize flexibility and adaptability.
Airtable key features
Features | Description |
|---|---|
Multiple data views | Presents the same dataset in various formats including Grid, Kanban, Gantt, Calendar, Gallery, and Timeline views. |
Automation capabilities | Creates trigger-action sequences that automatically perform tasks like updating records, sending notifications, moving items between views when conditions are met. |
Integrations | Connects with 36 native integrations across project management, file handling, communication, and social networking tools, plus offers API access. |
Custom interfaces | Allows creation of tailored dashboards and data entry screens without coding knowledge. |
Pros and cons
Tool | Pros | Cons |
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Smartsheet |
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Airtable |
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Use case scenarios
Smartsheet is great for detailed task tracking and automation, while Airtable is better for flexible, visual database management.
When Smartsheet is the better choice
- Teams managing structured, data-driven projects.
- Users familiar with spreadsheets who need a grid-based interface for task coordination, resource allocation, and dependency tracking.
- Non-technical teams, like marketing or operations, tracking campaigns, budgets, and progress.
- Teams needing polished, stakeholder-ready reports with minimal effort.
When Airtable is the better choice
- Teams managing complex datasets and needing flexible data organization.
- Teams working on creative projects, event planning, or product launches.
- Teams needing automation, collaboration tools, and easy data linking across tables.
- Projects that benefit from pre-built templates and real-time updates for seamless collaboration.
- Teams that require customizable fields and filters for easy data organization without coding.
- Projects that need to adapt as they grow or change.
Other project management tools
- ClickUp: A versatile project management tool with customizable views, automation, and time tracking, ideal for teams wanting an all-in-one solution.
- Wrike: Focuses on workload tracking and detailed reporting, providing real-time collaboration and custom dashboards for teams managing complex projects.
- Monday.com: Offers visual project tracking with ready-made workflows and automation, great for teams needing a simple, quick-to-set-up collaboration tool.
- Notion: Combines task management with documentation, enabling teams to handle projects and share knowledge in one centralized workspace.
- Jira: Built for software teams, it supports Agile workflows, sprint planning, backlog management, and issue tracking, making it a top choice for technical teams.
- Asana: A structured tool with task dependencies, automation, and timeline views, perfect for teams managing intricate workflows.
- Teamwork: Tailored for client-focused businesses, it includes time tracking, invoicing, and workload management for agencies and service providers.
- Zoho Projects: A scalable platform with task automation, time tracking, and CRM integration, ideal for businesses needing a full operational suite.
- Microsoft Project: An enterprise tool with resource management, budgeting, and advanced scheduling, best for large organizations with complex needs.