Top 11 Google Sheets Alternatives to Try in 2024

Google Sheets alternatives don’t end at Microsoft Excel. Both Excel and Google Sheets are extremely versatile, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for every task.

Trying to use Google Sheets for everything, such as managing projects or automating workflows, can really stretch it’s capabilities (and potentially yours), burdening your spreadsheet with a range of complex, fragile workarounds.

Fortunately there are lots of alternatives to Google Sheets that combine the familiarity and base level functionality of spreadsheets with additional features to make them more suitable for complicated tasks.

Here are our 11 Google Sheets alternatives so you can find one that’s right for you.

Is there anything better than Google Sheets?

Google Sheets isn’t a perfect product. There are several complaints from users, including”

• Google Sheets isn’t great for large datasets
• Google Sheets doesn’t feature a desktop version of the software 
• There aren’t many options for customizing your spreadsheet
• Version control can be complicated when users collaborate
• Integrating Google Sheets with apps like Jira can be complicated

However it has a lot of advantages that might outweigh the downsides, including

• Google Sheets free to use
• The app easily connects to other Google tools 
• Pretty much anyone can access the Google suite.

So is there anything better than Google Sheets? Maybe. It depends on what you’re looking for. 

Our list below features spreadsheets that focus on project management, privacy, and innovative design. Take a look at our picks and see if you can find one that’ll help you up your spreadsheet game.

#1 Google Sheet Alternative: Visor

Visor is a spreadsheet-inspired workspace that lets you manage projects more efficiently. The app typically connects with outside project management tools, like Jira, and boasts bi-directional Jira, Salesforce, and HubSpot integrations that keep your data up-to-date automatically. 

One of the biggest differentiators is the speed with which you can filter and create new views for stakeholders in your organization. You can create high-level or low-level spreadsheets illustrating just the data you want, without hunting for filtering options as you would in Google Sheets.

Overall, Visor is easy to use and gives you customization options, so that you can highlight important data or let your spreadsheets match your brand colors. It offers users a lot of flexibility and is a tool users can jump right into, letting anyone make sense of complicated project management data.

Visor features

• Allows multiple views, including Table, Gantt, and Timeline 
• Preserves hierarchies from outside sources, like Jira
• Provides a single source of truth for data
• Offers custom fields, conditional formatting, and filtering

Visor pros and cons

Pros:

• You can create a bi-directional sync between Visor and apps like Jira
• Spreadsheets are colorful and simple to customize
• The app is easy to use and can be quickly learned
• Collaboration is straightforward and secure

Cons:

• Currently is focused primarily on connection with Jira
• While you can export to Google Sheets, not all of the formulas will translate

Visor pricing

Visor charges based on the number of editors. You can allow as many viewers as you like with no affect on pricing.

• Free: Offers a limited number of workbooks
• Pro: $9 per user per month (annually)
• Ultimate: $18 per user per month (annually)

Visor reviews and rating

• 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 5.0 out of 5 on G2

Reviewers note that Visor has a rapid-response customer success team that is open to suggestions from users. A few reviews mention looking forward to Visor growing and adding even more features.

#2 Google Sheet Alternative: Microsoft Excel Online

Though it’s been around longer than any of its competitors (RIP Lotus 1-2-3), Microsoft Excel has continued to innovate, creating cutting-edge spreadsheet software with a broad range of capabilities. 

Excel is the second-most used spreadsheet tool after Google Sheets, but considering Google Sheets is free and Microsoft Excel is not, that’s an impressive positioning. It’s a must-have tool in much of the finance industry and is widely used by accounting teams.

The online version of the product has most of the major features of the desktop version, though there are some limitations, such as fewer data analysis tools and the inability to use macros. However, you may view the ability to collaborate as more important than those features. You can find a more complete list of differences on Microsoft’s website.

