Independent comparison. Not affiliated with Smartsheet or any vendor listed.
Updated 16 April 2026
Open Source Smartsheet Alternatives You Can Self-Host
Want full control over your project data? These open-source alternatives to Smartsheet can be self-hosted or used as managed cloud services.
Baserow
$5/user/mo (Team) or self-host free
~22,000 stars
MIT (core), Premium features proprietary
Baserow is the closest open-source equivalent to Airtable, which makes it a strong Smartsheet replacement for data-centric workflows. The MIT-licensed core includes unlimited rows, fields, and tables. The interface feels modern and responsive. Self-hosting is straightforward with Docker Compose. The managed cloud plan at $5 per user per month undercuts every commercial Smartsheet alternative.
Hosting options
Self-host (Docker) or Baserow Cloud
Server requirements
2 GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 10 GB storage minimum
Key features
Grid view, kanban, gallery, forms, API, webhooks, relational fields, row-level permissions
Smartsheet replacement assessment
Replaces grid view, forms, and basic automations. No Gantt charts, no resource management, no file proofing.
OpenProject
Free community or $7.25/user/mo (Enterprise Cloud)
~10,000 stars
GPL-3.0 (Community), Enterprise license for premium features
OpenProject is the most complete open-source project management tool. The Gantt chart implementation includes dependencies, milestones, and baselines. The agile module supports scrum and kanban boards. Time tracking and budget management are built in. The community edition is fully functional for small teams. Enterprise features include SSO, 2FA, and custom branding.
Hosting options
Self-host (Docker/DEB/RPM) or OpenProject Cloud
Server requirements
4 GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 20 GB storage minimum
Key features
Gantt charts, work packages, agile boards, time tracking, budgets, meetings, wiki, BIM module
Smartsheet replacement assessment
Replaces Gantt charts, task management, time tracking, and basic resource planning. No spreadsheet view, no forms, no file proofing.
NocoDB
Free tier or $8/user/mo (Plus)
~50,000 stars
AGPL-3.0
NocoDB turns any database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) into a smart spreadsheet with a no-code interface. It is the most developer-friendly option with a powerful REST API and webhook system. The AGPL license means all modifications must be open-sourced if you distribute them, but for internal self-hosted use this is not a constraint. Lightweight and fast to deploy.
Hosting options
Self-host (Docker/Node.js) or NocoDB Cloud
Server requirements
1 GB RAM, 1 CPU core, 5 GB storage minimum
Key features
Spreadsheet view, forms, kanban, gallery, grid, API-first, webhook automations, role-based access
Smartsheet replacement assessment
Replaces grid/spreadsheet view, forms, and API access. No Gantt charts, no resource management, no proofing.
Grist
Free tier or $8/user/mo (Pro)
~8,000 stars
Apache 2.0
Grist combines the familiarity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database and Python formulas. For teams that use Smartsheet primarily for its formula engine and data manipulation, Grist offers more flexibility. Columns can run Python code, custom widgets extend functionality, and the Apache 2.0 license is the most permissive of the four options.
Hosting options
Self-host (Docker) or Grist Cloud
Server requirements
2 GB RAM, 1 CPU core, 10 GB storage minimum
Key features
Spreadsheet with Python formulas, custom widgets, access rules, forms, API, import/export
Smartsheet replacement assessment
Replaces spreadsheet view and formula engine (Python instead of Excel-like). No Gantt charts, no resource management.
Self-Hosting Reality Check
You need: A server or VPS (DigitalOcean, Hetzner, AWS), Docker or native installation, SSL certificates, regular backups, and someone comfortable with Linux administration.
Maintenance burden: Expect 1 to 2 hours per month for updates, security patches, and backups. More during major version upgrades.
When it makes sense: Regulated industries that require data sovereignty, organizations with existing DevOps teams, or large deployments where SaaS per-user costs become prohibitive (50+ users).
When SaaS is better: Small teams without dedicated DevOps, teams that need enterprise support SLAs, or organizations where the engineer time for maintenance costs more than the SaaS subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is self-hosting worth it for project management tools?▾
Self-hosting makes sense if your organization requires full data control (regulated industries, government), has internal DevOps capacity to maintain the deployment, or needs to avoid recurring SaaS costs for large teams. For small teams without dedicated infrastructure, managed cloud plans are simpler and more cost-effective when you factor in maintenance time.
What are the ongoing costs of self-hosting?▾
Beyond server costs ($10 to $50 per month for a small VPS), budget for: time spent on updates and security patches (1 to 2 hours per month), backup management, SSL certificate renewal, and occasional troubleshooting. For a 10-person team, this often costs more than a managed SaaS subscription when you value the engineer time involved.
Can open-source tools fully replace Smartsheet?▾
For specific use cases, yes. Baserow replaces Smartsheet for data management workflows. OpenProject replaces it for Gantt-based project scheduling. No single open-source tool matches the full breadth of Smartsheet features. For the closest open-source coverage, combining OpenProject (PM) with Baserow (data management) covers the most ground.