Quick takeaway
Research-backed reviews of spreadsheet tools: compare editor ratings, real pricing and features to find the right fit for your data work.
Spreadsheet Software
Best Spreadsheet Software
Independently reviewed
Updated
Research-backed reviews of spreadsheet tools: compare editor ratings, real pricing and features to find the right fit for your data work.
8 Best Spreadsheet Software at a Glance
#1
Google Sheets
47
Needs work
Free+PaidFrom $7
Teams of any size that collaborate on spreadsheets daily, Individuals and small businesses that need a free
Visit
Google Sheets
47
Needs work
Free+PaidFrom $7
Teams of any size that collaborate on spreadsheets daily, Individuals and small businesses that need a free
Visit
#2
Microsoft Excel
44
Needs work
Free+PaidFrom $99.99/year
Analysts and finance teams who need advanced formulas, pivot tables and data modeling
Visit
Microsoft Excel
44
Needs work
Free+PaidFrom $99.99/year
Analysts and finance teams who need advanced formulas, pivot tables and data modeling
Visit
#3
Smartsheet
48
Needs work
Paid SubscriptionFrom $9/user/mo
Teams whose shared spreadsheets have become fragile project trackers, Project and PMO teams needing Gantt
Visit
Smartsheet
48
Needs work
Paid SubscriptionFrom $9/user/mo
Teams whose shared spreadsheets have become fragile project trackers, Project and PMO teams needing Gantt
Visit
#5
Zoho Sheet
40
Needs work
Free+Paid$3/user/mo annual
Individuals and small teams wanting a free, full-featured collaborative spreadsheet
Visit
Zoho Sheet
40
Needs work
Free+Paid$3/user/mo annual
Individuals and small teams wanting a free, full-featured collaborative spreadsheet
Visit
#6
Rows
46
Needs work
Free+Paid$6/user/mo annual
Marketing and ops teams pulling data from many tools into one spreadsheet, Analysts who want AI-assisted exploration without SQL or BI dashboards
Visit
Rows
46
Needs work
Free+Paid$6/user/mo annual
Marketing and ops teams pulling data from many tools into one spreadsheet, Analysts who want AI-assisted exploration without SQL or BI dashboards
Visit
#7
Grist
46
Needs work
Free+Paid$8/user/mo annual
Data-conscious teams wanting Airtable-style structure without lock-in, Developers and analysts who want Python formulas and an open API
Visit
Grist
46
Needs work
Free+Paid$8/user/mo annual
Data-conscious teams wanting Airtable-style structure without lock-in, Developers and analysts who want Python formulas and an open API
Visit
#8
LibreOffice Calc
40
Needs work
Free planFree
Individuals and small businesses wanting a free, full-featured desktop spreadsheet
Visit
LibreOffice Calc
40
Needs work
Free planFree
Individuals and small businesses wanting a free, full-featured desktop spreadsheet
Visit
Best Spreadsheet Software by use case
Project management
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Analytics & BI
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Team collaboration
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Other use case
LibreOffice Calc
Free, open source desktop spreadsheet from The Document Foundation.
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Analytics & BI
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Team collaboration
Google Sheets
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account
Other use case
LibreOffice Calc
Free, open source desktop spreadsheet from The Document Foundation.
8 Best Spreadsheet Software Tools in 2026 — Full Reviews
47
Overview
What is Google Sheets?
Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account Google Sheets is the spreadsheet most of the internet learned collaboration on.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Google Sheets earns its rating as the most accessible collaborative spreadsheet available. Real-time co-editing remains the benchmark, the free tier is genuinely full-featured for individuals, Gemini AI features are integrated directly into the grid rather than bolted on, and the Workspace plans bundle Sheets with email, storage and meetings at transparent per-user prices with a 14-day trial. For shared spreadsheet work, nothing is easier to adopt.
Audience
Best for
- Teams of any size that collaborate on spreadsheets daily
- Individuals and small businesses that need a free
- capable spreadsheet
- Organizations already on Google Workspace
- Analysts who want AI help building and filling spreadsheets
- Mixed environments that exchange Excel files with partners
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $714-day trial
Summary
Final verdict
Google Sheets earns its rating as the most accessible collaborative spreadsheet available. Real-time co-editing remains the benchmark, the free tier is genuinely full-featured for individuals, Gemini AI features are integrated directly into the grid rather than bolted on, and the Workspace plans bundle Sheets with email, storage and meetings at transparent per-user prices with a 14-day trial.
