# Grist

Spreadsheets you host. Grist core is Apache-2.0 — Google Sheets without the workbook in someone else's building.

**Replaces:** Google Sheets

**Tier:** Easy

## Problem

Google Sheets is a workbook you rent with the Workspace seat. You wanted rows, relations, and a file you can export. Grist core is Apache-2.0: a spreadsheet that is also a database. The hosted product at getgrist.com adds extras — this page is the self-hosted core image. Baserow stays the Airtable-shaped grid on /replace/airtable. Nextcloud Office can open a .xlsx; it is not a live sheet.

## Stack

- [Grist](https://www.getgrist.com) — Apache-2.0 spreadsheet-database (grist-core / self-host)

## Estimated SaaS cost saved

| You stop paying | Typical / year | Self-host instead |
|---|---:|---|
| Google Sheets / Workspace (small team) | $1,200 | Grist core + a volume |

**About $1,200 / year** on a small team, before you count lock-in.

## Deploy on Railway

Placeholder: Grist core (gristlabs/grist-oss) plus a volume for documents. Bind HTTP to 0.0.0.0:$PORT. No one-click template in this repo yet — Start on Railway. Airtable-shaped bases stay on /stacks/baserow-appsmith.

[Start on Railway](https://c17.io/go/railway/grist-sheets?from=%2Fstacks%2Fgrist-sheets.md)

[Baserow if this is Airtable, not a spreadsheet](https://c17.io/stacks/baserow-appsmith)

## AGENT_PROMPT

```
Replace Google Sheets with self-hosted Grist core (https://github.com/gristlabs/grist-core).

- Official OSS image, persist documents on a volume. Bind HTTP to 0.0.0.0:$PORT. Import one CSV you actually use.
- Do not deploy the hosted getgrist.com extras and call that the OSS path. Full-edition SSO is a separate product.
- Airtable stays on /stacks/baserow-appsmith. Docs stay on /stacks/nextcloud-files. Write AGENT_PROMPT.md.
```

## FAQ

### Grist or Baserow?

Grist if people live in a spreadsheet. Baserow if they live in an Airtable base. Pick one.

### Why not Nextcloud Office?

Nextcloud Office opens a file. Grist is a live sheet with relations. /replace/google-docs is the document editor.

Source: https://c17.io/stacks/grist-sheets