Microsoft Excel features

A few of the basic features in Excel include:

• The ability to format and organize data
• Computing statistics
• The ability to create pivot tables
• Showing data in chart or graph form

Microsoft Excel pros and cons

Pros:

• Good for calculation and analysis
• Plenty of data visualization options
• Customizable formulas, including pivot tables and array formulas
• Standard in the finance industry

Cons:

• Collaboration is more difficult than it is in Google Sheets
• There’s a steep learning curve for newbies
• Human error can severely mess up your spreadsheet
• The per-user costs can add up quickly

Microsoft Excel pricing

Microsoft Excel doesn’t come on its own – you get a Microsoft 365 account, which includes Excel along with other apps like Sharepoint, Word, Outlook, etc. There are four Business plans to choose from:

• Business Basic: $6.00 per user per month
• Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month
• Business Premium: $22.00 per user per month
• Apps for Business (includes desktop versions of the apps): $8.25 per user per month

Microsoft Excel reviews and ratings

• 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.7 out of 5 on G2

Reviews of Microsoft Excel are mostly positive. However, there are a few call outs you’ll find on review sites. For instance, reviews claimed the online tool has trouble handling large data sets and it isn’t the easier tool for beginners.

#3 Google Sheet Alternative: Airtable

Airtable is more than a spreadsheet – it’s a relational database. Relational databases let you store data so that you can reuse it and relate it to other data later. The system is complex enough that you can even use it for a project management system. That said, it can still show data in a spreadsheet view, as well as a few others, including Gantt and timeline views. 

The power of Airtable is in its customizable nature. You can set up automations to speed up your workflows and even build a no-code custom application – if you’re willing to put the time in at the outset to craft the app so that it works the way you want it to. 

Airtable features

You can use Airtable for the following:

• Handing Project management
• Creating databases
• Working with automations
• Sharing custom views for different teams

Airtable pros and cons

Pros:

• The low-code/no-code aspect of Airtable makes it easy to learn the basics
• Collaboration is simple
• You can design your own interface with a drag-and-drop builder
• Airtable offers templates for a variety of industries and use cases

Cons:

• Customization options can be overwhelming
• It can be pretty pricey, especially if you just want a spreadsheet tool (thanks, in part, to Airtable raising prices in 2023)
• It has fewer graph and chart options than other Google Sheets competitors on this list
• The organization has shifted focus to enterprise clients after a second round of layoffs in 2023
• The Jira Airtable integration can be a bit difficult to set up

Airtable pricing

What you pay is really what you get with Airtable. The Free plan is designed to give you a way to try the product out on a small scale, and as such there’s a limit to what you can do. The bigger the plan, the more records, attachments, and automations you’re allowed. Two-way sync and certain integrations are only available at the Business plan level and above.

• Free: Available up to 5 seats
• Team: $20 per seat per month (annual)
• Business: $45 per seat per month (annual)
• Enterprise: Contact Airtable for pricing

Airtable reviews and rating

• 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.6 out of 5 on G2
  

Airtable is a popular choice for customers looking for the ability to customize their own system. Some mentioned that it takes a little time initially to set everything up, but that the results are worth it. 

One caveat: some users mentioned nervousness over the company’s changed focus. Users on Reddit and elsewhere noted the company has been focusing more on enterprise-grade clients, meaning customers with smaller businesses can miss out on key features, like two-way syncing.

#4 Google Sheet Alternative: LibreOffice Calc

In most romance languages, “libre” means “free”. The name fits LibreOffice, since the office suite is offered for free and as an open source app by the nonprofit The Document Foundation.

LibreOffice Calc is the suite’s spreadsheet offering. It allows you to create graphs and charts, as well as add design elements such as borders and backgrounds. The LibreOffice community provides templates you can use to create different types of spreadsheets.

The app isn’t available online, however. You can only download it and use it on your desktop. But if you’re looking for an intuitive, low-cost solution, it may be a good fit.

LibreOffice Calc features

LibreOffice Calc has the following unique features:

• Free with open source code
• Available for Windows, iOS, and Linux
• Formatting and organizing data
• Computing statistics

LibreOffice Calc pros and cons

Pros:

• The price is definitely right – LibreOffice offers a no-cost alternative to Google Sheets, no matter what the size of your organization
• It’s compatible with Microsoft Office, and you can download the native ODF format from Google Sheets
• It’s easy to use if you’ve had experience with other spreadsheet applications

Cons:

• The biggest disadvantage: This is a desktop-only, no-cloud affair, making it a less-than-ideal choice for collaboration
• The interface is a little dated 
• It may not import Office or Google files correctly even though it can import the files
• There are fewer shortcut keys than in other comparable softwares

LibreOffice Calc pricing

LibreOffice is free to download and use, though you can donate to keep LibreOffice running, if you like.

