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Handsontable vs Microsoft Excel Comparison

Last updated:

Handsontable

Starting at $790

  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

Introducing Handsontable - the ultimate data-grid solution for online applications. This powerful JavaScript component is highly versatile and fully customizable, making it the top choice for both established corporation…

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

HandsontableMicrosoft Excel

The core difference between Handsontable and Microsoft Excel lies in their target audience and pricing structure, with Handsontable being a specialized tool likely suited for developers needing a customizable data grid, while Microsoft Excel is a widely used spreadsheet application ideal for businesses of all sizes seeking robust data analysis. Ideal buyers for Handsontable are developers looking for advanced data grid solutions, whereas Microsoft Excel is perfect for small to large businesses needing familiar and powerful spreadsheet capabilities.

- Specialized data grid solution - Customizable for developers - Ideal for web applications - Higher price point at $790 - Focused on data manipulation - Lacks extensive business features

- Familiar interface for users - Suitable for small to large businesses - Robust financial analysis tools - Cost-effective at $5 - Extensive data visualization options - Strong integration with Microsoft Office suite

Handsontable vs Microsoft Excel — at a glance

FeatureHandsontableMicrosoft Excel
Rating4.7 / 5
Reviews18,767
Starting price$790$5
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forMedium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategorySpreadsheets SoftwareSpreadsheets Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Handsontable and Microsoft Excel

  • Pricing: Handsontable starts at $790, while Microsoft Excel starts at $5.
  • Free trial: Microsoft Excel offers a free trial; Handsontable does not.
  • Target audience: Handsontable is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Microsoft Excel targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
  • Deployment: Handsontable supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Microsoft Excel supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Handsontable 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.

Handsontable - Spreadsheets Software
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Talk to an expert
Microsoft Excel - Spreadsheets Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Handsontable

Best for

Medium Business, Small Business

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.

Handsontable typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Microsoft Excel tends to fit Individuals and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Introducing Handsontable - the ultimate data-grid solution for online applications. This powerful JavaScript component is highly versatile and fully customizable, making it the top choice ... Read More about Handsontable

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

  • Starts from $790
  • Starts from $5

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Compare Handsontable 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

      • $790
      • $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

      Handsontable pricing
      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

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Handsontable User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      0

      2

      0

      0

      0

      285

      34

      4

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      What buyers like

      • Highly customizable
      • User-friendly interface
      • Handles large data sets

      Common complaints

      • Requires JavaScript knowledge
      • Limited offline capabilities
      • May not suit all industries

      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

      • Customizable features cater to diverse business needs.

      • Handles large datasets without performance issues.

      • User-friendly design minimizes the learning curve.

      • Requires some JavaScript knowledge for full use.

      • Limited offline functionality may be a drawback.

      • 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 Handsontable and Microsoft Excel in 2026

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      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, Handsontable or Microsoft Excel?
      Microsoft Excel edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Handsontable and Microsoft Excel offer a free trial?
      Microsoft Excel offers a free trial. Handsontable does not.
      What is the starting price of Handsontable vs Microsoft Excel?
      Handsontable starts at $790. Microsoft Excel starts at $5.
      What are the top alternatives to Handsontable?
      Top alternatives to Handsontable include SpreadsheetWEB, Google Sheets, Retable, DataGridXL, 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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