44
Overview
What is Microsoft Excel?
Free web spreadsheets or full desktop power with Microsoft 365 and Copilot AI Microsoft Excel is the spreadsheet most of the world learned on, and it now comes in two distinct forms: a free version that runs in a browser and on mobile with a Microsoft account, and the full desktop application bundled with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Excel earns its rating as the deepest spreadsheet engine in this category, with a free web tier that covers everyday use and desktop apps through Microsoft 365 for serious analysis. Copilot AI assistance is built into the paid plans, real-time collaboration works across web and mobile, and Microsoft Graph gives developers a full API. Backed by Microsoft - founded 1975, 223,000 employees - it is the safest long-term bet in spreadsheets.
Audience
Best for
- Analysts and finance teams who need advanced formulas
- pivot tables and data modeling
- Households and students using the free web version for budgets and trackers
- Organizations standardized on Microsoft 365
- Developers automating spreadsheets through Microsoft Graph
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $99.99/yearFree trial
Summary
Final verdict
Excel earns its rating as the deepest spreadsheet engine in this category, with a free web tier that covers everyday use and desktop apps through Microsoft 365 for serious analysis. Copilot AI assistance is built into the paid plans, real-time collaboration works across web and mobile, and Microsoft Graph gives developers a full API.
#3
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management platform for projects, portfolios and processes at scale.
48
Overview
What is Smartsheet?
Spreadsheet-style work management platform for projects, portfolios and processes at scale. Smartsheet is a work management platform that takes the spreadsheet interface most teams already know and builds a full project, portfolio and process management system around it.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Smartsheet earns its rating by turning the spreadsheet interface into a governed work management platform without losing what makes spreadsheets approachable. The 30-day Business-plan trial, unlimited sheets and reports on every tier, a real API and deep integrations make it the safest enterprise-ready pick in this category.
Audience
Best for
- Teams whose shared spreadsheets have become fragile project trackers
- Project and PMO teams needing Gantt
- dashboards and automations
- Enterprises that need SSO
- governance and portfolio tooling
- Spreadsheet-comfortable teams that want structure without retraining
Plans
Pricing
Paid SubscriptionFrom $9/user/mo30-day trial
Summary
Final verdict
Smartsheet earns its rating by turning the spreadsheet interface into a governed work management platform without losing what makes spreadsheets approachable. The 30-day Business-plan trial, unlimited sheets and reports on every tier, a real API and deep integrations make it the safest enterprise-ready pick in this category.
65
Overview
What is Airtable?
Spreadsheet-database hybrid for flexible workflows Airtable looks like a spreadsheet and behaves like a database.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Airtable hits the sweet spot when Excel is too rigid and a full database is overkill.
Audience
Best for
- Operations
- content teams
- light CRM
Pros
- Flexible views and field types
- Built-in automations
- Easy for non-technical users
Cons
- Record limits on free plan
- Complex bases need governance
- Performance dips on huge bases
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $20/seat/mo
Summary
Final verdict
Airtable hits the sweet spot when Excel is too rigid and a full database is overkill.
40
Overview
What is Zoho Sheet?
Free collaborative spreadsheet with an AI data analyst, part of Zoho Workplace. Zoho Sheet is the spreadsheet app inside Zoho’s productivity lineup, and its pitch is aggressive: a full collaborative spreadsheet your team can use for free, powered by an automated data processor, an AI-assisted data analyst called Zia, and what the vendor describes as 1,000+ integration possibilities – a vendor-reported figure.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Zoho Sheet earns its rating as the best-value collaborative spreadsheet: free for individuals, team plans from $3/user/mo through Zoho Workplace, an AI data analyst, a documented API and mobile apps. It trails category leaders on ecosystem depth, published support channels and enterprise standardization.
Audience
Best for
- Individuals and small teams wanting a free
- full-featured collaborative spreadsheet
- Businesses already using Zoho Workplace or other Zoho apps
- Budget-conscious teams comparing per-user suite pricing
- Developers needing a documented spreadsheet API
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $3/user/mo annual
Summary
Final verdict
Zoho Sheet earns its rating as the best-value collaborative spreadsheet: free for individuals, team plans from $3/user/mo through Zoho Workplace, an AI data analyst, a documented API and mobile apps. It trails category leaders on ecosystem depth, published support channels and enterprise standardization.
46
Overview
What is Rows?
