Alternatives / Google Sheets
Looking for an open source Google Sheets alternative? We compared 9 open source spreadsheets and spreadsheet-style databases by license, collaboration, formulas, self-hosting, and pricing. They range from true spreadsheets to no-code databases with a spreadsheet interface.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| NocoDB | Spreadsheet interface on existing databases | Sustainable Use License |
| Teable | PostgreSQL-backed collaborative spreadsheets | AGPL-3.0 core / MIT packages |
| Baserow | No-code database and app building | MIT core |
| Grist | Spreadsheets with relational data and Python formulas | Apache-2.0 Community Edition |
| CryptPad | End-to-end encrypted spreadsheets | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Mathesar | Spreadsheet-style view of PostgreSQL | GPL-3.0 |
| IronCalc | Embedding a spreadsheet engine | Apache-2.0 |
| LibreOffice | Desktop spreadsheets with Excel compatibility | Primarily MPL-2.0 / LGPL multi-licensing |
| Collabora Online | Online spreadsheets inside Nextcloud and others | Primarily MPL-2.0 with other OSS components |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with Google Sheets' core: tabular data, formulas, views, and collaboration. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its GitHub repository. Google Sheets is a collaborative spreadsheet, so the list mixes true spreadsheets, spreadsheet-style databases, an embeddable engine, and an editing server, and we flag source-available and open-core licenses. See our methodology for the full criteria.
LibreOffice, Collabora Online, CryptPad, Grist, and IronCalc are spreadsheets with formulas and cells. Baserow, NocoDB, Teable, and Mathesar are databases with a spreadsheet-like grid: they excel at structured records, views, forms, and APIs, but their formulas and free-form cell layouts are more limited than a true spreadsheet.
Grist is the closest hybrid: a familiar grid with Excel-like and Python formulas, relational links, charts, access rules, and real-time collaboration. For plain spreadsheets, CryptPad offers collaborative sheets with end-to-end encryption, Collabora Online edits Excel files in the browser, and LibreOffice Calc is a full desktop application.
Grist's core is Apache-2.0 and IronCalc is MIT or Apache-2.0. Teable is AGPL-3.0 core with MIT packages, Mathesar is GPL-3.0, and CryptPad is AGPL-3.0-or-later. Baserow is MIT with a premium directory under a separate license, which makes it open core. NocoDB uses the Sustainable Use License, so it is source available rather than open source. LibreOffice and Collabora Online are mainly MPL-2.0 and LGPL.
IronCalc is a Rust spreadsheet engine with more than 300 Excel-compatible functions, xlsx import and export, and JavaScript and Python bindings, built for embedding in other products. NocoDB, Teable, Baserow, and Mathesar offer REST APIs on top of real databases.
All nine projects were updated within days of this update, including NocoDB, Baserow, Teable, Grist, CryptPad, Mathesar, and IronCalc. The LibreOffice and Collabora Online GitHub repositories are mirrors, since active development happens on Gerrit.
Google Sheets is a proprietary, cloud-only spreadsheet tied to a Google account, with your data stored on Google's servers and limits when working with large datasets. Open-source alternatives let you self-host or keep files local, encrypt data, connect spreadsheets to real databases, and avoid per-user pricing, at the cost of less polished formulas, add-ons, and integrations.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baserow | No-code database | MIT core + premium | Yes | Apps and workflows |
| NocoDB | Database spreadsheet | Sustainable Use License | Yes | Existing SQL databases |
| Teable | Database spreadsheet | AGPL-3.0 core / MIT | Yes | PostgreSQL teams |
| Grist | Relational spreadsheet | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Formulas with relational data |
| CryptPad | Encrypted office suite | AGPL-3.0-or-later | Yes | Confidential sheets |
| Mathesar | PostgreSQL interface | GPL-3.0 | Yes | Inventory and CRUD |
| IronCalc | Spreadsheet engine | MIT / Apache-2.0 | Embeddable | Developers |
| LibreOffice | Desktop office suite | MPL-2.0 / LGPL | Local desktop | Excel replacement |
| Collabora Online | Online office editor | MPL-2.0 core | Yes | Embedding in file platforms |
Want the closest hybrid of spreadsheet and database
Grist combines a familiar grid with relational links, Excel and Python formulas, charts, granular access rules, and real-time collaboration.
Want a spreadsheet interface on existing databases
NocoDB connects to existing databases with grid, Kanban, gallery, and form views and an API, but its license is source available.
Want a full no-code database and app builder
Baserow offers multiple views, forms, an application builder, automations, and dashboards, with an MIT core.
Want a PostgreSQL-first collaborative spreadsheet
Teable pairs a spreadsheet experience with PostgreSQL, linked records, formulas, real-time collaboration, and APIs.
Want encrypted spreadsheets
CryptPad encrypts spreadsheets in the browser and supports real-time collaboration and anonymous sharing.
Want a desktop spreadsheet with Excel compatibility
LibreOffice Calc reads and writes xlsx and OpenDocument formats with no account or cloud.
Want Excel-compatible online editing in your file platform
Collabora Online edits spreadsheets in the browser with real-time collaboration and is commonly integrated with Nextcloud or ownCloud.
Want to embed a spreadsheet in your product
IronCalc is a Rust engine with 300+ Excel-compatible functions, xlsx support, and JavaScript and Python bindings.