Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Numbers vs Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit

Numbers 4.6★ · Free to download 80
Winner Numbers
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 4.6★ · Free + IAP 40

Numbers is the better choice for most users due to its robust feature set, better reliability, and completely free access, despite some users finding it less intuitive than Excel.

Full reviews: Numbers · Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit

Numbers, Apple's free spreadsheet app, offers a powerful and aesthetically pleasing experience, though some users accustomed to Excel find it less intuitive. Simple Spreadsheet, while praised for its simplicity, is plagued by numerous bugs, crashes, and issues with its paid features, making it a less reliable option.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: NumbersR3R7R9R16
Numbers Numbers is praised for being flexible, elegant, and functional, suitable for various projects from personal schedules to architectural practice . Users appreciate its ability to handle complex tasks and its visual presentation R26. However, some users note missing features compared to Excel, like easy macro production or cell locking R9R16. Specific complaints include difficulty with time/speed calculations and incorrect percentage calculations R3R7.
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit Simple Spreadsheet is valued for its simplicity and suitability for basic tasks and record-keeping, especially on a phone . However, it lacks advanced functions like a simple '=if' function and has limitations such as a maximum of 26 columns, even in the paid version R59. Users also report missing basic features like adding rows/columns .
Ease of Use edge: NumbersR9R10R15R26
Numbers Numbers is described as intuitive, easy to use, and straightforward by many, especially for those new to spreadsheets or looking for a visually pleasing experience R26R40. Some users, particularly those accustomed to Excel, find it less intuitive and clunky, requiring a learning curve R9R10R15.
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit Simple Spreadsheet is generally considered easy to use and straightforward for basic needs . However, some users find it not simple at all, taking too long to achieve basic tasks .
Reliability and Performance edge: NumbersR4R6R12R13
Numbers Numbers experiences intermittent bugs, such as freezing tables, issues with text input, problems with the function bar on Mac, and difficulties with cut and paste R4R6R12R13. Some users report crashes when graphing data and saving issues that require a Mac restart . Printing problems are also noted R4R37.
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit Simple Spreadsheet is heavily criticized for numerous bugs and instability, including frequent crashes, data not saving or disappearing, columns swapping or vanishing, and issues with the app closing when switching spreadsheets . Users also report problems with printing and the app not working despite payment R51R54.
Price and Value edge: NumbersR1R28R29R40
Numbers Numbers is free to download and use, with users appreciating that there are no subscriptions or paywalls R28R40. Some older reviews mention non-removable advertising, which makes the app feel cheap R1. There are also concerns about Apple potentially moving towards a paywall model for its software R29.
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit Simple Spreadsheet is a 'Free + IAP' app, but many users report significant issues with its paid features. They are charged for subscriptions or pro versions (e.g., £6-7 or £8.99) but the features remain locked, or the app doesn't work R51R53R54. The free version is considered a waste of time by some due to limitations like inability to copy/paste or export R62R76.
Support and User Experience edge: NumbersR18R21R53R59
Numbers Numbers users sometimes struggle with updates and finding specific settings, indicating a lack of clear guidance R18. There's a reported issue with the app constantly asking for ratings R21.
Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit Simple Spreadsheet users face severe issues with customer support, with some not knowing how to contact support at all R53. The app is criticized for only working on one device and having Chinese-only terms and conditions, which raises privacy concerns . The automatic pasting of clipboard content upon opening is also a privacy concern R59.
Pick Numbers if

Pick Numbers if you are looking for a free, feature-rich spreadsheet application that integrates well within the Apple ecosystem and offers a visually appealing interface R26R40. It's a good choice if you're willing to adapt from Excel or need a tool for diverse personal and professional projects .

Pick Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit if

Pick Simple Spreadsheet if you absolutely need a very basic spreadsheet for quick, simple tasks on your phone and are willing to risk encountering numerous bugs and payment issues .

Evidence note: The evidence for Simple Spreadsheet is heavily skewed towards negative experiences, particularly regarding its paid features and reliability. Many positive reviews are very short and generic, offering little specific insight.

