Grist vs Teable
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted office suites options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Grist
Spreadsheet meets database for structured data
VS
Teable
Postgres-based no-code database and spreadsheet
| Feature | Grist | Teable |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 93 · Excellent | 96 · Excellent |
| Category | Office Suites | Office Suites |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,851 | ★ 21,816 |
| First released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Airtable, Google Sheets | Airtable |
What are Grist and Teable?
Grist
Grist is an open-source modern relational spreadsheet that combines the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the robustness of a database. It supports formulas, Python, and access rules.
- Relational spreadsheet engine
- Python formula support
- Granular access control
- Custom widgets and views
Teable
Teable is an open-source, no-code database built on PostgreSQL. It provides a high-performance spreadsheet interface with rich field types and SQL access.
- Built directly on PostgreSQL
- High-performance grid
- Real-time collaboration
- Direct SQL access to data
Grist vs Teable: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Grist versus AGPL-3.0 for Teable. Grist is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Teable. Grist is the more established project (first released 2021), while Teable arrived in 2023.
Why pick each one
Choose Teable if…
- Real Postgres underneath
- Fast with big tables
- Clean modern interface
Watch out for
- Some features enterprise-gated
- Younger than rivals
Frequently asked questions
Is Grist or Teable better?
Neither is universally better. Teable has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Grist and Teable free and open-source?
Yes. Grist is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Teable under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Grist and Teable with Docker?
Grist: yes. Teable: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Grist or Teable?
Grist has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Teable. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.