Microsoft Excel vs Rows: 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 Microsoft Excel and Rows 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 lower entry price. 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:
Microsoft Excel
Industry-standard spreadsheet software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
Rows
The spreadsheet where data comes to life, integrating with business tools and automating workflows.
Best for you if:
- • You want spreadsheet with superpowers
| At a Glance | Microsoft Excel | Rows |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $9.99/mo, billed monthly Microsoft 365 Personal plan | Free plan, paid from $15/user/mo, billed monthly Plus plan |
Category | Spreadsheets Productivity | Spreadsheets Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.7 22,705 reviews | 4.9/5 G2 4.9 24 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Microsoft Excel or Rows?
Choose Microsoft Excel if
- You want industry standard
- You want most powerful features
- Budget matters ($9.99/mo, billed monthly vs $15/user/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Rows if
- You want spreadsheet with superpowers
- You want data integrations
In-Depth Analysis
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
Rows
The spreadsheet where data comes to life, integrating with business tools and automating workflows.
Rows' pricing is generally fair, especially with a robust free tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Spreadsheet with superpowers
- Pro: Data integrations
- Pro: Good for analysis
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Limited vs Excel
- Con: Row limits
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Better for specific uses
Key features
Plans and prices: Microsoft Excel vs Rows
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel |
| microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-a… read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Rows |
| rows.com/pricing read Oct 19, 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 Microsoft Excel pricing and Rows pricing.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Excel
- Lower entry price: $9.99/mo, billed monthly vs $15/user/mo, billed monthly
Rows
- Choose if you want the spreadsheet where data comes to life, integrating with business tools and automating workflows
What the data shows
On the data below, Microsoft Excel leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.8/5 from 22,705 reviews for Microsoft Excel, 4.9/5 from 24 reviews for Rows).
- Microsoft Excel has the lower entry price: $9.99/mo, billed monthly (Microsoft 365 Personal) against $15/user/mo, billed monthly (Plus) for Rows.
- 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 Microsoft Excel and Rows compare in 2026?
On the data below, Microsoft Excel leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.8/5 from 22,705 reviews for Microsoft Excel, 4.9/5 from 24 reviews for Rows). Microsoft Excel has the lower entry price: $9.99/mo, billed monthly (Microsoft 365 Personal) against $15/user/mo, billed monthly (Plus) for Rows. Both have a free plan.
What are Microsoft Excel and Rows used for?
Microsoft Excel: Industry-standard spreadsheet software. Rows: The spreadsheet where data comes to life, integrating with business tools and automating workflows.
What does Microsoft Excel cost vs Rows?
Microsoft Excel's cheapest paid plan is Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Rows's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $15/user/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 Microsoft Excel and Rows?
Microsoft Excel's main strength: industry standard. Rows's main strength: spreadsheet with superpowers.