Crunching Information? I Discovered the 8 Finest Spreadsheet Software program

There are two varieties of folks on this world: those that see a clean spreadsheet and panic, and people who see infinite potentialities. I was the latter till a poorly formatted dataset, a rogue components, and a sluggish cloud sync conspired in opposition to me on the identical afternoon. 

If you happen to’ve ever watched your rigorously crafted formulation implode due to one misplaced character or tried to collaborate on a doc solely to search out somebody has mysteriously deleted a whole column, you recognize the battle of not working with the finest spreadsheet software program. 

Spreadsheets are imagined to make life simpler, however decide the mistaken instrument, and immediately, you’re in an endurance take a look at of endurance and CTRL+Z reflexes. After one too many near-breakdowns, I made a decision to check completely different spreadsheet instruments to see which of them may deal with the chaos of my day by day work. Some options dealt with large datasets like a dream. Others made collaboration really feel easy. And some? Let’s simply say they jogged my memory why folks nonetheless print issues out.

If you happen to reside and breathe spreadsheets or simply desire a instrument that gained’t betray you, my record of finest spreadsheet software program breaks down the 8 high options I examined, what they excel at, and which one would possibly prevent from a data-induced meltdown. 

Let’s get into it.

8 finest spreadsheet software program 

Spreadsheet software program is the instrument I can’t escape, largely as a result of I don’t need to. It’s the place I plan, manage, and analyze all the pieces from advertising metrics to content material schedules. At its easiest, it’s only a grid of rows and columns. However in actuality? It’s a monetary tracker, a reporting powerhouse, a calculator, a light-weight database, and infrequently a last-minute downside solver when no different software program can do precisely what I want.

I’ve used spreadsheets for all the pieces from budgeting advert spending to monitoring advertising efficiency, and I’ve seen them morph into full-blown databases with automation, superior formulation, and real-time collaboration. One of the best spreadsheet software program isn’t only a place to dump numbers; it’s a instrument that helps you make sense of them, spot patterns, and (hopefully) keep away from pricey errors.

Whether or not you’re crunching knowledge, managing workflows, or simply making an attempt to remain organized, the suitable spreadsheet software program could make a distinction. The mistaken one? Let’s simply say I’ve misplaced sufficient unsaved work to know higher.

My components for locating the most effective spreadsheet software program

I wasn’t simply searching for a spreadsheet that labored. I needed one which made my job simpler. So, I put the most effective spreadsheet software program by way of the wringer, testing all the pieces from velocity to collaboration to how properly they dealt with messy, real-world knowledge. 

• Efficiency and scalability: I’ve labored with spreadsheets that beg for mercy once you dump an excessive amount of knowledge into them. So I stress-tested every instrument by importing massive datasets — tens of 1000’s of rows, calculations working within the background, real-time collaboration in progress. An ideal spreadsheet instrument shouldn’t simply work for a number of hundred rows; it ought to be capable to deal with heavy formulation, reside knowledge imports, and a number of customers enhancing directly with out turning right into a frozen nightmare.
• Method capabilities and automation: Fundamental addition and subtraction are high quality for grocery lists, however I wanted one thing that would deal with advanced formulation, nested logic, and automation that saved me from repeating the identical activity. I examined how properly every instrument supported superior formulation like INDEX/MATCH, ARRAY FORMULA, and customized scripting. Some instruments even let me arrange automated workflows, like triggering emails when a threshold is met or pulling real-time monetary knowledge from exterior sources. 
• Collaboration and model management: Spreadsheets are hardly ever a solo sport. I examined how straightforward it was to work with a staff: can a number of folks edit directly with out issues breaking? What occurs when somebody deletes a components they positively shouldn’t have touched? I additionally dug into model historical past, testing whether or not I may roll again modifications simply. One of the best spreadsheet software program made it inconceivable for a rogue teammate to interrupt my workflow.
• Integration and connectivity: I discover a spreadsheet that exists in isolation ineffective. I wanted a spreadsheet instrument that imported knowledge from CRMs, APIs, and reside databases with out forcing me to replace all the pieces each 5 minutes manually. I examined how properly every software program instrument related with different instruments, whether or not by way of built-in integrations, add-ons, or automation platforms. One of the best ones let me pull in real-time knowledge, sync with cloud storage, and even automate repetitive reporting duties with a number of clicks.
• Information visualization and reporting: Numbers are nice, but when I can’t rapidly flip them into charts, pivot tables, or dashboards that make sense, what’s the purpose? I examined how versatile every spreadsheet software program was with graphs, conditional formatting, and superior reporting options. If a spreadsheet made it simpler to identify developments, spotlight key metrics, and current knowledge in a manner that tells a narrative, it scored main factors.
• Superior options: Past the fundamentals, I seemed for spreadsheet instruments that supplied options that weren’t simply “good to have” however improved my workflow. Among the standout capabilities I examined included database-style performance, AI-powered insights, components solutions, no-code automation, and many others.

