Airtable vs Smartsheet
Compare Airtable and Smartsheet on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Airtable
Flexible database / app platform with interfaces and light project apps — Team from ~$20/user/mo annual.
Best for
- • Ops teams building data apps
- • Structured trackers beyond plain docs
- • Interface-driven internal tools
Starting from $20.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Airtable and Smartsheet. Choose Airtable when Ops teams building data apps. Choose Smartsheet when Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Airtable is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Collaboration
- ✓ AI features
Smartsheet is better for
- ✓ Timeline / Gantt
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ Reporting
- ✓ Value for money
Tie
- • Ease of use
- • Integrations
Choose Airtable if: Ops teams building data apps
Choose Smartsheet if: Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
Best for
- • Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- • Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- • Structured program reporting
Starting from $9.00/user/mo
No free plan
Airtable vs Smartsheet at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Airtable
Smartsheet
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Airtable
Smartsheet
- Free planAirtable
Airtable
Smartsheet
- Ease of useTie
Airtable
Smartsheet
- Timeline / GanttSmartsheet
Airtable
Smartsheet
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Airtable
Best for free plan
Airtable researches a free plan; Smartsheet does not research a free plan.
- → Airtable
Best for collaboration
Airtable leads on collaboration (8/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Airtable
Best for ai features
Airtable leads on ai features (7/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for timeline / gantt
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for automations
Smartsheet leads on automations (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for reporting
Smartsheet leads on reporting (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsAirtable
Airtable researched starting price from $20/mo; a free plan is researched; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Smartsheet
Airtable researched starting price from $20/mo; a free plan is researched; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsAirtable
Check paid seat floors for Airtable and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Smartsheet
Check paid seat floors for Airtable and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
Smartsheet winsAirtable
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Automations
Smartsheet winsAirtable
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on automations (7/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Integrations
TieAirtable
Airtable and Smartsheet are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Smartsheet
Airtable and Smartsheet are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
Smartsheet winsAirtable
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on reporting (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Which should you choose?
Choose Airtable if
- Ops teams building data apps
- Structured trackers beyond plain docs
- Interface-driven internal tools
Choose Smartsheet if
- Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- Structured program reporting
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Notion
Docs-first workspace with databases and light project tracking — Plus from $10/user/mo annual; AI on Business.
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
Wrike
Enterprise/agency work management with proofing, intake and resourcing — Team from $10/user/mo annual.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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