AI-first spreadsheet with live data integrations and a plain-language AI Analyst. Rows is a modern web spreadsheet that pitches itself as your new AI Data Analyst: a grid where you can extract data from PDFs, import business data from the tools you already use, and analyze it with plain-language AI instead of SQL queries or BI dashboards.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Rows earns its rating as the AI-first connected spreadsheet: live integrations with dozens of business tools, a plain-language AI Analyst, a free plan, and paid plans from $6 per user per month billed annually. It trails incumbents on modeling depth and ecosystem size.
Audience
Best for
- Marketing and ops teams pulling data from many tools into one spreadsheet
- Analysts who want AI-assisted exploration without SQL or BI dashboards
- Teams wanting a free modern spreadsheet with generous guest access
- Developers needing a spreadsheet API for custom workflows
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $6/user/mo annual
Summary
Final verdict
Rows earns its rating as the AI-first connected spreadsheet: live integrations with dozens of business tools, a plain-language AI Analyst, a free plan, and paid plans from $6 per user per month billed annually. It trails incumbents on modeling depth and ecosystem size.
#7
Grist
Open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, granular permissions and self-hosting
46
Overview
What is Grist?
Open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, granular permissions and self-hosting Grist is a relational spreadsheet-database: a familiar grid on the surface with a real database underneath, built around linked tables, custom views and Python formulas.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
Grist earns its rating as the open-source power pick among spreadsheets: a real relational database under a familiar grid, Python formulas, granular access rules, and genuine no-lock-in with self-hosting, a free hosted plan and an open-source community edition.
Audience
Best for
- Data-conscious teams wanting Airtable-style structure without lock-in
- Developers and analysts who want Python formulas and an open API
- Organizations that must self-host for compliance or cost reasons
- Nonprofits and small organizations qualifying for free self-hosted keys
Plans
Pricing
Free planPaid from $8/user/mo annual30-day trial
Summary
Final verdict
Grist earns its rating as the open-source power pick among spreadsheets: a real relational database under a familiar grid, Python formulas, granular access rules, and genuine no-lock-in with self-hosting, a free hosted plan and an open-source community edition.
40
Overview
What is LibreOffice Calc?
Free, open source desktop spreadsheet from The Document Foundation. LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet application inside LibreOffice, the free and open source office suite developed by The Document Foundation, a charitable foundation under German law headquartered in Berlin.
Editorial
Why we recommend it
LibreOffice Calc earns its rating as the free-forever desktop spreadsheet: open source under MPL 2.0, available on Windows, macOS and Linux, with pivot tables, charts, hundreds of functions and Excel file compatibility. It trails cloud-native rivals on real-time collaboration, published support channels and automation APIs.
Audience
Best for
- Individuals and small businesses wanting a free
- full-featured desktop spreadsheet
- Organizations avoiding subscription licensing for office software
- Users on Windows
- macOS or Linux needing Excel file compatibility
- Privacy-conscious users who prefer local files and no account requirement
Plans
Pricing
Free plan
Summary
Final verdict
LibreOffice Calc earns its rating as the free-forever desktop spreadsheet: open source under MPL 2.
Our ranking methodology
Transparent criteria and editorial standards behind every score in this guide.
How we ranked these apps
We evaluate each app on features, ease of use, value for money, integrations, and real user feedback. Apps are ranked by overall editor score within this category, with manual adjustments when hands-on testing reveals a clear winner.
What we looked for
- Features and core capabilities
- Ease of use and onboarding
- Pricing and value for money
- Integrations and ecosystem
- User reviews and editor rating
Compare top Spreadsheet Software apps
| Feature | Google Sheets | Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet | Airtable | Zoho Sheet | Rows | Grist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editor rating | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free+Paid | Free+Paid | Paid Subscription | Free+Paid | Free+Paid | Free+Paid | Free+Paid |
| Starting price | From $7 | From $99.99/year | From $9/user/mo | From $20/seat/mo | $3/user/mo annual | $6/user/mo annual | $8/user/mo annual |
| Free plan | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Free trial | Yes (14 days) | Yes | Yes (30 days) | No | No | No | Yes (30 days) |
| Platforms | Web app, iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android | Web app, iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android, macOS, Windows | Web app, iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android, macOS, Windows | Web app, iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android, macOS, Windows | Web app, iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android | Web app | Web app, Self-hosted / On-premise |
Spreadsheet Software FAQ
Quick answers about the best Spreadsheet Software software.