Frequently asked

Is Numbers free to use?
Yes, Numbers is free to download and use, with users appreciating that no subscription is needed R28R40.
Does Simple Spreadsheet have a free version?
Simple Spreadsheet has a free version, but many users find it to be a 'waste of time' due to significant limitations, such as not being able to copy/paste or export data to other apps R62R76.
Can I print documents from Numbers?
Some users report difficulties printing from Numbers, with issues like spreadsheets not printing or problems with specific printer models R4R37.
Are there issues with Simple Spreadsheet's paid features?
Yes, many users report significant problems with Simple Spreadsheet's paid features, including being charged (e.g., £6-7 or £8.99) but the app remaining locked, features not working, or subscriptions not being recognized R51R53R54R74.
Is Numbers easy to use for Excel users?
Many Excel users find Numbers less intuitive and different, requiring a learning curve to adapt to its interface and features R9R10R15R41.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 85 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.

  1. [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.
  2. [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.
  3. [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.
  4. [R16] Numbers 1/5 · GB Not as good as excel: Lots of features missing
  5. [R10] Numbers 1/5 · GB Too different from Excel: Nothing is intuitive, unlike other mac products
  6. [R15] Numbers 3/5 · GB Not as good as Excel: Not as good as Excel
  7. [R26] Numbers 5/5 · GB Easy to use; great results: I find using Numbers to be much easier than alternative options. Having each sheet just be a plain canvas onto which you can put Tables, Charts, Text or Pictures feels easy to work with and the output often ends up being easier to read.
  8. [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!!!!
  9. [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.
  10. [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
  11. [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
  12. [R1] Numbers 1/5 · GB Adverts: Not as bad as it was but non removable advertising still. Why? Just makes the whole thing look cheap. Apple is meant to be premium.
  13. [R28] Numbers 4/5 · GB not excel: Its not Excel but works great for keeping track of stuff and no subscvription
  14. [R29] 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.
  15. [R40] 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
  16. [R18] Numbers 3/5 · GB Briefly: Always accept improvements. However, my grumble is this: Sometime when you relate back such as now stating “V 14.5 is no longer g supported and can be cancelled”. Silver surfer ( like me) have searched settings be rarely can I find where this 14.5 is located. Still cannot so each time same message appears. H E L P On other Apple update memonics are use like “go to PPR or update, say
  17. [R21] Numbers 1/5 · GB Useless: Numbers keeps popping up asking me to rate it on the App Store.
  18. [R53] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 3/5 · GB Subscription isn’t working: Bought the year subscription and it’s letting me use all features. Don’t know how to contact customer support.
  19. [R59] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 3/5 · GB Ok but a few things stop me from using it: Doesn’t have a simple =if function.. stops me preforming basic tasks I require… Also I don’t like that it automatically pastes your clipboard when you open the app.. definitely a privacy concern For these reasons I can’t justify paying for pro version and will continue to look for a simple spreadsheet app that suits my needs
  20. [R62] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 1/5 · GB Very bad: Cannot print without paying even whilst on free trial
  21. [R76] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 1/5 · GB Free version is a waste of time….: ….can’t even copy and paste info to other apps or export as cvs, don’t waste your time downloading it.
  22. [R37] Numbers 1/5 · GB Disappointed: I have a brother JC572 printer, I cannot print numbers from it, neither can I send numbers from my email, just won’t allow me to do it. Additionally I make a careful note of my passwords as I have to change them frequently because once I put a new password in when I use it next time it won’t allow me in. I have had these issues for a couple of years and despite help from friends who
  23. [R51] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 2/5 · GB Complaint: i selected free trail for pro update. it then charged me £6/7. then did not work - despite charging me i do love the app but this has really annoyed me
  24. [R54] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 1/5 · GB Not working: I’m trying to print and everything locked ! Iv even paid for the year
  25. [R74] Simple Spreadsheet:view & edit 1/5 · GB Unlock forever: I just paid £8.99 and it still asking me to pay??? What is this about. It is a terrible app and should never be in AppStore. Have reported to Apple
  26. [R41] Numbers 1/5 · GB It’s not Excel is it?: Maybe it’s my neurodivergent brain but it’s a solid 1/10 for me personally…

Synthesized from 85 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store