Bubble
Grist
| Feature | Bubble | Grist |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $32/mo | Free / from $10/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | non-technical-founders, startups, mvp-builders, agencies, solopreneurs | developers, data-teams, non-profits, open-source-advocates |
| Founded | 2012 | 2019 |
| Visual Editor | ✓ | ✗ |
| Database | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api Connector | ✓ | ✗ |
| User Auth | ✓ | ✗ |
| Responsive Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugins | ✓ | ✗ |
| Relational Data | ✗ | ✓ |
| Python Formulas | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Widgets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Access Rules | ✗ | ✓ |
| Incremental Imports | ✗ | ✓ |
| Api | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Bubble Pros
- Can build genuinely complex applications
- Built-in database and user authentication
- Marketplace of plugins and templates
- API connector for any external service
✗ Bubble Cons
- Steep learning curve for no-code
- Performance can be slow at scale
- Vendor lock-in — hard to migrate away
✓ Grist Pros
- Fully open-source (Apache 2.0)
- Python formulas instead of spreadsheet formulas
- Self-hostable
- Strong access control and permissions
✗ Grist Cons
- Fewer integrations than Airtable
- Smaller template library
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
The Verdict
Bubble is built for non technical founders and startups, with a focus on visual-editor and database. Grist targets developers and data teams and leads with relational-data and python-formulas.
On pricing, Grist is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $10/mo compared to $32/mo for Bubble. That $22/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, Bubble offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Grist takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.