Airtable vs. Xano: Which Backend Is Right for Your Automation?
- Anastasiia Giordano
- May 20
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
In every automation system, no matter how complex, the question eventually arises: Where should your data live? Where is it stored, how is it processed, who has access to it, and how quickly can it respond to a request? This question isn't just about convenience — it's at the heart of the entire architecture.
And when it comes to choosing a backend for no-code/low-code solutions, two tools often come to the fore: Airtable and Xano. We work with both.
Here's what we've learned.
Airtable — Speed, Transparency, And Simplicity
Airtable looks familiar. It's like Google Sheets but with additional features. It allows you to create databases in the form of tables that can be easily structured, filtered, linked, commented on, and automated.
Here you can:
Quickly create MVP databases
Give access to a team without a technical background
Create a “single source of truth” for sales, marketing, or operations
It's perfect for:
Content plans
Early-stage CRM
Task management
Simple deal or contact tracking
Creating easy-to-use internal apps
When building something "last minute," Airtable gets results in an hour, not a week.
But... simplicity comes at a price.
Xano — Logic, Scale, And Stability
Xano is a different story. It doesn't look like a spreadsheet - it seems like a real backend, because that's what it is.
Xano is a platform for creating code-free APIs that lets you:
Build complex business logic
Control access to data
Develop queries, filters, and rules
Scale your system painlessly
There is nothing superfluous. There is only structure, speed, and control.
We use Xano when:
User authorization is required
Business logic goes beyond "if-then."
We need to create an API for a mobile or web application
The project is preparing for scaling
Xano requires more thinking initially but allows you to grow without rewriting everything from scratch.
Airtable or Xano? Even Better Together
And now, the most important thing: They are often used together because they complement each other perfectly.
Airtable is used as an editorial or operational part. It is easy to edit, comment on, and see changes.
Xano is the backend for the frontend, API, and logic. It is stable, reliable, and scalable.
A typical scenario looks like this:
Data comes from forms, sheets, or integrations
It is stored in Airtable for transparency and teamwork
Xano receives “clean” data, runs logic, and forms APIs
These APIs are used in client interfaces
Thus, we have an editable frontend (Airtable) and a resilient backend (Xano).
What You Should Choose: Airtable or Xano?
If you want to get started quickly, create a basic structure, and give your team access without involving developers, then Airtable is a great choice. It's ideal for first iterations, experiments, and working with data as a team.
But if your project involves complex logic that requires API creation, access control, or scaling, then Xano is the better choice. It provides more power, flexibility, and stability for growing systems.
The best solution is to use them together when you want to combine the flexibility and speed of Airtable with the reliability and logical structure of Xano. This combination allows you to sacrifice neither team convenience nor system architectural stability.
Conclusion
Airtable is speed. Xano is power.
The former allows you to see and edit. The latter will enable you to build and scale. Sometimes you need flexibility, and sometimes you need reliability. But most of the time, you need both.
We believe that a backend shouldn't be either simple or powerful. It can be flexible, visible, and scalable simultaneously, so don't be afraid to mix and match tools.
