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Microsoft Excel vs iWork 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…

iWork

4.5(26 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Individuals
  • Medium Business

iWork is a comprehensive, cloud-based Office Suite that offers tools and templates to make getting started a breeze. Create documents, spreadsheets and presentations - all with the power of Apple Pencil on your iPad. Col…

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

Microsoft Excel vs iWork — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft ExceliWork
Rating4.7 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews18,76726
Starting price$5Contact for pricing
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessIndividuals, Medium Business, Small Business
CategorySpreadsheets SoftwareSpreadsheets Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Microsoft Excel and iWork

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

Microsoft Excel vs iWork — 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
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iWork - New SaaS Software
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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.

iWork

Best for

Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business

Microsoft Excel typically suits Individuals and Large Enterprises. iWork tends to fit Individuals and Medium 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

iWork is a comprehensive, cloud-based Office Suite that offers tools and templates to make getting started a breeze. Create documents, spreadsheets and presentations - all with the power of ... Read More about iWork

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $5
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.5

(26)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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How do Microsoft Excel and iWork Compare on Features?

Total Features

0 Features

4 Features

Unique Features

No features

No unique features

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Compare Microsoft Excel and iWork 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
      • Not Available

      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

      Pricing information not available

      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
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Microsoft Excel User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      285

      34

      4

      0

      1

      18

      10

      0

      1

      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

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 29 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Comprehensive office suite
      • Cloud-based collaboration
      • User-friendly templates

      Common complaints

      • Limited to Apple devices
      • May lack advanced features
      • Not suitable for non-Apple users

      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

      • Designed specifically for Apple devices.

      • Offers seamless collaboration across platforms.

      • User-friendly templates simplify document creation.

      • Limited to Apple ecosystem.

      • May lack features for advanced users.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft Excel and iWork in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      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, Microsoft Excel or iWork?
      Microsoft Excel edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft Excel and iWork offer a free trial?
      Microsoft Excel offers a free trial. iWork does not.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft Excel vs iWork?
      Microsoft Excel starts at $5. iWork starts at Contact for pricing.
      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 iWork?
      Top alternatives to iWork include Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, Google Sheets, Google Docs.

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