Best Excel Alternatives in 2024

Excel has been a staple for data analysis, budgeting, and planning. However, as businesses evolve and data needs become more complex, many are seeking the best Excel alternatives to meet their growing demands. These alternatives to Excel offer advanced features, such as real-time collaboration, better scalability, and enhanced data visualization tools.

Here, we will explore the top Excel alternatives that are making waves in the market for spreadsheet software.

Spreadsheet software is a type of computer program that assists you in creating, modifying, analyzing, and sharing spreadsheets.

A spreadsheet is like a super tool that can do almost anything you need. It helps you create budgets, track goals, store lots of information, analyze data, and make smart decisions.

Imagine a tool that combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power to organize and share information like a database. It helps you manage projects, brainstorm ideas, and work together smoothly with your team. Get ready to bring your creativity to life and collaborate effortlessly with Airtable’s user-friendly features.

Features:

• Flexible data organization with customizable tables and fields.
• Customizable workflows to suit specific project needs.

Pros:

• Customizable Workflows: Tailor workflows to specific needs and tasks.
• Mobile Accessibility: Use Airtable on mobile devices for productivity on the go.

Cons:

• Some advanced features and integrations require a paid subscription
• Advanced analytics capabilities are somewhat limited compared to specialized tools.

Go to Airtable Official Website: https://www.airtable.com/

Discover the efficiency and creativity of WPS Office Spreadsheets—a user-friendly tool that simplifies data management and analysis. Unleash your potential to make informed decisions and visualize insights effortlessly.

Features:

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-use interface suitable for all users.
• Comprehensive Spreadsheet Tools: Includes formulas, functions, charts, and pivot tables.

Pros:

• Real-time Collaboration: Supports simultaneous editing for teamwork.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features
• Compatibility Issues with Complex Excel Files

Go to WPS Official Website: https://www.wps.com/office/spreadsheet/

Quip Spreadsheets is more than just numbers—it’s a tool that helps teams work together on data. Imagine editing a spreadsheet while chatting with your team in real-time! Quip makes it easy to collaborate and get things done faster.

Features:

• Version history and restore: Automatically saves versions of spreadsheets for easy rollback.
• Task management: Assign tasks and set deadlines within spreadsheets.

Pros:

• Document sharing and permissions
• Offline mode

Cons:

• Cost for advanced features
• Limited offline functionality

Go to Quip Official Website: https://quip.com/blog/spreadsheets

Helps you handle your data without stress. It’s designed to make creating charts and working with others simple. With OnlyOffice Spreadsheet, you can get more done with less effort. Start managing your data the easy way with OnlyOffice Spreadsheet!

Features:

• Formula Autocomplete
• Version History

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface
• Comprehensive Functionality

Cons:

• Documentation Quality: Documentation might be incomplete or outdated.
• Data Privacy and Security: Considerations for data privacy and security in cloud usage

Go to OnlyOffice Spreadsheet official website: https://www.onlyoffice.com/spreadsheet-editor.aspx

Gnumeric is a free spreadsheet program like Excel. It helps you organize data, perform calculations, and create charts. While it’s accurate for scientific work, it’s not as polished as paid software and lacks some advanced features. Overall, it’s a handy tool for managing data without any cost.

Features:

• Spreadsheet creation and editing with a user-friendly interface.
• Wide range of built-in mathematical, statistical, and financial functions.

Pros:

• Free to Use: Gnumeric doesn’t cost anything and you can use it without any restrictions.
• Great for Math: It has lots of useful math and stats functions for working with numbers.

Cons:

• Learning curve if transitioning from another spreadsheet program to Gnumeric.
• Limited availability of help resources and documentation for learning and troubleshooting.

Go to Gnumeric Official Website: http://www.gnumeric.org/

EtherCalc is a web-based spreadsheet tool designed for real-time collaboration. Like Google Sheets, it allows multiple users to work together simultaneously, with changes instantly visible to all participants.

Features:

• Accessible online: Use EtherCalc directly in your web browser without installing software.
• Includes formulas and functions: Perform calculations and analyze data within the tool.

Pros:

• Version Tracking: Easily view and revert to previous versions of the spreadsheet.
• Open Source and Free: Customize EtherCalc to your needs and use it without any cost.

Cons:

• Limited functionality without internet.
• Relies on external servers, affecting reliability.

Go to EtherCalc Official Website: https://ethercalc.net/

PlanMaker is more than just a regular spreadsheet tool—it’s packed with features to help you work smarter and get more done. Whether you analyze data or create reports for your job, PlanMaker has everything you need to organize, analyze, and present your data in a clear and effective way.

Features:

• Effortless Math and Data Analysis: Easily perform calculations and analyze data.
• Professional Charts and Graphs: Create impressive visual representations of your data.

Pros:

• You can do a lot with it, like calculations and making charts.
• It handles big sets of data without slowing down.

Cons:

• Learning curve for new users
• Requires internet for full functionality

Go to PlanMaker Official Wesbite: https://www.softmaker.com/en/softmaker-office-planmaker

Thinkfree Office Calc isn’t like any ordinary spreadsheet tool—it’s made to help you manage data effectively and collaborate with others. Whether you’re analyzing data or handling business tasks, Thinkfree Office Calc has all the features you need to simplify your work and be more productive.

Features:

• Do Math Easily: Use Thinkfree Office Calc to add, subtract, multiply, and more.
• Create Charts and Graphs: Make visual displays of your data to understand it better.

Pros:

• Affordable licensing options.
• Receives regular updates and support.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Requires adjustment if you’re familiar with a different spreadsheet program.
• Extensions/Add-ons: Fewer options for customization and additional features.

Go to Thinkfree Office Official Website: https://thinkfree.com/

Siag is different from regular office software because it’s a compact and powerful suite for word processing, spreadsheets, and more. It doesn’t have unnecessary extra features like bigger office programs do.

Features:

• Manage Spreadsheets: Organize data in tables, do calculations, and make simple charts.
• Small and Fast: Siag is small and works quickly, even on older computers.

Pros:

• Customizable: You can personalize Siag Spreadsheet with macros to make it work the way you want.
• Reliable: It’s stable and dependable for everyday spreadsheet work.

Cons:

• Basic Features: SIAG lacks advanced features.
• File Compatibility: It may have trouble with file formats used by other software

Go to Siag Official Website: https://siag.nu/

In summary, the best excel software for you depends on what you need. Think about which features are important, which software you like using, how you work with others, and whether you’re comfortable using programming languages like Python. By considering these things, you can find the software that suits your goals and how you work most effectively.

The best choice should prioritize efficiency, user-friendliness, and integration with existing workflows to optimize productivity.

What is the best alternative to Excel?

The best alternatives to Excel include:

1. Google Sheets
2. Airtable
3. Zoho Sheet
4. Smartsheet
5. LibreOffice Calc

What is the best software for spreadsheets?

The best software for spreadsheet:

• Airtable: Combines spreadsheet flexibility with database functionality
• WPS Office Spreadsheets: Compatible with Excel and features a familiar interface.

Is there a better alternative to Google Sheets?

Yes, Airtable is a great alternative to Google Sheets, offering advanced features like database functionality and better customization.