Excel is among the world’s hottest spreadsheet applications, with an estimated 1.1 billion folks utilizing it for information group, evaluation, and reporting.
Whereas it’s a commendable information system for groups inside a enterprise, it’s not free. A standalone copy of Excel prices $159.99, and a private Workplace subscription is $69.99 per yr for one consumer.
Microsoft Excel is perhaps the massive cheese of information evaluation and administration, but it surely’s not the one device on the town.
So, whether or not you’re searching for a free various, a cloud-based resolution, or a device with extra superior options, this text has one thing for you.
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The High 15 Finest Excel Options
- Google Sheets
- Airtable
- Zoho Sheets
- Smartsheet
- WPS Workplace
- LibreOffice Calc
- Numbers (Apple)
- Tableau
- Quip
- Calc (Apache OpenOffice)
- Gnumeric
- EtherCalc
- OnlyOffice
- ClickUp
- Hancom Workplace
1. Google Sheets
- Value: Free for private use and small groups; paid plans begin at $6 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Groups already utilizing Google Drive.
- What we like: That is one of the best, free Excel various that gives real-time collaboration.
Delivered to you by the Google Drive suite of apps, Google Sheets is a top-tier selection for anybody searching for an Excel various.
This cloud-based spreadsheet app has most of the similar options as Excel (charts, formulation, and real-time collaboration), making it one of the best free Excel various.
That stated, for those who don’t thoughts paying a payment, you will get extra storage and superior options with different instruments on this checklist.
Execs
- Free to make use of
- Straightforward collaboration
- Cloud-based and accessible from anyplace
Cons
- Restricted options in comparison with Excel
- Will be slower than desktop functions
- Could are compatible points with Microsoft Workplace information
2. Airtable
- Value: Free for private use and small groups; paid plans begin at $12 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Groups that want a database resolution.
- What we like: Airtable’s superior options mix spreadsheet and database elements.
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that mixes spreadsheet and database options. It is designed to be versatile and customizable and affords quite a lot of views, together with grid, calendar, and Kanban.
Execs
- Combines spreadsheet and database options, providing a novel strategy to information administration
- Designed to be a collaborative resolution for groups, together with real-time collaboration and commenting options
- Gives a spread of templates for various use circumstances, together with mission administration and content material planning
- Integrates with a spread of different apps and platforms, together with Slack and Zapier
- Gives a free model, in addition to paid choices for companies that want extra storage or superior options
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different spreadsheet functions
- Might not be appropriate for giant datasets or advanced information evaluation
- Customization choices could also be restricted for some customers
3. Zoho Sheet
- Value: Free for private use and small groups; paid plans begin at $5 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Companies that want a whole enterprise resolution.
- What we like: Zoho Sheets cut back the time spent fascinated about model management or initiatives requiring a number of folks. Because it’s cloud-based, different crew members can see the doc in actual time.
Zoho Sheet is a cloud-based spreadsheet utility that is a part of the Zoho suite of apps. It affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation, and in addition integrates with different Zoho apps, reminiscent of Zoho CRM and Zoho Tasks.
Execs
- Gives a spread of spreadsheet options, together with charts and formulation
- Helps Microsoft Workplace information
- Integrates with different Zoho apps, together with Zoho CRM and Zoho Tasks
- Gives a free model, in addition to paid choices for companies that want extra storage or superior options
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different spreadsheet functions
- Not as well-known as another options, so assist choices could also be restricted
4. Smartsheet
- Value: Gives a free trial, however paid plans begin at $14 a consumer per thirty days. It’s $25 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Groups that want a mission administration resolution.
- What we like: Smartsheet is your one-stop store for planning, monitoring, automating, and reporting on all of your initiatives. You may hold everybody within the loop in order that nothing falls not on time.
Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform that is designed for mission administration. It affords quite a lot of options, together with Gantt charts, useful resource administration, and collaboration instruments.
It additionally integrates with different apps, together with Microsoft Workplace and Google Drive. Smartsheet affords a free trial and paid choices for companies that want extra storage or superior options.
Execs
- Combines spreadsheet and mission administration options, providing a novel strategy to job and mission administration
- Gives a spread of templates for various use circumstances, together with mission monitoring and finances planning
- Integrates with a spread of different apps and platforms, together with Salesforce and Jira
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different spreadsheet functions
- Might not be appropriate for advanced information evaluation or monetary modeling
- Customization choices could also be restricted for some customers
5. WPS Workplace
- Value: Free for private use and small groups, paid plans begin at $29.99 a yr for premium options.
- Finest for: People and companies who want a full-featured workplace suite.
- What we like: WPS is the bomb for those who want an all-in-one software program in your workplace duties. The options are simple and user-friendly, so you do not must be a tech guru to determine it out.
