Asana vs. Airtable – Both are built as amazing project management and collaboration tools. If you want to learn which is a better pick for your company, I got you covered.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in running an online business, smaller teams work better… but only if you manage it effectively. This is when I discovered the power of reliable online project management and collaboration software.
If you encountered the same challenges, my unbiased Asana vs. Airtable comparison can guide you. Here, you’ll see how they stack up against each other when it comes to their key features (similar and unique), pricing rates, strengths, weaknesses, and more.
Let’s start digging into their specifics.
- 1. Asana vs. Airtable At A Glance
- 2. Who Is Asana Best For?
- 3. Who Is Airtable Best For?
- 4. A Close Look At The Features Of Asana and Airtable
- 5. Key Features Of Asana
- 6. Key Features Of Airtable
- 7. Asana vs. Airtable – Pros And Cons
- 8. Where Do I Get The Most For My Money?
- 9. Conclusion – Which Is Better: Asana or Airtable?
- 10. Asana vs. Airtable – FAQ
1. Asana vs. Airtable At A Glance
See this side-by-side comparison of Asana vs. Airtable and find out which software platform has the edge on the other. In the table, you can see through each platform’s significant features and most valuable pricing plan.
   4.8 |   4.6 |
| Best Overall. Simple and intuitive project management platform with great automation tools. Starts at $10.99/month. | Feature-rich. Highly customizable user interface and much more powerful reporting systems. Starts at $10/month. |
| Try Asana | Try Airtable |
2. Who Is Asana Best For?
Asana is a flexible platform that is fitting for small teams and large organizations alike.
Its secure, centralized workspace allows members to organize and assign workloads, automate processes, and track project/tasks’ progress and every action made by the members.
Staying on top of everything is what Asana is known for. For that reason, its team expands the platform’s function to meet the needs of students and freelancers (sorting and tracking their assignments, deadlines, and more).
3. Who Is Airtable Best For?
Airtable is mostly ideal for teams and project managers who work for large companies.
Airtable is a relational database, a type of database that uses a structured format to easily identify the relationships between different concepts and/or objects.
Therefore, it is ideal for individuals who manage organized information such as banking records, employee directories, product inventories, and more.
It is also suitable for small and medium businesses that want to create reliable invoicing and billing databases.
4. A Close Look At The Features Of Asana and Airtable
If you’re trying to figure out the difference between Asana vs. Airtable, I’ve prepared a table that contains their top features with a brief explanation of each.
| Features | | |
| Project Workspaces |  | |
| Project View Styles | | |
| Workflow Automation | | |
| Set and Track Goals | | |
| Spreadsheet Creation Tools |  | |
| Reporting Functions | | |
| App integrations | | |
| Community Platform | | |
| Get Started | Try Asana | Try Airtable |
5. Key Features Of Asana
If you’re just starting out, here are 5 of Asana’s amazing features you can check out.
#1 Asana Workspace & Organization
For you to get started with Asana, you need to create or get invited to a workspace. The great part of this is, you can join multiple ones at the same time.
What is the difference between the two, you may ask?
A workspace is intended for a group of people that don’t belong in a common company and can sign up using their personal email.
Meanwhile, the organization is the complete opposite, you can only sign up using a company email domain.
Inviting members for both of them is different too.
The workspace lets you invite individuals from your admin console or directly from the project. While in the organization, you need to send a shareable invite link.
#2 Asana Interface
Whether you join via workspace or organization, Asana will provide you with a clean interface that you’ll be sure to love.
Heads up though. When I started using Asana, I found it to be a bit intimidating.
Let me explain the basics so you won’t get overwhelmed.
Asana’s interface is divided into four different areas. Each one holds a specific function or purpose.
- Sidebar
- Main pane
- Top bar
- Header
The sidebar is the area where you can access your homepage, favorites (projects, people, and tags), and reports. If you join an organization, you can also view the teams you belong to.
If you want less distraction, simply click the three-column button (located at the top of the sidebar) and the sidebar will remain hidden.
Pretty neat, right?
The second area is the main pane, the white canvas next to the sidebar. It works by displaying the content of any elements selected from the sidebar.
