These free software are similar to Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet applications in the world, but it is not free. Excel is part of the Microsoft Office software suite, which while not prohibitively expensive — $9.99 per month or $99 per year for the Microsoft 365 suite — is still an unnecessary expense for many startups today.

If you are looking for one Free solution to replace Microsoft Excelbelow are some free but quality spreadsheet software worth trying for you.

Google Sheets

If you already have a Google account, don’t ignore Google Sheets. Basically, Google Sheets is Google’s version of a spreadsheet application similar to Excel; the only difference is that it is available for free. You don’t need to download anything to your personal computer.

Google Sheets looks a lot like Excel. However, as you can see, it actually works inside a web browser. It has most of the same functionality as Excel, including many chart types and the ability to create formulas, so it’s a pretty good alternative if you want to save a bit of money compared to the previous cost of using Microsoft Excel.

What’s more, you can really use Google Sheets anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes working remotely on your spreadsheets easier than ever, because you can be sure that files are also automatically backed up online.

Zoho Sheet

Google Sheets may be the most popular online spreadsheet app, but Zoho Sheet has more features, and it’s completely free. This is a very good free Excel alternative if you are looking for a powerful solution.

The interface and usage of Zoho Sheet is similar to Google Sheets, so you will quickly get used to and master its functions. Like Excel, Zoho Sheet integrates a lot of features, with more than 350 functions, more than Google.

It supports advanced functions such as conditional formatting, pivot tables, and data validation. You can integrate data from external sources by clicking Data > Link External Data and then upload a CSV file, an RSS or Atom feed, or a website. You can then control how often Zoho Sheet queries the source for updates.

LibreOffice Calc

LibreOffice Calc is another free spreadsheet software that works similarly to Excel. This is a program that can be downloaded and run locally on your personal computer, and works on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux operating systems.

The Calc tool is compatible with Microsoft Excel files. In other words, if you already have Microsoft 365, you can easily open, edit, and save Excel spreadsheets in Calc without losing formatting or functionality. Calc includes a range of additional features for businesses and individuals, such as flexible cell formatting and spreadsheet templates. It also includes more advanced features like integrating data from programming languages ​​like Python and JavaScript, and allows you to get raw data from external databases.

Thinkfree Office

Thinkfree Office is a web-based productivity suite that includes a spreadsheet application compatible with Microsoft Excel format. It offers collaborative editing, allowing multiple users to work on the same document in real time. Because it is built on a cloud platform, Thinkfree Office allows users to access it easily from many different devices without the need for local installation. However, it may not be the best choice for business users or those who need an app that’s smarter than a spreadsheet.

AI spreadsheet tool

This is a new type of Excel replacement tool that has emerged with the development of generative AI. Popular AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can perform powerful tasks like collecting data from various websites and synthesizing them into spreadsheets created within the native interface. However, it’s worth noting that the paid versions of these tools — around $20 per month for both ChatGPT and Gemini — offer more advanced features like better formatting options and the ability to handle larger data files. Additionally, performing complex tasks like creating or changing formulas requires downloading or pasting results into another spreadsheet tool like Google Sheets or Excel.

There are many specialized AI tools for spreadsheets on the market, either free or offering free trials, such as GPT Excel and Numerous.ai.

However, as with any AI tool, it is important to remember to carefully verify the results. AI can sometimes present data incorrectly, so it is essential to double-check each calculation, formula, and result. These tools work best when used as assistants rather than replacements for traditional spreadsheet software.