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Best free spreadsheet program

Best Free Excel Alternatives

August 2, 2025 SpreadsheetSuccess

Introduction

Looking for the best free Excel alternative? Whether you’re a student, business owner, or spreadsheet enthusiast, ditching paid software doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. In this comparison, we test four popular free spreadsheet tools to see how they stack up.

Meet the Competitors

We tested these 100% free spreadsheet programs:

  • Google Sheets
  • LibreOffice Calc
  • OnlyOffice Spreadsheet Editor
  • WPS Office Spreadsheets

Each tool was evaluated across 6 core areas, using a scoring system from 0 to 3 (up to 19 points total with a bonus for mobile support).

Test Categories

We tested each app across these areas:

  • XLSX Compatibility
  • Formula Support
  • Conditional Formatting
  • Pivot Table Support
  • Platform Support (with bonus points for mobile)
  • Usability & Interface

XLSX Compatibility

Most spreadsheets today are saved as .xlsx files. We imported the same styled, formula-rich Excel file into each app to test layout preservation, formula integrity, table structure, and styling.

Results:

  • Google Sheets: 2/3 Table formatting changed, but data and formulas intact
  • WPS Office: 3/3 Looks and behaves like Excel
  • LibreOffice Calc: 2/3 Formatting was off, especially in dark mode
  • OnlyOffice: 3/3 Styling and formulas preserved well

Formula Support & Autocomplete

We tested core formulas like SUM, IF, and VLOOKUP. We also checked if the app helps with autocomplete, argument tooltips, or function hints. It’s not just about working formulas, we also looked at how easy the experience is for new users.

If you’re unfamiliar with how VLOOKUP works, check out our beginner’s guide here.

Results:

  • Google Sheets: 3/3 Smart autocomplete and tooltips
  • WPS Office: 2/3 Excel-like experience, but no suggestions
  • LibreOffice Calc: 2/3 Formulas work, minimal guidance
  • OnlyOffice: 2/3 Valid formulas, but no autocomplete

Conditional Formatting

We applied basic conditional formatting rules, like highlighting values over 100 or 200, to test each tool’s formatting options and ease of use. Some platforms offer these tools as a single click, while others require you to dig through menus.

Results:

  • All tools scored 3/3 Full support for conditional formatting

Pivot Table Support

We used our test dataset to create a pivot table that groups sales by Region and sums up Total Revenue. The goal was to replicate basic business analysis tasks and evaluate how easily the software builds pivot tables.

Results:

  • Google Sheets: 3/3 Very intuitive
  • WPS Office: 3/3 Just like Excel
  • LibreOffice Calc: 3/3 Slightly clunky UI but functional
  • OnlyOffice: 3/3 Fully supports pivot tables

Platform & Mobile Support

We checked if the software is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile (Android & iOS). Bonus points were awarded for full-featured mobile apps.

Results:

  • Google Sheets: 4/3 Web-based with excellent mobile apps
  • WPS Office: 4/3 Cross-platform, mobile apps included
  • LibreOffice Calc: 3/3 No mobile apps
  • OnlyOffice: 4/3 Full desktop & mobile support

Usability & Interface

We worked in each tool, formatting, entering data, using menus and functions. Some tools feel snappy and modern, while others can feel dated or overloaded with options.

Results:

  • Google Sheets: 3/3 Fast and modern
  • WPS Office: 3/3 Feels like Excel
  • LibreOffice Calc: 2/3 Functional but dated
  • OnlyOffice: 3/3 Sleek and user-friendly

Final Scores (out of 19)

ProgramScore
WPS Office18/19 ✅
Google Sheets18/19 ✅
OnlyOffice18/19 ✅
LibreOffice Calc15/19

Conclusion

So what’s the best free Excel alternative? It’s a three-way tie between WPS Office, Google Sheets, and OnlyOffice, each with its own strengths:

  • WPS Office: Closest to Excel. Great UI, flawless compatibility, minor ad annoyance.
  • Google Sheets: Perfect for real-time collaboration, though offline use requires setup.
  • OnlyOffice: Modern and offline-friendly, great for teams or individuals.

LibreOffice Calc still holds its ground as a solid open-source choice, especially for Linux users.

Try them out yourself and see what fits your needs.

👉 Want to see them in action? Watch the full video here.

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About the Author

SpreadsheetSuccess

Hi there! I’m the creator of Spreadsheet Success, a platform dedicated to making spreadsheets easier for everyone. From Excel and Google Sheets to other spreadsheet tools, I share practical tutorials, formulas, shortcuts, and reviews that help users work faster and smarter.

As a Software Developer and IT Professional, I manage all technical aspects of Spreadsheet Success. This includes hosting, backend systems, custom development, and support. I also bring hands-on experience administering Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments. This goes beyond just Excel and Sheets and includes tools like Outlook, Google Docs, Word, and PowerPoint. That experience gives me a clear, real-world view of how spreadsheets and office tools are used in both business and everyday home environments.

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