Microsoft Excel creates spreadsheets for calculations, charts, planning and data analysis. Free browser access and licensed desktop applications cover different workbook and automation needs. Learn more about Microsoft Excel
Who should take a closer look?
People maintaining Excel workbooks and teams that need to assess desktop automation alongside shared browser editing.
Capabilities to explore
✓Spreadsheet formulas, tables and charts
✓Shared online workbook editing
✓Desktop workbook automation with VBA under an appropriate licence
Free plan availableExcel for the web is free with a Microsoft account. Desktop Excel requires an appropriate licence; a subscription trial is separate.
Google Sheets is a browser-based spreadsheet application for shared calculations, trackers and charts. It supports simultaneous editing and working with Excel spreadsheets. Learn more about Google Sheets
Who should take a closer look?
Teams maintaining shared trackers and models through Google accounts, with clear ownership and spreadsheet compatibility requirements.
Capabilities to explore
✓Real-time spreadsheet collaboration and comments
✓Formulas, charts and revision history
✓Direct Excel file editing or conversion to Sheets
Free plan availableAnyone with a Google Account can create spreadsheets in Sheets. Paid Workspace capabilities and trials have separate terms.
Apple Numbers creates spreadsheets with tables, formulas, charts and visual layouts on Apple devices. It can export spreadsheet copies to Excel and other formats. Learn more about Apple Numbers
Who should take a closer look?
Apple-device users building visual spreadsheets and planning a deliberate Excel or PDF handover for other recipients.
Capabilities to explore
✓Multiple tables and charts within spreadsheet layouts
✓Formulas and pivot tables
✓Excel, PDF and delimited-text export on Mac
Free plan availableCore Numbers creation, editing and collaboration are free. Optional Apple Creator Studio content and intelligent features require a separate subscription.
LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet application in the free, open-source LibreOffice desktop suite. It provides formulas, scenarios and charts, and can open and save Excel files. Learn more about LibreOffice Calc
Who should take a closer look?
People needing a no-cost installed spreadsheet editor and teams prepared to validate existing Excel workbooks before migration.
Capabilities to explore
✓Spreadsheet functions and a formula wizard
✓What-if scenarios and automatically updated charts
✓OpenDocument and Excel spreadsheet file handling
Free desktop softwareCalc is included in the free LibreOffice community desktop download. Professional support and enterprise partner products are separate.
No tools match those filters. Try a different name or remove the free-plan filter.
Compare spreadsheet options
Read the buying decisions, plan boundaries and evidence behind a shortlist.
Start with the workbook and the people who maintain it. A free browser editor, a licensed desktop application and a community office suite have different capabilities and operating arrangements. Confirm the exact edition and automation requirements before moving a working model.
Questions to ask before you buy
Does the workbook depend on macros, data connections or particular functions?
Will people edit simultaneously online or use an installed application offline?
Which formulas, charts and outputs must survive an Excel-file handover?
Put your shortlist to the test
Use a non-sensitive workbook with representative formulas, a chart, validation and any required automation. Recalculate it, export it and reopen it in the receiving application. Compare totals and error messages; opening a file alone does not establish compatibility.
