Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Excel?

Yes — LibreOffice, Google Sheets offer free tiers or trials suitable for small teams and individuals.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

2 Best Microsoft Excel Alternatives for Windows in 2026

Explore 2 alternatives to Microsoft Excel — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

9.5

Spot Score

LibreOffice

Efficiently manage files and folders with ease.

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4.0

297 verified reviews

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What is LibreOffice?

LibreOffice is a comprehensive document management platform that allows users to create, edit and save XLS spreadsheets, Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations through a web browser without any local installations. It caters to the needs of businesses of all sizes by allowing them to ...

Google Sheets

Collaborative AI-powered spreadsheet solution for smarter data management

Try for Free

4.6

340 verified reviews

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What is Google Sheets?

Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet platform designed to help teams create, manage, and analyze data collaboratively from any device. Built for professionals across industries — from business analysts and project managers to educators and creative teams — it combines ease of use with ...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Excel?

The top-rated alternatives to Microsoft Excel are Google Sheets (4.6★), LibreOffice (4.0★). Compare all 2 alternatives side-by-side above.

How does Microsoft Excel pricing compare to its alternatives?

Microsoft Excel starts from $5. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

How difficult is it to migrate from Microsoft Excel to an alternative?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Microsoft Excel is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend shortlisting 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

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LibreOffice

Google Sheets

About the reviewer

Rajat Gupta

Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.

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