open-source Sheets alternative
The Google Sheets alternative built for business
Grist gives you the spreadsheet interface your team already knows, backed by real database power, enterprise-grade security, and data you actually own.
So you’ve outgrown Sheets. Now what?
Google Sheets solved collaboration. But it created sprawl, security gaps, and structural fragility in the process. Grist closes that gap.
Protect what matters. Scale what works.
Drill down without the spreadsheet sprawl
Drag, drop, done
Build dashboards that show the full picture or drill into the details, keeping every team aligned without siloed information.
Built what you need, how you want it
Use charts, forms, invoicing, cards, tables, action buttons, notepads, calendars, and more to build an app that feels like a spreadsheet.
Collaborate everywhere, seamlessly
Never overshare again
With Grist’s granular access controls, share one source of truth with everyone and show each person only what they need to see.
Keep everyone on the same page
One doc for your whole team. Comment anywhere and get notified, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Real power with real automations
AI tools that actually help
The built-in AI assistant writes formulas, builds Python scripts, manages data, and answers questions about your document in natural language.
True relational structure
Grist looks and feels like a spreadsheet, but is actually a real, relational database that keeps data structured and connected. Replace fragile VLOOKUP chains with records that update instantly across your entire document.
Lock down data without missing a beat
Host Grist on-prem for complete governance
Your servers, your rules. You can deploy Grist on your own infrastructure or operate on our secure cloud.
Everything IT needs to say yes
On Grist Enterprise, get custom SSO, audit log streaming, dedicated server support, admin controls, and more security features to cover all your bases.
Grist is the best Google Sheets alternative for:
IT teams needing to secure sensitive data on-prem for compliance and privacy
Documents hitting the limits of Sheets’ performance
Operations looking to build apps without costly months of dev time
Automation wizards who want Python power in a spreadsheet interface
“I love Grist. It’s crazy powerful. I still can’t believe what we’ve been able to achieve in it. It’s the dream that low-code was sold as for years – we can do incredible things in each column with Python and we can build our own widgets to run on those! Wild!”
Elliot Lee
User Researcher
“Grist has become our go-to for more complex, structured data. It sits somewhere between Excel and Access—powerful, relational, and flexible enough for prototyping real data-driven applications.”
Olivier Lambert
CEO at Vates
“The more I use Grist, the more I LOVE it. I have been surveying self-hosted database GUI tools, and I was consistently disappointed with their shortcomings or bugginess. Grist is the first to have tilted the balance the other way.”
Stephen S.
Publications, Personal City Guides
“Grist has given us incredible flexibility to solve data problems and find solutions, whether it is for a small team at the district, or at scale with the entire district staff. We’re really excited about the different ways we can use it going forward.”
Director of Product
EdTech Company
“What I like about Grist the most is its focus. It appears simple, but it’s very powerful in a focused way. Grist has really improved our workflow and communication.”
Chris Scott
Co-founder in Digital Marketing
“If people spend some time learning a new tool they’ll have more power to do their work and research. I said to one of my students, ‘You will be very very happy using Grist because you are miserable using Excel!'”
Eduardo Dalcin, Ph.D.
Biodiversity Informatics Expert
“Most CRMs don’t work the way Grist works. Grist’s layouts are simple and do exactly what we need.”
Jennifer Bledsoe
IT Tech at Law Firm
“I discovered Grist after becoming frustrated with the limitations of Excel and Google Sheets. Grist has been a breath of fresh air, especially with its ability to handle structured data in a way that feels familiar to anyone with experience in relational databases, but with the added flexibility of Python.”
Will Bailey
Small Business Manager
“Sharing an Access database is near impossible, but Grist makes sharing a relational database simple.”
Walt Rice
IT Consultant
“I needed an open-source master database that could connect to n8n and AI tools. After trying Notion, Airtable, Siyuan, Baserow, and NocoDB, I chose Grist for its Python-native AI support, flexible integrations, and simple n8n connections.”
Robin A.
Project Manager
“I’ve worked extensively with NocoDB, Notion, SeaTable, and Baserow, and Grist really stands out. The balance between spreadsheet-style flexibility and structured, low-code database design is excellent.”
Andriy Kostyuk
Automation Engineer, Founder at Enceladus
Deploy today. Scale tomorrow.
Grist delivers immediate organizational impact by combining spreadsheet accessibility with database power. Your teams build the apps they need from day one with real-time collaboration, linked data structures, and the centralized governance that Sheets can’t provide.
Deploy across departments to eliminate scattered spreadsheets, automate critical processes, and drive measurable results immediately.
How it works
1. Share
Import your existing Google Sheets documents in CSV or XLSX format into Grist.
2. Structure
Map columns to match the data exactly where you need it. Ask the AI Assistant for help when you need it.
3. Scale
Start building apps, collaborating, and experiencing the future of spreadsheets.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Build with an expert
Need a solution built in Grist? Let our experts do the work.
Plan your solution
Identify workflow pain points, and improvements.
Design for your needs
Leverage Grist’s flexibility to your advantage.
Build with experts
Work with our experts to get to your solution quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grist a free Google Sheets alternative?
Yes. Grist offers a permanently free plan for individuals and small teams, which includes full features and real-time collaboration with a limit of 5,000 rows per document. For those with technical expertise, Grist is open-source, allowing you to self-host the software on your own server without row limits or subscription fees.
How does Grist prevent the version control nightmare of shared Sheets files?
There is only one version in Grist — the current one. Everyone works on the same document simultaneously with real-time updates. Grist automatically captures snapshots of your data, creating a complete history you can browse and restore from, eliminating the need for “Save As” file proliferation.
Is it hard to switch from google sheets to grist?
Not at all. Simply import your existing Sheets documents via CSV or XLSX format, and Grist will map the columns that match and let you decide what goes where.
Does Grist integrate with other tools?
Yes. REST API, webhooks, and integrations with Zapier, n8n, and other automation platforms. If you’re connecting to internal systems, the API is well-documented and the open-source community has built connectors for common use cases.
Does grist support forms for data entry?
Absolutely. Grist has native forms that can be shared publicly or embedded within web pages for easy entry and data collection.
Can Grist handle my complex Google Sheets formulas?
Yes, Grist supports Google Sheets functions and Python for advanced and flexible scripting. You don’t need coding knowledge either – the AI Assistant can help translate complex formulas or write new ones from plain language descriptions.
spreadsheet templates
Get started with pre-made templates
Lab Project Management Template
Manage all projects in your lab, and effectively track tasks by project, person, and due date.
View TemplateInventory Tracking Spreadsheet
Manage your inventory and track incoming and outgoing orders, all in one place.
View TemplateLightweight CRM Template
Manage customer info and interactions in a user-friendly, spreadsheet-style CRM template.
View TemplateTake control of your data
Unlock your data’s true potential with the better spreadsheet
