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

Numbers vs Google Sheets

Numbers 4.6★ · Free to download 65
Winner Google Sheets
Google Sheets 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Google Sheets is generally more reliable and collaborative, making it a better choice for most users, while Numbers appeals to Apple users who prioritize aesthetics and a non-Excel-like interface.

Full reviews: Numbers · Google Sheets

Google Sheets offers strong cross-device functionality and collaboration, though its mobile app can be less feature-rich than its web version. Numbers, while praised for its design and ease of use for some, struggles with bugs and a lack of advanced features compared to Excel, which many users are accustomed to.

Head to head

Ease of Use & Interface tieR9R10R15R24
Numbers Numbers is described as intuitive and easy to use by some, especially for those new to spreadsheets or who appreciate its visual design and canvas-like approach R24R26R34. However, many users accustomed to Excel find it unintuitive and difficult to adapt to R9R10R15.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is generally considered easy to use and intuitive by many, particularly for basic tasks and sharing R94R96. However, some users find its mobile interface less user-friendly and less intuitive than the desktop version, especially for editing and formatting .
Features & Functionality tieR2R3R5R7
Numbers Numbers is appreciated for basic record-keeping and project management R2R5. Users like its flexibility and modern appearance . However, it is criticized for missing advanced features compared to Excel R16, difficulties with specific calculations R3, and problems with formatting cells containing formulas R7.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is praised for its utility, especially for work and sharing . Users appreciate its multi-platform access . However, the mobile app is frequently noted to have limited features compared to the web or desktop version, such as missing checkboxes, advanced editing functions, and difficulties with sorting columns .
Reliability & Performance tieR4R12R13R19
Numbers Numbers users report significant bugs, including freezing tables, issues with text input, printing problems, and documents not saving R4R12R13R19. Crashes are also reported, especially with larger data sets R39.
Google Sheets Google Sheets frequently suffers from crashes and freezing, particularly with complex or large spreadsheets . Some users also report issues with recent updates, such as changes in cell navigation and keyboard behavior .
Price & Value edge: Google SheetsR28R29R40R70
Numbers Numbers is free to download and use, with users appreciating that no subscription is needed R28R40. However, some recent reviews express concern about Apple's move towards paywalls for software, which might impact future value R29.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is widely praised for being free, making it a valuable tool for many users R70R107. The app is free to download and use, with in-app purchases mentioned but not heavily discussed in reviews regarding core spreadsheet functionality.
Compatibility & Integration edge: Google SheetsR4R9R10R15
Numbers Numbers users often compare it to Excel, with some finding the transition difficult R9R10R15R16. Some users successfully move from Excel and never look back , while others are actively trying to transition . There are also reports of printing issues with certain printers R4.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is valued for its cross-device utility and accessibility on both computer and phone . However, users frequently note that the mobile app is significantly cut down compared to the web version, making editing and advanced tasks difficult on iOS devices . There are also reports of issues with shared editing permissions after updates .
Pick Numbers if

you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize aesthetic design, or prefer a spreadsheet interface that deviates from the traditional Excel layout R24R26R34.

Pick Google Sheets if

you need a free, multi-platform spreadsheet solution, frequently collaborate with others, or are comfortable with the Google ecosystem R70.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of reviews, but recent negative reviews for both highlight ongoing issues with reliability and feature parity across platforms. The free nature of both apps means some negative feedback might stem from users expecting premium features without cost.

Frequently asked

Is Numbers or Google Sheets better for basic spreadsheet tasks?
Both Numbers and Google Sheets are suitable for basic spreadsheet tasks, with Numbers being praised for its intuitive design for simple use R26R34 and Google Sheets for its ease of use and accessibility R94R96.
Which app is more compatible with Excel?
Numbers is often seen as less intuitive for Excel users, with many finding it too different and missing features they are used to R9R10R15R16. Google Sheets, while having its own mobile app limitations compared to its web version, is generally a more direct competitor and alternative to Excel, though some users still prefer Excel's detailed features .
Do these apps have a free version?
Yes, both Numbers and Google Sheets are free to download and use, with Numbers explicitly noted for not requiring a subscription R28R40 and Google Sheets widely appreciated for being free R70R107.
Which app is more reliable on mobile devices?
Both apps have significant reliability issues on mobile devices; Numbers users report bugs like freezing tables, printing problems, and crashes R4R12R23R39, while Google Sheets users frequently experience crashes and freezing, especially with complex sheets .

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. [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.
  2. [R10] Numbers 1/5 · GB Too different from Excel: Nothing is intuitive, unlike other mac products
  3. [R15] Numbers 3/5 · GB Not as good as Excel: Not as good as Excel
  4. [R24] Numbers 5/5 · GB Elegant and functional: It’s visually pleasing to work in Numbers, as a design person, I appreciate the aesthetics, as well the functionality.
  5. [R2] Numbers 5/5 · GB Great App: I use this in sync with my own bank and it works perfectly. Thank you
  6. [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.
  7. [R5] Numbers 4/5 · GB Idris: Great for,keeping up with my Quran schedule and stuff
  8. [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.
  9. [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!!!!
  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. [R19] Numbers 2/5 · GB Cut & Paste Problem: On copying cells over a number of columns & lines, when pasting to where I wish to put it, all copying goes into one cell.
  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. [R70] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Exelente: Muy buena de mucha ayuda y lo mejor que es gratis ,con esta aplicación no necesitas comprar otra
  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. [R34] Numbers 5/5 · GB Easy to use: Numbers is an underrated productivity tool. It's intuitive, flexible and perfect for creating bespoke spreadsheets tailored to the way I work. I use it daily to manage projects in my architectural practice and find it far easier to use than many alternatives.
  19. [R94] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Great app: Easy to use
  20. [R96] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Easy Peasy: Ease of use is key and opens doors for inputting info.
  21. [R16] Numbers 1/5 · GB Not as good as excel: Lots of features missing
  22. [R107] Google Sheets 1/5 · US 2026 and google makes you download an app to edit a document: I’m able to open this document and view it on a browser and it even pops up an option to make changes through the app or via what ever browser you have on your phone then you click to open it via browser and try to make changes but soon find out it won’t let you and you need to download their app. Looks like to me just another way googl
  23. [R23] Numbers 2/5 · GB Mostly good: There is just one annoying intermittent problem with saving. If I try to export to CSV or save the sheet, it just loads indefinitely. Even force closing Numbers doesn’t help, the only solution is to restart the Mac
  24. [R39] Numbers 1/5 · GB Buggy: Consistently crashes when trying graph just 500kb of data, and doesn’t save the results when it crashes.

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