Grist vs Rowy (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 Rowy if

• Fits if your app runs on Firebase and you want a grid for the data
• Works for developers who want cloud functions attached to rows

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you don't use Firebase, as it only sits on Firestore
• Skip it if you want a maintained product, since the site shows a 2023 copyright and promotes BuildShip
• Tight if you export a lot, as Base exports up to 10K rows
• Watch out: Google Cloud charges apply outside Rowy's plans
• Watch out: Pro's billing basis isn't stated, only a 10% saving

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.

Rowy

• The page notes the Pro plan's $12 as the monthly price and mentions a 10% saving without giving the annual figure.
• Cloud functions run on your own Google Cloud project, so GCP charges apply outside Rowy's plans.
• The site promotes the newer BuildShip product and shows a 2023 copyright date, so check that Rowy is still maintained.
• Export on the Base plan is limited to 10K rows.

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.

Rowy

Spreadsheet UI on your database

Shows Firestore data in a familiar grid with more than 30 field types.

Cloud functions

Write backend logic beside the table and use any npm package or API.

Derivative and action fields

Calculate values when fields change and run tasks from a button.

Webhooks and extensions

Receive data from outside sources and send changes to services such as SendGrid and Slack.

Your data stays yours

Data lives in your own Firebase project, so you pick the region.

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.

Rowy

• Base$0

  1 project, 30+ column types, unlimited cloud functions, CSV, TSV and JSON import, community support.

• Pro$12

  per seat / month, billing basis not stated

  Unlimited projects, full-text search, large exports, email support, GCP billing hard cap; page mentions a 10% saving.

• BusinessCustom

  Adds custom domain, priority support, data version control and automated backups. Contact sales.

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.

Rowy

No public discounts listed.