7 Best Excel Alternatives in 2025: Free, Cloud, and Business Options Compared
The best Excel alternatives in 2025 cover a wide range of use cases, from free cloud tools for student teams to enterprise-grade platforms built for security and scale. While Microsoft Excel remains the most capable spreadsheet application available, it is not always the right fit. Cost, collaboration requirements, operating system, and the type of analysis you do all influence which tool actually works best for your situation.
This guide covers seven alternatives in depth, with accurate pricing, honest limitations, and a clear recommendation for each type of user.
Before You Switch: Consider Excel for the Web
One option worth knowing before looking elsewhere is Excel for the Web, Microsoft's free browser-based version of Excel. It supports real-time collaboration, works on any device, and handles most everyday spreadsheet tasks. If your main reason for looking at alternatives is cost or collaboration, this may solve your problem without switching tools at all.
If Excel for the Web is not enough for your needs, read on.
Quick Comparison: Best Excel Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool | Best For | Cloud | Free Tier | Starting Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sheets | Teams and remote collaboration | Yes | Yes | $6/user/month (Workspace) |
| LibreOffice Calc | Offline, open-source users | No | Yes (fully free) | Free |
| Apple Numbers | macOS and iOS users | Yes (iCloud) | Yes (Apple users) | Free |
| WPS Office | Budget-conscious Windows users | Partial | Yes (with ads) | ~$35.99/year |
| Zoho Sheet | Businesses in the Zoho ecosystem | Yes | Yes (limited) | $3/user/month |
| OnlyOffice | Enterprises needing secure installs | Yes and self-hosted | Community edition | $6/user/month |
| Gnumeric | Linux users doing statistical work | No | Yes (fully free) | Free |
Why Look for an Excel Alternative?
The most common reasons people switch away from Excel include:
Cost: Microsoft 365 Personal starts at $6.99/month and Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $12.50/user/month. For individuals, students, or small teams, that adds up.
Collaboration: Excel's co-authoring through OneDrive works well, but some teams find fully cloud-native tools like Google Sheets feel faster and more seamless for real-time work.
Platform: Excel on Mac and Excel on Windows are not feature-identical. Some users on macOS, Linux, or Chromebooks prefer native or browser-based alternatives.
Specialisation: Excel is a general-purpose tool. Some alternatives are better suited to specific tasks like statistical analysis, visual reporting, or database-style records.
The 7 Best Excel Alternatives Reviewed
1. Google Sheets: Best Free Cloud-Based Alternative
Google Sheets is the most widely used Excel alternative and the default choice for teams that need real-time collaboration without any software to install or licence to purchase.
What it does well:
- Real-time co-editing with commenting, suggestions, and version history
- Automatic saving to Google Drive with no local file management needed
- A large library of add-ons for automation, data connectors, and reporting
- Works in any browser on any operating system
- Free for individuals with a Google account
Where it falls short:
- Advanced financial and engineering functions available in Excel are absent or behave differently
- Very large datasets (hundreds of thousands of rows with complex formulas) can slow down noticeably
- Offline mode is functional but limited compared to a native desktop app
Pricing:
- Free for individuals via Google Sheets
- Google Workspace Business Starter: $6/user/month (adds admin controls, more storage, and business email)
Best for: Students, small teams, educators, remote workers, and startups that prioritise collaboration over advanced formula depth.
2. LibreOffice Calc: Best Open-Source Alternative
LibreOffice Calc is a full-featured, completely free desktop spreadsheet application that handles the vast majority of what Excel can do, including complex formulas, pivot tables, macros, and chart creation.
What it does well:
- Strong compatibility with Excel file formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv)
- Comprehensive formula library including advanced statistical and financial functions
- Runs entirely offline with no account or subscription required
- Open-source with an active development community
Where it falls short:
- The interface is functional but dated compared to modern alternatives
- Real-time collaboration requires Collabora Online, which is a separate product requiring its own setup
- Some complex Excel macros written in VBA do not transfer without modification
Pricing: Completely free. Available at libreoffice.org.
Best for: Users who need a capable offline alternative to Excel at zero cost, particularly on Windows or Linux.
