Head to head

Airtable vs ContentCal

vs

Airtable isn't a social media scheduler. It's a flexible database that a lot of social teams use as their content calendar and planning hub, mapping campaigns, drafting copy, and routing approvals, then hand off to a real scheduler to actually publish.

From
$20 per editor / mo
Free plan

ContentCal was a well-liked UK content calendar built around planning and approvals. Adobe bought it in December 2021, closed the standalone product on 31 March 2023, and rolled its features into Adobe Express, so it's here for the record rather than as a tool you can buy.

From
Custom
Free plan

Bottom line

Airtable and ContentCal both cover the basics; the right one comes down to how you post. Airtable is the stronger pick for Teams that want a custom content calendar and planning hub.

Features compared

FeatureAirtableContentCal
AI captionsPartialNot assessed
Basic analyticsNoYes
Advanced reportsNot assessedNot assessed
Bulk uploadNot assessedNot assessed
Evergreen recyclingNot assessedNot assessed
Team rolesYesYes
ApprovalsPartialYes
Link in bioNot assessedNot assessed

Platforms compared

NetworkAirtableContentCal
InstagramNoAuto
FacebookNoAuto
X (Twitter)NoAuto
LinkedInNoAuto
TikTokNoReminder
PinterestNoAuto
Google BusinessNoAuto

Pricing

Airtable

Free

Free
Seats
5
  • Up to 5 editors, 1,000 records per base
  • 100 automation runs a month, Interface Designer
  • Enough to build a basic content calendar

Team

$24 per editor / mo

$20/mo billed annually

  • $24 per editor/mo, $20 on annual
  • 50,000 records per base, 25,000 automation runs a month
  • Custom workflows and richer permissions

Business

Popular
$54 per editor / mo

$45/mo billed annually

  • $54 per editor/mo, $45 on annual
  • 125,000 records per base, 100,000 automation runs a month
  • Unlimited API calls, advanced admin

Enterprise Scale

Custom
  • Custom pricing, 500,000+ records per base
  • Enterprise admin, security, and support
  • Airtable is a flexible database and spreadsheet platform priced per editor (seat), not a social media scheduler. Teams use it to build content calendars, plan and approve posts, and track campaigns.
  • It does not publish to social networks on its own. To actually post, you connect it to a scheduler or wire up automations through Make, Zapier, or scripts.
  • Per-editor billing is the main cost: Team is $20 and Business $45 per editor a month on annual billing; viewers, commenters, and form submitters are free. The Free plan allows up to 5 editors.
  • Add-ons include client portals (priced per guest) and extra AI credits.
  • Prices are USD, read off Airtable's pricing page. It's included here because many social teams plan in Airtable, not because it publishes.

ContentCal

  • ContentCal was acquired by Adobe in December 2021 and the standalone product closed on 31 March 2023. You can no longer buy it.
  • Its content calendar and scheduling features were folded into Adobe Express as the Content Scheduler, which is reviewed separately.
  • When it ran, ContentCal sold flat monthly plans (a Pro tier and a larger Company tier); those plans no longer exist, so no current pricing applies.

Pros and cons

Airtable

  • Endlessly flexible content calendar and planning database
  • Strong collaboration, statuses, and approval-style workflows
  • Free for up to 5 editors, with free viewers and commenters
  • Full API and automations to connect to publishing tools
  • Not a scheduler: no native publishing to any network
  • Posting requires Make, Zapier, or custom builds
  • No social analytics, inbox, or listening
  • Per-editor pricing climbs for larger teams

ContentCal

  • Clean, approachable content calendar and content hub
  • Strong, simple approval workflows
  • Good team and client collaboration
  • Discontinued on 31 March 2023; no longer sold
  • Folded into Adobe Express, with a different shape and focus
  • Existing comparisons that still list it are out of date

Airtable vs ContentCal: FAQ

Is Airtable or ContentCal cheaper?
Airtable starts at $20 per editor / mo, while ContentCal is quoted custom, so Airtable is the one with a public entry price.
Does Airtable or ContentCal have a free plan?
Airtable has a free plan; ContentCal does not.
Which is better, Airtable or ContentCal?
Airtable is the stronger pick for teams that want a custom content calendar and planning hub, while ContentCal is the better fit for a different setup. We don't score them; the right call comes down to how you post.