Airtable's New Pricing Tiers: 💰 Good News or Bad News?

Airtable, a popular no-code tool known for its organizational and automation capabilities, recently announced new pricing changes that have caught the attention of its users. The unexpected announcement introduced brand-new tiers and pricing structures, causing a mix of excitement and frustration within the Airtable community.

In a video published by Gareth, the owner of Gap Consulting, he breaks down the details of Airtable's pricing changes and provides insights into the implications for users. The changes are set to go into effect in September 2023, giving users time to understand and adapt to the new pricing structure.

The existing "Free" tier remains unchanged, allowing users to get started with Airtable at no cost. However, as their needs grow, upgrading becomes necessary. The first paid tier is now called the "Team" tier, priced at $20 per month when billed annually.

A significant change is the introduction of the "Business" tier, which is priced at $45 per month when billed annually, or $50 per month for month-to-month billing. This new tier offers additional functionality and addresses the needs of users with more complex requirements.

The top tier, formerly known as the "Enterprise" plan, has been rebranded as the "Enterprise Scale" plan. This plan caters to larger organizations with extensive data management needs. These pricing changes and tier restructuring reflect Airtable's efforts to cater to a wider range of users and offer pricing options that align with their requirements.

For users who were on the "Plus" plan, priced at $10 per month, there is good news. They now have access to the "Team" plan at their former price, essentially unlocking more functionality without any extra cost. Similarly, users previously on the "Pro" plan, priced at $20 per month, will now be on the "Team" plan, with no noticeable change in their billing.

One notable improvement with the "Business" plan is the increase in the number of records per base. The "Team" plan and the former "Pro" plan both offered a limit of 50,000 records per base. However, the "Business" plan now offers an optional upgrade to 125,000 records per base. This increase in capacity addresses a long-standing request from users and provides them with more flexibility in managing their data.

Another area of interest is the automation runs provided in each plan. The "Team" plan offers 25,000 automation runs, which is a slight downgrade from the 50,000 runs provided in the previous "Pro" plan. However, 25,000 runs still provide ample automation capabilities for most users. The "Business" plan takes it a step further, offering 100,000 automation runs, bridging the gap between the previous "Pro" plan and the enterprise-level options.

Airtable has also introduced several new features and enhancements exclusive to the "Business" plan. These include verified data, which allows data to be approved and managed at an admin level, making it accessible across an organization. This functionality is particularly useful for larger organizations with multiple departments and functions.

Two-way sync, a highly requested feature, is now available in the "Business" plan. This allows for bi-directional syncing of data and edits between workflows, making data management more efficient and reducing the chances of data discrepancies.

Additionally, Airtable's "Premium Sync Integrations" has been made available on the "Business" plan. This includes integrations with popular tools like Jira, Salesforce, Zendesk, and Tableau online. These integrations were previously limited to the enterprise tier, making upgrading to the "Business" plan even more advantageous for users.

Airtable is also experimenting with add-ons, with AI functionality currently in beta. Users can add this AI feature to their workspaces, starting from the "Team" plan, including the "Business" and "Enterprise Scale" plans. These advanced functionalities offer users more options for customization and automation within their Airtable workflows.

One aspect that has caused some concern among users is the change in API calls. Previously, users on the free plan could build fully functioning applications and serve hundreds of users without paying for API calls. However, with the new pricing changes, API calls are now monitored and limited. The free plan allows only 1,000 API calls per month, while the "Team" plan offers 100,000 API calls and the "Business" plan provides unlimited API calls. This change may require users with extensive applications to consider upgrading their plan to accommodate their API call needs.

One challenge users currently face is the lack of transparency regarding API call usage. As of August 2023, users are not able to track their API call usage on a workspace level. This lack of visibility makes it difficult for users to gauge their usage and determine if upgrading their plan is necessary. Airtable will need to address this concern by providing users with the necessary data to make informed decisions about their plans.

Overall, Airtable's new pricing changes provide users with a wider range of options and functionalities to meet their specific needs. The introduction of the "Business" tier fills the gap between the lower-priced plans and the enterprise-level options, catering to medium to large-sized organizations. While there are some adjustments and limitations, such as the change in API call allowances, the benefits and enhancements offered in the new plans outweigh these concerns for most users.

As the September 2023 deadline approaches, users should take the time to evaluate their current usage, requirements, and budget to determine the most suitable plan for their needs. Airtable's pricing changes aim to accommodate a broader user base and offer more value in terms of functionality and scalability.

To stay updated on Airtable's new pricing changes and any further developments, users are encouraged to follow official Airtable communications and announcements. Additionally, joining Gareth's free Airtable Crash Course can help users gain a better understanding of Airtable's basic building blocks and key features, enabling them to make the most of the software's capabilities.

In conclusion, Airtable's new pricing changes bring both excitement and challenges to its user base. By offering new tiers and enhanced functionality, Airtable aims to meet the diverse needs of its users. The introduction of the "Business" tier provides additional features and capacities that cater to medium to large-sized organizations. However, users must carefully assess their requirements and budget to determine the most suitable plan for their needs. With the right plan in place, users can continue building and optimizing their workflows with Airtable's powerful no-code tool.