Neatbase vs Airtable
A simpler, faster alternative to Airtable.
Airtable is built for enterprises with complex workflows. If you want the same structured approach without per-seat pricing and IT overhead, Neatbase is a faster, simpler way to get there.
Same power, without the enterprise tax.
Airtable pioneered the spreadsheet-database hybrid, and it's excellent for large organizations managing complex workflows. But if you don't need SSO, audit logs, and tiered permissions, it's overkill. You're paying enterprise prices for features you'll never touch.
Neatbase brings the same core idea to a native Apple app: custom fields, table views, filtering, collaboration, and a REST API. No browser tab. No per-seat pricing. Whether you're managing a client directory, tracking inventory, or running a product catalog, everything just works.
Where Neatbase stands out
A real app, not a browser tab
Airtable’s desktop app is an Electron wrapper, essentially Chrome in an app icon. The mobile apps have limited offline support and no integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Neatbase is built with SwiftUI and runs natively on iOS and macOS. It works with Spotlight search, the iOS widget, keyboard navigation, dark mode, and everything else you expect from a real Apple app.
No per-seat pricing, no record limits
Airtable's free tier caps you at 1,000 records per base and 5 editors. The Team plan is $20/seat/month, and you'll pay $45/seat/month for Business features. A 5-person team on Team costs $100/month, or $1,200/year. Neatbase is free to start with up to 3 notebooks and 50 notes each. Pro removes all limits for $34.99/year, covering your entire iCloud account. No per-seat fees. Share with up to 10 collaborators at no extra cost.
Your data is always accessible
Airtable requires an internet connection. No Wi-Fi, no data. Neatbase stores everything locally on your device and syncs via iCloud when connected. Open the app on a plane, in the field, or anywhere without signal. All your notebooks are right there.
End-to-end encrypted sharing
Airtable stores your data on their servers without end-to-end encryption. Their team can access your bases. Neatbase keeps personal data on your device and in iCloud. When you share a notebook with others, it's encrypted with AES-256. The server stores ciphertext it can't read. Not even we can see your data.
Set up in seconds, not hours
Airtable requires workspace setup, base architecture, table configuration, view creation, and permission management before you can start working. Neatbase has notebooks and fields. Create a notebook, pick your fields, start adding notes. Need to share it with your team? Send a link. Need API access? One tap. No setup beyond that.
No vendor lock-in
Switching away from Airtable can be difficult once your workflows and data live in their ecosystem. Neatbase stores your data locally and lets you export any notebook to CSV. The REST API also means you can always extract your data programmatically.
When Airtable might be the better choice
Airtable is a powerful platform, and it's the right tool if you need:
- Automations — trigger-action workflows that run automatically when data changes
- Enterprise features — SSO, audit logs, granular permissions, and compliance certifications
- Large-scale collaboration — dozens of editors working across interconnected bases with granular role permissions
- Third-party integrations — deep connections with Salesforce, Slack, Zapier, and hundreds of other tools
Neatbase is for people who want structure without complexity
If you've been paying Airtable prices for what amounts to a table with custom fields, Neatbase gives you that for a fraction of the cost. Native app, no per-seat fees, and you're up and running in 30 seconds.
- 27 field types including text, dates, ratings, tags, images, currency, and formulas
- Card and table views with sorting, filtering, group-by, and inline editing
- Share notebooks with up to 10 people at no extra cost
- Collect data from anyone with publishable web forms
- Full REST API with auto-generated documentation
- $34.99/year for everything. One subscription, no per-seat pricing.
Also see: Neatbase vs Notion
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