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Airtable vs Google Sheets: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will be discussing the key differences between Airtable and Google Sheets. Both Airtable and Google Sheets are powerful spreadsheet tools that offer unique features and capabilities for managing and analyzing data. However, there are several important distinctions between the two that can help determine which tool is more suitable for specific use cases.

  1. Pricing and Accessibility: One of the major differences between Airtable and Google Sheets is their pricing structure. While Google Sheets is free to use for anyone with a Google account, Airtable offers a freemium model with various pricing plans based on usage and additional features. Additionally, Airtable provides more advanced collaboration and permission settings, making it ideal for teams working on large-scale projects.

  2. Database-like Functionality: Airtable takes a different approach compared to Google Sheets by providing database-like functionality. Airtable allows users to link records and create relationships between tables, resulting in a more structured and organized database experience. On the other hand, Google Sheets primarily focuses on spreadsheet functionality and lacks the same level of record linking and relationship management capabilities.

  3. Customizable Views: Airtable offers a wide range of customizable views, including grid, calendar, gallery, and kanban views. These views allow users to visualize and interact with their data in different ways, providing a flexible and dynamic experience. In contrast, Google Sheets primarily offers a traditional grid view, limiting the visualization options available to users.

  4. Integration and Automation: Airtable provides seamless integration with various third-party services and platforms, allowing users to automate workflows and streamline processes. With Airtable's built-in automation features, users can set up triggers and actions to initiate automated tasks based on specific events or conditions. While Google Sheets also offers integration capabilities, its automation features are not as extensive as Airtable's.

  5. Mobile Experience: Airtable offers dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android, providing a more optimized and user-friendly experience on mobile devices. These mobile apps allow users to access, edit, and collaborate on their data on the go. In comparison, Google Sheets has its own mobile app, but the user experience may not be as robust and polished as Airtable's dedicated mobile apps.

  6. Advanced Collaboration Features: Airtable offers advanced collaboration features, including real-time collaboration, commenting, and activity logs. These features allow multiple users to work on the same base simultaneously, leave comments for discussion and feedback, and track changes made to the data. While Google Sheets also supports real-time collaboration, Airtable provides additional collaboration features that enhance team collaboration and communication.

In summary, Airtable and Google Sheets differ in terms of pricing, database functionality, customizable views, integration and automation capabilities, mobile experience, and collaboration features. These distinctions can help users choose the right tool based on their specific needs and requirements.

Advice on Airtable and Google Sheets
Needs advice
on
AirtableAirtable
and
SheetsuSheetsu

I'm trying to set up an ideally "no- code" way to have a backend of 3 different tables and be able to find a value in table #3 (contains businesses & cities) by first finding a record in table #1 (7,000+ zip codes) that corresponds to a city (table #2 has the unique cities), and then finding which businesses are located in these cities ( in this specific, original zipcode lookup). And return the business and a description via an API to a front-end results page, which happens to be a WordPress page - but doesn't need to be. I've tried Airtable's API, AirPress (a finicky WordPress plugin for Airtable's API), and I've looked at Sheetsu and a similar spreadsheet as backend and a simple API. I run into the issue where they work fine when you just need to query 1 table, but when you need to use the result from that query in another query to a different table. I'm back in SQL land - where sure it could be done with SQLite - needing to probably create an intersection table or a JOIN and build an API off of that. Is there a way to accomplish what I want without going back to SQL queries and some API?

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Replies (2)
Max Musing
Founder & CEO at BaseDash · | 5 upvotes · 58K views
Recommends
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BaseDashBaseDash

You're right that there isn't a great way to join tables with Airtable's API. The closest you can get is to use a linked record field, which acts as a pointer to another record. You still end up with the problem you mentioned of having to run another query on the second table separately.

Your best bet is to stick with an actual SQL database. Using an ORM should make your life significantly easier so you don't actually have to write raw SQL. If you still want a graphical interface to your data, BaseDash lets you view and edit SQL databases just like Airtable. A full API with join support is coming soon, so that could be your perfect solution to this problem.

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vikas vimal
Recommends
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IntegromatIntegromat

Let me introduce you to integromat. It connects these services without you having to work any code. And it even has a decent database built inside it.

It makes is an easy process to develop multistep workflows with multiple services and it’s free tier is surprisingly functional.

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Pros of Airtable
Pros of Google Sheets
  • 19
    Powerful and easy to use
  • 8
    Robust and dynamic
  • 6
    Quick UI Layer
  • 4
    Practical built in views
  • 3
    Robust API documentation
  • 0
    Great flexibility
  • 10
    Simultaneous shared editing
  • 5
    Online alternative to MS Excel

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What is Airtable?

Working with Airtable is as fast and easy as editing a spreadsheet. But only Airtable is backed by the power of a full database, giving you rich features far beyond what a spreadsheet can offer.

What is Google Sheets?

Access, create, and edit your spreadsheets wherever you go—from your phone, tablet, or computer.

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What companies use Google Sheets?
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Sep 29 2020 at 7:36PM

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