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Apple Numbers vs Microsoft Excel Comparison

Last updated:

Apple Numbers

4.3(115 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

Apple Numbers is a easy way to create beautiful spreadsheets, powerful charts, and interactive documents. Numbers starts with built-in templates for budgets, resumes, and invoices. Add tables, pictures, text boxes, and s…

Microsoft Excel

4.7(18,767 reviews)

Starting at $5

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

Microsoft Excel has helped make the world more productive and businesses more valuable to their owners by helping people analyze large sets of data. Developers have built a simple user interface that operates in the same…

Microsoft Excel leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 18,767 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel

The core difference between Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel lies in their target user experience; Numbers focuses on visually appealing, user-friendly design for Apple users, while Excel offers powerful data analysis tools suitable for a wider range of business sizes. Ideal buyers for Numbers are small businesses or individuals in the Apple ecosystem, whereas Excel is best suited for small to large enterprises needing advanced spreadsheet capabilities.

Who should pick which

  • Visually appealing and easy-to-use spreadsheet templates:
  • Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem:
  • Ideal for personal or small business use:
  • Best for users prioritizing design over complexity:
  • Suitable for teams of 1-500 employees:
  • No listed price:
  • Familiar interface with powerful data analysis tools:
  • Robust financial analysis and reporting capabilities:
  • Suitable for small businesses to large enterprises:
  • Ideal for teams needing advanced spreadsheet functionalities:
  • Best for users familiar with Microsoft Office:
  • Price: $5

Apple Numbers vs Microsoft Excel — at a glance

FeatureApple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Rating4.3 / 54.7 / 5
Reviews11518,767
Starting priceContact for pricing$5
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategorySpreadsheets SoftwareSpreadsheets Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel

  • Pricing: Microsoft Excel starts at $5. Apple Numbers pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Microsoft Excel offers a free trial; Apple Numbers does not.
  • User satisfaction: Microsoft Excel scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Apple Numbers supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac; Microsoft Excel supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Apple Numbers vs Microsoft Excel — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Spreadsheets Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Apple Numbers - Spreadsheets Software
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Microsoft Excel - Spreadsheets Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Apple Numbers

Best for visually appealing, simple spreadsheets within the Apple ecosystem.

Choose if
  • You want easy-to-use, beautifully designed spreadsheet templates for personal or small business use.
  • You primarily work on Apple devices and value seamless integration within that ecosystem.
  • You need straightforward budgeting, invoicing, or educational project spreadsheets without complex functions.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your work requires advanced data analysis, automation, or complex spreadsheet functions.
  • You need robust collaboration tools or cross-platform accessibility for larger teams.

Microsoft Excel

Best for familiar, powerful spreadsheet data analysis and visualization.

Choose if
  • You need robust financial analysis and reporting tools.
  • Your team values a familiar Microsoft Office interface.
  • You require spreadsheet access across desktop, mobile, and online platforms.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team demands advanced real-time multi-user collaboration features.
  • You work regularly with extremely large datasets causing performance issues.

Apple Numbers: Best for visually appealing, simple spreadsheets within the Apple ecosystem. Microsoft Excel: Best for familiar, powerful spreadsheet data analysis and visualization.

Description

Apple Numbers is a easy way to create beautiful spreadsheets, powerful charts, and interactive documents. Numbers starts with built-in templates for budgets, resumes, and invoices. Add ... Read More about Apple Numbers

Microsoft Excel has helped make the world more productive and businesses more valuable to their owners by helping people analyze large sets of data. Developers have built a simple user ... Read More about Microsoft Excel

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $5

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Compare Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $5

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Microsoft 365 Family (For Home)

        • Premium apps included

        • Usage: Up to 6 people

        • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote: Premium

        Show more +

      • Microsoft 365 Personal (For Home)

        • Premium apps included

        • Usage: 1 person

        • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote: Premium

        Show more +

      • Office Home & Student 2019 (For Home)

        • Classic apps included

        • Usage: 1 PC/Mac

        • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote: Classic

      • Browse all pricing plans

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Microsoft Excel pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Apple Numbers User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      92

      31

      4

      2

      1

      285

      34

      4

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate Apple Numbers for its ease of use and attractive design but note limitations in advanced functionality and collaboration.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Visual design
      • Integration with Apple devices

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features
      • Collaboration constraints

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally praise Excel for its powerful data handling and familiar interface but note limitations in collaboration and performance with very large files.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Functionality and features
      • Integration with other Microsoft products

      Common complaints

      • Collaboration limitations
      • Performance issues with large datasets

      Pros and Cons

      • User-friendly interface with visually appealing templates

      • Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem

      • Good for creating visually rich and interactive spreadsheets

      • Limited advanced spreadsheet functions compared to competitors

      • Lack of robust collaboration tools for large teams

      • Familiar user interface consistent with other Microsoft Office apps

      • Robust data analysis and visualization capabilities

      • Wide platform availability including desktop, mobile, and online

      • Lacks advanced collaboration features compared to specialized cloud tools

      • Can become slow or unstable with extremely large datasets

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Top Alternatives to Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Apple Numbers or Microsoft Excel?
      Microsoft Excel edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel offer a free trial?
      Microsoft Excel offers a free trial. Apple Numbers does not.
      What is the starting price of Apple Numbers vs Microsoft Excel?
      Apple Numbers starts at Contact for pricing. Microsoft Excel starts at $5.
      What are the top alternatives to Apple Numbers?
      Top alternatives to Apple Numbers include SpreadsheetWEB, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Retable, Rows.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Excel?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft Excel include SpreadsheetWEB, Apple Numbers, Zoho Sheet, Google Sheets, Retable.

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