Grist

Grist is a relational spreadsheet-database: a familiar grid on the surface with a real database underneath, built around linked tables, custom views and Python formulas. It is developed by Grist Labs, a self-funded software company founded in 2014 by brothers Dmitry and Stan Sagalovskiy and headquartered in New York City with a distributed team. The core engine, grist-core, is open source on GitHub, and the whole product can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.

The product blends spreadsheet familiarity with database structure. Columns are typed and named, tables link through reference columns, and layouts are built from linked widgets – tables, card views, charts and forms – that filter and update together. Formulas use Python rather than a proprietary syntax, which keeps complex logic readable and portable. Granular access rules control who can see or edit specific rows, columns and tables, snapshot history preserves document versions, and an AI Assistant helps write formulas using monthly credits. Data imports from Excel, CSV and Google Sheets, and documents are stored as open SQLite files, which is central to Grist’s no-lock-in pitch.

Pricing, verified on the official pricing page in October 2026. The hosted Free plan costs $0 for individuals and small projects with limited documents and records. Pro is $10 per user per month, or $8 per user per month on annual billing, with unlimited documents, up to 100,000 records per document and three years of snapshot history. Business is $30 per user per month, or $24 annually with a five-user minimum, adding automations, 150,000 records per document, five years of history and priority email support. Enterprise is custom-priced with dedicated servers, SSO and training. The self-hosted Community edition is free and open source, and organizations with under $1 million in annual income can request a free activation key. Guests who only view documents are free on every plan, and Pro and Business include 30-day trials.

Watch-outs: the hosted Free plan is tight on records and documents, so real team use quickly points to Pro. Business carries a five-user minimum, AI Assistant credits are metered monthly, and there are no native mobile apps – mobile access runs through the browser. Teams wanting Airtable-style interface polish or a large marketplace of prebuilt integrations will find Grist more utilitarian and API-first.

Overall, Grist is the strongest open-source option in the spreadsheet category and a credible Airtable alternative for teams that care about data ownership, granular permissions and Python-grade formulas. Self-hosters, nonprofits and technically comfortable teams get exceptional value; buyers wanting maximum polish should also compare Airtable, Smartsheet and Rows.