Airtable and [Notion]() are two game-changing tools for entrepreneurs, project managers and creators looking to implement databases cheaply and effectively. Prior to Airtable’s release in 2015, databases were the exclusive domain of programmers and “sysadmins” who could afford solutions like Oracle or SQL servers. But today, anyone can spin up a CRM, invoicing system and product management roadmap using these DIY (and _no-code_) tools. In this post, we look compare two of the most popular database tools: Notion and Airtable. A Notion dashboard on top; Airtable invoicing system on bottom. Our verdict: both are extremely powerful additions to your workflow. Notion offers more breadth (beyond databases), yet can’t scale due to the lack of API and integrations. Notion seems better for knowledge management, while Airtable feels like an enterprise solution that could serve as the backbone of an organization. ## Introduction to Databases Before we can compare Notion and Airtable, we need a common understanding of their killer feature: [databases](). Even the most skilled Excel junkies (aka _F9 Jockeys_) typically have never worked with databases. Spreadsheets are 2-dimensional (with an X and Y axis) and databases add a third (and theoretically, an infinite number) of additional dimensions. In the our [Advanced Notion Database Tutorial]() we described databases as: > _A series (i.e. 2 or more) interconnected spreadsheets. Each spreadsheet has columns and rows and they are connected using a primary key. By linking spreadsheets, you avoid having to enter the same information twice._ And whether you’re looking to build an e-commerce site, media publisher or music library the multiple dimensions of a database prevents you from having to type in any data twice – simultaneously increasing scalability and robustness. ## A brief history of Airtable Airtable was founded in 2012 2012 by [Howie Liu](), Andrew Ofstad, and Emmett Nicholas and in November 2018 [raised a $100 mm Series C]() (valuing the company at $1.1 bn) led by Thrive Capital, Benchmark, and Coatue. Liu’s described his vision as democratizing powerful tech tools: > “If you’re a programmer in Silicon Valley, you can tap into this very powerful technology as a medium for creative expression or economic value creation. Yet for everyone else, you get this kind of prefabricated result.” Airtable’s competitors include [Coda](), [Fibery](), [Anytype]() and [SmartSheet]() (and to a lesser extent, project management software like [Asana](), [ClickUp]() and [Monday]()). ## Docs, sheets or databases? Comparing Notion and Airtable is an example of _apples_ vs. _oranges_ (and many have suggested that Coda is indeed the better comparison). Why? Well they distinctly have different uses cases: documents (i.e. a gSuite or [Evernote replacement]()), spreadsheets, and databases). Icon size represents which tool has the advantage Notion has word processing capabilities (which we cover in our [comprehensive Notion tutorial]()) and Airtable does not. That immediately favors Notion for certain use-cases ([wikis](), personal portfolios and investment memos). However, we’ll explore that with spreadsheets both platforms are on equal footing and Airtable’s native focus on databases give it the upper hand for complex set ups. So as we compare Notion and Airtable we’ll look specifically at __spreadsheets and databases__. ## Notion vs. Airtable: The Basics When you open your first Airtable document (_a “Base”_) you’re presented with what looks like a giant spreadsheet (which we’ll compare to Notion tables). However unlike a spreadsheet, each column (Airtable calls them _Fields_ , Notion _Properties_) can contain a specific information type. A side-by-side comparison of Notion and Airtable colum types ### Text At the surface, both Notion and Airtable offer similar text-based column types. Here are some of the differences between the (non-database related) column types. Airtable has a field called __Long Text__ which Notion does not have. This is because Notion has a unique twist on databases. In addition to linking fields across tables to create databases, every primary key (i.e. each row) is its own page, that can hold any block type. So Notion doesn’t need a __Long Text__ column as all the text can be contained within the page. _(Editor’s Note: It’s a bit misleading to include call-outs, embeds and quotes as Notion column types since they actually would be included within a page inside a table.)