Airtable vs ClickUp vs Zoho Projects
Comparing Airtable, ClickUp, and Zoho Projects for AI-powered project management in 2026: ClickUp leads with a score of 94/100, followed by Airtable at 79/100 and Zoho Projects at 76/100. ClickUp stands out for project management and large teams, while Airtable excels at project management and large teams and Zoho Projects offers strengths in project management and large teams.
Airtable
Quick Verdict
Airtable excels at project management and large teams with a score of 79/100.
ClickUp
Quick Verdict
ClickUp excels at project management and large teams with a score of 94/100.
Zoho Projects
Quick Verdict
Zoho Projects excels at project management and large teams with a score of 76/100.
Head-to-Head-to-Head Summary
| Dimension | Airtable | ClickUp | Zoho Projects | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79/100 | 94/100 | 76/100 | ClickUp |
| Best For | Project Management, Large Teams | Project Management, Large Teams | Project Management, Large Teams | — |
| Starting Price | Free tier available | Free tier available | Free tier available | — |
| AI Depth (avg) | 3.2/5 | 4.6/5 | 3.4/5 | ClickUp |
| Methodology Fit (avg) | 3.2/5 | 4.4/5 | 3.4/5 | ClickUp |
| Ideal Team Size | Small, Mid, Large | Small, Mid, Large | Small, Mid, Large | — |
Capabilities & Controls
| Aspect | Airtable | ClickUp | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agile Fit | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kanban Fit | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Waterfall Fit | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| AI Depth (avg) | 3.2/5 | 4.6/5 | 3.4/5 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2017 | 2006 |
Core Features Comparison
Airtable Features
- Database-first PM with AI assistants
- Generate custom apps and interfaces from natural language
- Summarization, classification, and information extraction
- Automations and role-based permissions
ClickUp Features
- AI Super Agents that autonomously break down goals, choose tools, and execute multi-step work
- Multi-model Brain with GPT-5, Claude Opus, o3, and o1-mini — switch models per task
- AI Knowledge Manager indexes all workspace data for context-aware answers
- AI-powered standups, task assignment, subtask creation, and progress summaries
Zoho Projects Features
- Zia AI assistant with NLP search, insights, and content generation
- Agent Studio with 700+ pre-built actions and MCP support
- Gantt charts, time tracking, issues, and dependencies
- Multi-project dashboards, analytics, and reporting
- Workflow automation, blueprints, and SLAs
- 70+ language auto-translation for global teams
- Resource optimization and workload management
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | Airtable | ClickUp | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat | per-seat |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier Limits | Up to 1000 records per base, 1GB attachments, 100 automations/month | 100MB storage, unlimited tasks, unlimited members | Up to 3 users, 2 projects |
| Starting Paid Price | $20/user/month | $7/user/month | $5/user/month |
| Pricing URL | View Airtable Pricing | View ClickUp Pricing | View Zoho Projects Pricing |
| Overall Score | 79/100 | 94/100 | 76/100 |
| Best For | Project Management, Large Teams | Project Management, Large Teams, Enterprise | Project Management, Large Teams |
Best Use Cases
Airtable Excels At
- Project planning and delivery
ClickUp Excels At
- Project planning and delivery
Zoho Projects Excels At
- Project planning and delivery
Integrations & Governance
| Category | Airtable | ClickUp | Zoho Projects | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Robust | Robust | Robust | Tie |
| Governance | Robust | Robust | Robust | Tie |
| Overall Score | 79/100 | 94/100 | 76/100 | ClickUp |
Stack Recommendation
If your team is evaluating these three tools and considering using two together, here's our analysis based on integration compatibility and methodology overlap.
Best Combination: Airtable + ClickUp
Airtable and ClickUp make the strongest pairing of these three tools. Airtable covers project management and large teams, while ClickUp complements with project management and large teams. Together they provide broader coverage than either tool alone.
When to pick Zoho Projects instead: If your team primarily needs project management and large teams, Zoho Projects (76/100) may be the better standalone choice.
The Bottom Line
Among Airtable, ClickUp, and Zoho Projects, ClickUp scores highest at 94/100 and is the strongest for project management and large teams. Airtable (79/100) is a strong contender for project management and large teams. Zoho Projects (76/100) rounds out the trio with focus on project management and large teams. Your best choice depends on team size, methodology preference, and budget.
Choose Airtable if: you prioritize project management and large teams and prefer its feature mix despite a lower score.
Choose ClickUp if: you prioritize project management and large teams and want the higher-rated option (94/100).
Choose Zoho Projects if: you prioritize project management and large teams and prefer its feature mix despite a lower score.
Related Comparisons
Explore head-to-head matchups between these tools, or dive deeper into individual tool reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best overall: Airtable, ClickUp, or Zoho Projects?
Based on our scoring methodology, ClickUp leads with 94/100. It scores highest due to project management and large teams. However, the best choice depends on your team's specific needs, methodology preferences, and budget.
What is the cheapest option between Airtable, ClickUp, and Zoho Projects?
Airtable and ClickUp and Zoho Projects offer a free tier. Both are available at no cost for small teams, making them the most budget-friendly starting point. Paid plans start at different price points depending on features needed.
Which tool is better for agile teams: Airtable, ClickUp, or Zoho Projects?
For agile workflows, ClickUp rates highest with an agile fit score of 5/5, followed by Zoho Projects (4/5) and Airtable (3/5). Consider sprint planning features, velocity tracking, and backlog management when making your choice.
Can Airtable and ClickUp be used together?
Airtable and ClickUp can be connected through third-party integration platforms like Zapier or Make. While there may not be a direct native integration, API access from both tools enables custom workflows and data synchronization.
What are the main differences between Airtable, ClickUp, and Zoho Projects?
Airtable (79/100) focuses on project management and large teams. ClickUp (94/100) specializes in project management and large teams. Zoho Projects (76/100) is strongest for project management and large teams. Each serves different team sizes and methodology preferences.