Grist
6.8/10Grist 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.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
Grist from Grist Labs combines a spreadsheet grid with relational database structure. Tables can reference one another, formulas are written in Python, and pages are built from linked widgets such as tables, cards, charts, forms, calendars and custom widgets. Teams use it to build their own project trackers, CRMs, inventories and internal tools without code. It suits small businesses and technical teams that have outgrown spreadsheets and want control over their data. Because the core is open source, it also suits organisations that need to self-host for privacy or data-residency reasons. Grist Cloud is priced per user: a Free plan capped at 5,000 records per document, Pro at $10 per user per month ($8 billed annually), Business at $30 ($24 annually) with a five-user minimum and automations, and a custom-priced Enterprise plan. There is a free self-hosted Community edition, a paid self-hosted edition, and a free activation key for organisations earning under $1 million a year. AI Assistant credits can be added. Grist connects to Zapier, Make, n8n, Integrately and Pabbly Connect, and it also offers a REST API and webhooks. Its main limitation as a project tool is that it ships no dedicated Kanban or Gantt views. You build project workflows yourself, and record caps per document limit very large datasets.
Our Rating
Who Grist is best for
Good fit
There is a generous free tier, Pro costs $8-10 per user, and it replaces ad-hoc spreadsheets with structured apps.
It has Python formulas, a REST API, webhooks, custom widgets and an open-source core.
- Nonprofits7/10
Organisations earning under 1 million USD a year get a free activation key.
Teams can build their own trackers, inventories and internal tools without code.
Startups can build flexible internal tools cheaply and get a free self-hosting key while revenue is under $1M.
Less suited
Self-hosting, SSO, audit log streaming and dedicated servers are available, but compliance certifications are not publicised.
The free and Pro tiers suit individuals tracking clients and projects, but setup takes effort.
Open-source self-hosting suits public bodies with data-residency needs.
Self-hosted editions give IT teams control over data.
- Mid-Market5/10
Record caps and acknowledged performance concerns limit larger use.
Pros & Cons
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.
Key Features
Grist Pricing
Free
- Unlimited documents
- 2 guests per document
- 3k API calls per month
- 100 one-time AI credits
- 30-day snapshot history
- 5,000 records per document
- 1GB attachments per document
Pro
or $96/user/year (save 20%)
- Unlimited members
- 3-year snapshot history
- 100 AI credits per month
- 100,000 records per document
- 3GB attachments per document
- 40k API calls per document per day
Business
or $288/user/year (save 20%)
- Automations
- Priority email support
- 5-year snapshot history
- 2,000 AI credits per month
- 150,000 records per document
- 20GB attachments per document
- 60k API calls per document per day
Self-hosted Grist
or $288/user/year (save 20%)
- Custom SSO
- MCP server
- Automations
- AI Assistant
- Admin controls
- Audit log streaming
- No support included
Enterprise
- Custom SSO
- Admin controls
- Training workshop
- Audit log streaming
- Multiple team sites
- Custom domain and branding
- Dedicated server in chosen region
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The cloud Free plan includes unlimited documents with 5,000 records each, and the open-source Community edition can be self-hosted at no cost.
Pro is $10 per user per month, or $8 on annual billing. Business is $30, or $24 annually, with a five-user minimum. Enterprise is custom-priced.
Yes. The Community edition is free, and a paid self-hosted edition adds SSO, automations and admin controls. Organisations with under $1 million in annual income can request a free activation key.
Grist works with Zapier, Make, n8n, Integrately and Pabbly Connect, and it also offers a REST API and webhooks.
Yes. Nonprofits get 50% off the Pro plan by sending a Letter of Determination before the trial ends.
Yes. A calendar widget shows events from a table with start and end dates, and supports drag-to-edit.
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