WPS Workplace is a set of workplace functions that features a phrase processor, presentation software program, and spreadsheet utility. It affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation, and in addition helps Microsoft Workplace information.
Execs
- Gives a full suite of workplace productiveness instruments, together with spreadsheet, doc enhancing, and presentation software program
- Helps a variety of file codecs, together with Microsoft Workplace information
- Integrates with different WPS apps, together with WPS PDF and WPS Cloud
Cons
- Could are compatible points with Microsoft Workplace information
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different spreadsheet functions
- Not as well-known as another options, so assist choices could also be restricted
6. LibreOffice Calc
- Value: Free and open-source.
- Finest for: People and companies who want a full-featured spreadsheet utility at no cost.
- What we like: With LibreOffice, your papers will look slick and arranged, it doesn’t matter what they’re for. The key is in LibreOffice’s highly effective styling system and structuring instruments. These options do all of the heavy lifting in an effort to focus in your content material.
LibreOffice Calc is a free and open-source spreadsheet utility a part of the LibreOffice suite of apps. It affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation, and in addition helps Microsoft Workplace information.
LibreOffice Calc is extremely customizable and affords quite a lot of extensions.
Execs
- Free and open-source
- Contains superior options
- Helps Microsoft Workplace information
Cons
- Not as user-friendly as different options
- Restricted assist choices
7. Numbers (Apple)
Value: Free for Mac/iOS customers.
Finest for: People and companies that use Apple merchandise.
What we like: Nice for Apple customers, this device makes crunching numbers and getting into information simple. As a result of it is a part of the Apple ecosystem, you get top-notch safety to maintain all of your delicate data secure and sound.
Numbers is a spreadsheet utility that is a part of the Apple iWork suite of apps. It is designed particularly for Apple customers and affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation.
Numbers additionally integrates with different Apple apps, together with Keynote and Pages.
Execs
- Free to make use of for Apple customers
- Integrates with different Apple apps
- Person-friendly interface
Cons
- Restricted collaboration options
- Restricted superior options in comparison with Excel
- Solely out there on Apple units
8. Tableau
- Value: Gives a free trial; paid plans begin at $12 a consumer per thirty days for people and $70 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Companies that want superior information visualization instruments.
- What we like: Nice for information visualization, Tableau is an actual champ on the subject of crunching your information shortly. It hooks up on to your Excel spreadsheets, so you do not have to ditch them. Plus, with Tableau, you get candy visualizations which can be simple on the eyes.
Tableau is a knowledge visualization device that permits customers to create interactive dashboards, stories, and charts. It affords superior options for information evaluation, together with information mixing and mapping.
Tableau is a good selection for companies that want to visualise advanced information meaningfully.
Execs
- Nice for information visualization
- Gives superior options for information evaluation
- Gives a free trial
Cons
- Costly for paid choices
- Steep studying curve for superior options
- Requires some data of information evaluation
9. Quip
- Value: Free for private use; paid plans begin at $10 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Groups that want a collaborative resolution that integrates communication instruments.
- What we like: Quip combines spreadsheet and communication options. This device is a game-changer when taking notes, enhancing paperwork, and organizing job lists along with your crew and colleagues. It makes you a professional in any respect these duties very quickly!
Quip is a cloud-based platform that mixes spreadsheet and communication options. It is designed as a crew resolution with real-time collaboration and chat options. Quip additionally integrates with different apps, together with Salesforce and Slack.
Execs
- Combines spreadsheet and communication options
- Actual-time collaboration and chat options
- Integrates with different apps
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different options
- Restricted formatting choices
- Restricted customization choices
10. Calc (Apache OpenOffice)
- Value: Free and open-source.
- Finest for: People and companies who want a full-featured spreadsheet utility at no cost.
- What we like: Open-source and customizable, Calc boasts the aptitude to effortlessly open and save spreadsheets within the Microsoft Excel file format. The software program affords many options that outclass Excel, reminiscent of a system that mechanically creates a sequence for graphing primarily based on the consumer’s information structure.
Calc is a free and open-source spreadsheet utility that is a part of the Apache OpenOffice suite of apps.
It affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation, and in addition helps Microsoft Workplace information. Calc is extremely customizable and affords quite a lot of extensions.
Execs
- Free and open-source
- Contains superior options
- Helps Microsoft Workplace information
Cons
- Could are compatible points with Microsoft Workplace information
- Not as user-friendly as different options
- Restricted assist choices
11. Gnumeric
- Value: Free and open-source.
- Finest for: People who want a light-weight and free spreadsheet utility.
- What we like: Gnumeric is the last word device for retaining observe of data in lists, organizing numeric values in columns and rows, and executing advanced calculations simply. Its distinctive characteristic set allows you to outline every calculation step and modify particular steps later, providing you with full management over your work.
