The 15 Best Excel Alternatives
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By Daniel Doan
Excel is one of the world’s most popular spreadsheet programs, with an estimated 1.1 billion people using it for data organization, analysis, and reporting.
While it’s a commendable data system for teams within a business, it’s not free. A standalone copy of Excel costs $159.99, and a personal Office subscription is $69.99 per year for one user.
Microsoft Excel might be the big cheese of data analysis and management, but it’s not the only tool in town.
So, whether you’re looking for a free alternative, a cloud-based solution, or a tool with more advanced features, this article has something for you.
1. Google Sheets
- Price: Free for personal use and small teams; paid plans start at $6 a user per month for business teams.
- Best for: Teams already using Google Drive.
- What we like: This is the best, free Excel alternative that offers real-time collaboration.
Brought to you by the Google Drive suite of apps, Google Sheets is a top-tier choice for anyone looking for an Excel alternative.
This cloud-based spreadsheet app has many of the same features as Excel (charts, formulas, and real-time collaboration), making it the best free Excel alternative.
That said, if you don’t mind paying a fee, you can get more storage and advanced features with other tools on this list.
Pros
- Free to use
- Easy collaboration
- Cloud-based and accessible from anywhere
Cons
- Limited features compared to Excel
- Can be slower than desktop applications
- May have compatibility issues with Microsoft Office files
2. Airtable
- Price: Free for personal use and small teams; paid plans start at $12 a user per month for business teams.
- Best for: Teams that need a database solution.
- What we like: Airtable’s advanced features combine spreadsheet and database components.
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that combines spreadsheet and database features. It’s designed to be flexible and customizable and offers a variety of views, including grid, calendar, and Kanban.
Pros
- Combines spreadsheet and database features, offering a unique approach to data management
- Designed to be a collaborative solution for teams, including real-time collaboration and commenting features
- Offers a range of templates for different use cases, including project management and content planning
- Integrates with a range of other apps and platforms, including Slack and Zapier
- Offers a free version, as well as paid options for businesses that need more storage or advanced features
Cons
- Limited advanced features compared to other spreadsheet applications
- May not be suitable …read more
Source:: HubSpot Blog