Grist vs HaloPSA: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Grist and HaloPSA to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
Grist
6.8/10
Grist is an open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, available as a cloud service or self-hosted, for teams building custom trackers and lightweight apps.
HaloPSA
7.1/10
HaloPSA is a professional services automation platform for managed service providers and IT service teams. It combines ticketing, projects, time tracking, billing and reporting.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Analytics | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Customization | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Scalability | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | $10/user/mo Pro | £66/user/mo Halo (single plan) |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Free | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Client collaboration | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Collaboration tools | Not listed | |
| Databases | Not listed | |
| File sharing | Not listed | |
| Knowledge base | Not listed | |
| Spreadsheet interface | Not listed | |
| Task lists | Not listed | |
| Task management | Not listed | |
| Time tracking | Not listed | |
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
Grist vs HaloPSA cost by team size
| Team size | Grist | HaloPSA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeFree | Contact for pricing |
| 5 users | FreeFree | Contact for pricing |
| 10 users | FreeFree | Contact for pricing |
| 25 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | Contact for pricing |
| 50 users | FreeSelf-hosted Community | Contact for pricing |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Grist
- Has a free plan (HaloPSA does not)
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (6/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for freelancers (6/10 vs 2/10)
- Better fit for startups (7/10 vs 4/10)
Why choose HaloPSA
- Higher Scalability score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for mid-market (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for it teams (9/10 vs 6/10)
Pros & Cons
Grist
Pros
- Python formulas and relational references give more modelling power than ordinary spreadsheets.
- The open-source core can be self-hosted for free, which is useful for privacy-sensitive organisations.
- The free tier allows unlimited documents and up to 10 members.
- Linked widgets (table, card, chart, calendar, form, custom) let teams build tailored project apps.
- Reviewers praise the responsive support team and active community.
Cons
- There are no built-in Kanban or Gantt views, so project workflows must be assembled by hand.
- Per-document record caps (5,000 on Free, 150,000 on Business) limit large datasets.
- The company has acknowledged performance concerns with large databases.
- Automations require the $30-per-user Business plan, which has a five-user minimum.
- Few public reviews exist, and no compliance certifications are listed.
HaloPSA
Pros
- One per-agent plan includes every module and the AI features, with no paid add-ons.
- Portal customers and end users are free, so client collaboration does not add licence cost.
- More than 250 integrations, including accounting and RMM tools, are included at no extra charge.
- Broad compliance coverage includes ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP and HIPAA, plus SSO and audit logs.
- Reviewers describe the browser interface as modern and fast.
Cons
- Reviewers say the configuration menus are convoluted, and a consultant is often needed to get the most out of it.
- A paid onboarding package is mandatory and its price is not published.
- The project features are oriented toward IT service delivery rather than complex professional services projects.
- Some users report slowness and weaker calendar, notification and stock-control features.
- Per-agent costs add up for larger teams.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
HaloPSA scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.1/10 against 6.8/10 for Grist. The largest gap is in Cost: 8/10 for Grist and 5/10 for HaloPSA.
Grist has a free plan; HaloPSA does not list one.
Grist is the better fit for freelancers: we rate it 6/10 for them, against 2/10 for HaloPSA.
