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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Numbers vs Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor

Numbers 4.6★ · Free to download 75
Winner Numbers
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor 4.5★ · Free + IAP 40

Numbers is the better choice for most users due to its more robust feature set and better integration within the Apple ecosystem, despite some user frustrations with its interface and compatibility.

Full reviews: Numbers · Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor

Numbers, Apple's free spreadsheet app, offers a clean interface and powerful customization options, making it a strong alternative to Excel for many users R2R11R20. Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor is a basic, free option, but it struggles with advanced features and user-friendliness, leading to a less satisfying experience for many .

Head to head

Features edge: NumbersR11R27R28R36
Numbers Numbers offers unique features like multiple separate tables on one sheet and the ability to insert media galleries, which some users find indispensable R11R36. However, many users note that it lacks crucial advanced features like pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and the ability to lock cells and formulas, which are standard in competitors like Excel R27R28.
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor is described as very basic, with users reporting an inability to use features like bolding, highlighting, or even basic charts like pie charts . Some users also mention issues with fundamental functions like printing and copying/pasting R73.
Ease of Use edge: NumbersR2R4R6R12
Numbers Numbers receives mixed reviews on ease of use; some users find it intuitive and simpler than Excel, especially for basic tasks and its unique canvas-like approach R2. Conversely, many long-time Excel users find Numbers confusing, slow, and not intuitive, requiring too many clicks for common tasks and lacking clear explanations R4R6R12. Recent updates have also been criticized for making the app more difficult to use .
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor is generally considered difficult and confusing to use, with users struggling with basic navigation, editing cells, and finding simple math functions . Some users found it very easy to navigate , but these are outweighed by complaints.
Reliability & Performance edge: NumbersR1R3R16R36
Numbers Numbers users report issues with performance, including the app being slow and lagging, not syncing properly, and frequently crashing or becoming unstable, leading to lost work R3R16R36. There are also complaints about recent updates removing Touch Bar compatibility and causing bugs like scroll position resetting R1R16.
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor One user reported a critical issue where their excel sheet disappeared from the app after six months of use, causing significant distress . Another user noted that the app was disabled without prior warning, leading to data access issues .
Compatibility & Sharing edge: NumbersR25R40R45R55
Numbers Numbers struggles with Excel file compatibility, with users reporting that opening and saving Excel files can destroy formatting and that clickable dropdowns don't work as expected R25R40R55. Sharing files is also described as challenging and requiring constant updates R45. The proprietary '.numbers' file extension is seen as a disadvantage for interoperability .
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor There is limited information on Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor's compatibility and sharing, but one user expressed frustration with printing spreadsheets from attachments, suggesting issues with file handling R73. Another user mentioned not being able to sign up to use it across multiple devices .
Price/Value edge: NumbersR13R20R39R46
Numbers Numbers is free to download and use, which many users appreciate as a strong alternative to paid software like Microsoft Excel R20R39. However, some recent reviews express strong negative sentiment towards what they perceive as Apple pushing in-app subscriptions or 'Creator Studio' upsells, which they view as unnecessary and greedy R13R46.
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor is free with in-app purchases. Users appreciate that it's free, comparing it favorably to Excel in that regard R78. However, some users express strong aversion to subscription models in general, stating they won't pay for something that used to be free R81.
Pick Numbers if

You are an Apple user looking for a free, visually appealing spreadsheet app with unique layout capabilities, and you don't heavily rely on advanced Excel-specific features like pivot tables or VLOOKUP R11R20. You value a clean interface and are willing to adapt to a different workflow than Excel R2.

Pick Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor if

You need a very basic, no-frills spreadsheet editor primarily for simple data entry and viewing, and you are comfortable with a potentially less intuitive interface and limited features R78.

Evidence note: Numbers has significantly more reviews than Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor, providing a much richer dataset for analysis. The evidence for Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor, while consistent, is sparser and covers fewer dimensions.

