# Microsoft Excel vs Google Sheets

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Google Sheets at none against Microsoft Excel's 15. Google Sheets also leads on review sentiment (54% vs 24%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Microsoft Excel against 4.8 for Google Sheets. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5M and 1.8M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Microsoft Excel's written reviews are positive against 54% of Google Sheets's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.5M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.8M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-sheets/id842849113/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.5M | **1.8M** |
| Positive reviews | 24.4% of reviews | **54.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #18 | **#13** |
| Size | 436 MB | 422 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Excel

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

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Free · Productivity, #35 Top Grossing · Productivity, #189 Top Free (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


### Google Sheets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-sheets/id842849113)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Free · Productivity, #82 Top Free (US App Store)

Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets from anywhere, anytime. Work offline, format cells, insert formulas, and view charts. Seamlessly edit Excel files and enjoy automatic saving of your work.

**Highlights:** Create and edit spreadsheets, Real-time collaboration, Offline access, Format cells and insert formulas, View charts, Edit Excel files

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient mobile access
- 💡 Collaborative features
- 🔒 Secure cloud storage
- 📈 Useful for business/personal organization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to desktop version
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find features
- 🖋️ Cumbersome editing experience on mobile
- 🗓️ Inconsistent date/time formatting

**Reported bugs**

- Spreadsheets not saving properly
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices
- Formatting issues when printing or exporting
- Glitches when working with large or complex spreadsheets

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced formatting and editing options
- Improve search and navigation
- Allow offline editing and syncing
- Provide better integration with other Google apps
- Add password protection or biometric security


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Microsoft Excel free?

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

### Is Google Sheets free?

Google Sheets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets?

Google Sheets is rated higher. Microsoft Excel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.5M ratings, while Google Sheets averages 4.8 from 1.8M ratings.

### Do Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets have ads?

Neither Microsoft Excel nor Google Sheets shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets?

Microsoft Excel ships an update weekly, and Google Sheets weekly. Most recently, Microsoft Excel was updated on September 25, 2026 and Google Sheets on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets?

Microsoft Excel currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and Google Sheets at #13. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*