Grist
Relational spreadsheet with a generous free plan and self-hosting
- #4 of 10 in best low-code database tools
- Free plan, paid upgrades
- Free to use
- Open source
- WebSelf-hosted
Ranked 4 of 10 in best low-code database tools
A relational spreadsheet with an Apache-2.0 open-source core, a generous free plan and self-hosting. It suits teams that need linked tables, but its ecosystem is smaller than Airtable's.
Best for Teams outgrowing spreadsheets without building an app
About Grist
Grist combines a spreadsheet interface with relational tables, so records can link to each other and feed forms, charts and custom widgets. The GitHub project describes it as a modern relational spreadsheet, and the Apache-2.0 license covers the core software. The company sells hosted plans and offers self-hosting.
It suits teams that outgrow a spreadsheet but do not want to build a full database app. The pricing page describes a free plan for individuals and self-hosted options, so it can be used at no cost to start. Compared with Airtable in this list, Grist is closer to a spreadsheet and is available as open-source code.
Key features
- Relational tables
- Forms and widgets
- Apache-2.0 core
- Self-hosting
- Generous free plan
Strengths
- Apache-2.0 open-source core
- Relational tables in a spreadsheet interface
Limits
- Smaller ecosystem than Excel or Sheets
- Self-hosting needs a server and an admin
Where Grist ranks
How Grist compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Interface builder | Self-hosting option | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#2 Baserow | 89.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebSelf-hosted | Application Builder | Yes | Free forever, paid tiers |
#3 NocoDB | 87.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebSelf-hosted | Interfaces, up to 3 pages free | Yes | Per seat |
| #4Grist | 86.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebSelf-hosted | Forms, widgets and linked tables | Yes | Free plan and paid team plans |
#5 Notion | 85.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebmacOSWindowsiOSAndroid | Databases and pages | No | Per member |
#6 AppSheet | 83.5 | Subscription | Web | Templates and AI-built apps | No | Per user |
The full comparison table for best low-code database tools has all 10 products.
Alternatives to Grist
All 17 alternatives
Related rankings
- Best spreadsheet software9 products ranked · 1 in common
- Best note-taking apps12 products ranked · 1 in common
- Best project management software12 products ranked · 1 in common
- Best business intelligence tools10 products ranked
- Best dashboard and data visualization tools12 products ranked
- Best data science notebooks10 products ranked
Questions about Grist
- Is Grist free?
- Grist can be used without paying: Generous free plan; paid team and enterprise plans. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Grist open source?
- Yes. Grist publishes its source code under the Apache-2.0 license.
- Which platforms does Grist support?
- Grist is available on: Web, Self-hosted.
- What is Grist best for?
- Teams outgrowing spreadsheets without building an app. In our ranking of low-code database tools it is number 4 of 10 with a score of 86.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Grist?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Microsoft Excel, Airtable, Google Sheets, Baserow.
Show this ranking on your site
If you make or maintain Grist, this badge links back to this page and shows its current rank. It updates when the ranking does.
<a href="https://listme.name/software/grist"><img src="https://listme.name/badge/grist.svg" height="28" alt="Ranked #4 of 10 low-code database tools on listme.name"></a>Articles that mention Grist
All articles- Roundups · 6 min readBest Notion alternatives, sorted by what you use Notion forFind Notion alternatives for notes, databases, project tracking and publishing, with open-source and self-hosted options and the free plan limits to check.
- Guides · 4 min readHow to choose a spreadsheet app: file formats, sharing, costChoose a spreadsheet app by file format, shared editing, analysis depth and price. Compare Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice, Numbers, WPS Office and Gnumeric.