LibreOffice reviews and rating

• 4.3 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.3 out of 5 on G2

Most happy users love LibreOffice for its ease of use and its unbeatable price point. Some reviewers mentioned Linux compatibility as well. There were some complaints about lack of documentation or help resources (since the software is run by a nonprofit), but most agreed it’s a good choice for smaller, budget-conscious organizations.

#5 Google Sheet Alternative: Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a tool like Airtable that straddles the line between project management, a collaboration tool, and a spreadsheet app. Though most sheets start off as spreadsheets, you can quickly switch between spreadsheet, Kanban, Gantt, and calendar views. 

While it doesn’t have the depth of spreadsheet capabilities of some of the other options on this list, the cloud-based app offers a good solution for those looking for a light project management tool with spreadsheet capabilities. 

Smartsheet also offers plenty of no-code automations so that you can trigger actions without frequently checking on a given sheet. If you’ve already tried Smartsheet, and it was close, but not quite right, then check out the best Smartsheet alternatives.

Smartsheet features

You’ll find the following features in Smartsheet:

• No-code automations
• Seamless collaboration in the app
• Project management capabilities
• Budgeting tools and detailed reports

Smartsheet pros and cons

Pros:

• The dashboard feature gives you a quick, real-time look at important data
• Several viewing options, including Gantt and calendar views in addition to spreadsheets
• You can automate workflows using automations you create yourself or that you pull from Smartsheet’s automation templates

Cons:

• This is another tool where new users will need some extra training
• Spreadsheets don’t automatically sync interactive data
• It lacks the complex capabilities of other project management tools
• The Smartsheet Jira Connector is expensive

Smartsheet pricing

There is a Free plan here that’s a good place to start if you want to play around and decide if Smartsheet is for you. However, you’re limited to just two sheets, which will probably have you looking for a more powerful plan before long.

• Free: Available for 1 user
• Pro: $7 per user per month (annual)
• Business: $25 per user per month (annual)
• Enterprise: Contact Smartsheet for pricing

Smartsheet reviews and rating

• 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.4 out of 5 on G2

Customers overall enjoyed Smartsheet’s project management capabilities, though some complained that there was a steep learning curve for new users. When it came to spreadsheets, users liked the ability to change views, but sometimes missed the more advanced functionality of other spreadsheet tools.

#6 Google Sheet Alternative: Coda 

Coda is less a spreadsheet and more (in their words) “a collaborative workspace”. That doesn’t mean you can’t create a spreadsheet – it’ll just be integrated into a Coda document that can include multimedia and word processing elements as well.

And those spreadsheets can be interactive as well, with the ability to add reactions, toggles, or progress bars. So while this may not have the most features of any spreadsheet on this list, it’s easy and fun to use, making it a natural tool for collaborating creatively.

Coda is different in other ways – for instance, you have named columns and rows rather than A1, B5, etc. 

You can use Coda in Android or iOS apps or via browser using their cloud-based offering. 

Coda features

Coda offers:

• Document management capabilities, like version control, permissions, and file attachments
• Document templates 
• A mix of word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia, and AI
• Workflow automations 

Coda pros and cons

Pros:

• You can embed a variety of multimedia elements into your Coda documents, including videos, images, social media posts, spreadsheets, and more. 
• Coda is easy to use and the system offers a helpful tutorial when you first start using it.
• If you’re on the right pricing tier you can sync outside apps with Coda so that your docs stay up to date.

Cons:

• Creating formulas is much more complicated than it would be in either Google Sheets or Excel
• There’s no dashboard or report functionality 
• The bigger the document, the more likely it is to lag

Coda pricing

Coda charges based on Doc Makers – in other words the people actually creating the documents. Editors and viewers don’t need their own seat. Users on the Free plan have limits on the integrations available to them and the size of attachments on shared documents.

• Free plan
• Pro: $10 per Doc Maker per month (annually)
• Business: $25 per user per month (annually)
• Enterprise: Contact Coda for pricing

Coda reviews and rating

• 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.7 out of 5 on G2

Most users are enthusiastic about the creative possibilities of Coda, though several reviews noted large files cause the app to lag.

