If you’re exploring Airtable for your team, you’ve probably come across its pricing plans and wondered, “Which one is the best fit for us?” Airtable is a powerful tool that combines the flexibility of spreadsheets with the functionality of databases, making it a favorite for teams managing projects, workflows, and data. But with multiple pricing tiers and features to consider, it can be tricky to decide which plan aligns with your needs and budget.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through Airtable’s pricing plans, breaking down what each one offers and who it’s best suited for. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small team, or a growing business, this article will help you make an informed decision.
What is Airtable and why is it popular?
Airtable is a hybrid tool that blends the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of databases. It’s designed to help teams organize, track, and collaborate on projects in a highly customizable way. Unlike traditional spreadsheets, Airtable allows you to create relational databases, link records, and visualize data in multiple formats, such as grids, calendars, and kanban boards.
What makes Airtable stand out is its versatility. It’s used by teams across industries—from marketing and product management to event planning and content creation. Its intuitive interface and robust integrations with tools like Slack, Zapier, and Google Workspace make it a go-to solution for teams looking to streamline their workflows.
Image source: airtable.com
Key features of Airtable
Airtable’s success comes from its versatile features that cater to a variety of workflows. Here are some highlights:
Customizable databases: Airtable lets you create tailored databases to organize and link data, even supporting relational databases without technical expertise.
Flexible data views: Visualize your data in grid, calendar, kanban, gallery, or Gantt views, making it easy to adapt to different project needs.
Team collaboration: Collaborate in real time by assigning tasks, leaving comments, and setting permissions to control access.
Integrations and automation: Connect Airtable with tools like Slack and Zapier, and automate repetitive tasks to save time.
Pre-built templates: Get started quickly with templates for project management, CRM, and more, designed for both beginners and advanced users.
Custom interfaces: With the Business plan, create dashboards and tailored views to present data in an actionable format.
Airtable pricing plans overview
Airtable offers four main pricing tiers: Free, Team, Business, and Enterprise Scale. Each plan is designed to cater to different team sizes and needs, from individuals just starting out to large organizations requiring advanced features and support.
Image source: airtable.com
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from each plan:
Free Plan: A great starting point for individuals or small teams with basic needs.
Team Plan: Adds more storage and collaboration capacity, ideal for small teams.
Business Plan: Unlocks advanced features for growing teams with complex workflows.
Enterprise Plan: Tailored for large organizations with custom requirements.
Each plan is priced per user, per month, with discounts available for annual billing. Let’s dive deeper into what each plan offers.
Free plan: What you get and who it’s for
Airtable’s Free plan is perfect for individuals or small teams who are just getting started. It provides access to Airtable’s core features, allowing you to create and manage bases (Airtable’s term for databases) with ease. Here’s what you get:
Unlimited bases: You can create as many bases as you need, making it easy to experiment with different workflows or organize multiple projects.
Basic collaboration tools: The Free plan supports up to 5 editors per workspace, allowing small teams to collaborate on projects in real time.
Data and storage limits: Each base is capped at 1,000 records and 1GB of attachment storage, which is sufficient for lightweight projects but may not be enough for larger datasets or media-heavy workflows.
Multiple views: Organize and visualize your data using grid, calendar, kanban, and gallery views, giving you flexibility in how you manage your projects.
Automation runs: The Free plan includes 100 automation runs per month, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks like sending notifications or updating records.
Interface Designer: Even on the Free plan, you can use the Interface Designer to create simple, customized dashboards for presenting and interacting with your data.
While the Free plan is a great way to explore Airtable’s capabilities, it does come with limitations. For example, the storage and record limits may not be sufficient for teams managing large datasets or complex projects. If you’re a freelancer or a small team working on lightweight projects, this plan could be a good fit. However, as your needs grow, you may find yourself needing to upgrade.
Team plan: affordable features for small teams
Pricing: $20 per seat/month billed annually ($24 billed monthly)
The team plan is designed for small teams that need more storage and collaboration capacity than the Free plan offers. It’s a step up in terms of functionality, providing:
Increased limits on records and storage: With support for up to 50,000 records and 20GB of attachments per base, this plan is well-suited for teams managing larger datasets or projects that require more storage.
25,000 automation runs: Automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows with expanded automation capacity, helping your team save time and work more efficiently.
Standard sync integrations: Sync data across multiple bases and external tools with ease, enabling better coordination and minimizing manual updates.
Extensions and advanced views: Unlock extensions for added functionality and access Gantt and timeline views to visualize your project timelines and dependencies more effectively.
