Spreadsheet applications are no longer the same as they were a decade ago. Modern spreadsheets have become indispensable tools for managing data, performing calculations, and generating visual representations of information. However, with many options in the market, it can be challenging to identify the most suitable solution for your needs.
This comprehensive guide will outline the top free open source spreadsheet software, evaluating its features, user-friendliness, and compatibility to help you make an informed decision. Let’s start without further ado!
WPS Office Spreadsheet
WPS Office Spreadsheet is a powerful and versatile open source spreadsheet application designed to meet the demands of both personal and professional users. It has a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. This makes it an efficient and reliable platform for creating, editing, and managing spreadsheets.
Whether you are simply playing with numbers, want to create charts, or analyze data, WPS Office Spreadsheet offers the tools you need to get the job done. Let’s read about some features of the WPS Office Spreadsheet.
Main Features:
Due to its ease of use, WPS Office Spreadsheet offers multiple features. Some of these are mentioned below:
Compatibility: WPS Office Spreadsheet is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel, which ensures its compatibility with existing documents on your device.
Advanced Formulas: WPS Office Spreadsheet has a lot of functions and formulas, enabling users to easily perform complex calculations and data analysis.
Data Visualization: With the help of WPS Office Spreadsheet, you can create visually appealing charts and graphs to present your data effectively. It has a range of chart types and formatting options.
Collaborative Editing: Multiple users can work on the same spreadsheet simultaneously, which allows for real-time collaboration, making it an ideal choice for team projects.
Cloud Integration: It offers functionality to seamlessly synchronize your documents across devices using popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Templates and Themes: A rich library of templates and themes is available to help users create professional-looking spreadsheets quickly.
PDF Conversion: Convert spreadsheets into PDF files without the need for additional software. This helps in preserving formatting and data integrity.
Price:
WPS Office offers a free version with limited features, while the Premium version, which includes additional features and priority support, is available for a subscription fee of $29.99 per year.
Rating:
WPS Office Spreadsheet has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot. This is quite impressive, meaning that this software is a reliable tool.
Pros:
The free version offers a robust set of features, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.
Seamless integration with Microsoft Office formats ensures easy transition for users familiar with Excel.
Access and edit documents from any device with internet connectivity.
Real-time collaboration
A wide variety of templates and themes
Cons:
Some advanced features are only available in the Premium version, which requires a subscription.
While user-friendly, transitioning from other spreadsheet software may take some adjustment for new users.
Users often experience annoying ads in the free version.
Overall, WPS Office is one of the best office suites out there that can help every type of user, including students, businesses, and professional individuals. All of this is due to its vast range of features and easy to use functionality.
Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet software developed by Google. It provides a free, collaborative platform for creating, editing, and sharing spreadsheets online.
With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Google Sheets is an ideal tool for personal, academic, and professional use, allowing users to organize data and visualize information in real time.
Main Features:
Cloud-Based Access: Access your spreadsheets from any device with an internet connection, without the need for software installation.
Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, enabling seamless teamwork and instant updates.
Integration with Google Services: Seamlessly integrate with other Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar for enhanced productivity.
Add-Ons and Extensions: Customize your Sheets experience with a range of add-ons and extensions that provide additional features and functionality.
Price:
Google Sheets is available for free as part of Google Drive, which includes 15GB of free cloud storage. Businesses and professional users may opt for Google Workspace, which offers additional features and storage options at different subscription levels, starting at $6/user/month.
Rating:
Google sheets has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Pros:
The basic version of Google Sheets is available for free with ample cloud storage, making it accessible to all users.
Simultaneous editing and commenting enhance teamwork and streamline projects.
Integrates easily with other Google services, which helps create an efficient workspace.
Changes in your document are saved automatically, and you also revert to previous versions.
Offers a whole lot of formulas and functions to cater to diverse data processing needs.
Cons:
While basic editing is possible offline, certain features may require an internet connection.
Some advanced features, especially for business users, may be available only through the paid Google Workspace plans.
OpenOffice Calc
OpenOffice Calc is a free and open source spreadsheet software that is part of the larger OpenOffice suite. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating, editing, and managing spreadsheets.
This open source spreadsheet software is user-friendly and accessible. OpenOffice Calc is a versatile solution for individuals, students, and businesses looking for a cost-effective alternative to commercial spreadsheet applications.