#7 Google Sheet Alternative: Apple Numbers

If you use iOS or a macOS and need a Google Sheets alternative, Apple Numbers is an excellent choice. The app comes as part of the iWork suite and may already be installed on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. 

It isn’t compatible with non-Apple devices, though, so unless you and your team all use Apple products, you won’t be able to use or share these spreadsheets. 

Apple Numbers features

Apple numbers gives you access to the following features:

• Data formatting and organization
• Ability to compute statistics
• Data in chart or graph form
• Ability to create pivot tables

Apple Numbers pros and cons

Pros:

• The app is easy to use
• Can be used across all your Apple devices, including phones and tablets
• Has eye-catching templates and charts

Cons:

• You won’t be able to easily share with non-Apple users
• Functions and formulas are more limited than those in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel

Apple Numbers pricing

You can download Apple Numbers for free in the App Store. 

Apple Numbers reviews and rating

• 4.3 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.2 out of 5 on G2

There are many die-hard fans of Apple Numbers out there, but most still use other solutions in team settings, especially in situations where not everyone is using an Apple device.

#8 Google Sheet Alternative: Zoho Sheets

Zoho has its own office suite, including Zoho Sheet, its spreadsheet offering. Much of the Zoho Sheet functionality is offered for free, and it works in a way that’s similar to Google Sheets, allowing you to add charts and pivot tables. 

In addition, the app features a ChatGPT-powered AI called Zia that can perform data analysis and suggest graphs based on your data. 

Zoho Sheets features

If you try Zoho Sheets, you’ll find:

• Simultaneous collaboration on spreadsheets
• Built-in AI assistant, Zia
• 350+ functions 

Zoho Sheets pros and cons

Pros:

• The Zia AI makes it easy to create charts and pivot tables and analyze your data 
• It’s easy to collaborate with other users 
• The app lets you to import from and export to other spreadsheet apps

Cons:

• It can take some time to learn how to use the app
• Larger worksheets may have slower performance
• There are fewer customization options than Excel or Google Sheets

Zoho Sheets pricing

There is a free plan with limited options. Otherwise, you’ll have to get in touch with Zoho about pricing – they don’t list prices for their broader offering on their site.

Zoho Sheets reviews and rating

• 4.4 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.4 out of 5 on G2

Reviewers were enthusiastic, especially if they were already using other tools in the Zoho One suite of products. Some mentioned lagging, which is a consistent issue across web-only tools.. 

#9 Google Sheet Alternative: ClickUp 

ClickUp is a project management application with some interesting spreadsheet capabilities. Table views can be quickly customized to show what you need. In addition, the application offers a variety of views beyond the spreadsheet-style table view, including Gantt, Kanban, Whiteboard, calendar, and timeline views.

While it may be overkill if you just want a spreadsheet, ClickUp offers a variety of ways to manage schedules and tasks. It also offers collaboration tools to help keep your team all on the same page. 

ClickUp features

• Create and manage tasks 
• Collaborate with other users
• Create customizable workspaces
• Track time spent on tasks

ClickUp pros and cons

Pros:

• The app can estimate project completion dates
• It offers list, spreadsheet, and Gantt views
• You get detailed reporting and analytics options

Cons:

• The number of features can be overwhelming
• The mobile app isn’t as robust as the desktop application

ClickUp pricing

The Free plan is somewhat limited, though it’ll give you a sense of how the product works if you want to test it out. 

• Free: For personal use
• Unlimited: $7 per member per month (annually)
• Business: $12 per member per month (annually)
• Enterprise: Contact ClickUp for pricing

ClickUp reviews and rating

• 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.7 out of 5 on G2

Some users have reported the system can be buggy, though most are happy with their service.

#10 Google Sheet Alternative: Cryptpad

If privacy is a priority for you, Cryptpad is a solid alternative to Google Sheets. The open-source Cryptpad suite of products offers end-to-end encryption as well as zero-knowledge architecture (which means even the service provider can’t see your data).

Like many of the other options on this list, the web-based tool lets you collaborate with other users. However, it has optional security features, like passwords for accessing documents or “View Once and Self-Destruct” options for sharing.

