Comparison
ScratchBoard vs Airtable
Cloud database platform with spreadsheet-like interface
TL;DR
Airtable is a great database tool with a spreadsheet feel. ScratchBoard goes further — it is a full business application platform with 25+ marketplace apps, customer portals, enterprise RBAC, and an AI agent that builds apps from conversation. If you need more than a database, ScratchBoard is the better fit.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Airtable | ScratchBoard |
|---|---|---|
| AI App Builder | AI-assisted fields & formulas | Full app generation via AI agent |
| Business App Templates | Templates & extensions | Ready-to-use business app templates |
| Customer Portals with Checkout | Interface Designer ($8/guest) | Built-in with Stripe checkout |
| Workflow Automation | Triggers + actions | 20+ action types, approvals, AI actions |
| Field-Level Permissions | Per-field, per-role access | |
| Dynamic Entity Engine | Flexible tables | 24 field types, no migrations |
| Vector Search / Semantic AI | ||
| Pricing Model | Free–$54/user/mo | Affordable plans available |
Where ScratchBoard wins
- AI agent that builds complete apps from a conversation — not just AI-assisted fields
- AI builds any custom app from a conversation — CRM, HR, inventory, or anything unique to your business
- Customer-facing portals with Stripe checkout included at no extra per-guest cost
- 20+ workflow action types including multi-step approvals and AI actions
- Field-level permissions per role across 70+ permission types
Airtable's strengths
- Powerful spreadsheet-database hybrid with rich field types
- Built-in AI features for formula generation and data enrichment
- Automation engine with triggers and integrations
- Interface Designer for building simple internal portals
When to choose Airtable
Choose Airtable if you primarily need a flexible database with spreadsheet views and do not require full business applications, customer portals, or advanced automation.
When to choose ScratchBoard
Choose ScratchBoard if you need a full business application platform with marketplace apps, customer portals, enterprise permissions, and AI-powered app building.
Ready to try ScratchBoard?
Start with our $1/month Basic plan and see for yourself how ScratchBoard compares.