Google SheetsRecommendedNon-structured spreadsheet
Non-structured spreadsheet
AirtableRecommendedBest for powerful spreadsheet-like databases
Best for powerful spreadsheet-like databases
Best Spreadsheet Software at a Glance
How We Evaluate Spreadsheet Software
We score each spreadsheet software across multiple criteria, and hands-on expert evaluation
- Ease of UseQuick to set up and intuitive to use without a steep learning curve.
- Feature DepthCore features that work well, not surface-level checkboxes.
- Reliability & PerformanceConsistent, fast, and dependable with minimal bugs.
- Value for MoneyPricing that's fair relative to what you actually get.
- Integrations & EcosystemWorks well with other tools in your stack.
- Expert EvaluationCurated by, our rankings reflect in-depth testing, industry insights, and hands-on experience.AlexandAndra
Google Sheets
Non-structured spreadsheet
Non-structured spreadsheetGoogle Sheets works for basic, non-structured spreadsheet tasks but completely fails if you need database-style relationships or want to use it as a CRM. If you care about connecting data across companies, people, opportunities, or tasks, skip Google Sheets and look at something built for that instead.
What is Google Sheets?
What is Google Sheets?Google Sheets is great as a flexible and non-structured spreadsheet, but pales in comparison to other tools which are more database-focused.
You should never attempt to use Google Sheets as a CRM because it has no structural relational capabilities. For example, tying in the relationship of how a company connects with the people at the organization, connected opportunities and tasks is just not possible in a scaleable way.
We often recommend a tool like Airtable over Google Sheets in most cases, unless it is for purely financial information, and have almost entirely eliminated the need for Google Sheets across our entire team.
If you're tempted to use Google Sheets as your CRM and don't want a more fully-fledged CRM like Copper, you might want to try out folk instead.
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Airtable
Best for powerful spreadsheet-like databases
Best for powerful spreadsheet-like databasesAirtable gives you a flexible, user-friendly database that easily replaces Google Sheets and form tools for almost any business use, especially if you need structure, automation, or to connect data between apps.
Avoid the urge to use it as a CRM or project management software.
What is Airtable?
What is Airtable?Airtable is an incredibly flexible tool that can be used from something as simple as a Google Sheets replacement, all the way up to a no-code builder.
At a core, it's really just a user-friendly database, similar to that of Coda and even Notion (although those 2 apps both started as more of knowledge base tools first, whereas Airtable has always been first-and-foremost a user-friendly database).
If your team is still using Google Sheets (for things outside of company finance reporting like balance sheets, etc.), then we fully encourage you to check out Airtable and to give it a try. In most cases, it will completely replace the need for Google Sheets, Google Forms, Typeform, Jotform, and other Form software.
Believe it or not, over the past 8+ years, we've actually entirely replaced every single internal Google Sheet with Airtable alternative. Sometimes the structure needs to change slightly, but doing so unlocks so much additional functionality.
Key Features
Key FeaturesAPI
APIWe love working with the Airtable API. It just does most everything you could want it to do, and it incredibly flexible and easy to work with.
You can simply create a new view within an Airtable Base, add filtered logic to it, and set it up so when a new record enters that view, an automation can be triggered. This allows it to be incredibly flexible.
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