One of the best spreadsheet software program didn’t simply deal with numbers — it prolonged what I may do with them, making my work extra environment friendly and, actually, lots much less irritating. After testing over 30 instruments over a number of months, I’ve my ultimate minimize.

The record under accommodates real consumer opinions from G2’s finest spreadsheet software program class. To be included on this class, an answer should:

• Present overview and enhancing instruments
• Filter knowledge for future evaluation
• Present knowledge presentation capabilities, akin to charts and graphs
• Supply collaboration and sharing instruments
• Present convertible recordsdata

*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some opinions could have been edited for readability.  

I’ve used Google Workspace for years, however I needed to transcend the same old budgeting and content material monitoring for testing Sheets. It at the moment holds a satisfaction rating of 99 on G2, making it the best on the record.

I put Google Sheets by way of a deep take a look at: dealing with massive datasets, automating workflows, integrating reside knowledge, and stress-testing formulation. My purpose was to see if it may exchange a extra heavy-duty spreadsheet instrument or if it could begin displaying cracks beneath strain.

First, the real-time collaboration continues to be unmatched. I invited a number of folks to edit a reside doc, examined simultaneous modifications, and arrange protected ranges to forestall unintended overwrites. Every thing was up to date in real-time with out lag, and I may tag folks with @mentions in feedback to assign duties. The built-in chat centralized discussions, making it really feel extra like a dwelling doc than a static spreadsheet.

However I needed to push automation subsequent. Google Apps Script is a critical benefit if you recognize JavaScript. It allowed me to create customized workflows, like pulling reside inventory market knowledge from an API or routinely producing experiences. Sheets nonetheless presents primary automation by way of Macros for non-coders, which lets me file and repeat repetitive duties. I examined establishing an automatic workflow to repeat knowledge from one sheet to a different when a situation was met, and it labored properly, however solely inside Sheets itself. 

Google Sheets additionally has spectacular reside knowledge import capabilities. I used capabilities like IMPORTXML to scrape web site knowledge and IMPORTRANGE to tug values from different spreadsheets. Connecting Sheets to Google Analytics and BigQuery was clean, nevertheless it required setup by way of Google Cloud, which isn’t as intuitive for inexperienced persons.

What additionally intrigued me was Gemini for Google Sheets, Google’s AI-powered assistant. As a substitute of manually constructing formulation or sifting by way of rows of knowledge, I typed easy prompts like “Summarize gross sales developments from the final quarter” or “Spotlight underperforming merchandise,” and Gemini returned structured insights. It wasn’t all the time excellent — I nonetheless needed to refine outcomes — nevertheless it sped up evaluation considerably. Gemini made trend-spotting and knowledge summaries easy for entrepreneurs and analysts working with intensive experiences.

When testing efficiency at scale, I discovered that Google Sheets handles reasonable datasets easily however begins to decelerate when pushed to enterprise-level volumes. At round 50,000 rows, refresh instances and components processing noticeably lagged, and huge pivot tables ran slower than in Excel or specialised analytics instruments. This design aligns with Sheets’ core power, collaborative, cloud-based evaluation, making it a superb selection for agile groups dealing with gentle to mid-level knowledge.

Offline performance additionally presents the same stability of strengths and trade-offs. Sheets helps primary offline enhancing for fast changes, however loading and manipulating massive recordsdata with no robust connection can really feel unreliable. For groups continuously on the transfer, sustaining secure connectivity ensures a smoother, extra reliable expertise.

