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Software · head to head

Airtable vs HiBob

Airtable logo

Airtable

Software

Create apps that perfectly fit your team's needs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HiBob logo

HiBob

Software

Modern HR for modern businesses

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Airtable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Airtable hitting a plan limit blocks adding records or attachments entirely until you upgrade, rather than degrading gracefully; HiBob pricing not publicly displayed; requires contacting sales for custom quote
  • They diverge on capability: Airtable covers Spreadsheet-database hybrid, HiBob covers Core HR.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Airtable and HiBob actually diverge.

Attributes where Airtable and HiBob differ
AttributeAirtableHiBob
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20122015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Airtable

  • Spreadsheet-database hybrid
  • Custom views
  • Automation
  • Forms
  • Integrations
  • Mobile apps
  • Real-time collaboration
  • API access

Only in HiBob

  • Core HR
  • Onboarding
  • Time Off Management
  • Performance Management
  • Compensation
  • People Analytics
  • Engagement
  • Microsoft Teams

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Airtable

  • Structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban viewsnot HiBob
  • Lightweight internal tools built on shared recordsnot HiBob
  • Automations between Airtable and other systemsnot HiBob
  • Sharing read-only views with collaborators, who are not chargednot HiBob
  • Collecting submissions through forms without paying for a seatnot HiBob

HiBob

  • Core HR system of record with automated workflowsnot Airtable
  • Performance management, learning and skills trackingnot Airtable
  • US and UK payroll, benefits and time trackingnot Airtable
  • Workforce planning and compensation review cyclesnot Airtable
  • Employee self-service for a distributed workforcenot Airtable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Airtable

  • Hitting a plan limit blocks adding records or attachments entirely until you upgrade, rather than degrading gracefully
  • Team is $20 per user per month and Business $45, both at the annual rate
  • Automation and API usage are capped by plan
  • Enterprise Scale pricing is not published

HiBob

  • Pricing not publicly displayed; requires contacting sales for custom quote
  • Limited payroll functionality compared to dedicated payroll platforms
  • Smaller integration ecosystem compared to larger HR platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

Airtable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited bases
    • 1,000 records per base
    • Up to 5 editors
  • Team$20/month per editor annual
    • 50,000 records per base
    • Unlimited automations
    • API access
  • Business$45/month per editor annual
    • 125,000 records per base
    • Advanced permissions
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise Scale$null/custom
    • 500,000+ records per base
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

HiBob

On request
  • Bob$undefined/month
    • Core HR
    • Onboarding
    • Time Off

Which should you pick?

Choose Airtable if

  • You need spreadsheet-database hybrid.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want custom views.
Airtable review

Choose HiBob if

  • You need core hr.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want onboarding.
HiBob review

Questions people ask

Is Airtable or HiBob better?
Neither clearly leads. Airtable starts at Free and HiBob at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Airtable or HiBob?
Airtable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Airtable and On request for HiBob.
Does Airtable or HiBob run on more platforms?
Airtable runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. HiBob runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Airtable for free?
Yes. Airtable has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HiBob starts at On request.
What is Airtable best used for?
Airtable is most often used for structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban views, lightweight internal tools built on shared records, automations between airtable and other systems, sharing read-only views with collaborators, who are not charged. Of those, structured team databases with grid, calendar and kanban views and lightweight internal tools built on shared records are not what HiBob is typically brought in for.
What can Airtable do that HiBob cannot?
Airtable covers Spreadsheet-database hybrid, Custom views, Automation, Forms. HiBob covers Core HR, Onboarding, Time Off Management, Performance Management. Both handle Slack.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Airtable: Is there a free Airtable plan and what does it include?

Yes, Airtable's Free plan is indefinite with unlimited bases, 1,000 records per base, up to 5 editors, 1 GB storage per base, 100 automation runs per month, and core features like Interface Designer and mobile apps.

Source
HiBob: What modules does HiBob include?

HiBob includes Core HR, Time & Attendance, Performance & Goals, Compensation Management, Global Operations, and Analytics modules that can be selected based on organizational needs.

Source
Airtable: How does Airtable handle permissions and viewers?

Airtable charges per editor only. Read-only viewers, form submitters, and people accessing share links are free on every plan, making it cost-effective for large viewing audiences.

Source
HiBob: How is HiBob pricing calculated?

HiBob pricing is customized based on company size (1-49, 50-199, 200-999, or 1,000+ employees) and the specific modules selected. Pricing is on a per-employee basis.

Source
Airtable: What are Airtable's record limits?

Free plan has 1,000 records per base, Team plan has 50,000, Business plan has 125,000, and Enterprise Scale has 500,000+ records. Performance degrades past 100,000 records in a single base.

Source
HiBob: Does HiBob offer a mobile app?

Yes, HiBob includes mobile app access as part of all plans, allowing employees to manage their HR tasks on the go.

Source
Airtable: Can Airtable integrate with other tools like Slack?

Yes, Airtable integrates with Slack via Zapier or Make.com, allowing automation like sending Slack messages when records are created or updated. Airtable also has a native API for direct integrations.

Source
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Related pages

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