Cryptpad features

Cryptpad differentiators include:

• The ability to add formulas and pivot tables
• End-to-end encryption
• No registration required
• Private collaboration

Cryptpad pros and cons

Pros:

• The Cryptpad suite of products are extremely focused on privacy
• The app is fully open source and has multiple free options
• It offers easy-to-use spreadsheet functionality

Cons:

• It may take some time to get the hang of encryption features
• There’s limited storage for free plans, which may make it less useful for those creating large files

Cryptpad pricing

Unsurprisingly, given its emphasis on security, Cryptpad doesn’t require an email unless you have a paid plan. Registered users get more options and only need to create a login and password. Premium plans vary based on the amount of storage space you need.

• Guest: Free
• Registered: Free
• Premium: 5-15€ per month

Cryptpad reviews and rating

Currently Cryptpad isn’t listed on G2 or Capterra, and the company seems to fly somewhat under the radar. However, users posting on alternative review sites and Reddit are enthusiastic about having a privacy-focused alternative to Google Sheets.

#11 Google Sheet Alternative: OpenOffice Calc

Apache’s OpenOffice is a free, open source office suite that includes a spreadsheet tool, OpenOffice Calc. It has some of the most diverse features of the open-source alternatives listed here, including a Data Pilot, which enables you to import raw data from corporate databases, perform cross-tabulation, summarize the data, and transform it into meaningful insights.

OpenOffice Calc also makes it easy to work across several systems. It supports most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can also read a variety of file types, including XLS, XLSX, and CSV files. 

OpenOffice Calc features

OpenOffice Calc includes:

• Allows advanced spreadsheet formulas
• Includes the ability to use macros
• Checks accuracy with data validation
• Lets you create charts, graphs, and pivot tables

OpenOffice Calc pros and cons

Pros:

• It offers natural language formulas so you can create formulas more easily
• A wizard tool guides you through advanced spreadsheet functions
• It’s free to use
• It’s compatible with most common spreadsheet file types

Cons: 

• Since there’s no cloud option, collaborating is difficult
• The design is a bit outdated
• Because it’s staffed by volunteers, customer support is minimal

OpenOffice Calc pricing

OpenOffice is free and open source. 

OpenOffice Calc reviews and rating

• 4.4 out of 5 on Capterra 
• 4.3 out of 5 on G2

Several reviewers mentioned the somewhat dated design, but overall that didn’t make them any less likely to use the product. 

The Google Sheets Alternative for Project Management

Apps like Excel and Google Sheets are often used at companies because they are the Switzerland of business; everyone knows how to use them.

However, if you are a project manager (or work in a project management tool like Jira or Asana), you’ll want to look at a Google Sheets Alternative that connects with your project data. And here’s why: project management apps like Jira and Asana have structured their project data in a hierarchy; this means that subtasks can live under a task, for example.

The best spreadsheets for project managers honor how the project data is structured in these apps. Visor is one such app that seamlessly integrates with project management apps, ensuring that you can import your project data exactly as you’ve organized it in your project management tool.

The video below shows you how Visor compares to more traditional Jira and Google Sheets integrations. See for yourself just how much easier and more cost-effective Visor is.

Conclusion: Find a better way to manage your data

The realm of spreadsheet applications has expanded beyond the #1 seed, Google Sheets, offering users a ton of alternatives tailored to meet various needs. While Google Sheets remains a widely used and free option, it does have limitations, including challenges with large datasets, lack of a desktop version, and limited customization options.

But ultimately, the best Google Sheets alternative for you depends on your individual preferences, specific requirements, and the nature of the projects or tasks at hand. Explore and evaluate the alternatives we shared to find the one that best aligns with your workflow and enhances your spreadsheet experience.

However, if you want to connect your project management software with unique spreadsheet capabilities, we recommend Visor. Its bi-directional sync with tools like Jira ensures real-time data updates, and the speed of filtering and creating views provides efficiency in managing projects. Visor’s customization options, ease of use, and secure collaboration make it a valuable asset for those seeking a Google-free solution.

Moira West

Moira West

Moira West is a former journalist and educator who has spent the last nine years writing about technology, data management, and more. She is excited to now bring her expertise to Visor. When she's not working, she spends time with her family, paints, bakes, and writes more -- just for fun.