What I dislike about Google Sheets:

• In my expertise, and echoed by a number of G2 reviewers, offline mode works high quality for smaller sheets however struggles with massive recordsdata. Syncing modifications after reconnecting felt sluggish, which is smart for a instrument constructed primarily for cloud collaboration.
• I additionally seen, and G2 customers agree, that automation in Google Sheets isn’t essentially the most approachable. Apps Script is highly effective for many who code, however for non-technical customers like me, establishing automations typically means counting on third-party add-ons or easier built-in choices.

What G2 customers dislike about Google Sheets:

“One draw back of Google Workspace is its restricted offline performance. Whereas offline entry is feasible with some apps (like Docs, Sheets, and Gmail), it requires establishing beforehand, and sure options could not work as properly or require a gradual web connection to replace easily as soon as you’re again on-line. Moreover, in case your group depends closely on superior spreadsheet or doc options, Google Sheets and Docs could lack the in-depth performance of conventional software program like Microsoft Excel and Phrase, particularly for advanced knowledge processing or superior formatting.”

– Google Workspace Assessment, Gadwin O.

I’ve all the time seen Excel because the spreadsheet software program that may do all the pieces — if you know the way to make use of it. 95% of G2 reviewers say that it meets their necessities. Whereas Google Sheets wins in collaboration, Excel dominates in uncooked energy, making it my go-to for giant datasets, superior monetary modeling, and automation that doesn’t break beneath strain.

I began by loading an enormous dataset with over 500,000 rows to see how Excel dealt with large-scale knowledge evaluation. Excel barely flinched, not like Google Sheets, which began lagging at round 50,000 rows. Filtering, sorting, and working advanced calculations felt clean, even once I stacked a number of pivot tables and conditional formatting guidelines.

What impressed me was Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant. As a substitute of manually determining formulation or creating pivot tables from scratch, I merely typed what I wanted in plain English. Copilot instructed the proper formulation, created visualizations, and even summarized developments in my knowledge. It wasn’t excellent; I nonetheless needed to tweak outcomes sometimes, nevertheless it was an enormous time-saver for fast insights and first drafts of experiences.

Nonetheless, Excel shines in Energy Question and Energy Pivot. These instruments aren’t only for cleansing up messy knowledge; they allow you to manipulate and remodel datasets with unimaginable precision. I examined Energy Question by pulling in uncooked CSV recordsdata, merging tables, and routinely refreshing experiences with new knowledge. It labored flawlessly, saving me hours of handbook cleanup. Alternatively, Energy Pivot lets me construct relational knowledge fashions, which is a lifesaver when working with multi-sheet experiences that want to remain related.

For automation, I examined Excel’s built-in Visible Fundamental for Purposes (VBA). I wrote a macro to generate weekly advertising experiences, pulling knowledge from a number of sheets, making use of formatting, and even sending an e-mail abstract — all with one click on. It took some preliminary setup, nevertheless it saved me from a tedious handbook course of as soon as configured. If VBA feels too technical, Excel additionally integrates with Energy Automate, permitting no-code automation that connects with different Microsoft instruments like Outlook, Groups, and SharePoint.

I additionally examined Excel’s knowledge visualization instruments, and that is the place it pulls forward for reporting. The charting options go far past easy bar graphs; I created interactive dashboards with slicers, customized pattern traces, and dynamic formatting that made experiences extra insightful at a look. If you happen to work in analytics-heavy fields, Excel’s capacity to deal with forecasting, pattern evaluation, and predictive modeling provides it an edge.

One disadvantage I bumped into was cloud collaboration. Whereas the Excel for Internet model permits real-time enhancing, it’s not almost as clean as Google Sheets. The desktop model continues to be the most effective for efficiency, however sharing recordsdata requires saving them to OneDrive or SharePoint, which provides an additional step in comparison with Google’s on the spot sharing. G2 reviewers additionally agreed with my expertise right here.

What I dislike about Microsoft Excel:

• Whereas Excel for Internet permits real-time enhancing, it wasn’t as clean or on the spot as I’d like. The desktop model continues to be higher, however counting on OneDrive or SharePoint for sharing provides further steps. G2 reviewers have echoed this sentiment of their opinions as properly.
• Excel requires a robust machine for intensive calculations. It handles large datasets properly, however once I examined it on my older laptop computer with advanced formula-heavy sheets, there was a noticeable lag. G2 customers additionally mentioned that the {hardware} could be a limitation in case you’re working with large recordsdata.

