Alternatives · Spreadsheets
Grist alternatives
Grist compared with 11 alternatives: Baserow, NocoDB, Airtable, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel and 6 more.
Grist has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8 per user / month, billed annually. 9 of the 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| GristThis tool | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Baserow | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web |
| NocoDB | Free plan · from $12/mo | Yes | Web |
| Airtable | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Google Sheets | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Microsoft Excel | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Claris FileMaker | Free trial · from $17.50/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Microsoft Access | Free trial · from $9.99/mo | Trial only | Windows |
| Quadratic | Free plan · from $18/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| SeaTable | Free plan · from €7/mo | Yes | Web, Android |
| Sourcetable | Free plan · from $29/mo | Yes | Web |
| Teable | Free plan · from $13/mo | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from Grist
- Free plan · from $10/mo
Baserow
Open-source no-code database and application builder
- Baserow starts at $10 per user / month, billed yearly. Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Baserow also covers workflow automation, app builder and no-code.
- Grist also covers spreadsheets.
Suits: Teams that want an Airtable-style database they can host themselves
- Free plan · from $12/mo
NocoDB
No-code database with a spreadsheet interface, cloud or self-hosted
- NocoDB starts at $12 per seat / month, billed annually. Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
- NocoDB also covers kanban boards, workflow automation, no-code and forms.
- Grist also covers spreadsheets.
Suits: Teams that want a spreadsheet-style front end on Postgres or MySQL
- Free plan · from $20/mo
Airtable
Relational database platform for building team workflows and apps
- Airtable starts at $20 per seat / month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Airtable lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Grist lists a Linux app.
- Grist is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Airtable also covers calendar, kanban boards, Gantt & timelines and workflow automation.
Suits: Teams that want to shape a database into their own project tracker
- Free plan · from $7/mo
Google Sheets
Browser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account
- Google Sheets starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Google Sheets lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Grist also covers databases.
Suits: Teams that edit and review the same spreadsheet together in a browser
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser
- Microsoft Excel starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Microsoft Excel lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Grist lists a Linux app.
- Grist is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Microsoft Excel also covers templates.
Suits: People who need a full desktop spreadsheet on Windows or Mac
- Free trial · from $17.50/mo
Claris FileMaker
Low-code platform for custom database apps on desktop, iOS and web
- Claris FileMaker starts at $17.50 per user / month, billed annually (FileMaker Server Starter, 5+ users). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Grist has a free plan. Claris FileMaker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Claris FileMaker lists an iOS app.
- Only Grist lists a Linux app.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Businesses that need custom apps shaped around their own workflows
- Free trial · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Access
Windows desktop database app sold with Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Grist has a free plan. Microsoft Access does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Grist lists a web app.
- Only Grist lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Small businesses building their own database apps on Windows PCs
- Free plan · from $18/mo
Quadratic
AI spreadsheet with Python, SQL and live data connections
- Quadratic starts at $18 per user / month, billed annually ($20 billed monthly). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
- Grist also covers databases.
Suits: Analysts who want Python and SQL next to spreadsheet formulas
- Free plan · from €7/mo
SeaTable
No-code database and app builder, in the cloud or self-hosted
- SeaTable starts at €7 per user / month, billed annually (€9 billed monthly). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only SeaTable lists an Android app.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
- SeaTable also covers workflow automation, app builder and no-code.
Suits: Teams that want an Airtable-style database hosted in the EU
- Free plan · from $29/mo
Sourcetable
AI spreadsheet that queries databases and business apps
- Sourcetable starts at $29 per user / month. Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Grist also covers databases.
Suits: Analysts who want to query databases and SaaS data without writing SQL
- Free plan · from $13/mo
Teable
AI spreadsheet-database with app builder and automations
- Teable starts at $13 per seat / month, billed yearly ($24 billed monthly). Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Grist lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Teable also covers workflow automation, app builder and no-code.
- Grist also covers spreadsheets.
Suits: Teams that want an Airtable-style database they can host themselves
Limits worth knowing in Grist
- Records per document are capped at 5,000 on Free, 100,000 on Pro and 150,000 on Business.
- Business has a 5-user minimum, and Automations and priority email support start on that plan.
- On Grist's own servers, custom SSO, a custom domain and audit log streaming are listed under Enterprise only.
- The desktop app is a separate open-source build for Windows, macOS and Linux that works on spreadsheets stored locally.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Grist?
The alternatives to Grist in this directory are Baserow, NocoDB, Airtable, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Claris FileMaker, Microsoft Access, Quadratic, SeaTable, Sourcetable and Teable. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Grist.
Is there a free alternative to Grist?
Yes. Baserow, NocoDB, Airtable, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Quadratic, SeaTable, Sourcetable and Teable have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Grist alternatives work on Android?
The Grist listing does not include an Android app. Airtable, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel and SeaTable list one.
Which Grist alternatives work on iOS?
The Grist listing does not include an iOS app. Airtable, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel and Claris FileMaker list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.