Alternatives to Microsoft excel
No matter if you are a student, professional, or small business owner, there are plenty of spreadsheet software solutions out there that are powerful and free. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best free alternatives to Microsoft Excel that offer strong features, great user experience, and collaboration tools, minus the Microsoft price tag.
✔ Why Should You Search for an Excel Replacement?
Microsoft Excel is a behemoth but it also costs a lot of money. Many users buy Microsoft Office because they need basic or even advanced data visualization tools, project management spreadsheets, or real-time data functionality, but then they need to pay hundreds of dollars for their subscription. Fortunately there are plenty of effective and user friendly Excel alternatives that are free.
✨ 1. Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a top cloud-based spreadsheet tool with real-time collaboration. It’s available on any Internet-connected device, supports advanced formulas, charts and even scripts.
Key Benefits:
- Collaborating in real time with groups
- Integration with Google Workspace made seamless
- Easy sharing and commenting
- Automatic cloud sync (no manual saves required)
Best For: Remote teams, students, and anyone looking for an intuitive online Excel competitor.
📃 2. LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet component of the LibreOffice open-source office suite. It works offline and offers an experience that will feel familiar to Excel users.
Key Benefits:
- Open-source and free forever
- Advanced functions, pivot tables, and macros
- Customizable templates
- Desktop support (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Best For: People who want downloadable software and very strong offline capabilities.
📲 3. Zoho Sheet
Zoho Sheet is another good, simple collaborative spreadsheet that’s browser-based. It is both very functional yet has a clean UI.
Key Benefits:
- Real-time editing and sharing
- Built-in data cleaning tools
- Zia – AI-Powered Data Analysis
- Zoho Office Suite Integration
Best For: Business users and teams that want smart features and a clean design.
🌐 4. Spreadsheet Editor for OnlyOffice
Among the alternatives to Microsoft Office, OnlyOffice is a little-known gem that provides powerful spreadsheet capabilities in both desktop and cloud versions.
Principal Advantages:
- Cross-platform availability;
- Real-time collaboration support;
- Integrated chat and comments for teams;
- Compatibility with Excel file formats (.xlsx,.xls);
Ideal For: Groups that need Excel-like functionality along with extra tools for collaboration.
💼 5. Spreadsheets for WPS Office
Another great free option is WPS Spreadsheets, which is a component of the WPS Office suite. It has a nearly identical appearance to Microsoft Excel and supports sophisticated Excel functions.
Principal Advantages:
- High Excel file compatibility;
- a plethora of templates and integrated tools;
- cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS;
- cloud sync and sharing capabilities
Ideal For: Users switching from Excel who desire sophisticated tools and a recognizable interface.
🌍 Conclusion: What Should You Pick?
Every tool has advantages. Google Sheets and Zoho Sheets are excellent options for real-time data collaboration. LibreOffice Calc is the best option for anyone in need of a robust open-source office suite. For professionals and teams, OnlyOffice and WPS Spreadsheets provide a more Excel-like experience.
These Excel competitors give you all the tools you need to manage your project management spreadsheets, data visualization tasks, and more—without spending a dime, regardless of your preference for something powerful, lightweight, or collaborative.
Go ahead and look through these free Excel substitutes to see which one best suits your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are free Excel substitutes secure to use?
Indeed, millions of people around the world trust the majority of free spreadsheet programs, including Google Sheets, LibreOffice, and Zoho Sheet. To be safe, only download from authorized websites.
Can I use these tools to open and edit Excel files?
Of course! Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats (.xls,.xlsx) is provided by programs such as WPS Spreadsheets, OnlyOffice, and LibreOffice Calc.
Do these substitutes encourage teamwork?
Indeed. In particular, cloud-based spreadsheet applications that enable multiple users to edit at once, such as Google Sheets and Zoho Sheet, facilitate real-time data collaboration.
In terms of features, which free tool is most similar to Excel?
WPS Spreadsheets and Only Office are excellent choices for people looking for a familiar setting because they have features and interfaces that are very similar to Microsoft Excel.