Whereas Microsoft Excel has lengthy been the go-to software for information group, planning and undertaking monitoring, many groups at the moment are exploring extra dynamic and collaborative alternate options. Whether or not it’s the necessity for real-time updates, higher integration with different instruments or extra intuitive person interfaces, some Excel alternate options provide a wide range of options that transcend conventional spreadsheets. This roundup explains what an Excel various is, the important thing options to search for after which critiques the very best of the bunch.
What Is an Excel Various?
An alternative choice to Excel is any software program or platform providing related or enhanced performance in comparison with Microsoft Excel for duties reminiscent of information entry, evaluation, calculation and undertaking planning. These alternate options sometimes present options like spreadsheet templates, charts, collaboration instruments and integration with different functions—however usually with extra trendy interfaces, on-line entry and real-time group collaboration capabilities.
Microsoft Excel alternate options can vary from free on-line instruments like Google Sheets, which emphasize sharing and dwell modifying, to full-featured undertaking administration or database platforms like ProjectManager. They are perfect for people or organizations in search of extra flexibility, automation and compatibility with at present’s digital workflows.
Selecting an Excel various can provide a number of benefits relying in your particular wants, particularly when managing advanced initiatives, collaborating with groups or needing extra automation. Whereas Excel is a strong software for spreadsheets and fundamental information duties, it might turn out to be limiting as workflows develop in complexity.
What Options Make the Greatest Excel Various?
Excel has lengthy been a go-to software for information group, evaluation and undertaking planning. Nonetheless, as companies and groups develop, so do their wants. Fashionable workflows usually require real-time collaboration, automation, superior undertaking monitoring and seamless integration with different instruments—options that Excel doesn’t at all times provide effectively.
That’s the place Microsoft Excel alternate options are available in, however not all instruments are created equal. The most effective Excel various goes past easy spreadsheets and gives a extra dynamic, versatile and user-friendly expertise. Listed here are the important thing options that make an incredible Excel various.
- Actual-Time Collaboration: Allows a number of customers to view and edit paperwork concurrently, decreasing delays and model management points.
- Cloud-Based mostly Entry: Permits information entry from anyplace with an web connection, making distant work and cross-functional collaboration simpler.
- Automation Instruments: Helps streamline repetitive duties reminiscent of information entry, notifications and reporting, saving time and decreasing errors.
- Pre-Constructed Templates: Gives ready-to-use codecs for undertaking plans, calendars, process trackers and extra to hurry up setup and standardize processes.
- Superior Information Visualization: Consists of options like dashboards, charts and studies that transcend static tables to make information simpler to know and current.
- Customizable Views: Lets customers toggle between spreadsheets, kanban boards, Gantt charts or calendar views primarily based on their workflow wants.
- Strong Integrations: Connects simply with instruments like Slack, Google Workspace, CRMs and undertaking administration software program to create a seamless ecosystem.
- Person-Pleasant Interface: Designed to be intuitive and simple to study, even for customers with out technical or spreadsheet experience.
- Permission and Entry Controls: Supplies granular person administration to make sure the fitting folks have the fitting stage of entry to your information.
- Cell Accessibility: Helps totally practical cell apps so you possibly can handle your work on the go.
2025 Greatest Excel Alternate options
Now that we’ve an excellent understanding of what Excel gives and doesn’t have, and we’ve reviewed the varied options that make an Excel various engaging to professionals managing initiatives, it’s time to get right down to reviewing the very best Excel alternate options. We’ll describe the software, listing its execs and key options, cons and limitations, pricing and person critiques.
1. Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet software that’s a part of Google Workspace. It gives many core features as Microsoft Excel, reminiscent of formulation, pivot tables, charts and conditional formatting. One in all its largest strengths as an Excel various is real-time collaboration—a number of customers can edit the identical sheet concurrently, with modifications saved mechanically and tracked through model historical past. The truth that it’s free doesn’t damage. Its seamless integration with different Google instruments like Docs, Slides, Drive and Gmail makes it a handy and accessible selection for groups, particularly these already embedded within the Google ecosystem.
