Microsoft Excel Pricing 2026
Plans, hidden costs, and cheaper alternatives compared
Is Microsoft Excel worth the price?
Microsoft Excel's pricing is fair, offering a generous free online version and affordable subscription options.
The Microsoft 365 Personal plan at $6.99/month provides excellent value for individual users needing full desktop features. It's best for individuals and families who need robust spreadsheet capabilities and cloud storage.
Pricing Plans
Free TrialExcel Online
Free
Basic web version
- Basic formulas
- Simple charts
- Collaboration
- 5GB OneDrive
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
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
No annual discount mentioned for 365 plans
One-time purchase lacks ongoing updates
No enterprise-specific pricing shown
Which Plan Do You Need?
Casual users needing basic spreadsheets
Individuals needing full desktop Excel
Families sharing productivity tools
How Microsoft Excel Compares to Competitors
Compared to Google Sheets (free with Google Workspace), Excel Online offers similar basic functionality. For full desktop features, LibreOffice Calc is a free open-source alternative, but lacks the seamless cloud integration and advanced features of Microsoft 365 Personal at $6.99/month.
Microsoft Excel Pricing FAQ
How much does Microsoft Excel cost?
Microsoft Excel starts at $6.99/month on the Microsoft 365 Personal plan. It offers 2 paid tiers ranging from $6.99/month up to $12.99/month. A free plan is also available with limited features.
Does Microsoft Excel have a free plan?
Yes. Microsoft Excel offers a free plan called "Excel Online". It includes: Basic formulas, Simple charts, Collaboration.
Does Microsoft Excel offer a free trial?
Yes, Microsoft Excel offers a free trial. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.
What is the cheapest Microsoft Excel paid plan?
The cheapest paid plan for Microsoft Excel is "Microsoft 365 Personal" at $6.99/month. Key features include: Desktop + web + mobile, All Excel features, 1TB OneDrive.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Microsoft Excel?
Yes. Popular alternatives to Microsoft Excel include Google Sheets, Smartsheet, Airtable. Free alternatives include Google Sheets, Airtable. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to Microsoft Excel
2 of 3 direct competitors below offer a free plan. Per-seat pricing varies up to 60% across this set.
