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

Numbers vs Microsoft Excel

Numbers 4.6★ · Free to download 65
Winner Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel 4.8★ · Free to download 70

Microsoft Excel is generally preferred for serious spreadsheet work due to its comprehensive features and familiarity, despite its mobile app having significant stability and usability issues, while Numbers is a good free alternative for simpler tasks within the Apple ecosystem.

Full reviews: Numbers · Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel, with a lifetime rating of 4.75, is a powerful and widely used spreadsheet application, but its mobile version suffers from frequent crashes, login issues, and limited functionality compared to its desktop counterpart. Numbers, rated 4.63, is praised for its ease of use and aesthetic appeal within the Apple ecosystem, though some users find it less intuitive and feature-rich than Excel.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: Microsoft ExcelR3R5R7R9
Numbers Numbers is seen as good for basic record keeping and simple spreadsheets, with some users finding it elegant and functional for design-oriented tasks R5R26. However, many users report missing advanced features, difficulty with complex calculations like time/speed/distance, and problems with formatting or macros R3R7R9R16. Some find it less powerful than Excel R15.
Microsoft Excel Excel is lauded for its comprehensive features and power, with users depending on it daily for various tasks, including complex calculations and organization . However, the mobile version is criticized for lacking basic features like selecting multiple cells with control, missing macros, and having non-intuitive button placements R53.
Ease of Use and Intuition tieR3R9R10R17
Numbers Numbers is described as easy to use, intuitive, and straightforward by some, especially for those new to spreadsheets or within the Apple ecosystem R26R40. However, many long-time Excel users find it less intuitive and too different, requiring a learning curve R9R10R17. Some find it complicated for specific calculations R3.
Microsoft Excel Excel is familiar to long-time users but its mobile app is frequently described as not user-friendly, clunky, and non-intuitive, especially for those accustomed to the PC version R53R56. Users report difficulty with basic actions like selecting cells or understanding equations R53.
Reliability and Performance edge: NumbersR4R6R12R13
Numbers Numbers users report various bugs and stability issues, including freezing tables, text input problems after updates, documents not printing, and crashes when graphing data R4R6R12R13. Some experience indefinite loading when trying to export or save, requiring a Mac restart .
Microsoft Excel Excel's mobile app is plagued by significant reliability issues, including frequent freezing, crashing, and data loss R68. Users report problems with printing and exporting to PDF , files not loading , and sync issues with desktop versions .
Price and Value edge: NumbersR28R29R40R63
Numbers Numbers is valued for being free and not requiring a subscription, which is a significant bonus for many users R28R40. However, some recent reviews express concern about Apple's move towards paywalls for software, which goes against the perceived Apple ethos R29.
Microsoft Excel Excel is also free to download, but many users complain about constant demands to sign in, subscription requirements for premium features, and being locked out of files created years ago without a recurring subscription R63. Some feel Microsoft deliberately makes the free experience difficult to push subscriptions .
Pick Numbers if

You are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and need a free, visually appealing spreadsheet tool for relatively simple tasks and record-keeping R26. You prioritize ease of use for basic functions over advanced features and macros R26R40.

Pick Microsoft Excel if

You require the comprehensive features and power of a professional spreadsheet application for complex data analysis, financial management, or business operations, and are willing to tolerate the mobile app's stability and usability issues . You are a long-time Excel user who needs to maintain compatibility with existing Excel files and workflows .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, which means many negative reviews for both might stem from free-tier limitations or friction. However, Excel's paid subscription model for full functionality generates specific complaints about access and login issues not present in Numbers' reviews.

Frequently asked

Is Numbers a good alternative to Excel?
Numbers can be a good alternative to Excel for users within the Apple ecosystem who need a free, intuitive, and visually pleasing spreadsheet tool for simple tasks and personal record-keeping, but it may lack the advanced features and macros found in Excel R9R15R16R26.
Why do users complain about Excel's mobile app?
Users complain about Excel's mobile app due to frequent freezing, crashing, data loss, and difficulties with printing or exporting files R68. Many also find it less intuitive and efficient than the desktop version, with missing basic features and persistent login issues R53R56R63.
Does Numbers have ads?
One user reported non-removable advertising in Numbers, which they felt made the app look cheap, though this was a single report and not a widespread complaint R1.

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. [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. [R5] Numbers 4/5 · GB Idris: Great for,keeping up with my Quran schedule and stuff
  3. [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.
  4. [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.
  5. [R10] Numbers 1/5 · GB Too different from Excel: Nothing is intuitive, unlike other mac products
  6. [R17] Numbers 5/5 · GB Getting there!: Just commenced using with a little tuition from family member as I was familiar with excel. Getting there!
  7. [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!!!!
  8. [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.
  9. [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
  10. [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
  11. [R28] Numbers 4/5 · GB not excel: Its not Excel but works great for keeping track of stuff and no subscvription
  12. [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.
  13. [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
  14. [R63] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US SIGN IN FOR OUTLOOK SUCKS: SIGNING IN EACH TIME I NEED TO USE A SPREADSHEET IS INSANE
  15. [R15] Numbers 3/5 · GB Not as good as Excel: Not as good as Excel
  16. [R16] Numbers 1/5 · GB Not as good as excel: Lots of features missing
  17. [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.
  18. [R53] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · US Almost the Excel I know for my PC: Microsoft deliberately makes using this software on an iPad more difficult and less efficient. Some basic, non complicated features, like holding control to select multiple cells, are not available. Lots of things like that which are just strange not to allow and really destroy efficiency. Overall I can still get the job done, it just feels intentionally limit
  19. [R56] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · US Not great: Not user friendly
  20. [R68] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · GB Freezing: Since the last update the whole app has been freezing as soon as you open a document, just not doing anything or letting you press anything anywhere. Really frustrating. Literally tried everything, closing down the app, turning my phone off and on, nothing helps.
  21. [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.

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