Expanded customization options: Take advantage of more color, formatting, and calendar options to tailor your bases and views to your team’s preferences and needs.
This plan is ideal for teams that are scaling up but don’t yet require the advanced features of the Business plan. It strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it a popular choice for startups and small businesses. However, if your team relies heavily on custom workflows or advanced permissions, you might find the team plan limiting.
Business plan: Advanced tools for growing teams
Pricing: $45 per seat/month ($54 billed annually)
The Business plan is where Airtable really starts to shine. It’s packed with advanced features that cater to teams with more complex workflows and larger datasets. Some of the standout features include:
Custom interfaces: Create tailored dashboards and views for your team, making it easier to present and interact with data in a way that suits your specific needs.
Advanced collaboration tools: Manage permissions at a granular level, such as field and table editing, ensuring that team members have the right level of access to sensitive data.
Expanded capacity: With support for up to 125,000 records per base and 100 GB of attachments, this plan is ideal for teams managing large datasets or media-heavy projects.
Enhanced automation: Run up to 100,000 automation tasks per month, streamlining repetitive processes and saving time for your team.
Premium sync integrations: Sync data across multiple sources, including two-way sync, ensuring that your information stays up-to-date and consistent across platforms.
Verified data: Maintain data accuracy and reliability with tools that help verify and validate your information.
Admin controls and security: Gain access to an admin panel for better team management and SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) for enhanced security.
App Sandbox: Test and experiment with apps in a safe environment before deploying them to your team.
This plan is a great fit for medium-sized teams or businesses that need more control and flexibility in their workflows. Whether you’re managing a marketing campaign, tracking product development, or organizing events, the Business plan provides the tools you need to stay on top of your projects. While it’s more expensive than the team plan, the added functionality can be well worth the investment for teams that need it.
Enterprise scale: Custom solutions for large organizations
Pricing: Custom pricing
For large organizations with complex needs, Airtable offers the Enterprise plan. This plan is fully customizable and includes features designed to meet the demands of enterprise-level teams. It builds on the features of the Pro plan while adding advanced capabilities for scalability, security, and integration. Some of the key benefits include:
Massive data capacity: Handle large-scale operations with up to 500,000 records per base, 1,000 GB of attachments per base, and 500,000 automation runs, making it ideal for managing massive datasets and workflows.
Enhanced security and admin controls: Features like single sign-on (SSO), audit logs, and data loss prevention (DLP) ensure enterprise-grade security and compliance.
Advanced integrations and extensions: Manage integrations and extensions with tools like the Enterprise API, on-premises sync integrations, and centralized control over apps and extensions.
HyperDB and Enterprise Hub: HyperDB enables faster and more efficient handling of large, complex databases, while the Enterprise Hub provides centralized management for teams and workflows.
Dedicated support and onboarding: Enjoy priority customer support, tailored onboarding, and access to Airtable’s App Library to streamline implementation and adoption.
The Enterprise plan is ideal for organizations that require a high level of customization, scalability, and security. Pricing for this plan is not listed publicly and requires contacting Airtable’s sales team for a quote. If your organization operates at scale and needs a tailored solution to manage complex workflows, the Enterprise plan is worth exploring.
Hidden costs of Airtable: what you need to know
While Airtable offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs, it’s important to consider the potential hidden costs that might arise as your team grows or your workflows become more complex. These costs can sometimes catch users off guard, especially if they’re not fully aware of how Airtable’s pricing structure works.
One of the most significant factors to consider is Airtable’s per-user pricing model. As your team expands, the cost of adding new users can increase quickly, especially if you’re on the team or Business plans. For larger teams, this can make Airtable significantly more expensive compared to other tools with flat-rate pricing or more generous free plans.
Another hidden cost comes from third-party integrations. While Airtable integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Zapier, these integrations often require their own subscriptions. For example, if your team relies on Slack for communication or Zapier for automation, you’ll need to factor in the additional costs of these services to get the most out of Airtable.
Besides these, some add-ons may also incur extra costs, such as Airtable AI. While you can try it for free, standard access starts at $6 per seat/month. For enterprise-scale access, you’ll need to contact Airtable’s sales team, adding another layer of potential expense for advanced functionality.
Lastly, storage and record limits can also lead to unexpected expenses. If your team frequently works with large datasets or attachments, you may find yourself needing to upgrade to a higher-tier plan sooner than expected. This is especially true for teams on the Free or team plans, where storage and record limits are more restrictive.