Gnumeric is a free and open-source spreadsheet utility designed to be light-weight and quick.
It affords most of the similar options as Excel, together with charts and formulation, and in addition helps Microsoft Workplace information. Gnumeric is a good selection for people who want a easy and free spreadsheet utility.
Execs
- Free and open-source
- Light-weight and quick
- Helps Microsoft Workplace information
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with Excel
- Restricted assist choices
12. EtherCalc
- Value: Free and open-source.
- Finest for: People and companies who want a easy cloud-based spreadsheet utility.
- What we like: Cloud-based and open-source, Ethercalc is a flexible device for small to mid-sized companies in finance and healthcare. It has real-time information pulled from third-party apps and may work with CSV, Microsoft Excel, and JSON information.
EtherCalc is a cloud-based and open-source spreadsheet utility designed to be easy and light-weight. It affords primary options for creating and enhancing spreadsheets and permits real-time collaboration.
Execs
- Cloud-based and open-source
- Easy and light-weight
- Actual-time collaboration options
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different options
- Restricted formatting choices
- Restricted customization choices
13. OnlyOffice
- Value: Free for private use and small groups; paid plans begin at $5 a consumer per thirty days for enterprise groups.
- Finest for: Companies that want a full-featured workplace suite.
- What we like: OnlyOffice affords a full suite of workplace functions. It’s a free, open-source system that mixes doc, mission, buyer relationship, and e-mail administration in a single place.
OnlyOffice is designed to be a whole enterprise resolution, providing a spread of options for crew collaboration, together with doc sharing, real-time collaboration, and model management.
It additionally integrates with a spread of different apps and platforms, together with Nextcloud and ownCloud.
Execs
- Full suite of enterprise instruments, together with spreadsheet, doc enhancing, and presentation software program
- Gives superior collaboration options, together with real-time collaboration, doc sharing, and model management
- Integrates with a spread of different apps and platforms, together with Nextcloud and ownCloud
Cons
- Restricted superior options in comparison with different spreadsheet functions
- Not as well-known as another options, so assist choices could also be restricted
14. ClickUp
- Value: Free; paid plans begin at $5 a consumer per thirty days.
- Finest for: People or groups who desire a one-stop-shop for all their productiveness wants.
- What we like: Since your Desk is immediately related to your workflow in ClickUp, all your progress, updates, and job statuses are mechanically mirrored as you go. You may even pull real-time reporting for a high-level overview of your work anytime.
ClickUp is an all-in-one productiveness device that particular person customers and groups depend on to handle and manage their initiatives in a single place.
It affords lots of of customizable options and over 15 distinctive methods to visualise your work, together with a Desk view.
Like Excel, Desk view allows you to handle, edit, and manage your duties into clear columns and rows. Not like Excel, you additionally acquire the advantages of a robust mission administration software program to maneuver your work alongside.
You too can collaborate in actual time with crew members.
Execs
- Nice for information visualization
- An all-in-one productiveness device so you’ll be able to handle and manage your initiatives in a single place
- Your entire progress, updates, and job statuses are mechanically mirrored as you go
Cons
- Will be advanced and complicated for customers
- Cellular app is proscribed
15. Hancom Workplace
- Value: Begins at $59 a consumer.
- What we like: Hancom Workplace affords 4 main options, that are appropriate with workplace applications: Phrase, Cell, Present, and PDF.
- Finest for: Groups who desire a full suite of instruments and real-time collaboration with one another.
Hancom affords 4 main options, that are appropriate with workplace applications: Phrase, Cell, PDF, and Present.
The Excel various, Cell, allows you to create spreadsheets and displays and gives 1 GB of free on-line storage, and like Google Sheets, you’ll be able to collaborate with colleagues on Hancom Workplace paperwork.
Most notably, Hancom means that you can edit and think about your paperwork in your cellular machine, if you wish to change your spreadsheet away out of your pc. Hancom doesn’t require any Workplace set up.
Execs
- Full suite of productiveness instruments
- Actual-time collaboration options
- Cellular app means that you can work from anyplace
Cons
- Costly for paid choices
- Not many tutorials can be found, so the educational curve could also be steep
One thing For Everybody
Whereas Microsoft Excel stays probably the most broadly used spreadsheet software program, loads of wonderful options can be found for customers searching for a extra specialised or streamlined strategy to information administration.
Whether or not you want a collaborative resolution for crew initiatives, a extra complete suite of enterprise instruments, or a easy however efficient spreadsheet editor, there’s another on the market that may meet your wants.
By contemplating the options and downsides of every possibility, you’ll be able to select one of the best Excel various in your particular person necessities and work extra effectively and successfully along with your information.