What G2 customers dislike about Microsoft Excel:

“I want there have been instances when the formulation had been extra explanatory. At instances, the formulation don’t appear to make sense, and consultants have to be consulted, or self-help movies have to be reviewed to resolve the problem of why sure logic paths/formulation aren’t working.”

– Microsoft Assessment, Michael R.

Quip isn’t your typical spreadsheet software program. It’s what occurs when a spreadsheet, a doc editor, and a chat instrument get mixed right into a single workspace. At first, I wasn’t positive if this mashup was a superb thought or an pointless complication, however after testing it for real-world duties, I can see why groups that want an all-in-one workspace like it.

Straight away, Quip felt much less like a spreadsheet instrument and extra like a reside workspace. As a substitute of being dropped right into a clean grid, I began inside a doc the place I may embed spreadsheets instantly alongside textual content, checklists, and even reside discussions. This was an enormous win for advertising experiences, content material calendars, and marketing campaign planning, the place I continually change between analyzing numbers and explaining developments. As a substitute of bouncing between spreadsheets and separate Google Docs, I may preserve all the pieces in a single place.

I examined the real-time collaboration instruments, and that is the place Quip actually stood out. In contrast to Google Sheets, the place feedback are tied to particular cells, Quip permits inline discussions anyplace within the doc, whether or not it’s in a paragraph, a guidelines, or inside a spreadsheet itself. My staff and I may chat inside a monetary report, modify projections, and assign motion objects instantly contained in the file. Plus, I liked that I may add interactive checklists and activity lists proper contained in the doc, making it greater than only a spreadsheet.

Then, I examined reside sync capabilities, and this was the place issues bought fascinating. As a result of Quip is owned by Salesforce, it has deep integrations with Salesforce knowledge, permitting groups to tug reside CRM data and experiences instantly right into a Quip doc. I may edit a gross sales forecast spreadsheet, and the numbers routinely up to date from Salesforce knowledge, making certain we had been all the time working with the newest figures. This characteristic alone may exchange messy e-mail chains and outdated experiences for gross sales and finance groups.

Once I examined Quip with a dataset of over 30,000 rows, efficiency noticeably dipped, and filtering and sorting took longer than I anticipated for heavier evaluation. G2 reviewers talked about seeing comparable slowdowns with massive recordsdata, which is smart since Quip is constructed extra for collaboration and communication than high-volume knowledge processing.

I additionally seen, and G2 customers agreed, that Quip doesn’t provide a lot in the best way of automation. There’s no scripting or macro-level performance such as you’d discover in Excel or Google Sheets, which makes it higher fitted to groups targeted on light-weight, real-time collaboration fairly than advanced knowledge modeling or automated workflows.

What I dislike about Quip:

• Restricted components and automation capabilities. Whereas Quip dealt with my primary calculations high quality, it lacked superior options like macros, scripting, and automation instruments. G2 customers say that if it is advisable construct advanced monetary fashions or automate repetitive duties, you’ll hit a wall rapidly.
• I discovered the customization choices fairly primary. In contrast to Excel, the place I can deeply format experiences and fine-tune each chart, Quip’s spreadsheet formatting instruments felt restricted. It really works properly for easy experiences, nevertheless it is probably not sufficient if you’d like extremely detailed visualizations. G2 customers expressed the identical of their suggestions.

What G2 customers dislike about Quip:

“Dealing with with tables will not be that clean for me. I believe we are able to add some extra options current in google sheets if would not exist until now. Like Method help and all. Additionally, in case you paste some photographs within the final line of a quip doc it will get powerful to work within the subsequent line by inserting a brand new one, so I’d simply paste the picture within the second final line to not face that situation.”

– Quip Assessment, Yash R.

Zoho Sheet doesn’t simply attempt to be one other cloud-based spreadsheet — it goes a step additional by integrating collaboration, workflow automation, and enterprise intelligence options in ways in which most spreadsheet software program doesn’t. Whereas it could not have the model recognition of Excel or Google Sheets, I discovered it filled with instruments that make knowledge administration extra environment friendly, particularly for groups already utilizing Zoho’s ecosystem.