To minimize these costs, I recommend carefully evaluating your team’s needs before committing to a plan. If you’re just starting out, the Free plan is a great way to test Airtable’s features without any financial commitment. For growing teams, optimizing workflows and consolidating data can help you stay within the limits of your chosen plan.
Image source: airtable.com
Comparing Airtable pricing to competitors
When evaluating Airtable’s pricing, it’s helpful to compare it to other tools in the market. Airtable is a standout choice for database management, but depending on your team’s needs, there may be alternatives that offer better value or different features.
For example, Notion is a popular competitor that combines note-taking, project management, and database functionality in one platform. Notion’s pricing is often more affordable for smaller teams, and its free plan is more generous in terms of storage and collaboration.
Notion’s plan:
Free: $0. For individuals to organize personal projects and life
Plus: $10 per seat/month. For small teams and professionals to work together
Business: $15 per seat/month. For growing businesses to streamline teamwork.
Enterprise: Custom pricing. For organizations to operate with scalability, control, and security.
Another alternative is SmartSuite, which offers similar database and project management features but with a more competitive pricing structure. SmartSuite is particularly appealing for teams that need advanced customization without the high costs associated with Airtable’s Business or Enterprise plans.
SmartSuite’s plan:
Free: $0. For individuals and small teams to get started with basic features.
Team: $10 per user/month (billed annually). For small teams to manage workflows effectively.
Professional: $25 per user/month (billed annually). For growing businesses needing advanced features and integrations.
Enterprise: $35 per user/month (billed annually). For large organizations requiring scalability, enhanced security, and tailored solutions.
Finally, Baserow is an open-source alternative to Airtable that’s ideal for budget-conscious teams. While it may lack some of Airtable’s polish and integrations, Baserow provides a cost-effective solution for teams that prioritize database functionality over collaboration tools.
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Alternatives to Airtable: Why Lark might be a great fit
If you’re looking for an alternative to Airtable that offers more than just database management, Lark is worth considering. Lark is an all-in-one collaboration platform that combines communication, project management, and productivity tools into a single, seamless experience. It also includes Lark Base, a feature designed to rival Airtable’s database functionality while addressing some of its limitations.
One of Lark’s biggest advantages is its free plan, which includes 100GB cloud storage and document collaboration. This goes beyond Airtable’s Free plan, which imposes stricter limits on storage and the number of records. For teams looking for a cost-effective solution, Lark’s free offering is hard to beat. Additionally, Lark Base delivers comparable database functionality at a fraction of Airtable’s cost—less than 1/5 of the price—making it an attractive option for budget-conscious teams.
Another standout feature of Lark is its all-in-one functionality. With native tools for messaging, video calls, shared calendars, and task management, Lark eliminates the need for multiple third-party integrations. In contrast, Airtable often relies on external tools like Zapier to enable similar capabilities, which can increase both complexity and cost. Furthermore, Lark Base provides a more Excel-like calculation experience, supporting advanced functions like LOOKUP and SUMIF. This makes it a better fit for teams that need robust data manipulation alongside collaboration.
That said, Airtable’s database management capabilities are advanced, with features like custom interfaces and relational database functionality that make it ideal for organizing and analyzing complex datasets. However, Airtable’s reliance on external tools for communication and approvals, as well as its higher pricing, can be limiting for teams seeking an all-in-one solution.
Ultimately, Lark is a great option for small to medium-sized businesses or teams that prioritize collaboration and cost-efficiency. With its competitive pricing, Excel-like functionality in Lark Base, and seamless integration of communication tools, Lark offers a compelling alternative to Airtable for teams that want to maximize productivity while minimizing software costs.
Lark’s plan:
Starter: $0/month. No credit card needed. Up to 20 users.
Pro: $12.00/user/month (billed annually). Up to 500 users.
Enterprise: Custom pricing. Unlimited users.
Final thoughts: Is Airtable the right choice for you?
Airtable is a powerful tool that offers a unique blend of database management and collaboration features. Its pricing plans are designed to cater to a wide range of users, from individuals and small teams to large organizations. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
If you’re looking for advanced database functionality and don’t mind the per-user pricing model, Airtable is an excellent choice. But if you’re more focused on collaboration and communication, alternatives like Lark might be a better fit.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try Airtable’s Free plan and see if it meets your needs. And if you’re curious about other options, don’t hesitate to explore tools like Lark, Notion, or SmartSuite to find the perfect solution for your team.
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