Show Sourcing vs Airtable for product sourcing
Airtable is a flexible database that looks like a spreadsheet. Many teams build their own sourcing tracker in it. Show Sourcing is a ready-made sourcing app for trade shows.
Facts about Airtable come from its pricing page, checked on October 20, 2026. See airtable.com/pricing for current prices.
The short answer
- Choose Airtable if you want to design your own database, connect it to other tools, and you have time to build and maintain it.
- Choose Show Sourcing if you want something that works at the booth today: photo, card scan, price breaks, landed cost and team sync, without building it.
Side by side
| Show Sourcing | Airtable | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A sourcing app for trade shows | A general database you configure |
| Setup | Ready to use | You design tables, fields and views |
| Price | $60 per seat for 6 months, or $102 per seat per year ($8.50 a month) | Free plan; Team $20 per user per month and Business $45 per user per month, billed yearly |
| Business card scan | Yes | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Landed cost with US tariffs | Built in | You build formulas and keep tariff rates yourself |
| Works offline on the show floor | Yes | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Photos, video, voice notes per product | Yes | Attachments field; voice transcription not listed |
| Integrations and automations | Excel export, AI Connection for Claude and ChatGPT | Many, a core strength |
Where Airtable is stronger
- Flexibility. It can track anything, beyond sourcing.
- Integrations and automations with other business tools.
- A free plan for small bases.
Where Show Sourcing is stronger
- No building. The fields buyers need already exist: price term, price breaks, MOQ, packaging, units per container.
- Landed cost with US tariffs by HTS code, kept current for you.
- Business card scanning straight into vendors.
- Made for a phone at a booth, and it works offline.
- Lower price per seat than Airtable's paid plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Airtable as a sourcing database?
Yes. Many teams do. You design the tables and fields, and you maintain formulas such as landed cost yourself.
How much does Airtable cost compared with Show Sourcing?
On October 20, 2026, Airtable listed a free plan, Team at $20 per user per month and Business at $45 per user per month, billed yearly. Show Sourcing costs $102 per seat per year ($8.50 a month) or $60 per seat for 6 months.