GKit SheetsAPI vs SheetDB - the free, open-source alternative
Comparing GKit SheetsAPI and SheetDB for turning Google Sheets into REST APIs. GKit is free while in beta, open source, and OAuth-based.
GKit SheetsAPI vs SheetDB at a glance
Both turn a Google Sheet into a REST API. The difference is cost, openness, and how auth works.
| GKit SheetsAPI | SheetDB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free in beta | Paid tiers |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No |
| Auth | Google OAuth | API connection |
| CRUD | Full | Full |
| CORS | Enabled | Enabled |
| Runs on | Cloudflare edge | Hosted SaaS |
| One account across tools | Yes (GKit) | No |
Why teams switch to GKit
SheetDB is a solid, mature product. GKit SheetsAPI differs in three ways that matter:
- It's free while in beta - no per-request pricing to plan around.
- It's open source - you can read exactly how your data is handled, or self-host.
- It's part of GKit - the same Google account powers every other GKit tool.
Migrating from SheetDB
Your sheet structure doesn't change - GKit reads the same first-row-as-headers convention. Point your client at the GKit endpoint and update your auth to Google OAuth. See the quickstart.
What developers say
When "SheetDB alternative" comes up on r/webdev and r/SideProject, the conversation usually lands on two things: cost at scale and whether the tool is open source. GKit SheetsAPI addresses both - free in beta, MIT licensed, and self-hostable on Cloudflare Workers if you want to stay free permanently.