Frequently asked

Is Numbers a good alternative to Excel?
Numbers can be a good alternative to Excel, especially for Apple users who appreciate its clean interface, unique multi-table canvas, and free price point R2R11R20. However, it lacks some advanced features like pivot tables and VLOOKUP that are standard in Excel, and its compatibility with Excel files can be problematic R25R27.
Is Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor truly free?
Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor is free to download and use for basic functions, and some users appreciate this free aspect R78. However, it includes in-app purchases, and some users express frustration with subscription models in general R81.
Do these apps work well with Excel files?
Numbers struggles with Excel file compatibility; users report issues with opening, saving, and maintaining formatting, and specific features like clickable dropdowns may not work R25R40R55. There is insufficient detailed review data to assess Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor's Excel file compatibility, though one user mentioned difficulty printing a spreadsheet from an attachment R73.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 110 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. [R11] Numbers 5/5 · US Great Customization: My favorite feature that sets Numbers apart from other spreadsheet apps is the isolation of tables. You start with a blank canvas and can place and arrange individual tables anywhere on the page. It works very well with my way of thinking.
  2. [R27] Numbers 3/5 · US You tried: You get some stars for trying to take a new approach to spreadsheets. But things just missing too much. Like, pivot tables, a completely indispensable tool for summarizing data and getting insights. Like something like Vlookup. Please, add some of this functionality and you’ll have a contender. I’m hoping with Siri AI coming you can do this and make it far more usable than on Excel or G
  3. [R28] Numbers 2/5 · US Lacking Basic Features: Wish this native platform would be as intuitive and reflective in capabilities as its competitors. Missing basic functions like print selected cells and other formulas.
  4. [R36] Numbers 3/5 · US I Want to Love It: Numbers has great features that are simply not found in Microsoft Excel, such as Categories and the ability to insert a Media Gallery. The app is easy to use. However… I frequently suffer spreadsheets crashing and becoming unstable, after which I’m unable to save, unable to close, unable to rename, and unable to type into. My Numbers files are not all that complicated. They ar
  5. [R2] Numbers 5/5 · US Major upgrade from excel: So much better than excel with a nicer interface
  6. [R4] Numbers 2/5 · US Cumbersome, lots of clicks to do common tasks: I’ve used Excel since moving on from Lotus-123. So not quite fair in that Numbers has but a year of use. I find Number’s extensive use of tabs, and drop down menus slow, and not intuitive. It also isn’t organized as I expect it to be (having used Excel for decades). Stuff thatI do frequently (sorting, filtering, formatting text, outlining cells, qu
  7. [R6] Numbers 3/5 · US Still Learning…: Don’t use this every day but it’s still not particularly intuitive.
  8. [R12] Numbers 3/5 · US Confused: It is confusing to use with no explanations on how to do anything I am trying to do with numbers. If it were easier to understand I would not have to keep calling to get understanding. But if you want me to keep calling because I don’t get it, I’ll just keep calling.
  9. [R1] Numbers 1/5 · US Don’t update: If you have a MacBook Pro with a touch bar (which I love to use with Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) DO NOT UPDATE THESE APPS! Apple has decided to quietly remove all compatibility between THEIR touch bar and THEIR productivity apps, so you’re forced to go back to the archaic slow-bro option of sifting through the options on the side, rather than effortlessly reaching up one inch with y
  10. [R3] Numbers 3/5 · US I dont like using this for work: It’s slow and lags a lot, Ive had a lot of instances where the app doesn’t sync so I lose a lot of work.
  11. [R16] Numbers 1/5 · US It Just Sucks (TM): Every day is a new bug discovery: each menu for setting a cell’s background color jumps around, one icon is purple for some reason, the app reloads every time I switch apps, scroll position keeps resetting. It’s embarrassing how little Apple cares about quality now. What a mess.
  12. [R25] Numbers 1/5 · US Terrible with excel files and impossible to copy tabular data: Lately instead of copy table data they copy some PNG making life extremely miserable and ages old problem open Excel file try to save it no day force you to do numbers file and if you do export on purpose destroys all formatting.
  13. [R40] Numbers 1/5 · US Why Apple?: Doesn’t save xlsx files when opened and won’t save to the folder from which the file was opened. That is just moronic.
  14. [R45] Numbers 3/5 · US Difficult to share: Constantly needs updating to share files. Sharing is challenging.
  15. [R55] Numbers 1/5 · US Spreadsheet didn’t work as expected: Frustrated because I imported xlsx with clickable dropdown but the file opened with warnings and the drop downs/pop ups dint work as expected. I needed it to work but ended up taking more time trying to troubleshoot and in the end did not fully meet my needs.
  16. [R13] Numbers 1/5 · US I HATE the subscription models. Pure GREED: Stay away from this program. Forcing users into paying monthly rent is theft because software is a product not a service. It adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, and is a tax you pay to the feudal landlords Adobe, Microsoft, Autodesk, Spotify, and now also Apple. Greed is the only motivation and it is demonic it slowly ruins the co
  17. [R20] Numbers 5/5 · US Clean interface: Feels good it’s free and it works. Google Docs is great too but there’s really no need. Just stay away from paying for Microsoft Excel
  18. [R39] Numbers 3/5 · US Mostly good: There’s a few formatting things in the spreadsheet that don’t work quite right and I’m constantly going in and having to adjust for it. I mean for a free spreadsheet it works pretty good for the basics.
  19. [R46] Numbers 1/5 · US Downloading appears to enroll you in a Creator Studio subscription: I started Numbers 14, and was met with a message that it would not be supported much longer, plus a referral to the App Store. I found version 15 of Numbers and download link. I used the link, but now it appears that I have become an unwitting subscriber that I either don’t want or have already licensed. Naturally, there is no
  20. [R78] Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor 5/5 · US good and free: its good and free like the real xl but free
  21. [R81] Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor 1/5 · US No need for subscription: I been using microsoft excel on computers all my life. It used to be free not sure when it change but I'm definately not paying for something that used to be free.
  22. [R73] Spreadsheet-xlsx&csv editor 1/5 · US I just want to print somethin: I tried top print a spreadsheet from an attachment. My mac always printed before now it's decided i have choose an app. Go to app store. I did and there no way for me print what I want. It says select an app and I click that and this thing doesn't even show a choice. Why is everythig so convoluted and difficult to use. It want to know who I am a teacher profession

Synthesized from 110 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store