Grist – Open core alternative to Airtable and Google Sheets (github.com)

Article summary

Grist is an open core alternative to Airtable and Google Sheets, offering a modern relational spreadsheet that combines the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the robustness of a database. It has various features, including Python formulas, a portable format, and a self-contained desktop app. Grist is developed by Grist Labs and has both open-source and proprietary components. The open-source version, grist-core, can be self-hosted and has a range of features, but some features are only available in the proprietary version.

Main themes

• Grist features and functionality
• Open core model and licensing
• Scalability and performance
• Self-hosting and data autonomy
• Comparison to other products
• Development process and community engagement
• Business model and revenue generation
• Open-source principles and limitations

What commenters say

• Some users believe Grist has the potential to be more than just an alternative to Airtable and Google Sheets, but a platform for building complex applications.
• The use of SQLite as the underlying database technology raises concerns about scalability, particularly with regards to write contention.
• The self-hosted version of Grist has limitations compared to the proprietary version, which may be a drawback for some users.
• Some users appreciate the open core model, while others are skeptical about the tension between the open-source core and proprietary features.
• The development process and commitment to open-source are questioned by some, with concerns about the private mono-repo and limited pull requests on GitHub.
• Grist's features and functionality are compared to other products, such as Baserow and MS Access, with some users finding it more suitable for their needs.
• The importance of self-hosting and data autonomy is highlighted by some users, who see Grist as a viable option for those who want more control over their data.
• The open core model is seen as a way for startups to balance open-source principles with the need to generate revenue, but some argue that it can create tension and limit the potential of the open-source community.