This is also the area that displays your search results, notifications, and conversation posts.
The top bar’s area is divided into three functions:
- Search box – Find anything from tasks to tags or conversations with a specific team member.
- Quick add button – With one simple click of this button, you can create a task, project, message, or invite more collaborators.
- Profile settings – Access your admin console (customize your workspace or add/remove members), profile settings, and privacy policy.
- Help Content icon – Contains all the resources that can help you fully utilize Asana’s features and tools. This is only available on paid subscription plans and it will replace the trial timer.
As you create different projects in your workspace, a unique header will be provided for each of them.
This header contains the features that can help you customize each project (arrow down icon). You also have the option to favorite (star icon) the project, set status updates, view members, and share it with other members.
You can also choose the most relevant view style for your tasks – Kanban-style board, timeline, calendar, and more.
#3 Goal Tracking System
Asana is a popular tool trusted by many. But did you know that it also can serve as a reliable goal-tracking system?
If you don’t know what that is, let me explain.
This feature allows you to create short-term goals to align your members to the work priorities. If you’re a business owner, you can also link your company mission with your long-term goals.
Don’t forget to create a goal hierarchy – parent goals or sub-goals.
Successfully adding this to your project or task will allow teams to have a clear understanding of their work and priorities.
In creating a goal, do not forget to select the correct privacy setting – private or public. This way you can control who can see and access it.
Note: The Goal feature is only available for Business and Enterprise plans.
#4 Communication Tools
Not only can you manage projects with Asana, but you can also communicate with it. There are three ways you can communicate with your members through the platform:
- Task comments
- Proofing
- Project Conversation
Let’s start with the standard task comments.
You can simply comment on a task that a team member is working on. Just remember to tag them by typing the @symbol and clicking on their username.
Burkhard Berger
One feature of the task comment that I like the most is the appreciation tab (star icon next to emoji). Send any of the animated images available to a team member to show him/her how much you appreciate their hard work or the excellent quality results they deliver.
But, what if you’re working on designs and not tasks?
Easy. Just use the proofing feature.
It has the same concept as the task commenting but instead of leaving your feedback on the task, you can directly leave it on images or PDF files.
You can do this by tapping a specific part of the image or PDF file you wish to change. A new dialog box will appear and there you can type in your comment.
Need to make feedback on the go?
Use the Asana mobile app. It’s available on iOS and Android.
The third way is called the project conversation, a great communicating tool for brainstorming ideas.
Asana created multiple ways on how you can add this to your project. The first one is by accessing the Messages under the Marketing section (located in the sidebar).
You can even create a shortcut for easy access. Simply click the Quick Add button located on the top bar.
Choose Messages and it will pop up a new message form. You can also view all your messages in your inbox.
#5 CSV Importer
Planning a project is one of the strongest suits of Asana.
It allows you to do the following:
- Lay out your strategies
- Create a checklist
- Organize your data
If your project is focused on organizing data into a logical format, you probably prefer to do it in a spreadsheet.
If you start creating it on spreadsheets and decide later on that you want to move it to Asana, you can easily do so by using its CSV importer.
This feature works by seamlessly taking your spreadsheet rows and columns and mapping them out on your Asana project.
Remember to include a header row with column names in your spreadsheet before importing it to Asana. This way, it’s guaranteed that you will get the intended result.
Burkhard Berger
If you avail of the paid subscription plans, I suggest you add custom fields in your project before importing the spreadsheet. This is an effective way for the CSV importer to map all the information and place them in the right columns.
6. Key Features Of Airtable
Airtable is more than just a platform for creating and sharing spreadsheet-like databases. I’ll show you 5 of its superior features that any organization and team can take advantage of.
#1 Bug & Issue Tracker
Getting started on Airtable requires you to create a database, also called the base. There are two ways to do this – create from scratch or choose any of the templates available.
If you prefer the easier method, I suggest you choose a template.
One of the popular templates available in the Airtable marketplace is the bug and issue tracker. This is a reliable tracking system that allows you to efficiently track and process bugs.
Here’s the good news: your team can also help in tracking bugs or issues by reporting them through the bug submission form (included in the template).