The very first thing that stood out was how customizable the expertise felt. In contrast to most spreadsheet software program that forces a inflexible interface, Zoho Sheet lets me tweak all the pieces from the toolbar format to default formatting choices. I even arrange customized button-triggered actions contained in the sheet, which is one thing I hadn’t seen in different instruments. This made on a regular basis duties — like updating experiences or shifting datasets — really feel smoother and extra intuitive.

I additionally examined its built-in knowledge validation and automation instruments, and that is the place Zoho Sheet actually impressed me. The information linking characteristic allowed me to create dynamic references throughout a number of sheets and workbooks, which means that when one dataset modified, all related experiences up to date routinely. This eliminated the trouble of manually syncing experiences — an enormous time-saver for anybody coping with recurring knowledge updates.

Zoho Sheet additionally presents form-driven knowledge assortment, which helps you to construct interactive kinds instantly contained in the spreadsheet. I examined this by making a advertising marketing campaign tracker the place my staff may submit new marketing campaign particulars by way of a type, and the information was populated right into a structured desk routinely. This characteristic is helpful for groups that continuously gather knowledge from a number of contributors.

For individuals who want staff collaboration, Zoho Sheet contains granular entry controls, letting me set consumer roles at a a lot deeper stage than Google Sheets. I may enable some teammates to edit solely particular ranges, limit components modifications, and even set expiration dates on shared recordsdata — one thing that’s extremely helpful for managing non permanent collaborations.

Whereas Zoho Sheet excels at automation and staff workflows, it’s not the strongest at exterior integrations. It really works superbly with Zoho’s suite of apps (like Zoho CRM and Zoho Books), however G2 reviewers and I discovered it noticeably tougher to connect with third-party instruments outdoors the Zoho ecosystem. 

One other limitation I seen was charting and visualization. Whereas Zoho Sheet contains a wide range of graph varieties, I discovered the customization choices extra restricted than Excel or Google Sheets. G2 customers additionally struggled a bit of to tweak pattern traces, add dynamic filtering, or construct interactive dashboards as easily in comparison with different software program.

What I dislike about Zoho Sheet:

• There are restricted third-party integrations outdoors Zoho’s ecosystem. Whereas it connects seamlessly to Zoho CRM and finance instruments, integrating with non-Zoho platforms like Zapier, Slack, or exterior APIs requires further steps.
• As per G2 reviewers, there isn’t a superior scripting language for deep automation. Zoho supplies some built-in automation instruments, nevertheless it lacks a robust scripting possibility like Google Apps Script or VBA, making advanced workflow automation tougher.

What G2 customers dislike about Zoho Sheet:

“I understood that this instrument is a particular objective instrument and is probably not as straightforward to cope with as a daily Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. For instance, I can not simply paste a date from Excel right into a Zoho Sheet and anticipate it to work throughout date codecs. It would not. Equally, null worth dealing with is completely different in Excel and Zoho sheets. So I needed to be cautious whereas even copying and pasting in order that the precise worth is retained regardless of format modifications.”

– Zoho Sheet Assessment, Arpit J.

Apple Numbers is the spreadsheet software program that refuses to be simply one other grid of rows and columns. Proper from the beginning, it felt much less like a standard spreadsheet instrument and extra like a canvas for data-driven design, with a concentrate on aesthetics, format flexibility, and a surprisingly intuitive strategy to organizing data. 

It’s excellent for individuals who need their spreadsheets to look pretty much as good as they perform, nevertheless it positively has its quirks.

The very first thing that stood out was the freeform format. In contrast to Excel or Google Sheets, the place you’re locked into an infinite sea of gridlines, Numbers helps you to place tables anyplace on the canvas. I examined this by making a multi-section report with a number of tables, textual content explanations, and even interactive charts; all organized precisely how I needed, with out being confined to a single inflexible sheet.

This made it very best for shows, dashboards, and experiences that required to visually structured strategy fairly than simply being data-heavy.

One other distinctive characteristic I examined was Apple’s interactive sliders and stepper controls. As a substitute of manually altering values in cells, I added adjustable sliders to monetary projections, making it straightforward to tweak numbers and see on the spot updates in charts with out continually retyping values. This made state of affairs evaluation really feel way more intuitive, particularly for forecasting fashions.

