Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Grist VS SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites

Compare Grist VS SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites and see what are their differences

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Grist logo Grist

Grist makes it easy to transform spreadsheets into a custom database where data is truly actionable.

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites logo SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites

Build full web applications using just SQL queries
  • Grist Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites Homepage
    Homepage //
    2025-03-03
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites SQLPage's Homepage is written in... SQLPage!
    SQLPage's Homepage is written in... SQLPage! //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites SQLPage card component
    SQLPage card component //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites A form built in SQLPage
    A form built in SQLPage //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites sqlpage editor demo
    sqlpage editor demo //
    2025-03-03
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites Bompard, a french luxury company, built their performance monitoring tool in SQLPage
    Bompard, a french luxury company, built their performance monitoring tool in SQLPage //
    2024-12-02
  • SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites A school headmaster built an app for his school, alone.
    A school headmaster built an app for his school, alone. //
    2024-12-02

Description

SQLPage is an open-source tool designed for building dynamic web applications quickly, directly from database queries. It focuses on simplicity, allowing data people to leverage SQL expertise to create database-driven web apps. It supports PostgreSQL, SQLite, MySQL, and SQL Server.


Strengths

  • SQL-Centric Development: Removes the many layers of complexity traditionally involved in building apps. No frontend or backend framework.
  • Full CRUD Support: Goes beyond dashboard tools by enabling dynamic user interactions like form submissions, updates, and deletions.
  • Extensibility: Offers customizable built-in components (tables, forms, charts, maps, etc.) that adapt to different visualization needs.
  • Lightweight and Efficient: Distributed as a single executable, SQLPage is built in Rust for performance and security.
  • Open Source: Completely free and highly customizable for unique project requirements.

Comparison with Alternatives

  • Vs. Retool/Appsmith: SQLPage offers deeper SQL integration and flexibility to build custom tools but currently lacks the drag-and-drop UI and integrations of No-Code tools.
  • Vs. Airtable/Knack: SQLPage supports more complex queries and dynamic interactions but requires a more technical skillset to set up and manage.
  • Vs. Traditional Frameworks (e.g., Django, Ruby on Rails): Faster setup and iteration for database-driven apps but less flexibility when advanced code-based workflows are deeply integrated into the UI.
  • Vs. BI Tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker): Adds interactivity and CRUD operations, but fewer advanced graph types.

SQLPage excels in scenarios where rapid development of data-driven web applications is needed, especially for custom tools, prototypes, or admin panels.

Grist features and specs

  • Customizability
    Grist offers flexible data models and allows users to customize data tables, formulas, and views to fit specific business needs.
  • Relational Database Capabilities
    Unlike traditional spreadsheets, Grist supports relational data models, which helps in managing complex data relationships effectively.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform has a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate, even those who are not technical experts.
  • Collaboration Tools
    Grist facilitates easy collaboration by allowing multiple users to work on the same dataset simultaneously, providing real-time updates.
  • Data Security
    Grist offers robust security features including encryption, access controls, and audit logs to ensure data is protected.

Possible disadvantages of Grist

  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, the advanced features of Grist may require some time for new users to learn and make the most of the platform.
  • Pricing
    For businesses needing more advanced features, the cost can be a consideration as it might be higher than simpler spreadsheet solutions.
  • Limited Pre-built Templates
    Compared to other platforms, Grist offers fewer pre-built templates, requiring users to build custom solutions from scratch more often.
  • Mobile Experience
    The mobile application is not as robust as the desktop version, which might limit its usefulness for users who prefer working on mobile devices.
  • Integration Options
    Grist has fewer native integrations with other software and services compared to some of its competitors, which might be a limitation for some users looking for seamless workflow automation.

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites features and specs

  • SQL Execution
    Short learning curve, easy to use, interoperable with existing tools.
  • Data Visualization
    Visualize your data not only as classical charts, but also as interactive maps, lists, data cards, forms and much more
  • Forms
    Quickly build forms to insert data into your database

Grist videos

Grist ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿผ If Airtable, Excel, and Google Sheets had a baby

More videos:

  • Demo - Grist Labs Overview Demo
  • Review - Brewery Review Tour (Grist House)

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites videos

SQLPage โ€” Building a full web application with nothing but Postgres and SQL queries

More videos:

  • Tutorial - SQLPage tutorial video series
  • Demo - Introduction to SQLPage

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Grist and SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites)
Spreadsheets
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Web Frameworks
0 0%
100% 100

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing Grist and SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites.