Regardless of its strengths, Google Sheets falls quick for customers who want extra superior information capabilities of their Excel various. It has limitations on the quantity of information it might deal with successfully, making it a poor selection for advanced or giant datasets. Energy customers could discover its features and scripting choices much less strong in comparison with superior analytics instruments. Offline performance can be extra restricted, and efficiency can lag with high-volume formulation or add-ons. For industries requiring heavy information processing, automation or superior modeling, Google Sheets won’t provide the depth and efficiency of Excel.
Verdict: Greatest Free Excel Various
Google Sheets Professionals & Key Options
- Cloud-based collaboration
- Free
- Integrates with different Google instruments
Google Sheets Cons & Limitations
- Not appropriate for advanced or bigger datasets
- Offline functionalist restricted
- Efficiency can lag with high-volume formulation or add-ons
- Poor automation
Google Sheets Pricing
Google Sheets Evaluations
Highlighted Person Evaluations
- “General expertise has been great. I exploit it on a regular basis to trace my work.” Scott C., from Capterra
- “Google sheets are pleasant customers and there are two choices whether or not we select fundamental options totally free or we select paid one for getting superior options. The function I like most is in-line modifying which might create collaborative works among the many group.” Joko A., from G2
2. ProjectManager
ProjectManager is the very best Excel various as a undertaking administration software by providing real-time collaboration, automation and purpose-built options that get rid of the necessity for guide updates and static spreadsheets. In contrast to Excel, which requires in depth formatting and formulation to simulate undertaking workflows, ProjectManager comes with built-in instruments particularly designed to handle duties, groups, sources and timelines.
Its on-line platform ensures that undertaking information is at all times up to date, making it simpler for groups to remain aligned and for managers to make knowledgeable selections rapidly. Plus, it’s suitable with Excel information, which may be simply imported. There’s additionally a cell app for Android and iOS.
Use the Sheet View Alongside A number of Undertaking Views
In contrast to Microsoft Excel, ProjectManager’s sheet view is customizable and collaborative. It gives organized information on duties, assignees, deliberate vs. precise information, useful resource prices and extra. As groups make progress, the information mechanically displays within the sheet’s columns, however the information may also be entered immediately into the cells. It’s the perfect place to trace and arrange undertaking information, and you may even print the sheet view to share with stakeholders.
Along with the sheet view, customers can toggle between process lists, kanban boards, Gantt charts and calendar views to handle work within the format that fits them finest. This flexibility permits groups to adapt their undertaking workflows primarily based on desire, process kind, or methodology.
Handle Sources On-line
ProjectManager’s useful resource administration instruments help you allocate group members primarily based on availability, talent units and workload. In contrast to different Excel software program, which requires guide enter and oversight, this software program automates useful resource monitoring, exhibits real-time utilization charges on color-coded workload charts, and prevents over-allocation.
There’s even a group web page that exhibits a each day or weekly view of the group’s exercise, which may be filtered by progress or precedence, and duties may be up to date with out leaving the web page. The Excel various gives a transparent image of who’s doing what and when, serving to undertaking managers make smarter staffing selections and steadiness workloads extra successfully throughout groups and initiatives.
Observe Undertaking Metrics in Actual Time
ProjectManager additionally gives highly effective monitoring instruments that far exceed Excel’s capabilities. Its real-time dashboards visualize key metrics reminiscent of process progress, price range use and group workload with easy-to-read graphs and charts for a undertaking or a number of initiatives. Customizable studies may be generated immediately to share insights with stakeholders.
Constructed-in safe timesheets permit groups to log hours immediately into the platform, making time labor value monitoring and payroll integration seamless. These options be certain that undertaking efficiency is clear, measurable and simple to behave on—one thing static spreadsheets merely can’t match.