I additionally explored real-time collaboration, which works seamlessly throughout Apple gadgets by way of iCloud. My staff edited the identical file on Mac, iPad, and even iPhone with none sync points. Nonetheless, collaboration outdoors the Apple ecosystem was restricted — not like Google Sheets, which anybody can entry with a browser, Numbers requires collaborators to have an Apple ID, which made sharing recordsdata with non-Apple customers extra sophisticated.

Apple’s built-in knowledge categorization additionally felt distinctive. Numbers enable for computerized grouping and collapsible class views inside tables, which makes breaking down datasets by area, division, or gross sales class extremely clean. I examined this with a advertising finances report, organizing bills by marketing campaign sort, and I liked how I may collapse and broaden sections dynamically without having separate pivot tables.

One among Numbers’ most substantial points is its gorgeous knowledge visualization instruments. Charts and graphs are way more polished and customizable than what I’ve seen in Excel or Google Sheets. I created a 3D interactive pie chart the place I may rotate sections by dragging them, making it a robust instrument for visually partaking experiences. 

Once I examined the instrument’s knowledge evaluation depth, I seen that superior statistical and monetary modeling was pretty restricted, one thing G2 reviewers additionally identified. It helps primary formulation superbly, however with out options like Energy Pivot or regression modeling, it’s clearly designed extra for clear knowledge presentation than advanced analytical work.

Numbers excel in ways in which conventional spreadsheets don’t. However in case you want deep knowledge analytics, scripting, or enterprise-scale automation, it is probably not sturdy sufficient for the job.

What I dislike about Apple Numbers:

• G2 opinions be aware restricted automation and scripting capabilities. There’s no built-in scripting language like VBA or Google Apps Script, so repetitive duties and important knowledge transformations require handbook work or third-party instruments.
• Collaboration works finest inside Apple’s ecosystem, as per G2 customers. Whereas real-time enhancing by way of iCloud was clean on Apple gadgets, sharing with non-Apple customers was much less intuitive, and the net model lacked some performance.

What G2 customers dislike about Apple Numbers:

“Coming from a background as an information analyst, I discovered that Apple Numbers lacks the options that I’ve grown accustomed to with Excel and Google Sheets. Whereas Numbers is unbelievable for primary duties and presents knowledge in a visually pleasing method, for something extra superior or for enterprise use, the capabilities and formulation are restricted. If in case you have additionally used Excel or Google Sheets, Numbers’s whole strategy is kind of completely different, making it difficult to adapt to a distinct workflow. I’ve tried to change to Numbers many instances, however all the time discover myself returning to the opposite choices.”

– Apple Numbers Assessment, Skyler B.

Equals is a spreadsheet constructed for contemporary analytics, and after testing it, I can confidently say it’s one of the distinctive instruments on this area. In keeping with G2 Information, 99% of customers say they discover it straightforward to do enterprise with, and 84% of Equals’ clients are from small companies.

In contrast to Excel or Google Sheets, that are general-purpose spreadsheets, Equals is explicitly designed for enterprise intelligence, reside knowledge connections, and SQL-powered reporting. If you happen to continually work with databases and wish a spreadsheet that automates knowledge updates and eliminates handbook exports, this one is price taking a look at.

The very first thing I examined was reside database connections, the place Equals shines. As a substitute of manually importing CSVs or copy-pasting experiences, I related them on to an SQL database. From there, I may write queries contained in the spreadsheet and pull in reside knowledge with out ever leaving the interface. This fully eradicated the trouble of downloading and re-uploading knowledge each time one thing modified. Even higher, I may schedule these queries to refresh at set intervals, which means my experiences stayed updated routinely.

I additionally examined Equals’ built-in model management, which works equally to Git however for spreadsheets. In contrast to in Google Sheets or Excel, the place you may view a historical past of edits however should revert modifications manually, Equals helps you to create named variations of your work. This meant I may experiment with completely different eventualities, take a look at formulation, and all the time have a fallback with out duplicating recordsdata. This characteristic was a game-changer when engaged on monetary modeling, the place completely different assumptions typically have to be examined facet by facet.

