The best alternatives to Airtable
Airtable’s US-based hosting and partial European Data Residency leave gaps for GDPR compliance, pushing EU teams to seek alternatives with full data control. Record limits on free plans and steep per-user pricing at higher tiers also drive the search for more predictable costs. Zenkit and SeaTable offer comparable spreadsheets with relational databases, but with EU server locations and clearer compliance postures.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why do teams switch from Airtable to a European alternative?
The main reasons are GDPR compliance gaps due to US-based hosting and partial European Data Residency, unpredictable pricing with steep jumps at higher tiers, and record limits on free plans. Vendor lock-in and limited API capabilities for complex integrations also play a role.
Are there Airtable alternatives with full EU data hosting?
Yes. Zenkit and SeaTable both host all customer data in the EU, including user data and metadata, which addresses the compliance gaps left by Airtable’s partial European Data Residency. This ensures full GDPR alignment for EU-based teams.
How hard is it to migrate from Airtable to a European tool?
Migration difficulty varies. Zenkit offers import tools for Airtable bases, but complex automations and custom scripts may need to be rebuilt. SeaTable provides similar import options. Both require manual checks to ensure relational links and formatting are preserved.
Do European Airtable alternatives offer free plans?
Yes. Zenkit and SeaTable both provide free tiers, though with limitations on records, users, or features. These free plans are useful for testing, but teams typically need paid plans for full functionality and scalability.
Which European Airtable alternative is the best fit for my team?
Zenkit is a strong choice for teams needing a flexible, no-code database with EU hosting and strong compliance. SeaTable is ideal for users who prioritize open-source transparency and self-hosting options. The best fit depends on your specific needs for features, pricing, and data control.