Grist vs NocoBase (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Grist if

• Fits if your spreadsheets have become several that need linking together
• Works for teams where different people should see different rows or cells of one document

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a phone app, as there's only the web and a desktop app for local files
• Pricey if you need Automations, which start on Business at $24 a user with a 5-user minimum
• Tight if one document will pass 5,000 records on Free, or 100,000 on Pro
• Watch out: on Grist's servers, custom SSO, a custom domain and audit log streaming are Enterprise only
• Tight if you lean on the AI Assistant, with 100 one-time credits free and from 100 a month on Pro

Pick NocoBase if

• Fits if you have someone who can run a server and want to own the data
• Works for agencies that deliver systems to clients and don't want per-seat fees

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a hosted service, as the listing offers self-hosting only
• Not for you if nobody on your team can maintain a server
• Pricey if you need Studio, advanced approvals or SSO, all on the $8,000 Professional licence
• Watch out: an older NocoBase page still shows an $800 Standard edition the current page doesn't, and renewal cost after year one isn't stated

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.

NocoBase

• Self-hosted only: you run the servers, models and agents, and pay those providers yourself.
• An older NocoBase 2 pricing page still lists a $800 Standard edition, which the current pricing page does not show.
• Studio, advanced approvals and enterprise SSO need the $8,000 Professional edition.
• Upgrades and support are included for 1 year with each paid license; the page does not state what a renewal costs.

Grist

Relational spreadsheet documents

A Grist document is a relational spreadsheet-database with multiple tables, stored in SQLite format. Linked widgets pull up the details and related records of a selected row.

Python and Excel-style formulas

Formulas can be single or multi-line Python with the full standard library available, and most Excel-like spreadsheet functions are supported as well.

Granular access rules

Rules decide who can see or edit individual tables, columns, records and cells, so one document can be shared in part with team members, guests or public links.

Custom layouts, charts and widgets

Pages are arranged by dragging tables, cards and charts into place. Summary tables work as pivot tables, and custom widgets show data on a map or calendar.

Forms

Forms and surveys are built from a table and shared with a link, and the responses are analyzed in the same document as they arrive.

AI Assistant

Answers questions about data and formulas in plain language and can create or modify records and formulas. Usage is metered in credits, with extra packs from $10 a month on paid plans.

NocoBase

Core building blocks

Core provides over 20 ready blocks, including permissions, workflows, files and notifications, so builders write only business-specific logic.

Databases and external sources

Core runs on SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server or Oracle and can connect existing databases as external data sources.

Permissions and SSO

Role-based access covers pages, actions and data, with the same rules applied to people and agents. SAML and LDAP SSO is a paid feature.

Studio for agent teams

Studio connects Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode as an agent team with checks, review and human sign-off before every merge.

Solution apps

Ready apps such as NocoCRM, NocoITAM and NocoReach are built on Core, are free and open source, and run on your own servers.

Own your data and models

Code and data stay in your repositories and on your servers, and you pay your chosen model and agent providers directly.

Grist

• Free$0

  Unlimited documents with up to 5,000 records each, 10 team members, 30 days of snapshot history and 100 one-time AI Assistant credits.

• Grist Community edition$0

  Free and open-source edition hosted on your own server, with community support, custom domain and custom branding.

• Pro$8

  per user / month, billed annually ($10 billed monthly)

  Up to 100,000 records per document, snapshot history going back 3 years and AI Assistant credits starting at 100 a month.

• Business$24

  per user / month, billed annually ($30 monthly); min. 5 users

  Up to 150,000 records per document, 5 years of snapshot history, 2,000 AI Assistant credits a month, Automations and priority email support.

• Grist (self-hosted)$24

  per user / month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly)

  Self-hosted edition with admin controls, the AI Assistant, Automations, custom SSO and audit log streaming, sold without support.

• EnterpriseCustom

  A dedicated server in a chosen region, or a supported self-hosted installation, with custom SSO, custom domain and audit log streaming.

NocoBase

• Community$0

  Open-source Core and every Solution app, which you host yourself, with docs and community support.

• Professional$8,000

  one-time, perpetual license with 1 year of upgrades and support

  Adds Studio, advanced approvals, enterprise SSO and one deployment done by the NocoBase team.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Adds clustering, multi-tenant and multi-app setups, audit logs, air-gapped delivery and priority support; also a one-time license.

Grist

• Annual discount

  Save 20% by paying annually

  Pro is $8 per user a month billed annually against $10 billed monthly, and Business is $24 against $30.

• Nonprofit

  50% off Pro for nonprofits

  Non- and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for a 50% discount on the Pro plan, requested by emailing a Letter of Determination before the free trial ends.

• Other savings

  Free activation key for small self-hosters

  Individuals and organizations with less than $1 million in total annual income may request a free activation key for self-hosted Grist.

NocoBase

• Lifetime license

  One-time perpetual license

  Professional is $8,000 once, with a perpetual license and 1 year of upgrades and support; Enterprise is a custom-quoted one-time license.