Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Microsoft Excel leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Google Sheets
Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Microsoft Excel requires payment)
Microsoft Excel
Industry-standard spreadsheet software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
| At a Glance | Google Sheets | Microsoft Excel |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from €6.80/user/mo, billed yearly Business Starter plan | Free plan, paid from $9.99/mo, billed monthly Microsoft 365 Personal plan |
Category | Spreadsheets Productivity | Spreadsheets Productivity |
Rating | 3.7/5 Capterra 4.8 · SourceForge 2.4 997 reviews | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.7 22,705 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Storage limits on free tier can be hit quickly. | n/a |
Choose Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel?
Choose Google Sheets if
- You want a fully free tool (Microsoft Excel requires payment)
- You want free and powerful
- You want great collaboration
Choose Microsoft Excel if
- You want industry standard
- You want most powerful features
In-Depth Analysis
Google Sheets
Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free.
Google Sheets itself is free, which is incredibly generous and makes it accessible to everyone.
Watch out
Storage limits on free tier can be hit quickly.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and powerful
- Pro: Great collaboration
- Pro: Good formulas
- Pro: Apps Script for automation
- Pro: Integrates well
Weaknesses
- Con: Performance with large sheets
- Con: Privacy concerns
- Con: Less features than Excel
- Con: Offline mode limited
- Con: Some formatting issues
Key features
Microsoft Excel
Industry-standard spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel's pricing is fair, offering a generous free online version and affordable subscription options.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Most powerful features
- Pro: Excellent for complex analysis
- Pro: VBA automation
- Pro: Universal compatibility
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires Microsoft 365 subscription
- Con: Can be complex for beginners
- Con: Large file sizes
- Con: Performance with big datasets
Key features
Plans and prices: Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Google Sheets |
| workspace.google.com/pricing |
| Microsoft Excel |
| microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-a… read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Google Sheets pricing and Microsoft Excel pricing.
Key Takeaways
Google Sheets
- Choose if you want create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free
Microsoft Excel
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 3.7/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Microsoft Excel leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Microsoft Excel has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 997 reviews for Google Sheets, 4.8/5 from 22,705 reviews for Microsoft Excel).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Google Sheets €6.80/user/mo, billed yearly; Microsoft Excel $9.99/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel compare in 2026?
On the data below, Microsoft Excel leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Microsoft Excel has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 997 reviews for Google Sheets, 4.8/5 from 22,705 reviews for Microsoft Excel). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Google Sheets €6.80/user/mo, billed yearly; Microsoft Excel $9.99/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel used for?
Google Sheets: Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free. Microsoft Excel: Industry-standard spreadsheet software.
What does Google Sheets cost vs Microsoft Excel?
Google Sheets's cheapest paid plan is Business Starter at €6.80/user/mo, billed yearly. Microsoft Excel's cheapest paid plan is Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel?
Google Sheets's main strength: free and powerful. Microsoft Excel's main strength: industry standard.