ProjectManager is the very best Excel various on this listing as a result of it has a spreadsheet or sheet view that does the whole lot Excel can do, however can be a strong undertaking administration software program that may handle duties and sources, observe progress and automate workloads with process approvals to make sure high quality deliverables. Get began with ProjectManager at present totally free.
Verdict: Greatest Excel Various for Undertaking Administration
ProjectManager Professionals & Key Options
- Totally featured Gantt chart for undertaking planning, scheduling and monitoring
- Actual-time useful resource, value and time monitoring
- A number of undertaking administration instruments and options
- Cell app for Android and iOS
- Free 30-day trial
ProjectManager Cons & Limitations
- Restricted customization
- Few native integrations
- No free plan
ProjectManager Pricing
- Crew: $14/person/month
- Enterprise: $26/person/month
- Enterprise: contact gross sales
ProjectManager Evaluations
Highlighted Person Evaluations
- “ProjectManager works very effectively with each giant and small-scale initiatives. With the ability to use this with something from a undertaking involving solely two members of employees, to tons of, has been invaluable.” Peter W, from Capterra
- “We used to handle our initiatives, sources, and reporting in numerous programs. Enter ProjectManager. We now have consolidated programs and work extra effectively.” Jeffrey M, from Capterra
- “Having the total scope of actions and who’s accountable to do it, plus the time monitoring is superb.” Flavio M, from G2
- “It has a wonderful accounting system able to calculating the time that an individual has used to develop a process that was assigned to him, I like having the ability to collaborate with all my colleagues within the Finance sector by way of ProjectManager.” Jesus C, from G2
- “The UI of the applying is user-friendly, and it helps to determine what we’re in search of with minimal effort.” Pavan H, from G2
3. LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet software throughout the LibreOffice suite, a free and open-source various to Microsoft Workplace. It gives lots of Excel’s core options, together with formulation, pivot tables, charting instruments and conditional formatting. Calc is suitable with Excel file codecs (.xls and .xlsx), making it simple to share paperwork throughout platforms.
As an Excel various, its open-source nature appeals to customers who worth customization, privateness and cost-effectiveness, particularly for small companies, nonprofits or particular person customers who want dependable spreadsheet performance with out licensing charges.
Whereas LibreOffice Calc covers many fundamental spreadsheet wants, it falls quick as an Excel various in the case of superior performance, efficiency and collaboration. The interface can really feel outdated in comparison with Excel’s polished, trendy UI and a few options—reminiscent of real-time multi-user modifying, information visualization and automation instruments—are restricted or lacking solely.
Compatibility with advanced Excel information isn’t at all times excellent, and Calc tends to lag or crash with bigger datasets. Moreover, there may be minimal cloud integration or assist for undertaking administration duties, which makes it much less appropriate for enterprise environments that require agile workflows, useful resource monitoring or dwell collaboration throughout groups.
Verdict: Greatest Open-Supply Excel Various
LibreOffice Calc Professionals & Key Options
- Similar core options as Excel
- Appropriate with Excel information
- Free, open-source software program
LibreOffice Calc Cons & Limitations
- Lacks superior performance, efficiency and collaboration
- Outdated interface
- Lags or crashes with bigger databases
- Restricted assist for undertaking administration duties
LibreOffice Calc Pricing
LibreOffice Calc Evaluations
Highlighted Person Evaluations
- “The most effective factor is that on an working system like Linux, utilizing Microsoft Excel is a multitude. So this turns into among the finest various choices which gives you with many of the options that you simply’ll most likely want.” Dhairya G., from G2
- “LibreOffice is a extremely mature, refined, free and open supply resolution that does the whole lot most corporations want in a complicated productiveness suite.” Sully S., from Capterra
4. Apple Numbers
Apple Numbers is a free spreadsheet software included with Apple units as a part of the iWork suite. Identified for its clear, intuitive interface and design-centric templates, Numbers makes it simple to create visually interesting spreadsheets, charts and studies, making it a robust Excel various.
