Grist vs SeaTable

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

SeaTable

• Teams that want an Airtable-style database hosted in the EU
• Organizations that need to run their database on their own servers
• Small teams starting free: the cloud Free plan covers up to 25 users

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.

SeaTable

• Prices are listed in euros and exclude VAT; the pricing page shows no US dollar prices.
• The Free plan stops at 10,000 rows and 2 GB, and lacks private views, row locking and table, view and column permissions.
• SeaTable's help center lists an Android app, which only simplifies access to SeaTable Cloud, and says an iOS app is planned without a release date.
• Server licenses for 10 and 25 users cannot be extended during their term; needing more users means buying a new license.

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.

SeaTable

Bases, tables and 26 column types

Bases hold linked tables with 26 column types, plus filtering, sorting, grouping and row color highlighting. Private views and the sharing of single views need a paid plan.

Gallery, kanban, timeline and calendar

Besides the table editor, the same data can be shown as an image gallery, a kanban board with drag and drop, a timeline or a calendar.

App Builder

A drag-and-drop builder for data-driven apps such as a CRM or a project tracker, included on every plan. Public apps can be used without a user account; page permissions need Enterprise.

Automations and scripts

Automations run a process at a set time or status, and notifications fire on defined triggers. JavaScript runs are unlimited, while Python runs, automations and AI credits have monthly quotas.

Web forms and external links

Web forms collect entries from people without an account, and external links open a base to people who have no login. Adding a logo and header image to a form needs Enterprise.

Self-hosting with SeaTable Server

The server edition installs on a Linux server or virtual machine and supports SAML, OAuth, Shibboleth, Active Directory and LDAP sign-in, custom roles and self-set API limits.

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.

SeaTable

• Free€0

  Cloud plan for up to 25 users: 10,000 rows, 2 GB for files, 1 month of snapshots, and a fixed 100 automations and 12.5 AI credits a month.

• Plus€7

  per user / month, billed annually (€9 billed monthly), excl. VAT

  50,000 rows, 50 GB for files, 6 months of snapshots, private views, base permissions, and 500 automations and 50 AI credits per user.

• Enterprise€14

  per user / month, billed annually (€18 billed monthly), excl. VAT

  Unlimited rows (100,000 per base), 100 GB for files, 12 months of snapshots, big data storage, email support and single sign-on via SAML.

• SeaTable Server€500

  per year for 10 users (€1,250 for 25 users)

  Self-hosted license with every Enterprise feature. Free for up to 3 users, and €90 per user a year from 50 users.

• DedicatedCustom

  A dedicated cloud for at least 100 users on annual billing, with 1,000 GB for files, unlimited automations and an enterprise admin panel.

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.

SeaTable

• Annual discount

  About 20% less with annual billing

  Plus is €7 per user a month billed annually against €9 billed monthly, and Enterprise is €14 against €18. SeaTable's FAQ puts the saving at about 20%.

• Nonprofit

  50% off for non-profit organizations

  Non-profit organizations generally receive a 50% discount on Plus and Enterprise subscriptions, and local associations up to 75% in exceptional cases, on request through team management.

• Education

  50% off for educational institutions

  The pricing page says educational institutions generally receive the same 50% discount as non-profit organizations, requested through team management.

• Other savings

  Multi-year server licenses save 5% or 10%

  A SeaTable Server license costs 5% less on a 2-year term and 10% less on a 3-year term: for 10 users, €950 for two years or €1,350 for three against €500 a year.