# Microsoft Excel vs Zoho Sheet

Microsoft Excel and Zoho Sheet both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 60% of Zoho Sheet's written reviews are positive against 24% of Microsoft Excel's. Zoho Sheet also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 15) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Microsoft Excel's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (1.5M vs 102). On price, rating and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Microsoft Excel sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Zoho Sheet asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Excel against 4.6 for Zoho Sheet. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Excel has 1.5M ratings behind it against 102, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Microsoft Excel's written reviews are positive against 60% of Zoho Sheet's.

Microsoft Excel ships an update weekly, Zoho Sheet every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Excel | Zoho Sheet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.5M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407/reviews)** | [4.6 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoho-sheetspreadsheet-on-ipad/id1522425694/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5M** | 102 |
| Positive reviews | 24.4% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#20** | — |
| Size | 436 MB | 387 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Zoho Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/388384807) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Excel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407)

**Currently charting:** #20 Top Free · Productivity, #36 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This powerful productivity app allows you to create, view, and edit spreadsheets on the go. Manage data, perform calculations, and analyze information with robust formatting and charting tools. Share your work easily with others.

**Highlights:** Create, view, and edit spreadsheets, Data analysis with charts and graphs, Budgeting and accounting tools, Customizable tables and formatting, Share files with collaborators, Draw and annotate with ink

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Office 365 Personal | $5.99 | per month |
| Office 365 Personal | $6.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal Student | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | per month |
| Office 365 Home | $12.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Premium Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Microsoft Copilot Pro | $20.00 | per month |
| Office 365 Personal | $69.99 | per year |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $99.99 | per year |
| Office 365 Home | $129.99 | per year |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $129.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Powerful and feature-rich
- 🔍 Useful for data management and analysis
- 🔧 Convenient for on-the-go work
- 🤝 Good integration with Microsoft ecosystem
- 🤩 Excellent for personal and professional use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 📱 Limited features compared to desktop version
- 🤔 Confusing user interface changes
- 🤯 Frustrating syncing and file management issues

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to open or edit files
- Unexpected app closures
- Syncing problems with OneDrive
- Formatting issues when copying and pasting
- Slow performance on high-end devices

**Requested features**

- Conditional formatting options
- Ability to open password-protected files
- Improved Apple Pencil and keyboard support
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Better compatibility with Dropbox and other cloud storage


### Zoho Sheet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoho-sheetspreadsheet-on-ipad/id1522425694)

Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets from your iPad. Import files, scan data from images, and utilize AI-powered analysis and visualization tools. Seamlessly syncs with web versions for a unified experience.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaboration, Import Excel and CSV files, Scan data from pictures, Over 350 functions and formulas, 35+ chart types, AI-powered data analysis, Spreadsheet templates

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Microsoft Excel free?

Microsoft Excel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Zoho Sheet free?

Zoho Sheet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet?

Microsoft Excel is rated higher. Microsoft Excel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.5M ratings, while Zoho Sheet averages 4.6 from 102 ratings.

### Do Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet have ads?

Neither Microsoft Excel nor Zoho Sheet shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet?

Microsoft Excel ships an update weekly, and Zoho Sheet every 2 months. Most recently, Microsoft Excel was updated on September 25, 2026 and Zoho Sheet on August 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*