Main Features:
Open-Source and Free: OpenOffice Calc is open-source software, meaning it is free to download, use, and distribute.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to work seamlessly across different operating systems.
Advanced Formulas and Functions: OpenOffice Calc offers a wide range of functions and formulas for complex calculations, data analysis, and financial problems.
Data Analysis Tools: It includes tools for sorting, filtering, and visualizing data, as well as tables for in-depth data analysis.
Support for Multiple File Formats: OpenOffice Calc can open, edit, and save files in various formats, including Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx) and its own OpenDocument Format (.ods).
Price:
OpenOffice Calc is completely free to download and use. There are no licensing fees or subscription costs associated with using the software.
Rating:
The Trustpilot rating of OpenOffice Calc is 2.5 out of 5. This rating is considered poor according to users’ perspective. But you can use it to find how it performs.
Pros:
OpenOffice Calc is completely free, which makes it an excellent choice for all users and organizations.
Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux and provides flexibility for users with different operating systems.
Offers a wide range of functions and tools for data analysis.
Being open-source, it benefits from a large community of developers and users who provide support, updates, and extensions.
Cons:
Development and updates may not be as frequent or effective as with some other spreadsheet software.
While it provides basic templates, it may have fewer pre-designed templates compared to some other spreadsheet applications.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform that helps users streamline their work processes and increase team productivity. This tool comes with both functionalities, including the spreadsheet and project management. Moreover, it also has collaboration features.
Smartsheet is suitable for a wide range of industries and purposes. This includes everything from project planning to resource management and reporting.
Main Features
Grid Interface: Smartsheet's grid format resembles a spreadsheet, which provides a familiar interface for users while offering enhanced project management capabilities.
Task and Project Management: You can create, assign, and track tasks, set deadlines, and manage project timelines with Gantt charts.
Collaboration and Communication: It facilitates teamwork by sharing and commenting on sheets.
Automation and Workflow: Users can automate repetitive tasks and processes with conditional formatting, alerts, and notifications to improve efficiency.
Integration with Third-Party Apps: You can integrate Smartsheet with popular tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and various cloud storage services for easy workflow continuity.
Price:
Smartsheet offers a range of pricing plans, including Individual, Business, and Enterprise plans. Pricing starts at $7 per user per month for the Individual plan, $25 for Business. In contrast, Enterprise plans are available on a quote basis.
Rating:
The Trustpilot rating of Smartsheet is 2.0, which is somewhat poor for users.
Pros:
Offers robust project planning, task tracking, and Gantt chart features suitable for both small teams and large enterprises.
Create automated workflows to streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and increase efficiency.
Facilitates real-time collaboration, enabling team members to work together efficiently and communicate effectively.
Allows users to access and manage projects through the Smartsheet mobile app.
Cons:
While the interface is intuitive, it can be difficult for users to master advanced features and automation in this software.
The price may be high for some users, especially if they don’t need the full range of features.
Gnumeric
Gnumeric is an open source spreadsheet program designed to provide a lightweight and efficient platform for creating, editing, and analyzing spreadsheet data. This software is developed for Linux and other Unix-like systems can provide a range of features for mathematical and statistical calculations. This makes it a valuable tool for researchers, analysts, and students.
Main Features
Advanced Calculations: Gnumeric supports various mathematical and statistical functions. This way, it can be a helpful tool for complex data analysis tasks.
Graphing and Data Visualization: Users can create various types of charts and graphs to visually represent data and facilitate easier interpretation.
Import/Export Compatibility: Gnumeric can open and save files in various formats, including Excel (.xls) and OpenDocument Format (.ods), ensuring compatibility with other spreadsheet software.
Solver and Optimization Tools: It Offers tools for solving linear and nonlinear equations, as well as optimizing scenarios, which is particularly useful for researchers and analysts.
Scripting Support: Users can extend Gnumeric's functionality through the use of scripts. This allows them to automate and customize tasks.
Price
Gnumeric is open-source software and is available for free. It can be downloaded and used without any licensing fees or subscription costs.
Rating
Gnumeric is not a widely-used software, so there are currently no reviews from users on the Trustpilot. However, on other platforms, it is reviewed on an average rating.
Pros
Gnumeric is freely available, which means it is an excellent choice for users seeking a cost-effective spreadsheet solution.
It offers a wide range of mathematical and statistical functions.
Gnumeric is known for its performance and resource efficiency.
Provides tools for creating various types of charts and graphs.
