ClickUp vs Grist: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of ClickUp and Grist to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
ClickUp
7.1/10
ClickUp is a work management platform with tasks, docs, chat, automations, AI agents and a CRM layer for contacts, companies and deals, aimed at business teams.
Grist
6.8/10
Grist is an open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, available as a cloud service or self-hosted, for teams building custom trackers and lightweight apps.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Cost | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $12/user/mo Core | $10/user/mo Pro |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free Forever | Free Free |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | Not listed | |
| Client collaboration | Not listed | |
| Collaboration tools | Not listed | |
| Dashboards | Not listed | |
| Databases | Not listed | |
| File sharing | Not listed | |
| Reporting | Not listed | |
| Scheduling | Not listed | |
| Spreadsheet interface | Not listed | |
| Task lists | Not listed | |
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
| Workflow automation | Not listed | |
| More features | ||
| Collaboration | Not listed | |
| Lead Management | Not listed | |
| Integrations | Not listed | |
| Sales Automation | Not listed | |
| Opportunity Management | Not listed | |
| Contact Management | Not listed | |
| Reporting & Analytics | Not listed | |
| Mobile Access | Not listed | |
ClickUp vs Grist cost by team size
ClickUp and Grist cost the same at every team size we checked.
| Team size | ClickUp | Grist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 10 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeFree |
| 25 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeSelf-hosted Community |
| 50 users | FreeFree Forever | FreeSelf-hosted Community |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose ClickUp
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Higher Scalability score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for mid-market (7/10 vs 5/10)
Why choose Grist
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 7/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (6/10 vs 5/10)
Pros & Cons
ClickUp
Pros
- Deals can become delivery projects in the same workspace, which suits agencies and consultancies that sell and deliver client work.
- The free plan allows unlimited members and unlimited tasks, so small teams can try the platform before paying.
- Custom fields, task types, many views and automations let teams model most pipelines and processes without code.
- Enterprise security options include SAML, SCIM, audit logs, data residency and HIPAA support with a BAA.
Cons
- It is not a dedicated CRM. Reviewers report needing Zapier automations for CRM workflows, and the CRM page does not confirm email sync or native calling.
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and say new users need hours of training to become proficient.
- G2 and Capterra reviewers report bugs, slow performance and support replies that do not resolve problems.
- The late-2026 pricing change raised per-user list prices for new workspaces, and heavy AI use requires buying extra credits.
Grist
Pros
- Python formulas and relational references give more modelling power than ordinary spreadsheets.
- The open-source core can be self-hosted for free, which is useful for privacy-sensitive organisations.
- The free tier allows unlimited documents and up to 10 members.
- Linked widgets (table, card, chart, calendar, form, custom) let teams build tailored project apps.
- Reviewers praise the responsive support team and active community.
Cons
- There are no built-in Kanban or Gantt views, so project workflows must be assembled by hand.
- Per-document record caps (5,000 on Free, 150,000 on Business) limit large datasets.
- The company has acknowledged performance concerns with large databases.
- Automations require the $30-per-user Business plan, which has a five-user minimum.
- Few public reviews exist, and no compliance certifications are listed.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
ClickUp scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.1/10 against 6.8/10 for Grist. The largest gap is in Integration: 8/10 for ClickUp and 6/10 for Grist.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both ClickUp and Grist have a free plan.
ClickUp is the better fit for mid-market: we rate it 7/10 for them, against 5/10 for Grist.
