Top Excel Alternatives

Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet software tools used for data analysis, calculations, charting, and organizing data. It’s a powerful tool for businesses, finance, and academics due to its extensive features like pivot tables, advanced formulas, and chart creation. Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes other productivity tools such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

However, there are several alternatives to Excel that offer different features and benefits depending on user needs. These alternatives vary in terms of cost, ease of use, and advanced functionalities. Let’s take a look at the best Excel alternatives.

🔹 1. Google Sheets

🔧 What It Is

Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet application part of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). It allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets in real-time from anywhere with internet access.

✅ Pros

Free with a Google account.
Real-time collaboration with multiple users.
Easy sharing and access via Google Drive.
Works well for basic and intermediate tasks.
Good integration with other Google services like Google Docs, Google Forms, and Google Slides.

❌ Cons

Lacks some advanced features found in Excel, like Power Pivot and VBA macros.
Can be slower with large datasets.
Limited charting and visualization options compared to Excel.

🧠 Best For

Individuals or teams looking for an easy-to-use, cloud-based spreadsheet solution for collaboration and basic data tasks.

🔹 2. LibreOffice Calc

🔧 What It Is

LibreOffice Calc is part of the LibreOffice suite, an open-source office software package. It’s a free alternative to Excel and offers many similar features, including advanced functions, charts, and pivot tables.

✅ Pros

Completely free and open-source.
Supports Excel file formats (.xls, .xlsx).
Strong formula support and flexibility.
No internet required—can be used offline.
Works well for basic to intermediate spreadsheet tasks.

❌ Cons

The user interface is less polished than Excel.
Lacks some advanced features like Power BI integration and VBA scripting.
Occasional compatibility issues with complex Excel files.

🧠 Best For

Users who need a free, open-source spreadsheet solution that works offline and supports advanced features like pivot tables and data analysis.

🔹 3. Apple Numbers

🔧 What It Is

Apple Numbers is a spreadsheet application developed by Apple for macOS and iOS devices. It’s part of the iWorks suite and is known for its simple, user-friendly interface.

✅ Pros

Free for Apple users.
Simple and intuitive interface with templates.
Real-time collaboration through iCloud.
Integrated with other Apple apps like Pages and Keynote.
Good for creating visually appealing spreadsheets with charts and graphs.

❌ Cons

Lacks some of Excel’s advanced features, such as complex formulas and extensive data analysis tools.
Only available on Apple devices, limiting its accessibility for Windows or Android users.
Smaller user base, which can create compatibility issues.

🧠 Best For

Apple device users who want a user-friendly, visually appealing spreadsheet tool for everyday tasks, light data analysis, and basic calculations.

🔹 4. Zoho Sheet

🔧 What It Is

Zoho Sheet is a cloud-based spreadsheet application part of the Zoho Office Suite. It allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, similar to Google Sheets.

✅ Pros

Free to use with a Zoho account.
Real-time collaboration and sharing.
Advanced data cleaning tools and a variety of templates.
Integration with other Zoho apps like Zoho CRM, Zoho Analytics, and Zoho Docs.

❌ Cons

Less well-known than Google Sheets, so it might not be as widely adopted.
Lacks some advanced features of Excel like Power Pivot and VBA macros.
UI could be improved to be more intuitive.

🧠 Best For

Small businesses and teams looking for a cost-effective, collaborative alternative to Excel with integration into other Zoho business tools.

🔹 5. Smartsheet

🔧 What It Is

Smartsheet is a platform for work management that extends beyond traditional spreadsheets. It combines the power of Excel with features for project management, collaboration, and automation.

✅ Pros

Excellent for project management, task tracking, and team collaboration.
Includes Gantt charts, workflow automation, and resource management.
Integrates with popular platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Slack.
Real-time collaboration and sharing.

❌ Cons

Paid service, with no free version (though a free trial is available).
More complex than traditional spreadsheets, so may have a steeper learning curve.
May be overkill for basic spreadsheet tasks.

