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Airtable vs MySQL Comparison

Last updated:

Airtable

4.8(1,201 reviews)

Starting at $10 /User/Month

  • Freelancers
  • Large Enterprises

Airtable is a collaborative database with powerful tools for managing projects, visualizing information, and sharing with others. Task lists, calendars, comments, due dates, member contributions — all this belongs inside…

MySQL

4.5(417 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

This cross-platform databases deliver high availability, scalability, performance and security for all types of applications from simple websites to complex business systems. With a choice of storage engines, developers…

Airtable leads on user satisfaction with a 4.8-star rating across 1,201 reviews.

Airtable vs MySQL — at a glance

FeatureAirtableMySQL
Rating4.8 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews1,201417
Starting price$10 /User/MonthContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryCollaboration SoftwareDatabase Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Online
Data residencyGlobal

Key differences between Airtable and MySQL

  • Pricing: Airtable starts at $10 /User/Month. MySQL pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: MySQL offers a free trial; Airtable does not.
  • Target audience: Airtable is built for Freelancers and Large Enterprises, while MySQL targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Airtable scores higher with a 4.8-star average.
  • Deployment: Airtable supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; MySQL supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Airtable vs MySQL — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Collaboration Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Airtable - Collaboration Software
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MySQL - Database Management Software
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Talk to an expert

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Airtable

Best for

Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

MySQL

Best open-source database for scalable, high-performance business applications.

Choose if
  • You need a cost-effective, open-source database with strong community support.
  • Your applications require robust handling of large transaction volumes efficiently.
  • You want a scalable solution suitable for startups to large enterprises.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your project depends heavily on marketplace app integrations and connectors.
  • You require highly customized database features without access to expert support.

Airtable typically suits Freelancers and Large Enterprises. MySQL tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Airtable is a collaborative database with powerful tools for managing projects, visualizing information, and sharing with others. Task lists, calendars, comments, due dates, member ... Read More about Airtable

This cross-platform databases deliver high availability, scalability, performance and security for all types of applications from simple websites to complex business systems. With a choice ... Read More about MySQL

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $10 , Billed Yearly
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • Free Trial available

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

9.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.78

(1201)

4.55

(417)

Best Company Size

10 to 50 employees51 to 5,000 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

MySQL

  • Reliable Performance: MySQL is well-known for its speed and efficiency, letting us handle large volumes of transactions smoothly. This means your team can focus on growth rather than performance bottlenecks.
  • Scalability: MySQL works for small startups and large enterprises alike. You can start small and expand without needing to migrate to another database system.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: As an open-source database, MySQL provides substantial cost savings compared to proprietary systems. This allows us to allocate resources to other critical areas of our operations while still enjoying powerful database capabilities.
Best fit

Best fit

Airtable

No best-fit guidance available yet.

MySQL

  • 10 to 5,000 employees
  • Fintech, SaaS, E-commerce, Healthcare, and Education
  • Database Administrators, Software Developers, Data Analysts, and IT Managers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Airtable

No alternatives guidance available yet.

MySQL

  • Users might seek alternatives to MySQL due to scalability concerns, especially when handling large datasets or high transaction volumes, where performance can degrade without proper optimization and resource allocation.
  • Some organizations may require specific features not offered by MySQL, such as advanced analytics capabilities or built-in support for unstructured data, prompting a search for more specialized database solutions.
  • The need for better compatibility with certain programming languages or frameworks can drive users to consider alternatives, particularly if they are working within ecosystems that favor different database technologies.

Software Demo

Demo

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Step 1 of 4

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How do Airtable and MySQL Compare on Features?

Total Features

11 Features

9 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Airtable and MySQL on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $10 , Billed Yearly
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Free

        • Unlimited bases

        • Up to 5 creators or editors

        • Unlimited commenter & read-only users

        Show more +

      • Plus

        • Includes features of Free plan, plus

        • 3 extensions per base

        • 3 sync integrations

        Show more +

      • Pro

        • Includes features of Plus plan, plus

        • 10 extensions per base

        • 7 sync integrations including Jira Cloud

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Airtable pricing
      MySQL pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global

      Airtable User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      1146

      124

      20

      1

      3

      318

      98

      10

      1

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1294 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Provides unmatched flexibility for various tasks, making project management simple and tailored to specific needs.
      • User-friendly interface that is surprising for a digital tool, offering easy customization and different views for enhanced usability.
      • Easy organization, collaboration, and customization of databases to streamline workflows.

      Common complaints

      • Initial setup can be daunting, requiring some support to create customized databases tailored to specific needs.
      • Interface may not always be simple and can be overwhelming for newcomers, particularly during setup and template customization.
      • While flexible, might not be adequate for complex data modeling in specialized sectors compared to more refined platforms.

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights MySQL’s ease of use, performance, and scalability, with some concerns about feature complexity and integration limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Performance and scalability
      • Open-source community support

      Common complaints

      • Limited marketplace app support
      • Complexity of advanced features

      Pros and Cons

      • Provides unmatched flexibility for various tasks, making project management simple and tailored to specific needs.

      • User-friendly interface that is surprising for a digital tool, offering easy customization and different views for enhanced usability.

      • Easy organization, collaboration, and customization of databases to streamline workflows.

      • Initial setup can be daunting, requiring some support to create customized databases tailored to specific needs.

      • Interface may not always be simple and can be overwhelming for newcomers, particularly during setup and template customization.

      • Robust performance handling large transaction volumes efficiently

      • Scalability suitable for both small startups and large enterprises

      • Cost-effective open-source solution with strong community support

      • Limited support for marketplace apps and connectors

      • Complexity in feature richness and customization without proper support

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Airtable or MySQL? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Boiler Room

      Boiler Room

      New York City Ballet

      New York City Ballet

      Outdoor Invoices

      Outdoor Invoices

      Walmart

      Walmart

      Uber

      Uber

      Verizon

      Verizon

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Task priority

      7 Screenshots

      SQL Editor Screenshot

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Airtable and MySQL in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Airtable or MySQL?
      Airtable edges out the other on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Airtable and MySQL offer a free trial?
      MySQL offers a free trial. Airtable does not.
      What is the starting price of Airtable vs MySQL?
      Airtable starts at $10 /User/Month. MySQL starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Airtable?
      Top alternatives to Airtable include Trello, Smartsheet, Asana, CollaborateCloud, ClickUp.
      What are the top alternatives to MySQL?
      Top alternatives to MySQL include Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB, Oracle Database, Oracle SQL Developer, OrientDB.