Grist vs Notion: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Grist and Notion to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
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.
Notion
7.1/10
Connected workspace combining docs, wikis, relational databases and AI agents that teams use for knowledge management and lightweight project tracking.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Analytics | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Scalability | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $10/user/mo Pro | $12/user/mo Plus |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free | Free Free |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Collaboration tools | ||
| Databases | ||
| File sharing | ||
| Client collaboration | Not listed | |
| Dashboards | Not listed | |
| Docs | Not listed | |
| Knowledge base | Not listed | |
| Reporting | Not listed | |
| Scheduling | Not listed | |
| Spreadsheet interface | Not listed | |
| Task lists | Not listed | |
| Task management | Not listed | |
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
| Workflow automation | Not listed | |
Grist vs Notion cost by team size
Grist and Notion cost the same at every team size we checked.
| Team size | Grist | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 10 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 25 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | FreeFree |
| 50 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | FreeFree |
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 Grist
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Higher Analytics score (6/10 vs 5/10)
Why choose Notion
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (7/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for mid-market (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for startups (9/10 vs 7/10)
Pros & Cons
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.
Notion
Pros
- Relational databases and nested pages let teams build their own trackers, wikis and project systems without a fixed workflow.
- Docs, knowledge base, calendar, forms and published sites are bundled in one workspace, which can replace several separate tools.
- Business includes AI agents, meeting notes and cross-app Enterprise Search without a separate per-seat AI add-on.
- Enterprise security covers SCIM, audit logs, SIEM and DLP connections, and zero data retention with AI providers.
- Strong review ratings, around 4.6 on G2 and 4.7 on Capterra.
Cons
- Reviewers repeatedly report slow loading and lag in large databases and workspaces.
- Offline support is weak and the mobile app does less than the desktop app.
- Plus includes only an AI trial, so teams that want working AI must pay for Business.
- Since late 2026, AI use beyond the monthly credit allowances pauses unless an admin buys extra credits, and some legacy discounted customers have reported large increases at renewal.
- Teams must design their own structure before it works well for project management, and new users describe the setup as unintuitive.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Notion scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.1/10 against 6.8/10 for Grist. The largest gap is in Cost: 8/10 for Grist and 6/10 for Notion.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both Grist and Notion have a free plan.
Notion is the better fit for mid-market: we rate it 8/10 for them, against 5/10 for Grist.