_ ### Numbers Airtable has more Number properties (_Duration, percent, currency, rating_) than Notion’s singular __Number__ property. While Airtable’s extra granularity is nice, all these Number types can be recreated in Notion through formatting. Both can manipulate the numbers using a wide [array of formulas and conditional operators](). ### The remaining column types Both Notion and Airtable have similar __select properties__ and __date properties__. Collaboration properties are similar (with Airtable having an extra field for __Last Modified By__). Attachments are similar, but while Notion integrates natively with Google Drive, Airtable natively integrates with Dropbox and Box. The Airtable attachment uploader. ## Airtable vs. Notion API: a clear winner The Notion API has been become its own frustrating meme for its impassioned user base. While Notion does have some [native integrations and an unofficial API](), Airtable hands down owns this category putting them (and Coda) in a league of their own. In fact, I manage Supercharge your Productivity (a [Notion course]()) using Airtable using the following integrations: * Teachable imports all student and purchase data * Typeform enables me to compile additional student information * Automatically adding students into our private Slack workspace In addition to Airtable’s comprehensive [Zapier integration](), they’ve been teasing out [Native Automations]() (for Pro and Enterprise plans only) that when triggered by an action (i.e. a record creation or entering a specific view) can automate: * Sending an email, Slack, teams message * Creating/updating a record * Running a script ## Airtable’s advantages over Notion As a native database, Airtable has certain advantages over Notion. [Permission-based views]() in Airtable let you lock down specific data and columns. This isn’t possible in Notion where sharing a table gives you access to every single row and column. Similarly, Airtable lets you [embed a view or base]() into any other document (whereas Notion doesn’t allow its pages to be enabled anywhere else). To database aficionados, Notion doesn’t feel like an enterprise-ready database. For starters, it’s slow – as is exemplified by the lag in relating two tables (which doesn’t happen in Airtable). And Notion’s use of the __Page Name__ (i.e. the _Text Property_) as primary key can be frustrating – in the [Notion Made Simple Facebook Group](), [Hannah Wiginton]() pointed out that Airtable lets you set the primary keys as __Date__ , __Auto-number__ or many other fields which makes referencing them both more unique and intuitive. The next big Airtable advantage is __forms__. After all, if you’re going to use a database, wouldn’t you want an easy way to input data? With Notion, your only option is sharing your table and having users input data directly into cells. Airtable, on the other hand, lets you create a form (as another _grid view_) where you can present users with fields, multiple choices, file uploads and long-form texts – without needing a single integration. (In fact, I’ve attended 2,000+ person conferences where the attendee lists were managed using Airtable forms). And if these forms aren’t customizable enough, you can natively link to [Typeform]() or [Jotform]() (or any other [Zapier forms integration]()). Airtable also makes the sub-aggregation of data extremely easy by [grouping records](). In Notion, you could see the summary data at [the bottom of a view]() or it could be recreated with two steps: creating a relation and then [a roll-up](). When it comes to Views, Notion and Airtable have Kanban, galleries and calendars – but Airtable has one advantage: [Gantt blocks]() (for Pro and Enterprise plans). Finally, Airtable has robust [keyboard shortcuts]() including: * Cmd/Ctrl + A, then arrows to navigate a grid * Cmd/Ctrl + arrows to jump to the end of grid * Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + K to switch views (Not to be outdone, Notion also operates using the “slash” [keyboard command for shortcuts]().) ## Notion’s advantages over Airtable Revisiting out Venn diagram from above, Notion’s primary advantage lies in its ability to be databases __plus__ all types of text. This allows you to embed tables, boards and calendars into reports, status updates, corporate intranets and any document shared with those in and out of your organization. Furthermore, creating on-the-fly views using the [Linked Database]() feature is __absolute game changer__ for presenting and organizing [dashboards]() for both individuals and teams. And who can resist the the page-based emojis! ## Notion vs. Airtable: The final verdict Comparing the [Airtable]() and [Notion template galleries]() shows that both have their biases towards specific use cases. By definition, Airtable leans more heavily towards structured data and applications like campaign tracking, production schedules, invoices and payments and inventory management. Notion can cover these applications (albeit without any integrations and forms) but has more expansive reach into journaling, corporate wikis, personal web pages, and knowledge management. The APIs and integration give Airtable an edge in building “enterprise” solutions (like websites that [update with live data]()) and, for now, Notion feels more consumer-focused, eliminating the need for many apps used in day-to-day productivity. But regardless the use case, both apps are wickedly powerful and give you the ability to level-up your personal and professional objectives. _You can’t go wrong!_