It’s particularly helpful for Mac customers who desire a easy, streamlined software for on a regular basis duties like budgeting, listing monitoring and information visualization. With iCloud integration, Numbers permits for seamless syncing and collaboration throughout Apple units, making it a handy selection for customers already within the Apple ecosystem.
Regardless of its aesthetic attraction and ease of use, Apple Numbers lacks many superior options that make Excel highly effective for enterprise and technical customers. Its system capabilities, information evaluation instruments and pivot desk performance are restricted in comparison with Excel. Compatibility with Excel information may also be hit and miss, particularly with advanced spreadsheets.
Collaboration options are fundamental, and Numbers is barely accessible on Apple units, which restricts entry for Home windows or Android customers in search of an Excel various. For customers who want strong information processing, scripting or industry-specific features, Numbers could fall quick as a real Excel substitute.
Verdict: Greatest Excel Various for Mac and Apple Customers
Apple Numbers Professionals & Key Options
- Clear, intuitive interface
- Easy, streamlined software
- Seamless syncing and collaboration throughout Apple units
Apple Numbers Cons & Limitations
- Restricted system capabilities, information evaluation and pivot desk performance
- Compatibility with Excel information is hit and miss
- Fundamental collaboration options
- Restricted entry to Home windows or Android customers
Apple Numbers Pricing
Apple Numbers Evaluations
Highlighted Person Evaluations
- “Ease of use, totally built-in into Mac programs. Person pleasant to the purpose of virtually seeming overly simplistic, however that isn’t essentially a nasty factor.” Eric S., from G2
- “It streamlines effectively with different Apple-based merchandise, such because the iPhone.” John W., from Capterra
5. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a cloud-based work administration platform that mixes the familiarity of spreadsheets with highly effective undertaking administration options. It gives grid, Gantt, card (kanban), and calendar views, making it versatile for groups managing advanced workflows.
It stands out with automation instruments, collaboration options and built-in templates for the whole lot from process monitoring to useful resource allocation. Its real-time sharing, replace requests and integration with instruments like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Slack make it an Excel various for groups seeking to transcend static spreadsheets and handle initiatives dynamically.
Whereas Smartsheet is powerful, it comes with a studying curve and the next value than many different spreadsheet instruments, particularly for small companies or particular person customers. Its interface, although spreadsheet-like, could really feel restrictive to customers used to Excel’s deep information manipulation capabilities reminiscent of superior formulation, macros, or VBA scripting.
Moreover, customers in search of heavy-duty information evaluation or offline performance could discover Smartsheet missing. Additionally, its Gantt chart is restricted and takes a very long time to construct. It’s finest suited to undertaking and workflow administration somewhat than pure information evaluation or modeling, which might restrict its effectiveness as a one-to-one Excel substitute.
Verdict: Greatest Excel Various for Job Administration Templates
Smartsheet Professionals & Key Options
- Mimics an Excel spreadsheet
- Constructed-in templates
- Integrates with MS 365, Google Workspace and Slack
- 30-day free trial
Smartsheet Cons & Limitations
- Steep studying curve
- Costly in comparison with different Excel alternate options
- Restricted Gantt chart
- Lacks heavy-duty information evaluation
Pricing
- Professional plan: $7/person/month
- Marketing strategy: $25/person/month
Smartsheet Evaluations
Highlighted Person Evaluations
“Automation can save hours of time by mechanically sending emails and reminders to make sure we meet our deadlines.” Amy S – from G2
“Simply permits a sharable doc that concurrent customers can view and make dwell modifications to.” Steven Okay – from G2
Associated Excel Content material
There are Excel alternate options, in fact, however we’ve solely scratched the floor of what Excel can do. For many who are occupied with studying extra about this free spreadsheet software, beneath are some hyperlinks to latest articles we’ve posted on our weblog about methods to make a Gantt chart in Excel, Excel templates and extra.
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