Numbers alternatives

Numbers users often seek alternatives due to its perceived lack of intuitiveness compared to Excel, missing advanced features, and various bugs. Many find it less suitable for complex calculations or large datasets, leading them to explore other spreadsheet options.

Why users look for alternatives to Numbers

Numbers is often found less intuitive and harder to use, especially for those accustomed to Excel.^R9^R10^R15^R21
Users report missing features compared to other spreadsheet software, such as macro production, cell locking, and advanced formatting options.^R7^R9^R16^R47
The app is prone to various bugs, including issues with printing, text input, freezing tables, cut and paste, saving, and general instability.^R4^R6^R12^R13
Some users find Numbers complicated for specific calculations, such as time, speed, and distance, and report incorrect percentage calculations.^R3^R7
Concerns about Apple's 'user monetisation' push and subscription requirements for extra functions have been raised.^R27^R30^R34
Numbers may struggle with large amounts of data, leading to performance issues and crashes.^R33^R44

The alternatives

Google Sheets

4.8★ · 1,791,306 ratings · Free

No reviews were provided for Google Sheets, so its specific offerings and user experiences cannot be detailed here.

Better for: Based on the lack of reviews, it is not possible to determine who Google Sheets suits better.

Head-to-head: Numbers vs Google Sheets

Microsoft Excel

4.8★ · 1,422,102 ratings · Free

No reviews were provided for Microsoft Excel, so its specific offerings and user experiences cannot be detailed here.

Better for: Based on the lack of reviews, it is not possible to determine who Microsoft Excel suits better.

Head-to-head: Numbers vs Microsoft Excel

iSpreadsheet™

4.5★ · 10,110 ratings · Free

No reviews were provided for iSpreadsheet™, so its specific offerings and user experiences cannot be detailed here.

Better for: Based on the lack of reviews, it is not possible to determine who iSpreadsheet™ suits better.

Head-to-head: Numbers vs iSpreadsheet™

Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit

4.6★ · 6,805 ratings · Free

No reviews were provided for Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit, so its specific offerings and user experiences cannot be detailed here.

Better for: Based on the lack of reviews, it is not possible to determine who Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit suits better.

Head-to-head: Numbers vs Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit

Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor

4.5★ · 5,834 ratings · Free

No reviews were provided for Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor, so its specific offerings and user experiences cannot be detailed here.

Better for: Based on the lack of reviews, it is not possible to determine who Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor suits better.

Head-to-head: Numbers vs Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor

Stick with Numbers if

You should stick with Numbers if you appreciate its visual aesthetics and find its canvas-like approach to placing tables, charts, text, or pictures easy to work with . It is also suitable if you use it for simple record-keeping, managing personal schedules, or tracking projects, and find it intuitive for these tasks . Numbers is also a good choice if you value a free spreadsheet application with no subscription required ^R32^R45.

Evidence note: The alternatives Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, iSpreadsheet™, Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit, and Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor had too few reviews to judge, so no specific praise or user-grounded pitches could be generated for them.

Frequently asked

Is Numbers free to use?

Yes, Numbers is free to use and does not require a subscription, which many users consider a bonus ^R32^R45.

Is Numbers easy to use for new users?

Numbers can be easy to use for new users, especially those who find its flexible and intuitive interface suitable for creating bespoke spreadsheets ^R45. However, users familiar with Excel often find it less intuitive and harder to adapt to ^R9^R10^R21^R24.

Can Numbers handle complex calculations or large datasets?

Numbers may struggle with complex calculations, such as elapsed time, speed, and distance, and has been reported to calculate percentages incorrectly ^R3^R7. It also appears to struggle with large amounts of data and spreadsheets, potentially leading to crashes ^R33^R44.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 50 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