What makes your product unique?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

SQLPage enables creating web apps entirely with SQL, bypassing traditional web programming languages, while producing clean, functional web pages.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

  1. Simplified Development:

    • Unlike traditional web frameworks (e.g., Django, Flask, or Ruby on Rails), SQLPage eliminates the need for separate programming layers. Applications are built using SQL directly, reducing complexity and time-to-market.
    • Tools like Microsoft Access or Airtable focus on low-code development but often involve proprietary systems or limited web integration. SQLPage, being open-source, provides better customization and scalability.
  2. Direct Database Integration:

    • Compared to BI tools like Tableau or Power BI, which offer visualizations but lack direct data modification, SQLPage integrates with relational databases for both read and write operations.
    • SQLPage also offers support for multiple database types (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server) without relying on intermediate APIs or additional query tools.
  3. Full Web Application Support:

    • SQLPage supports dynamic components (forms, charts, etc.) and HTTP functionalities like authentication and JSON API creation, which many BI tools or visualization platforms lack.
    • Traditional CMS platforms like WordPress or Drupal offer dynamic content capabilities but require PHP, templates, and plugins. SQLPage achieves similar results with a simpler SQL-based model.
  4. Performance and Security:

    • Unlike server-side frameworks that often require substantial middleware (Node.js, Python servers), SQLPage is lightweight and Rust-based, delivering faster performance and secure-by-default implementations.
    • It also protects against common vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS) without requiring developers to manage these themselves, unlike in raw frameworks or traditional web servers.
  5. Cost-Effectiveness and Open Source:

    • SQLPage is free and open-source, offering significant advantages over proprietary platforms or tools that charge per user or usage (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable).

Best Use Case: SQLPage excels for users looking to quickly build interactive, data-driven web applications without investing in a complex tech stack or expensive proprietary platforms.

How would you describe your primary audience?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

Data scientists, analysts, and business intelligence teams who need to create data-driven applications without a deep expertise in web development or a lot of time to get from idea to production.

What's the story behind your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

SQLPage was designed to simplify the process of building web apps by leveraging SQL as the sole development language, reducing complexity and focusing on declarative, data-centric application design.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

Rust for the backend. actix-web for handling HTTP requests. Handlebars for rendering HTML templates. Tabler for clean UI components.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites's answer:

Eric Bompard, the Must-Have Cashmere Brand

User comments

Share your experience with using Grist and SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites should be more popular than Grist. It has been mentiond 20 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Grist mentions (9)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (March 2024)
    Grist Labs | Systems Engineer | Full-time | NYC OR REMOTE +/- 3hrs | https://getgrist.com We're looking for someone to make our modern spreadsheet software run everywhere. To apply, there's a puzzle. Just do:. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What are Airtable alternatives with higher rate limits?
    [Baserow], [APITable], [Grist], and [Rowy] are all open source Airtable alternatives which offer hosted SaaS versions that include API access, though it's a bit difficult to compare the API rate limits across all these products. Self-hosting an app like this would allow you to bypass API rate limits altogether, if you're open to it. All the above products can be self-hosted โ€” and you might want to look at [NocoDB]... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Retool Database
    There's also Grist (https://getgrist.com) - SQLite based with Excel-like formulae in Python. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Self-hosted platform for easy access to statistical data
    The only things I have found are Baserow which is basically the best one I've found so far, but it doesn't allow search between columns, importing columns from other tables and I can't restrict users from editing and perhaps corrupting the data. NocoDB doesn't import CSVs and seems to be buggy for some reason. Grist allows restriction for people but it does not have as good filters as Baserow and I can't save my... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Check out Grist, a modern and open spreadsheet-database
    Phenomenal capabilities exceed Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable. Allows app-like views on spreadsheet data, with drag-n-drop configuration. Supports Python-based formulas with familiar Excel functions. Access rules allow sharing a single row or any subset of data. Open-source, and can be self-hosted. https://getgrist.com. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites mentions (20)

  • The Demise of the Mildly Dynamic Website
    This article resonates with me. I do love "mildly dynamic websites", and have fond memories of my days hacking together PHP websites 15 years ago. And what I am working on today might be called a bridge for the "dynamicity gap". I'm making an open source server to write web apps entirely in SQL ( https://sql.ophir.dev/ ). It has the "one file per page" logic of PHP, and makes it easy to add bits of dynamic... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • SQLPage โ€“ Building a full web application with nothing but SQL queries [video]
    Saving a few clicks for readers: Project page: https://sql.ophir.dev/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Bruno
    I am currently looking for a solution to run automated tests on a sql website generator I am working on ( https://sql.ophir.dev ) I wanted to use hurl (https://hurl.dev/), but Bruno's UI seems to be useful while developing the tests... Has someone tried both ? Which is better for automated testing, including when the response type is html and not json? - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Apache Superset
    Full fledged BI tools like Superset and Metabase are amazing for their intended use cases. But they may be an overkill if your primary use case is to infrequently build semi-interactive reports for non-technical end-users and your use cases are are mostly covered by standard graphs & tables. Esp. So if you are familiar with SQL and have access to the underlying data source. Two nifty utilities I have found to be... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • PostgREST: Providing HTML Content Using Htmx
    I feel obligated to add a shameless plug here. The idea is very close to a project I presented at pgconf.eu last week: SQLPage https://sql.ophir.dev/ SQLPage has the same goal as postgrest+htmx, but is a little bit higher level. It let's you build your application using prepackaged components you can invoke directly from SQL, without having to write any HTML, CSS, or JS. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Grist and SQLPage - Build SQL-only websites, you can also consider the following products

Airtable - Airtable works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database to organize anything. Sign up for free.

htmx - high power tools for HTML

Coefficient.io - Automatically Sync Google Sheets with your Business Systems. No-code reporting and analysis tool.

Postgres.js - Postgres.js - The Fastest full featured PostgreSQL client for Node.js - porsager/postgres

Rows - The spreadsheet where teams work faster

Gio UI - Gio is an open source library for creating portable, immediate mode GUI programs for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS.