Google Sheets costs $12/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to Google Sheets, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Google Sheets vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $12/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grist | open source | Apache-2.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 12k | Google Sheets vs Grist → |
| Baserow | open source | MIT | Local or hosted | ★ 6.3k | Google Sheets vs Baserow → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Grist
open sourceApache-2.0Local or hosted12kaug 2026The actual product, self-hosted: formulas, relational records, forms, and views in one small workspace.
The catch vs Google SheetsSelf-hosting preserves the product but gives up the paid hosted service's managed upgrades, backups, secure sharing, support, and operational reliability.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup, desktop app, or Docker container for self-hosting
- setup
- None for hosted or desktop use; shared self-hosting requires Docker, authentication, backups, a public URL, and safe Python-formula sandboxing
- your data
- Each document is a .grist SQLite database containing table data, attachments, document metadata, and recent history; CSV/Excel exports are also available
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Baserow
open sourceMITLocal or hosted6.3kaug 2026Airtable's database half with public forms and your own disk underneath
The catch vs Google SheetsBaserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup, or Docker/Docker Compose for self-hosting
- setup
- Self-hosting requires Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and public-URL/TLS configuration
- your data
- Cloud workspaces live in Baserow Cloud; self-hosted records live in PostgreSQL and uploaded files in the mounted Baserow data volume; CSV export is available
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Google Sheets open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Google Sheets?+
The top free alternative to Google Sheets is Grist (open source, Apache-2.0). The actual product, self-hosted: formulas, relational records, forms, and views in one small workspace. Other popular Google Sheets replacements include Baserow.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Google Sheets?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to Google Sheets, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Grist (Apache-2.0), Baserow (MIT).
How much does switching from Google Sheets to a free alternative save?+
Google Sheets starts at $12/month per seat ($144/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Grist saves $720 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Google Sheets clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Google Sheets is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Google Sheets or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Grist or Baserow.
What is the catch when switching from Google Sheets to Grist?+
Self-hosting preserves the product but gives up the paid hosted service's managed upgrades, backups, secure sharing, support, and operational reliability.