Aside from the form, this template also includes various filtering options for quick viewing of priorities or statuses. Screenshots and GIFs can easily attach as well under the attachment field.
#2 Airtable Apps
Did you know that you can actually add apps to your Airtable base?
This allows you to add features such as search, pivot table, org chart, and more. There are over 50 apps that you can use in the marketplace.
That’s not all…
If you are a developer, you can build custom apps.
Block SDK is what you’ll need to create one and it uses React (JavaScript library) to build real-time and interactive apps.
Once you’ve created an app in Airtable, you can use it for as long as you want.
Note: Building apps are only available for Pro and Enterprise plans.
If you subscribed to a free plan, you can customize your base by changing its color (10 available) and icon.
#3 Actionable Views of Data
Airtable is the modern version of a spreadsheet.
But, unlike a traditional spreadsheet, you can create a unique view style to make your table easier to navigate.
Not to mention, different views allow you to filter, hide, or sort records within the table.
You can find the Create a View option on the sidebar of your project dashboard. There are six types of views you can create and those are the following:
- Grid: Best for sorting and configuring your table
- Form: Collects new records and adds them to the table
- Calendar: Sort every task or process by date
- Gallery: It displays all your records as a visually-appealing cards
- Kanban: Provide a visual presentation of your records at various stages
- Gantt: A type of bar chart that displays the dependency relationships between records
Are you subscribed to Airtable’s Pro and Enterprise subscription plans?
If the answer is yes, you can also utilize two premium view features – locked views and personal views.
The locked views allow you (as a creator or owner permission) to prevent collaborators from making any alterations.
Personal views, on the other hand, will only provide the right to make the necessary changes to the person who created the view.
#4 Create Automated Workflows
Performing repetitive tasks at work is inevitable but it doesn’t have to be time-consuming.
Airtable introduces its automation function that allows you to program your workflows and processes on autopilot.
It makes any job simpler and reduces errors.
You can build a simple to complex multi-sequence workflow using trigger (specified event) and action (step to perform) logic.
It’s also customizable and can run multiple automation at the same time.
The exact number of automation you can run varies for each plan.
Here are a few of the tasks or processes you can add with automation:
- Email and communication alerts and notifications
- Use the latest information from your Airtable base to update your schedule in any calendar application
- Instantly send a post to your social media channel without leaving your base
- Request management to ensure the clients are always in the loop
#5 Base Sync Function
Isn’t it great if your team or entire organization can access a single source of truth? Airtable can make that happen as it is equipped with a sync function.
It sounds amazing but what does it do?
This function is a one-way process to pull data from multiple sources. It has two setup options – basic and advanced.
The basic setup requires you to create a view share link in the source base.
Upon doing so, you must open the link. The next step is to click the use this data button (located at the header’s right corner) and then select the create table button to set it up.
If you want to add more functions and better yet customize the sync configuration, you can always use the advanced setup.
The good part?
Airtable bases can be integrated with other platforms (ex: Jira, Salesforce, etc.).
This is great for working with teams that don’t use this platform.
7. Asana vs. Airtable – Pros And Cons
No matter how good Asana and Airtable are, they are not exempted from some drawbacks. Here’s a quick rundown of their most striking disadvantages, including some of their basic yet important advantages.
Asana:
| Pros | Cons |
| Ideal for organizing everyday to-do lists and any project that requires a checklist | Includes too many features which may overwhelm most new users |
| Powerful communication tools that can share general announcements and send direct messages | Only allows one owner per task |
| Bug tracking reports are sent via chat and email | Lacks of exporting and time tracking functionality |
| Include meeting functions for 1-on-1 meeting and brainstorming | No automatic tagging function to the person you’re submitting the task request |
| All updates on tasks assigned to you are sent to your inbox | No specific function available to print task calendars sorted by month |
Let’s now learn more about Airtable’s pros and cons.