One other main plus was how easily it dealt with advanced knowledge joins and calculations. In a standard spreadsheet, if I needed to merge two datasets, I’d both have to make use of VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, or depend on exterior scripts. In Equals, I may write SQL queries to hitch datasets instantly contained in the sheet. This made it considerably simpler to work with a number of knowledge sources directly with out creating messy formulation.

Whereas testing Equals, I spotted it’s clearly constructed with knowledge professionals in thoughts, one thing G2 reviewers additionally talked about. The platform leans closely towards SQL-based workflows and automation, which makes it extremely highly effective for evaluation however much less approachable for groups that don’t work with reside databases. In comparison with Google Sheets or Excel, the training curve feels steeper, and it’s finest fitted to customers who’re snug querying and deciphering uncooked knowledge.

I additionally discovered, and G2 suggestions aligns, that Equals focuses extra on perform than type. It processes massive datasets seamlessly, however formatting and presentation choices are pretty minimal. Charts and pivot tables get the job completed, but in case you’re constructing polished, client-ready dashboards, you would possibly end up ending the visuals elsewhere.

What I dislike about Equals:

• G2 suggestions means that it isn’t as useful in case you don’t work with databases. For me, the largest power of Equals is its capacity to tug reside knowledge. However you will not get the identical advantages in case you’re not working with SQL or exterior databases.
• I discovered Equals much less versatile for general-purpose spreadsheet work. It’s constructed for knowledge evaluation, not broad spreadsheet use, so issues like activity monitoring, light-weight budgeting, or private planning are higher fitted to conventional instruments. G2 customers echoed this sentiment of their opinions, too.

What G2 customers dislike about Equals:

“There aren’t many issues we do not like. Possibly a Zapier integration can be good so we may push knowledge right into a workbook based mostly on different workflows. Will probably be cool as they construct out extra templates for main experiences (e.g., having a monetary dashboard pre-built for Stripe can be EPIC).”

– Equals Assessment, David S.

Minitab isn’t a typical spreadsheet — it’s a statistical powerhouse constructed for critical knowledge evaluation, predictive modeling, and high quality management, which might be why 57% of its customers come from enterprises, in response to G2 Information. Whereas Excel and Google Sheets provide important statistical capabilities, Minitab takes issues to a different stage, specializing in regression evaluation, speculation testing, and superior forecasting. 

If you happen to want a spreadsheet that doesn’t simply retailer knowledge however helps you make sense of it with deep analytics, that is the place Minitab excels.

I examined Minitab by working predictive analytics on historic gross sales knowledge, one thing that might take critical work in Excel. As a substitute of manually establishing formulation and trendlines, Minitab lets me use built-in regression fashions to establish patterns and make future projections with just some clicks. The outcomes weren’t simply uncooked numbers — I bought interactive visualizations, confidence intervals, and clear statistical summaries that truly defined what was taking place in my dataset.

One other standout characteristic was its capacity to deal with high quality management and Six Sigma evaluation. I loaded manufacturing defect knowledge into Minitab and used management charts, course of functionality evaluation, and Pareto charts to pinpoint the place points had been occurring. In contrast to customary spreadsheets, the place I’d should construct these charts manually, Minitab routinely instructed the suitable statistical instruments based mostly on my knowledge, which saved a number of time.

I additionally examined Minitab’s Assistant, an AI-powered information that walks you thru statistical assessments step-by-step. Though I’ve expertise with knowledge evaluation, I appreciated the way it defined why particular assessments had been applicable for my dataset. This characteristic makes advanced statistical modeling way more approachable for customers who aren’t statisticians.

Minitab integrates properly with Python and R, which I discovered helpful for superior scripting and lengthening its performance past what’s in-built. I used to be capable of import Python-generated datasets, run further statistical transformations, and ship the outcomes again to Minitab for ultimate visualization. This makes it an awesome instrument for analysts and knowledge scientists who want flexibility.

The place Minitab differs from customary spreadsheets, as per G2 reviewers, is its concentrate on statistical accuracy over spreadsheet-style flexibility. It enforces structured knowledge formatting, which ensures accuracy however can really feel inflexible in case you’re used to working in a extra open-ended manner.

