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Software · head to head

Zapier vs Airtable

Zapier logo

Zapier

Software

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Airtable logo

Airtable

Software

Create apps that perfectly fit your team's needs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action; Airtable hitting a plan limit blocks adding records or attachments entirely until you upgrade, rather than degrading gracefully
  • They diverge on capability: Zapier covers App integrations, Airtable covers Spreadsheet-database hybrid.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zapier and Airtable actually diverge.

Attributes where Zapier and Airtable differ
AttributeZapierAirtable
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, iOS, Android, Desktop
Founded20112012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Zapier

  • App integrations
  • Workflow automation
  • Trigger-based actions
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Data formatting
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Team collaboration

Only in Airtable

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

Both cover

  • Gmail
  • Slack
  • Salesforce
  • SOC2
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot Airtable
  • Data synchronizationnot Airtable
  • Email automationnot Airtable
  • Social media postingnot Airtable
  • Customer onboardingnot Airtable

Airtable

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

Where each one falls short

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

Zapier

  • The free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • Multi-step Zaps, filters, paths, webhooks and the formatter all require a paid plan
  • Premium app connectors are withheld from the free plan
  • Free Zaps poll for new data every 15 minutes against 2 minutes on Professional and 1 minute on Team
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs 50 percent more, so the 2,000-task Professional plan is $73.50 a month instead of $49

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Zapier

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks/month
    • 5 Zaps
    • Two-step Zaps
  • Starter$19.99/month
    • 750 tasks/month
    • 20 Zaps
    • Multi-step Zaps
  • Professional$49/month
    • 2,000 tasks/month
    • Unlimited Zaps
    • Custom logic

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Zapier if

  • You need app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Zapier review

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

Questions people ask

Is Zapier or Airtable better?
Neither clearly leads. Zapier starts at Free and Airtable at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zapier or Airtable?
Zapier starts at Free and Airtable at Free.
Does Zapier or Airtable run on more platforms?
Zapier runs on Web, Api. Airtable runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Zapier for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Zapier best used for?
Zapier is most often used for lead management, data synchronization, email automation, social media posting. Of those, lead management and data synchronization are not what Airtable is typically brought in for.
What can Zapier do that Airtable cannot?
Zapier covers App integrations, Workflow automation, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps. Airtable covers Spreadsheet-database hybrid, Custom views, Automation, Forms. Both handle Gmail, Slack, Salesforce, SOC2.

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
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
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
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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