Stackby
"Don't build another Airtable clone. Build a 'Spreadsheet-Database' specifically for non-technical teams who hate complexity."
"Escaping Airtable's complexity and high price. They want a 'spreadsheet that can do more' without learning a new paradigm."
Competing on 'simplicity' against entrenched giants is a marketing battle, not a product battle. Must own a specific niche (e.g., agencies, real estate) before Airtable simplifies their own UX.
The 4-Dimension Scorecard
$133k+ revenue with 135 reviews shows strong initial validation and willingness to pay for an Airtable alternative.
High rating (4.7) with high review volume creates a strong barrier. However, the 'love child' positioning is confusingâusers want either a spreadsheet or a database, not both.
No 'unlimited' red flags. High-ticket LTD ($99) with tiered feature limits (rows, attachments) suggests sustainable unit economics. Powerups add-on indicates upsell potential.
Competitors are giants (Airtable, ClickUp, Monday) but reviews show users are actively fleeing them due to complexity and cost. The wedge is 'simplicity'.
The Opportunity Radar
Deep Review Mining & Gap Analysis
Pain & Gaps
"Multiple complaints about color formatting being paywalled. Users expect this basic spreadsheet functionality to be free."
"Users mention 300 templates but still struggle to map the tool to their specific workflow (e.g., 'project too awkward for a spreadsheet')."
Niche Discovery
"Reviews mention 'collaborate with team', 'share day-to-day tasks', and replacing multiple tools for project management."
"Users explicitly state they avoided MS Access/Airtable due to complexity and wanted a simpler solution."
Marketing Angle
The Spreadsheet for people who outgrew Google Sheets but are terrified of Airtable.
Use this angle to position your product against the generic competitors. Focus on the specific pain points identified in the "Pain & Gaps" module.
The "Buggy Clone" Syndrome
- Feature fragmentation (basic color formatting behind paywall) and identity crisisâis it a spreadsheet or a database? The 'weird love child' comment is damning.
Sniper Verdict
"Listen to the hate. Build the cure. Steal the revenue."
The Battle Plan
"Stackby is winning by being the 'less confusing Airtable', but its hybrid model creates friction. The gap is a tool that starts as a familiar spreadsheet and gradually reveals database power only when needed, without paywalling basic formatting."
MVP Build
- Familiar spreadsheet UI with all basic formatting free (color, borders, fonts)
- One-click 'Convert to Database' button that adds relations and APIs
- Vertical-specific template packs (e.g., 'Content Calendar for Agencies', 'Client Tracker for Consultants')
MVP Drop
- Trying to be both a spreadsheet and database simultaneously (pick one as the primary metaphor)
- Complex pricing tiers based on rows/attachments (charge per seat, not per data point)
- Generic '300 templates' (focus on 10 killer templates for specific niches)