3. Apple Numbers: Best Alternative for macOS and iOS Users
Numbers is Apple's built-in spreadsheet application, and it approaches data differently from Excel. Instead of a rigid grid filling the whole screen, Numbers uses freeform canvas layouts that make it easier to build visually polished documents mixing tables, charts, images, and text.
What it does well:
- Free for all macOS and iOS users
- Beautiful templates designed for reports, budgets, and dashboards
- Seamless iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad
- Real-time collaboration via iCloud with shared links
- Simple, clean interface with a low learning curve
Where it falls short:
- Not well-suited for complex financial modelling or large datasets
- Limited support for advanced macros (no VBA)
- Collaboration with non-Apple users requires exporting to Excel format, which can introduce formatting issues
- Windows users have no native Numbers application
Pricing: Free for all Apple device users via the Apple Numbers page.
Best for: Mac and iPad users who prioritise a clean, visual approach to spreadsheets and work primarily within the Apple ecosystem.
4. WPS Office Spreadsheets: Best Budget Alternative for Windows Users
WPS Office is a Microsoft Office-compatible productivity suite with a ribbon interface and feature set that closely mirrors Excel. It is a practical option for users who want a familiar experience at a lower cost.
What it does well:
- High compatibility with Excel file formats
- Familiar ribbon interface that requires minimal adjustment from Excel users
- Tabbed interface for managing multiple spreadsheets in one window
- WPS Cloud provides basic cloud storage and sync (partial cloud support)
- Advanced formula support and data visualisation tools
Where it falls short:
- The free version displays ads, which some users find intrusive
- Some advanced Excel features and data analysis tools are absent
- Privacy considerations apply given that WPS Office is developed by a Chinese company (Kingsoft); enterprise users should review the privacy policy before adopting
Pricing:
- Free tier available with ads at wps.com
- WPS Office Premium: approximately $35.99/year (removes ads, adds extra features)
Best for: Budget-conscious Windows users who want an Excel-like experience without a Microsoft subscription.
5. Zoho Sheet: Best Alternative for Business Teams Using Zoho
Zoho Sheet is the spreadsheet component of Zoho's broader productivity and business suite. It is built for cloud-based work and integrates directly with other Zoho products including CRM, Projects, and Analytics.
What it does well:
- AI-powered data analysis and formula suggestions
- Real-time collaboration with granular sharing permissions
- Native integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Analytics, and the wider Zoho ecosystem
- Supports import and export in Excel formats
- Data validation, conditional formatting, and pivot tables
Where it falls short:
- Most valuable when you are already using other Zoho products; less compelling as a standalone tool
- The free tier limits cloud storage
- Interface takes more adjustment for users coming from Excel than Google Sheets does
Pricing:
- Free tier available via zoho.com/sheet
- Zoho Workplace (includes Zoho Sheet plus other apps): from $3/user/month
Best for: Teams already using or considering the Zoho business suite who want their spreadsheet tool natively connected to CRM and project management.
6. OnlyOffice: Best Alternative for Enterprises Needing Data Control
OnlyOffice is an open-source office suite that offers strong Microsoft Office format compatibility alongside enterprise-focused security features. Its defining advantage is the option to self-host, giving organisations full control over where their data lives.
What it does well:
- High-fidelity compatibility with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint formats
- Self-hosted deployment keeps sensitive data entirely within your own infrastructure
- Advanced encryption and access control for regulated industries
- Available as both a cloud service and an on-premises installation
- Supports collaborative editing and document management
Where it falls short:
- Self-hosted setup requires technical knowledge and infrastructure to maintain
- Smaller user community compared to Excel or Google Sheets
- Feature depth in the spreadsheet module is not quite at Excel's level for highly specialised functions
Pricing:
- Community Edition: free self-hosted at onlyoffice.com
- OnlyOffice DocSpace Cloud: from approximately $6/user/month
Best for: Businesses and enterprises in regulated industries (legal, healthcare, finance, government) that need Microsoft Office compatibility and cannot use third-party cloud storage.
7. Gnumeric: Best Lightweight Option for Linux Statistical Analysis
Gnumeric is a lightweight, open-source spreadsheet application originally developed for the GNOME desktop environment on Linux. It is not intended as a general Excel replacement but excels at fast, accurate statistical and mathematical analysis on modest hardware.
