Grist vs Quadratic

Grist

• Spreadsheet users who have outgrown a single sheet and need linked tables
• Teams that must limit what each collaborator can see in one document
• Organizations that want to self-host open-source software
• People comfortable writing Python in formulas

Quadratic

• Analysts who want Python and SQL next to spreadsheet formulas
• Teams querying a database or data warehouse straight from a spreadsheet
• Students, teachers and researchers, who get the Education plan free

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.

Quadratic

• The free Personal plan limits AI messages, editable files, connections and sharing, and has no export to Excel, CSV or .grid.
• Paid plans include a set AI credit allowance per user each month; only Business can buy more usage on demand.
• Single sign-on is listed only on the Enterprise plan, which is priced on request.
• Chrome and other Chromium browsers get first-tier support; Safari and Firefox are second-tier and less performant.

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.

Quadratic

AI analysis in the sheet

Ask a question in plain English and the AI writes the formulas, Python or SQL cells and charts that answer it. Any generated cell can be opened and edited to check the work.

Python, SQL, JavaScript and formulas

Cells can run code as well as spreadsheet formulas, and the results are returned to the grid. The vendor says sorting, filtering and AI analysis stay fast at 100 million rows.

Live data connections

Connects to databases including Postgres, MySQL, Snowflake, BigQuery and MS SQL Server, and to QuickBooks, Plaid, Google Analytics and Mixpanel. CSV, Excel and PDF files can be imported.

Real-time collaboration

Teammates work in the same file at once and see each other's mouse movements. Sharing is limited on the Personal plan and unlimited from Pro.

MCP and developer API

MCP-enabled agents such as Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT can read and write a live sheet, and an API triggers AI runs and reads and writes cells from your own code.

Desktop app and self-hosting

A desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux stays in sync with the web app. Quadratic can also be self-hosted with Docker or on AWS under a license key that is free for individuals.

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.

Quadratic

• Personal$0

  For individuals: a monthly AI message limit on the default model, limited sharing, editable files and connections, and limited support.

• Pro$18

  per user / month, billed annually ($20 billed monthly)

  $20 in AI credits per user a month, access to all AI models, extra privacy controls, file export, and unlimited sharing, files and connections.

• Business$36

  per user / month, billed annually ($40 billed monthly)

  Everything in Pro with $40 in AI credits per user a month, plus the option to buy more AI usage on demand, billed at cost.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Custom AI usage, single sign-on, a self-hosting option and dedicated support.

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.

Quadratic

• Annual discount

  Save 10% with yearly billing

  Pro is $18 per user a month billed annually against $20 billed monthly, and Business is $36 against $40. The pricing toggle labels this as saving 10%.

• Education

  Free Education plan

  Students, teachers and researchers who sign up with a valid education email address get unlimited sheets, code, teammates and connections free. AI prompts are limited as on the free tier.