🧠 Best For

Businesses and teams who need advanced project management features along with spreadsheet capabilities.

🔹 6. Airtable

🔧 What It Is

Airtable is a flexible, cloud-based tool that combines the features of a spreadsheet with database capabilities. It allows users to organize data in a more visual and interactive way.

✅ Pros

Easy-to-use, intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
Allows for database-like features (such as linking records across tables).
Integrates with many other tools like Slack, Google Sheets, and Zapier.
Real-time collaboration with team members.

❌ Cons

Free plan is limited to basic features and 1,200 records per base.
Lacks the depth of advanced data analysis features like Excel’s Power Query or PivotTables.
Could be more complicated for users who only need simple spreadsheets.

🧠 Best For

Users who need a more visual and flexible tool than Excel for organizing and managing data, especially for small databases and project tracking.

🔹 7. WPS Office Spreadsheet

🔧 What It Is

WPS Office is a free office suite that includes a spreadsheet tool similar to Excel. It’s available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.

✅ Pros

Free version available with ads; premium version removes ads and unlocks additional features.
Supports Excel file formats and includes many of the same features as Excel.
Lightweight and fast.
Mobile versions are available.

❌ Cons

The free version includes ads, which can be intrusive.
Lacks some advanced features like VBA support and Power Pivot.
Compatibility with Excel files can be inconsistent.

🧠 Best For

Users looking for a free alternative to Excel with support for basic spreadsheet tasks and compatibility with Excel files.

🔹 8. OnlyOffice

🔧 What It Is

OnlyOffice is an office suite that provides spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation tools. It can be used both online and offline, with support for a wide range of file formats, including Excel.

✅ Pros

Free, open-source version available.
Supports collaboration and document editing with multiple users in real-time.
Integrates well with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
High compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats.

❌ Cons

Lacks some of the more advanced features of Excel, such as Power Pivot.
Interface is less polished compared to other tools like Google Sheets or Excel.
Cloud collaboration features are limited compared to Google Sheets.

🧠 Best For

Users looking for an open-source, cloud-based alternative to Excel that supports collaboration and integrates with popular file storage services.

📊 Comparison Table: Excel vs Alternatives

Platform	Focus Area	Key Strengths	Best For
Excel	Spreadsheet + Data Analysis	Advanced functions, PivotTables, charting	Power users, complex analysis
Google Sheets	Spreadsheet + Collaboration	Cloud-based, real-time collaboration	Teams needing cloud-based collaboration
LibreOffice Calc	Spreadsheet	Free, offline use, Excel compatibility	Users needing a free, open-source solution
Apple Numbers	Spreadsheet + Design	Simple, visually appealing, Apple integration	Apple users needing basic functionality
Zoho Sheet	Spreadsheet + Collaboration	Real-time collaboration, Zoho integration	Small businesses using Zoho tools
Smartsheet	Project Management + Spreadsheet	Project management, automation, Gantt charts	Teams needing advanced project management
Airtable	Database + Spreadsheet	Visual interface, database features, integrations	Users needing flexible, database-like functionality
WPS Office	Spreadsheet + Office Suite	Free version with basic features, Excel compatibility	Budget-conscious users needing a free option
OnlyOffice	Spreadsheet + Collaboration	Open-source, cloud integration, Office file compatibility	Users needing collaboration with Microsoft file support

✅ Final Thoughts on Excel Alternatives

Best for Cloud Collaboration: Google Sheets is the top choice for teams needing seamless real-time collaboration and cloud access.
Best for Project Management: Smartsheet and Airtable are ideal for teams needing project management features in addition to spreadsheet capabilities.
Best for Free Alternatives: LibreOffice Calc and WPS Office offer powerful features with no cost, making them excellent free alternatives for individuals and businesses.
Best for Apple Users: Apple Numbers is perfect for users who are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and need a simple tool for basic spreadsheet tasks.

Choosing the right tool will depend on your specific needs, whether it’s advanced analysis, cloud collaboration, or offline accessibility.