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Microsoft Excel vs Handsontable Comparison

Last updated:

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…

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

SpotSaaS Analysis

Microsoft ExcelHandsontable

The core difference between Microsoft Excel and Handsontable lies in Excel's established reputation for comprehensive spreadsheet capabilities and familiarity, while Handsontable focuses on providing a customizable data grid for web applications. Ideal buyers for Excel are businesses of all sizes seeking powerful data analysis tools, while Handsontable is suited for developers looking to integrate advanced data grid functionalities into their applications.

- Best for robust financial analysis and reporting - Familiar Microsoft Office interface - Suitable for small businesses and large enterprises - Affordable pricing at $5 - Powerful data visualization capabilities - Widely used and supported

- Customizable data grid for web applications - Focused on developers and software teams - Higher price point at $790 - Offers rich features for interactive data handling - Ideal for integrating with JavaScript frameworks - Not specifically targeted at company size

Microsoft Excel vs Handsontable — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft ExcelHandsontable
Rating4.7 / 5
Reviews18,767
Starting price$5$790
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessMedium Business, Small Business
CategorySpreadsheets SoftwareSpreadsheets Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between Microsoft Excel and Handsontable

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

Microsoft Excel vs Handsontable — 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.

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

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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

Best for

Medium Business, Small Business

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

Description

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

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

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $5
  • Starts from $790

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Compare Microsoft Excel and Handsontable 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

      • $5
      • $790

      Pricing Plans

      • 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
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft Excel pricing
      Handsontable 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

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 US

      Microsoft Excel User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      285

      34

      4

      0

      1

      0

      2

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      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

      Pros and Cons

      • 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

      • 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.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft Excel and Handsontable 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, Microsoft Excel or Handsontable?
      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 Microsoft Excel and Handsontable offer a free trial?
      Microsoft Excel offers a free trial. Handsontable does not.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft Excel vs Handsontable?
      Microsoft Excel starts at $5. Handsontable starts at $790.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Excel?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft Excel include SpreadsheetWEB, Apple Numbers, Zoho Sheet, Google Sheets, Retable.
      What are the top alternatives to Handsontable?
      Top alternatives to Handsontable include SpreadsheetWEB, Google Sheets, Retable, DataGridXL, Rows.

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