Google Sheets is Google’s cloud-based answer to Microsoft Excel, and it’s capable of doing the vast majority of what the average Excel user needs. Google Sheets: Best for offline editing and collaboration Best of all, these alternatives to Excel are free. If you don’t have that kind of money, don’t need all of Excel’s features or simply want to save cash, there are plenty of viable alternatives to Microsoft Excel available in the cloud to be installed on your computer. SEE: Explore these free alternatives to Microsoft Word. You’re looking at paying at least $6 per month for one business license, paid in full for a year upfront $6.99 a month for home use or $149.99 for an Office Home and Student 2021 license. What Is Data Literacy, and Why Is It Important?įor those of us who aren’t accountants crunching numbers daily, Microsoft Office, including Excel, can be prohibitively expensive. Top 7 Power BI Alternatives and Competitors Why the Database Market Keeps Growing Bigger and Stronger The kinds of features you need from your spreadsheet application can vary, though, with many users never coming close to needing the robust features of Microsoft Office’s Excel. Spreadsheets are part of the modern business world, meaning someday you’ll have to look at one.