Cons
Gnumeric is primarily designed for Linux and Unix-like systems, which may limit its availability for users on other platforms.
Compared to some other spreadsheet software, Gnumeric may have a smaller user community, which can impact the availability of support and resources.
Zoho Sheet
Zoho Sheet is another cloud-based open source spreadsheet software developed by Zoho Corporation. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating, editing, and collaborating on spreadsheets online.
With a focus on user-friendly interfaces and seamless integration with other Zoho apps, Zoho Sheet is designed to enhance productivity and teamwork in both personal and professional settings.
Main Features
Cloud-Based Collaboration: Zoho Sheet allows real-time collaboration on spreadsheets that enables multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. This way, it can be ideal for team projects.
Advanced Functions: It offers a wide range of functions and formulas for complex calculations, financial modeling, and data analysis.
Data Visualization: Create a variety of charts, graphs, and tables to present data effectively, with options for customization and formatting.
Integration with Zoho Apps: Seamlessly integrate with other Zoho apps such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, and Zoho Analytics for a unified work experience.
Offline Access and Mobile App: Work on spreadsheets even without an internet connection and access them on the go with the Zoho Sheet mobile app.
Price
Zoho Sheet is available in various pricing plans. The "Free" plan provides basic features with limited storage. Paid plans start at $3/user/month for the "Professional" plan, and range up to $9/user/month for the "Professional" plan, which offers more advanced features and higher storage limits. There is also an enterprise plan starting from $12/month with 3 users.
Rating
The Trustpilot rating for Zoho Sheet is 4.4. This is a pretty good rating, which means the software is reliable and easy to use.
Pros
Real-time collaboration features enhance teamwork and productivity.
Easily integrates with other Zoho apps to create a unified workspace and streamlining workflows.
Offers a wide range of functions and formulas for complex calculations and data analysis.
Allows users to work on spreadsheets offline and access them on mobile devices through the Zoho Sheet app.
Cons
While user-friendly, new users may need some time to become familiar with all the features and functionalities.
The free plan has limited storage, which may be a consideration for users with large or numerous files.
LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Calc is a powerful and open source spreadsheet program that comes as part of the LibreOffice suite, a free and open-source office productivity suite. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating, editing, and managing spreadsheets. All of these features make it an excellent choice for both personal and professional use.
Main Features
Compatibility: LibreOffice Calc supports a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Excel, making it easy to work with documents created in other spreadsheet programs.
Advanced Formulas: It offers a rich set of functions and formulas for performing complex calculations, data analysis, and statistical operations.
Data Visualization: You can create visually appealing charts and graphs to represent your data meaningfully and clearly.
Data Sorting and Filtering: It lets you easily organize and manage large datasets by sorting and filtering data based on specific criteria.
Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same spreadsheet simultaneously, facilitating collaborative projects.
Price
LibreOffice Calc is completely free to use as it is an open source spreadsheet software. You can download it from the official website without any cost.
Rating
LibreOffice has a Trustpilot rating of 2.6, which shows that it is not well liked by users. However, you can use it to find what features it has.
Pros
Free and open-source, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Offers a comprehensive set of features comparable to paid spreadsheet software.
Regular updates and a supportive community ensure ongoing improvement and troubleshooting.
Cross-platform compatibility, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Cons
User interface may not be as polished or intuitive as some commercial alternatives.
While it has good compatibility with Microsoft Office, some complex formatting may not translate perfectly.
Lack of dedicated customer support compared to paid software.
FAQs about open source spreadsheet
1. Can I access my files from multiple devices with WPS Office?
Yes. You can access your files from multiple devices with WPS Office. All you have to do is download and install WPS Office on your device and you can open your files with.
2. Can I use open source spreadsheet software for commercial purposes?
Yes, you can generally use open-source spreadsheet software for commercial purposes. Open source spreadsheet software typically comes with licenses that allow you to use, modify, and distribute the software for both personal and commercial use.
Open Source Spreadsheet – A Final Word
So far, we have learned about the free open source spreadsheet software that can be the best alternative to MS Excel. All of these programs have their own features and pros, and cons. So, you can select whichever you deem fit for your work.
But as we saw, WPS Office Spreadsheet has the best Trustpilot rating among all software programs. This Office suite comes with other apps, too, which can be used for making Word documents, presentations, and even PDFs. In short, WPS Office is the best Office you have got as an alternative to MS Excel.
