Open-source and Self-hostable
A secure, relational alternative to spreadsheets
Turn mission-critical spreadsheets into secure applications without losing the interface your team knows.
Spreadsheet familiarity, database power
While Excel and Google Sheets are excellent for scratchpads, they become ticking time bombs when used for load-bearing workflows. Grist combines the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the structure of a relational database, giving you a robust platform for critical data.
Build tools, not just documents
Stop relying on fragile VLOOKUP chains. Grist allows you to build resilient applications that scale with your operations.
Relational structure
Link records across tables like a true database to ensure data consistency and eliminate duplication.
Python-powered automation
Replace complex VBA macros and fragile formulas with standard Python libraries.
Strict data typing
Prevent manual data entry errors with column types like dates, reference lists, and attachments.
Dynamic views
Create dashboards, summary tables, and card views from a single source of truth.
Stop managing files, start managing data
Move beyond “Excel chaos” and fractured SharePoint folders. Grist provides a centralized platform that satisfies both Operations’ need for speed and IT’s need for control.
Single source of truth
Grist replaces "final_v3_FINAL.xlsx" with a single live database. Everyone works from the same data, updated in real-time without conflicting copies.
Granular access control
Define who can see or edit data down to the individual row or column (even cell-level). Perfect for sharing limited views with different departments.
No more broken links
References update automatically when data moves. Rename columns or reorganize tables without breaking your logic.
Audit trails
Track every change, who made it, and when. Revert to any previous version with a click.
Built for enterprise security and control
For regulated industries and security-conscious IT leaders, Grist offers deployment options that consumer-grade spreadsheets cannot match.
Self-hostable & air-gapped
Deploy Grist on your own infrastructure: on-prem, private cloud, or Docker. Keep your data completely within your perimeter.
No vendor lock-in
Your data belongs to you. Grist files are saved in the open SQLite format, ensuring your data is always portable and accessible.
Open-source core
Audit the code yourself. Rely on software that is transparent and supported by an active community.
SAML & SSO
Integrate with your existing identity providers for seamless and secure user management.
Developer-friendly architecture
Don’t trap your data. Extend Grist with a full REST API, webhooks, and custom widgets to integrate with your existing stack.
“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
From spreadsheet to secure application
Migrating to Grist from Excel or Google Sheets isn’t about starting over, it’s about evolving.
- Import your data:
- Drag and drop Excel, CSV, JSON, or TSV files. Grist’s column mapping tools preserve your data, while incremental import options handle large datasets smoothly.
- Link your tables:
- Convert repetitive text columns into relational references to normalize your data.
- Enhance with widgets:
- Replace static Pivot Tables with dynamic, linked dashboards. Use the AI Assistant to convert complex formulas into clear Python logic.
- Secure and share:
- Define access rules so each team sees only what they need, and replace emailed files with a single, secure link.
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
Why should I use Grist instead of just staying in Excel?
Excel is great for individual analysis, but it struggles as a team-based tool for critical workflows. Grist offers the structure, security, and granular permissions of a database while keeping the drag-and-drop ease of a spreadsheet. It prevents the version chaos that plagues shared Excel files.
Can I host Grist on my own servers?
Yes. Self-hosting is a core feature of Grist. You can run it on your own hardware, in a private cloud, or even in an air-gapped environment. This is often a requirement for our users in construction, manufacturing, and research labs.
Can I collect data from external users without exposing my whole database?
Yes. Unlike Excel, where sharing a file often means sharing everything, Grist lets you create secure public forms. You can collect data from vendors or employees directly into your database without them ever accessing your internal dataset or seeing other records.
Is Grist compatible with my existing Excel files?
Absolutely. You can import Excel files directly. Grist will help you convert flat data into linked, relational tables. You can also export your data back to XLSX or CSV at any time.
What about our existing macros and scripts?
Excel VBA and Google Apps Script won’t run directly in Grist, but most logic can be replaced with standard Python formulas. For complex automations, Grist integrates with Zapier, n8n, and offers a full REST API so you can connect your data to the rest of your stack.
How does Grist handle permissions compared to Google Sheets?
Google Sheets essentially offers all or nothing access. Grist allows for row-level and column-level permissions (even down to the individual cell-level). You can create rules so that a sales rep only sees their own leads, or a manager can see all data but only edit specific fields, etc.
Can I try it with my actual data before committing?
Yes. Our free tier lets you test with up to 5,000 records indefinitely. You can import your spreadsheets, build views, and validate your workflow without any time pressure or credit card required.
Get Started
Templates
General Ledger Template
Analyze income and expenses by project and over time using our user-friendly general ledger with dynamic charts.
View TemplatePayroll Template
Manage hourly payroll calculations and tracking in a single relational spreadsheet.
View TemplateLightweight CRM Template
Manage customer info and interactions in a user-friendly, spreadsheet-style CRM template.
View Template