Softwr

Databases · head to head

Grist vs PhpStorm

Grist logo

Grist

Databases

The evolution of spreadsheets

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit GristFull review
PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Free plan
No
Visit PhpStormFull review

The short version

  • Grist has a free plan, then $10/mo; PhpStorm starts at $24/mo.
  • Where Grist falls short: business plan has minimum 5-user requirement.
  • Where PhpStorm falls short: requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Grist and PhpStorm actually diverge.

Attributes where Grist and PhpStorm differ
AttributeGristPhpStorm
Starting priceFree$24/month
Pricing modelFreemiumSubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryDatabasesDeveloper Tools

Not yet recorded: founded for Grist.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Grist

Nothing recorded that PhpStorm does not also cover.

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Grist

  • Collaborative data and spreadsheet managementnot PhpStorm
  • Database creation and automationnot PhpStorm
  • Team data analysis and reportingnot PhpStorm

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot Grist
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot Grist
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot Grist
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot Grist

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Grist

  • Business plan has minimum 5-user requirement
  • Enterprise self-hosted pricing not disclosed publicly
  • Annual billing discount only 20%, lower than some competitors

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period

Pricing, plan by plan

Grist

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited documents
    • Up to 5,000 records per document
    • 30-day snapshot history
  • Pro$10/mo
    • Up to 100,000 records per document
    • 3-year snapshot history
    • 100+ AI credits monthly
  • Business$30/mo
    • 150,000 records per document
    • 5-year snapshot history
    • 2,000 AI credits monthly

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/mo
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/mo
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Grist if

  • You want to start without paying.
Grist review

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Questions people ask

Is Grist or PhpStorm better?
Neither clearly leads. Grist starts at Free and PhpStorm at $24/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Grist or PhpStorm?
Grist has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Grist and $24/month for PhpStorm.
Does Grist or PhpStorm run on more platforms?
Grist runs on Web. PhpStorm runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Grist for free?
Yes. Grist has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/month.
What is Grist best used for?
Grist is most often used for collaborative data and spreadsheet management, database creation and automation, team data analysis and reporting. Of those, collaborative data and spreadsheet management and database creation and automation are not what PhpStorm is typically brought in for.
What can Grist do that PhpStorm cannot?
PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Grist: Does Grist have a free version?

Yes. Grist Free includes unlimited documents with up to 5,000 records each, 30-day snapshot history, and 100 AI Assistant credits. No credit card required.

Source
PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
Grist: How much does Grist Pro cost?

Grist Pro is $10/user/month (billed monthly) or $8/user/month with annual billing. It includes up to 100,000 records per document and 3-year snapshot history.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
Grist: What does Grist's Business plan include?

Grist Business is $30/user/month ($24 annually) with a minimum of 5 users. It includes 150,000 records per document, 5-year snapshot history, 2,000 AI credits monthly, and automations with priority support.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
Grist: Do nonprofits get discounts on Grist?

Yes. Nonprofits receive a 50% discount on the Pro plan with Letter of Determination verification.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Grist

More on PhpStorm

Keep looking

Other head to heads