[R9] Numbers 3/5 · GB Non Intuitive for an Excel guy: I used Excel for years and when I found myself in the Apple ecosystem I found Numbers much less intuitive. It does the job - eventually, but I miss the easy production of macros in particular. It’s certainly pretty, if that’s your main aim.
[R10] Numbers 1/5 · GB Too different from Excel: Nothing is intuitive, unlike other mac products
[R15] Numbers 3/5 · GB Not as good as Excel: Not as good as Excel
[R21] Numbers 3/5 · GB Not as easy as Exel: Numbers is really not as easy to use as Exel. It takes far longer to get use to and work out how to copy and use the formulas.
[R7] Numbers 1/5 · GB Stupid time waster: This app has been around for decades, and it is still a source of irritation and a time waster. You can’t do anything serious with this app: it calculates percentages incorrectly, and you can’t format or highlight/shade text or cells that contain formulas… It’s stupid and a nutcase.
[R16] Numbers 1/5 · GB Not as good as excel: Lots of features missing
[R47] Numbers 5/5 · GB Easier than Excel-Excellent: Needs more… like locking cells etc
[R4] Numbers 1/5 · GB Won’t print. My spreadsheet will not print. Is it the printer: Since installing the latest version text input into a cell will not work. The other entry methods, numbers, dates and functions are ok but cannot type in any text. Please fix soon!!! This has been a much used app and I have been delighted with it prior to this latest update. Just installed iOS 7.0.4 and Numbers is working again!!!!
[R6] Numbers 3/5 · GB New numbers: Since using the New Numbers I can’t use the useful top function bar on my Mac book. No options are available. It is blank. I have tried looking up a fix but nothing available. Just wonder if it just me. I went back to using the old Numbers app and it works on that application.
[R12] Numbers 3/5 · GB USE EVERYDAY: I use this app everyday for work and while it is useful it is a pain to use at times and is very buggy (when trying to add a name to a document you have to touch the screen lower than where you should otherwise it just opens the document). There are several other bugs which i wouldn’t mind usually but as i use it all the time I do get frustrated on a daily basis. Not up to the usual
[R13] Numbers 2/5 · GB Difficulties with tables freezing: I have difficulty in correcting data, the Backspace button does not eliminate the cell amount to enable the correct one to replace it
[R3] Numbers 3/5 · GB Complicated for time, speed and distance calculations.: The spreadsheet makes trying to calculate elapsed time very complicated, likewise trying ti calculate speed from a given elapsed time and distance very difficult also.
[R27] Numbers 3/5 · GB Is Services Revenue worth it?: I’m sorry, but WHY is this part of the creator studio? What about this or any of the ex-iWork apps is worth considering paying £12 a month for? All because it must be seen to have AI and that’s the only model for paying for it? What’s next - ads in Apple Maps? Oh wait. Sadly very disappointed in this “user monetisation” push. A cool and functional “ecosystem” app dir
[R30] Numbers 3/5 · GB Concerned: I have been enjoying Numbers but concerned now why to get extra functions we now need to subscribe? All my gadgets are apple products, I feel we apple users support you already very well. When will you feel enough money is enough!
[R34] Numbers 1/5 · GB This is a dark time for apple and the future: Sad times ahead for apple and the future apple eco system as they enter a paywall access to software. Dark times ahead and very much against the apple ethos, and it’s all about profit.
[R33] Numbers 3/5 · GB RAM & Spread sheets: RAM seems to struggle with large amount of data and spreadsheets. And spreadsheet can’t illustrate large amount of data
[R44] Numbers 1/5 · GB Buggy: Consistently crashes when trying graph just 500kb of data, and doesn’t save the results when it crashes.
[R32] Numbers 4/5 · GB not excel: Its not Excel but works great for keeping track of stuff and no subscvription
[R45] Numbers 5/5 · GB First try of using numbers: Well it’s easy to use as it’s like Microsoft excel but it’s free. Most importantly of all, subscription is not needed to use which a bonus! you can come and go as you please with an eye for detail or a quick spreadsheet on the go it’s takes a long while to get it ready as well as it’s not specifically complicated. The Only issue I find is when I’m trying to merge a
[R24] Numbers 3/5 · GB I’m an Apple fanboy, but this is Excel by amateurs: I really want this to be the king of spreadsheets but no matter how much I use it, it simply is not as simple to use or as fully featured as Excel. Navigation feels long winded and features unnecessarily buried for a clean aesthetic. This applies to most of the bundled Apple productivity apps (without the additional creator upsell). iMovie on Mac

Synthesized from 50 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store