Grist vs Zoho Projects: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Grist and Zoho Projects 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.
Zoho Projects
7.3/10
Cloud project management software with tasks, Gantt charts, timesheets, issue tracking and automation, built for small and mid-sized teams using the Zoho suite.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | Z Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Analytics | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $10/user/mo Pro | $4/user/mo Premium |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Client collaboration | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Task lists | ||
| Timeline view | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Collaboration tools | Not listed | |
| Databases | Not listed | |
| File sharing | Not listed | |
| Gantt charts | Not listed | |
| Kanban boards | Not listed | |
| Scheduling | Not listed | |
| Spreadsheet interface | Not listed | |
| Task management | Not listed | |
| Team messaging | Not listed | |
| Time tracking | Not listed | |
| Whiteboards | Not listed | |
Grist vs Zoho Projects cost by team size
Grist and Zoho Projects cost the same up to 5 users.
| Team size | Grist | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 5 users | FreeFree | FreeFree |
| 10 users | FreeFree | Contact for pricing |
| 25 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | Contact for pricing |
| 50 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | Contact for pricing |
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 Customization score (9/10 vs 8/10)
- Better fit for developers (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for it teams (6/10 vs 4/10)
ZWhy choose Zoho Projects
- Higher Scalability score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Analytics score (7/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for mid-market (8/10 vs 5/10)
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.
ZZoho Projects
Pros
- Paid plans start at $4 per user per month on annual billing, which reviewers rank among the cheapest in the category.
- The free plan supports 5 users and 3 projects, enough for very small teams to run real work.
- Built-in timers, timesheets with approvals, and budgeting serve teams that bill for their time.
- Blueprints, automation rules and custom functions allow detailed workflow control.
- Integrates closely with other Zoho apps such as Desk, Analytics and Sprints.
Cons
- Reviewers say the learning curve is steep, especially for blueprints and custom functions.
- Client and guest access cost extra on top of the plan price.
- Users report weaker portfolio and multi-project management than enterprise-focused rivals.
- Some reviewers find the configuration screens crowded and say support can be slow to respond.
- The free plan has no project templates, and its automation limit is low at 50 actions per month.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Zoho Projects scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.3/10 against 6.8/10 for Grist. The largest gap is in Scalability: 5/10 for Grist and 7/10 for Zoho Projects.
Yes, both Grist and Zoho Projects have a free plan.
Zoho Projects is the better fit for mid-market: we rate it 8/10 for them, against 5/10 for Grist.