What I dislike about Minitab Statistical Software program:

• G2 customers say that there’s a studying curve for non-statisticians. Whereas the AI Assistant helps information, superior statistical assessments nonetheless require some understanding of analytics ideas to interpret outcomes successfully.
• I discovered collaboration options to be barely restricted in comparison with cloud-based spreadsheets. Minitab is primarily desktop-based, which means it lacks the real-time co-editing and on the spot sharing present in instruments like Google Sheets.

What G2 customers dislike about Minitab Statistical Software program:

“I want you can spotlight the evaluation within the Navigator that you just need to take a look at after which get again to the Dialogue Field that produced that evaluation. Usually, there are refined variations in evaluation relying on the choices chosen, and with out entry to the affiliated dialogue field, it’s tough (if potential) to find out the choices/setup that was chosen for that analytical output. I’d additionally wish to see among the knowledge administration instruments for the spreadsheet be a bit extra ‘Excel-ish’.”

– Minitab Statistical Software program Assessment, Kerry S.

LibreOffice Calc typically will get in comparison with Excel, however after testing it, I discovered that whereas it shares a well-recognized interface, it has its personal strengths — particularly for customers who desire a highly effective spreadsheet with out the price of a paid subscription. In contrast to cloud-based instruments like Google Sheets, LibreOffice is totally offline, making it an awesome various for customers who want a light-weight but feature-rich spreadsheet that doesn’t depend on an web connection.

One of many first issues I examined was how properly it dealt with massive datasets, and I used to be pleasantly stunned. I loaded a 200,000-row dataset, anticipating it to decelerate, nevertheless it remained responsive. In contrast to Google Sheets, which begins lagging with advanced spreadsheets, LibreOffice Calc felt optimized for dealing with large knowledge units with out main efficiency points.

LibreOffice Calc additionally features a DataPilot characteristic, which is actually its model of pivot tables. I examined it by summarizing gross sales knowledge, and whereas it labored properly, it wasn’t as polished as Excel’s pivot desk performance. That mentioned, it nonetheless dealt with multi-sheet experiences and complicated knowledge grouping with out points.

One other standout characteristic was its flexibility with file codecs. I examined opening and enhancing Excel (.XLSX), older Microsoft Workplace codecs (.XLS), OpenDocument (.ODS), and even CSVs with non-standard delimiters, and it dealt with all of them with out breaking formatting. This makes it top-of-the-line choices for customers who continuously change between completely different spreadsheet file varieties.

LibreOffice additionally contains built-in purpose search and solver instruments for optimization issues, which I examined by establishing a break-even evaluation for advertising spend. Whereas it labored properly for primary issues, it lacks the superior state of affairs evaluation instruments that Excel customers may be used to. Nonetheless, on condition that it’s free and open-source, I used to be impressed by how a lot it presents.

LibreOffice Calc delivers robust performance however feels a bit of dated in design. The interface isn’t as smooth or intuitive as Excel or Google Sheets, and a few formatting duties take further steps. That mentioned, for G2 customers who prioritized management, privateness, and offline efficiency, the standard format really felt acquainted and reliable.

I additionally seen, and G2 suggestions confirms, that collaboration is the place Calc reveals its age. There’s no built-in real-time enhancing, so whilst you can retailer recordsdata within the cloud, you gained’t get the identical seamless teamwork expertise present in web-based spreadsheets. It’s a strong selection for particular person customers or groups that favor working regionally over fixed on-line collaboration.

What I dislike about LibreOffice Calc:

• Superior analytics and state of affairs planning are extra restricted, in response to G2 customers. Whereas the built-in solver and purpose search instruments are helpful, LibreOffice doesn’t provide as many deep forecasting and modeling choices as Excel.
• G2 customers say that some Excel-specific formulation and macros don’t all the time translate completely. Whereas LibreOffice helps most traditional spreadsheet formulation, I seen occasional inconsistencies when utilizing Excel macros and complicated conditional formatting.

What G2 customers dislike about LibreOffice Calc:

“Generally it may be arduous to learn the way to do one thing I would like, however I can often discover the reply with a bit of perseverance. There may be little or no to say about weaknesses, as many advantages are obtained with this suite. The interface appears a bit of antiquated in comparison with its opponents. The consumer documentation may be very brief and typically arduous to grasp because of the lack of different sheets examples.”

– LibreOffice Assessment, Ella J.

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