Industry-standard spreadsheet software
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3043 reviews tracked·31 press mentionsThe Bottom Line
Entry price
From $6.99/mo (free plan available)
Biggest pro
Industry standard
Biggest con
Requires Microsoft 365 subscription
TL;DR - Microsoft Excel
- Industry-standard spreadsheet
- Most powerful analysis features
- Part of Microsoft 365 subscription
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
4.7/5 across review platforms
What is Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel is the world's most widely used spreadsheet application, part of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). Excel offers powerful data analysis features including pivot tables, advanced formulas, charts, and macros (VBA). Used by businesses worldwide for financial modeling, data analysis, reporting, and automation. Excel's formula language and features have become the industry standard that competitors try to match. Available as desktop app, web app, and mobile app with real-time collaboration.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry standard
- Most powerful features
- Excellent for complex analysis
- VBA automation
- Universal compatibility
Cons
- Requires Microsoft 365 subscription
- Can be complex for beginners
- Large file sizes
- Performance with big datasets
Ratings Across the Web
4.7(3,043 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Advanced formulas and functionsPivot tablesCharts and visualizationsMacros (VBA)Power QueryReal-time collaborationDesktop and web appsMobile apps
Pricing Plans
Free TrialExcel Online
Free
Basic web version
- Basic formulas
- Simple charts
- Collaboration
- 5GB OneDrive
Most Popular
Microsoft 365 Personal
$6.99/month
Full Excel
- Desktop + web + mobile
- All Excel features
- 1TB OneDrive
- 1 user
Microsoft 365 Family
$12.99/month
For families
- Everything in Personal
- Up to 6 users
- 6TB total storage
How Microsoft Excel's pricing compares
At $6.99/mo, Microsoft Excel is mid-range of its 3 direct competitors ($1.67 to $12/mo across the set).
Entry paid plan, monthly.
Reviews
4.7/5
Across 3,043 verified user reviews on G2
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Microsoft Excel FAQ
Is Excel free?
Excel Online (web version) has a free tier with basic features. The full desktop Excel requires a Microsoft 365 subscription ($6.99/month personal or $12.99/month family).
How does Excel compare to Google Sheets?
Excel is more powerful for complex analysis, has better formulas and pivot tables, and works offline. Google Sheets is free, better for collaboration, and simpler. Excel for power users; Sheets for casual use.
Can Excel handle big data?
Excel handles up to 1 million rows. For larger datasets, use Power Query to connect to external data or consider dedicated tools like Power BI or Python/pandas.
Source: microsoft.com