What is the best Spreadsheet Software app in 2026?
Our editors rank Google Sheets #1 for most teams in Spreadsheet Software based on features, value, and user feedback. See the full ranked list above for alternatives.
Are there free Spreadsheet Software tools?
Yes — many Spreadsheet Software apps offer free plans or trials. Use the pricing filter in our directory to browse free and freemium options.
How do we rank Spreadsheet Software software?
We evaluate each app on features, ease of use, value for money, integrations, and real user feedback. Apps are ranked by overall editor score within this category, with manual adjustments when hands-on testing reveals a clear winner.
#3 Spreadsheet-style work management platform for projects, portfolios and processes at scale. Smartsheet is a work management platform that takes the spreadsheet interface most teams already know and builds a full project, portfolio and process management system around it.
PricingPaid SubscriptionFrom $9/user/mo30-day trialBest forTeams whose shared spreadsheets have become fragile project trackers Project and PMO teams needing Gantt dashboards and automationsAppsInsight Score Needs work48#4 Spreadsheet-database hybrid for flexible workflows Airtable looks like a spreadsheet and behaves like a database.
PricingFree planPaid from $20/seat/moBest forOperations content teams light CRMAppsInsight Score Good65#1 Collaborative, AI-powered spreadsheets - free with a Google account Google Sheets is the spreadsheet most of the internet learned collaboration on.
PricingFree planPaid from $714-day trialBest forTeams of any size that collaborate on spreadsheets daily Individuals and small businesses that need a free capable spreadsheetAppsInsight Score Needs work47#2 Free web spreadsheets or full desktop power with Microsoft 365 and Copilot AI Microsoft Excel is the spreadsheet most of the world learned on, and it now comes in two distinct forms: a free version that runs in a browser…
PricingFree planPaid from $99.99/yearFree trialBest forAnalysts and finance teams who need advanced formulas pivot tables and data modeling Households and students using the free web version for budgets and trackersAppsInsight Score Needs work44#5 Free collaborative spreadsheet with an AI data analyst, part of Zoho Workplace. Zoho Sheet is the spreadsheet app inside Zoho’s productivity lineup, and its pitch is aggressive: a full collaborative spreadsheet your team can use for free, powered by an…
PricingFree planPaid from $3/user/mo annualBest forIndividuals and small teams wanting a free full-featured collaborative spreadsheet Businesses already using Zoho Workplace or other Zoho appsAppsInsight Score Needs work40#6 AI-first spreadsheet with live data integrations and a plain-language AI Analyst. Rows is a modern web spreadsheet that pitches itself as your new AI Data Analyst: a grid where you can extract data from PDFs, import business data from the…
PricingFree planPaid from $6/user/mo annualBest forMarketing and ops teams pulling data from many tools into one spreadsheet Analysts who want AI-assisted exploration without SQL or BI dashboards Teams wanting a free modern spreadsheet with generous guest accessAppsInsight Score Needs work46#7 Open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, granular permissions and self-hosting Grist is a relational spreadsheet-database: a familiar grid on the surface with a real database underneath, built around linked tables, custom views and Python formulas.
PricingFree planPaid from $8/user/mo annual30-day trialBest forData-conscious teams wanting Airtable-style structure without lock-in Developers and analysts who want Python formulas and an open API Organizations that must self-host for compliance or cost reasonsAppsInsight Score Needs work46#8 Free, open source desktop spreadsheet from The Document Foundation. LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet application inside LibreOffice, the free and open source office suite developed by The Document Foundation, a charitable foundation under German law headquartered in Berlin.
PricingFree planBest forIndividuals and small businesses wanting a free full-featured desktop spreadsheet Organizations avoiding subscription licensing for office softwareAppsInsight Score Needs work40
Our winners
Popular Spreadsheet Software comparisons
Recently added
Grist
Open-source relational spreadsheet-database with Python formulas, granular permissions and self-hosting
Free planPaid from $8/user/mo annual30-day trial
- Web app
- Self-hosted / On-premise
Rows
AI-first spreadsheet with live data integrations and a plain-language AI Analyst.
Free planPaid from $6/user/mo annual
- Web app
LibreOffice Calc
Free, open source desktop spreadsheet from The Document Foundation.
Free plan
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
Zoho Sheet
Free collaborative spreadsheet with an AI data analyst, part of Zoho Workplace.
Free planPaid from $3/user/mo annual
- Web app
- iOS (iPhone & iPad)
- Android