Important caveat: Gnumeric is primarily a Linux application. The Windows port exists but is outdated and no longer actively maintained. If you are on Windows or macOS, this is not a practical everyday recommendation. Last major release was in 2020.
What it does well:
- Minimal system resource usage, making it fast even on older hardware
- Strong suite of statistical, mathematical, and engineering functions
- Free and open-source with no ads or licensing
- Good accuracy for numerical computation
Where it falls short:
- No collaboration features
- Interface has not been modernised in many years
- Active development is limited and the project moves slowly
- Windows support is no longer maintained
Pricing: Free at gnumeric.org.
Best for: Linux users who need a reliable, lightweight tool for statistical or scientific data work and do not require collaboration or cloud features.
Pricing Comparison at a Glance
| Tool | Free Option | Paid Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Excel for the Web | Free (browser) | Microsoft 365 from $6.99/month |
| Google Sheets | Free (personal) | Workspace from $6/user/month |
| LibreOffice Calc | Fully free | N/A |
| Apple Numbers | Free (Apple users) | N/A |
| WPS Office | Free with ads | ~$35.99/year |
| Zoho Sheet | Free (limited storage) | Workplace from $3/user/month |
| OnlyOffice | Community edition (self-hosted) | Cloud from ~$6/user/month |
| Gnumeric | Fully free | N/A |
How to Choose the Right Excel Alternative
Choose Google Sheets if your priority is free real-time collaboration and you work across a team that does not need deep financial or engineering formulas.
Choose LibreOffice Calc if you need a full-featured offline spreadsheet at no cost and are comfortable without collaboration tools.
Choose Apple Numbers if you are on Mac or iPad and want a free, polished tool for reports and visual documents rather than heavy data work.
Choose WPS Office if you are a Windows user who wants an Excel-like interface and cannot justify a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Choose Zoho Sheet if your business already uses Zoho CRM or other Zoho tools and you want everything connected in one suite.
Choose OnlyOffice if your organisation needs on-premise deployment and tight control over data sovereignty.
Choose Gnumeric if you are on Linux and need a lightweight, statistically accurate tool without cloud features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest free alternative to Excel?
LibreOffice Calc is the closest in terms of feature depth and formula compatibility. Google Sheets is the closest for cloud-based collaboration. Excel for the Web is also worth considering if you already have a Microsoft account, since it is free in a browser.
Is Google Sheets good enough to replace Excel?
For most everyday users, yes. Google Sheets handles common spreadsheet tasks very well. It falls short for highly complex financial models, large datasets with intensive calculations, and workflows that depend on Excel-specific VBA macros.
Can LibreOffice open Excel files?
Yes. LibreOffice Calc opens and saves .xlsx and .xls files reliably. Some complex formatting, macros, and advanced Excel features may not translate perfectly, but compatibility for most standard workbooks is solid.
Is WPS Office safe to use?
WPS Office is developed by Kingsoft, a Chinese company. It is widely used and functional, but organisations with strict data governance or operating in sensitive industries should review WPS's privacy policy and data handling practices before deploying it at scale.
Do any Excel alternatives support macros?
LibreOffice Calc supports macros written in Basic (its own scripting language). VBA macros from Excel may require modification to run. Google Sheets supports Google Apps Script (JavaScript-based) for automation. WPS Office has partial VBA support.
Is there a free version of Microsoft Excel?
Yes. Excel for the Web is free and runs in any browser. It covers most common spreadsheet tasks but lacks some advanced features available in the desktop application.
Final Verdict
| You are... | Best choice |
|---|---|
| A student or remote team needing free collaboration | Google Sheets |
| A user wanting a full offline Excel replacement at no cost | LibreOffice Calc |
| A Mac or iPad user building visual reports | Apple Numbers |
| A Windows user avoiding a Microsoft subscription | WPS Office |
| A business team using the Zoho suite | Zoho Sheet |
| An enterprise needing on-premise data control | OnlyOffice |
| A Linux user needing lightweight statistical tools | Gnumeric |
| Someone who just wants Excel without paying full price | Excel for the Web (free) |
No single tool beats Excel in every area, but none of these alternatives tries to. Each one is built for a specific type of user with specific priorities. Match the tool to your actual workflow rather than the one with the longest feature list, and you will be better served.
For official downloads and feature details, visit each tool's official site linked throughout this guide.