# Grist review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/grist
Website: https://www.getgrist.com/

Relational spreadsheet with a generous free plan and self-hosting

Grist is a relational spreadsheet that works like a database with linked tables, forms and widgets. Its core is open source under the Apache-2.0 license and can be self-hosted. The company offers a generous free plan for individuals and paid plans for teams and enterprises.

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.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, Self-hosted | open source (Apache-2.0)
- Price: Generous free plan; paid team and enterprise plans
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## 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

## Rankings

- #4 of 10 in [best Low-code database tools](https://listme.name/best/low-code-database-tools), score 86.0: 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.
- #7 of 9 in [best Spreadsheet software](https://listme.name/best/spreadsheet-software), score 82.0: A relational spreadsheet with linked tables, forms and widgets, Apache-2.0 open-source core and a free plan. It is closer to a database than to a classic spreadsheet, so it suits structured records more than financial models.

## Alternatives

- [Microsoft Excel](https://listme.name/software/excel), score 93.5
- [Airtable](https://listme.name/software/airtable), score 91.5
- [Google Sheets](https://listme.name/software/google-sheets), score 91.0
- [Baserow](https://listme.name/software/baserow), score 89.0
- [LibreOffice](https://listme.name/software/libreoffice), score 88.0
- [NocoDB](https://listme.name/software/nocodb), score 87.0
- [Numbers](https://listme.name/software/apple-numbers), score 86.5
- [Notion](https://listme.name/software/notion), score 85.5