The Best Bento Alternatives for Data Management
Bento, once a beloved personal database from FilmMaker, offered a user-friendly way to organize various types of information. However, with its discontinuation, many users are now searching for robust and reliable Bento alternative solutions to manage their data on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Web, and other platforms. This guide explores some of the top applications that offer similar functionality, from simple spreadsheets to powerful relational databases.
Top Bento Alternatives
Whether you need a free, open-source, or commercial solution, there's a perfect Bento alternative waiting for you. Dive into our curated list to find the best fit for your personal or professional data management needs.
Google Drive - Sheets
Google Sheets, a free web-based spreadsheet application, offers a highly collaborative and accessible Bento alternative. It allows you to create, format, and share spreadsheets online, with features like live collaboration, auto-saving, and the ability to import/export various data formats including Excel, CSV, and PDF. It's available across Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, and iPad, making it highly versatile for team collaboration and online editing.
Airtable
Airtable stands out as a powerful relational database that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with advanced database capabilities. This freemium Bento alternative syncs across Mac, Windows, Web, Android, and iPhone devices, offering real-time collaboration, custom data fields, a REST API, and numerous templates. Its features like Kanban boards, form builders, and IFTTT/Zapier integration make it an excellent choice for flexible data management.
LibreOffice - Base
LibreOffice Base is a free and Open Source desktop database front end that serves as a robust Bento alternative for various uses, from managing collections to tracking customer information. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD, Base provides comprehensive database management features, supports multiple languages, and can be used as a portable application.
Symphytum
Symphytum is a free and Open Source personal database software designed for intuitive data organization. This cross-platform Bento alternative, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, allows users to design input forms with dynamic layouts and manage various field types including text, numbers, and images. It also offers hassle-free cloud synchronization, including Dropbox integration, for seamless access across devices.
Microsoft Office Access
Microsoft Access, a commercial part of the Microsoft Office Suite, is a powerful database management system for Windows. It provides a graphical user interface and development tools, making it a comprehensive Bento alternative for those familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem. Access can store data in its own format or link to external databases, offering robust data-management and real-time collaboration features.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a commercial web-based project and task management software that operates with the simplicity of a spreadsheet but the power of a platform. As a robust Bento alternative, it's available on Web, iPhone, and iPad, offering features like collaborative project management, Gantt charts, integrated file sharing, and real-time collaboration for teams.
FileMaker Pro Advanced
FileMaker Pro Advanced, a commercial offering from the creators of Bento, is an advanced tool for creating custom apps and managing databases. Available on Mac, Windows, Web, iPhone, and iPad, it's an excellent Bento alternative for those looking for sophisticated database management, reporting, and offline data collection capabilities, with tools to design and develop custom solutions efficiently.
Tap Forms
Tap Forms is a powerful commercial organizational tool specifically designed for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users. As a strong Bento alternative, it helps users track and manage important information with features like custom layouts, relational databases, scripting support, and syncing capabilities with Dropbox and iCloud. It's ideal for personal inventory, collections, or even recipe management.
Records for Mac
Records for Mac is a commercial personal database app exclusively for macOS users. It provides an innovative and easy-to-use platform to efficiently collect and organize any kind of information, from movies to invoices, making it a streamlined Bento alternative for Mac enthusiasts.
Steward Database
Steward Database is a commercial personal database for Mac, designed for easy organization of diverse information. As a user-friendly Bento alternative, it offers 10+ prebuilt templates, 9 different field types (text, number, image, etc.), search functionality, and import/export capabilities for CSV and TAB files. Its robust data-management features include backup, restore, and customizable table icons.
Choosing the best Bento alternative depends on your specific needs, whether you prioritize cloud sync, open-source flexibility, advanced database features, or cross-platform compatibility. Explore these options to find the perfect solution to keep your data organized and accessible.