Swiffle Grid vs WP DataTables, JetEngine, and Toolset
Last updated: June 2026
Quick answer
WP DataTables, JetEngine, and Toolset all display data inside WordPress. Swiffle Grid does that too, but adds two things none of the three offer: a live Google Sheets connection, and the ability to export the finished grid — including a working WooCommerce cart, wishlist, and sign-in — as an HTML snippet that runs on a site that isn’t built with WordPress.
Comparison table
| Feature | Swiffle Grid | WP DataTables | JetEngine | Toolset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote JSON / API as a source | Native | Via add-ons | Possible, complex setup | Not supported |
| Remote WooCommerce as a source | Yes | No | No | No |
| Live Google Sheets sync | Yes, automatic | No | No | No |
| Embed the grid outside WordPress | Yes, HTML snippet, no CORS | No | No | No |
| Remote cart, wishlist, sign-in | Yes (checkout stays on WordPress) | No | No | No |
| No database duplication for remote data | Yes | No | No | No |
| Unlimited grids on a page | Yes | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent |
Why these differences matter
Embedding outside WordPress
WP DataTables, JetEngine, and Toolset render their output through WordPress’s own template system, so the grid only exists inside a WordPress page. Swiffle Grid exports a self-contained HTML snippet instead, which is why it can run on Shopify, Webflow, Wix, or a static site with no WordPress installation behind it at all.
Live Google Sheets sync
None of the three alternatives connect to a Google Sheet as a live data source. Swiffle Grid fetches the sheet directly each time the grid loads, so an edit to a cell shows up without anyone touching WordPress, the plugin’s settings, or the page it’s embedded on.
Remote WooCommerce, with the shopping features included
WP DataTables, JetEngine, and Toolset can list WooCommerce products as a table, but none of them carry cart, wishlist, or sign-in functionality outside the WordPress theme they’re installed in. Swiffle Grid’s WooCommerce connector keeps those interactions working on the external site itself, with checkout handed back to WordPress only at the final step.
If your need is narrower than this
Swiffle Grid is built for people who already use WordPress and want this without writing code. If that’s not quite your situation, these are worth knowing about:
- You want a fully custom, code-built headless storefront (a bespoke React or Next.js frontend on top of WooCommerce): look at CoCart’s developer-first REST API. It requires building your own frontend, which costs more in development time, but gives full control over the result.
- You only need a live Google Sheets widget, and don’t otherwise use WordPress: dedicated tools such as Elfsight or SpreadSimple turn a sheet into an embeddable widget without requiring a WordPress site behind it.
Frequently asked questions
- Can WP DataTables export a grid to a non-WordPress site?
- No. WP DataTables renders inside WordPress’s own templating system, so its tables only display on WordPress-powered pages.
- Does JetEngine offer a live Google Sheets connector?
- No. JetEngine works with local WordPress content and custom fields; it doesn’t connect to Google Sheets as a source.
- Is Swiffle Grid a replacement for CoCart?
- Not exactly. CoCart is a developer-first REST API for building a fully custom headless WooCommerce frontend in code. Swiffle Grid is a no-code alternative for a narrower set of remote-commerce features — cart, wishlist, and sign-in on an external site — without writing a frontend from scratch.