Airtable:
| Pros | Cons |
| Handy to use as a database back-end | No in-built formula builder available |
| Include a wide array of ready-made templates | Limited communication tools |
| Filling data in cells is similar in Excel spreadsheet | No auto-refresh function available for the records |
| Easy tracking of project progress, including their deadlines | Data from Excel copied to Airtable are displayed differently |
| Include blocks to add new functions | Has a higher learning curve |
8. Where Do I Get The Most For My Money?
Asana and Airtable designed their subscription pricing plan per user seat with a monthly and annual billing cycle. Let’s break down each plan to determine if they are expensive or practical.
Asana Pricing Plans
Asana offers four subscription plans with a 30-day free trial (except the Enterprise plan). Here’s a closer look at each plan, all set in the annual billing period by default:
- Basic ($0/mo.): This free plan is intended for individuals (personal use) and teams (15 members or less) that have a limited budget or focus solely on finding a secure, centralized workspace. In your free Asana account, expect to get unlimited file storage, create unlimited numbers of tasks and projects, 10 project management tools, 2 for views and reporting, and the other 2 for support and control.
- Premium ($10.99/mo.): If you want more control over your teams and members, including their activities, I suggest availing of the Premium plan. Here, you will be given an admin console where you can add permission levels, tweak security settings, and more.
- Business ($24.99/mo.): Whether you are setting and implementing strategic goals or closely monitoring groups of projects at once, the Business plan is the best to avail of. Small to mid-sized businesses can benefit from its goal-tracking system, portfolio creation and management, approval function, and advanced integrations.
- Enterprise (Custom Pricing): The bigger the project is, the more your business needs strong protection and reliable assistance. Asana’s Enterprise plan can provide it all as it includes data security, privacy controls, two-factor authentication, and priority support.
Airtable Pricing Plans
Airtable also offers four subscription plans that include a free plan and a custom-priced Enterprise plan. All pricing plans are set in the annual billing period by default.
Let’s break them down:
- Free ($0/mo.): Jumpstart your business or project with Asana’s free plan. Here, you can get unlimited bases to create (1,200 records/base), include up to 2GB of attachments per base, and view projects in 5 different styles.
- Plus ($10/mo.): The Plus plan is ideal to get for teams that require more advanced features and wants to create 5,000 records per base, include 5GB of attachments per base, sync 1 table per base (with automatic syncing function), and access to 6-month revision and snapshot history.
- Pro ($20/mo.): Handling more complex workflows within the team is made easy with the Pro plan. This includes all the tools such as unlimited apps, automation, access to 1-year revision and snapshot history, use of personal and locked views, table editing permissions, and more.
- Enterprise (Custom Pricing): Large teams require more space and security. The Enterprise plan won’t disappoint you as it allows you to create unlimited workspaces per organization which can handle up to 100,000 records and 1,000GB of attachments per base.
Sounds interesting? Try the Free Plan now and see how Airtable can improve your project workflow and team’s productivity.
9. Conclusion – Which Is Better: Asana or Airtable?
The winner for Asana vs. Airtable is no other than Asana. It’s a bit pricier compared to Airtable but its project management simplicity and features’ efficacy are what get it on top.
I suggest Asana for any individuals and teams who require a simple and flexible project management platform with reliable in-task communication features. It is also ideal for projects that focus on processes.
Airtable remains a good choice for anyone who organizes massive amounts of data, builds simple to complex data structures, and more.
Have I convinced you that Asana is awesome?
Get a firsthand experience now by signing up for its free subscription plan.
10. Asana vs. Airtable – FAQ
Do you have other questions in mind? Let’s clear them up as I answered four popular questions asked for both platforms:
Is Asana good for one person?
Yes, a single user can indeed take advantage of Asana’s versatile features and platform. Start with its free plan because it allows you to create simple to-do lists or a tracking tool for your budget and expenses.
Does Airtable integrate with Asana?
Yes, Airtable can easily integrate the powerful organizational and collaboration tools of Asana within minutes via Zapier.
Is Asana a CRM?
Yes, Asana is also made as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool. Though it only contains basic functions, it proves to deliver excellent results for lead generation and creates tasks per customer to record every interaction they made with your business.
Does Airtable work offline?
No, Airtable doesn’t currently have this feature. You can only access it offline if you export it as a CSV file but please note that all record-level comments, app content, and base/field description posted in your Airtable records will not be included in the exported CSV file.
