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

Microsoft Excel vs Google Sheets

Microsoft Excel 4.8★ · Free to download 60
Winner Google Sheets
Google Sheets 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Google Sheets has an edge for general mobile spreadsheet use due to better reported reliability and collaboration features, while Microsoft Excel struggles with core functionality and persistent login issues on mobile.

Full reviews: Microsoft Excel · Google Sheets

Microsoft Excel's mobile app is frequently criticized for missing key desktop features, persistent login problems, and saving issues, making it frustrating for many users. Google Sheets, while also having some mobile app limitations and crashing issues, is generally praised for its collaboration features and ease of use across devices, despite recent negative feedback on its new icon and some functionality gaps.

Head to head

Features & Functionality tieR1R3R6R9
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel's mobile app is widely reported to be a stripped-down version of its desktop counterpart, missing key features like VBA macros, advanced file options, and robust graphing capabilities R1R3R6R9. Users find the interface weak and different from the PC version, making it difficult to use for those familiar with the desktop experience R1R20R22. Some users also report issues with basic functions like copy-paste and find/replace .
Google Sheets Google Sheets is generally seen as a capable spreadsheet tool, with users appreciating its organizational features and utility for budgeting and data management . However, its mobile app is also noted to lack some major features present in the desktop version, making it less suitable for 'heavy lifting' . Specific complaints include difficulty with printing in landscape, limited sort options, and inability to insert multiple rows at once .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: Google SheetsR1R3R20R22
Microsoft Excel Many users find Excel's mobile interface cumbersome and inconsistent compared to the desktop version R1R20R22. Issues like disappearing toolbars and vague icons contribute to a difficult learning curve R3. The app is also criticized for not being well-equipped for mobile use, with some finding it a 'struggle to learn' .
Google Sheets Google Sheets is often praised for being easy to learn and use, even for non-tech-savvy individuals R100. However, some users find the mobile app difficult to edit and navigate, with issues like cells moving unexpectedly when typing and pop-ups obstructing editing . Recent updates have also led to negative feedback regarding the new app icon, which many find confusing or 'trash' R63.
Reliability & Performance edge: Google SheetsR4R7R10R16
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel users frequently report critical reliability issues, including constant logouts, inability to use the app offline, and difficulties saving files R4R7R10R16. There are also complaints about work disappearing, files not opening or saving correctly, and the app becoming buggy after updates .
Google Sheets Google Sheets experiences crashes, particularly with sheets containing a lot of data, conditional formatting, or complex codes R59R77R87. Some users report data disappearing . Despite these issues, many users describe Google Sheets as 'reliable' and 'easy to use' R100.
Collaboration & Sharing edge: Google SheetsR4R7R38R52
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel receives criticism for its sharing capabilities, with one user noting difficulty sharing between iPad and Mac versions, requiring additional payment R38. The app's constant login requirements and offline limitations also hinder seamless collaboration R4R7.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is highly praised for its collaboration features, allowing easy sharing and real-time co-editing, which is a significant advantage for users working with others R52R100. However, some users express frustration with the default collaborative nature, wishing for an option to send individual copies of documents for completion without everyone typing on the same file . There's also a serious privacy concern reported regarding incorrect sharing notifications .
Price & Value edge: Google SheetsR3R18R26R44
Microsoft Excel While Microsoft Excel is free to download, many users report that editing functionality requires a paid subscription, making it not truly free for practical use on devices like iPad R3R18R26R44. This can lead to frustration for users expecting full functionality from a 'free' app.
Google Sheets Google Sheets is valued for being accessible on all devices without a fee, though some acknowledge that 'nothing is really free' . The core functionality is free, making it a strong value proposition for many users .
Pick Microsoft Excel if

Pick Microsoft Excel if you are deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem and primarily use the desktop version, understanding that the mobile app will offer a limited experience .

Pick Google Sheets if

Pick Google Sheets if you prioritize real-time collaboration, need easy access across multiple devices without a subscription fee, and value a generally user-friendly interface for everyday spreadsheet tasks R52R100.

Evidence note: The evidence for Microsoft Excel highlights significant issues with core mobile app functionality and login, which are critical for usability. Google Sheets reviews show some frustration with mobile app limitations and recent design changes, but its fundamental value in collaboration and accessibility is consistently praised.

Frequently asked

Is Microsoft Excel truly free on mobile devices?
No, while Microsoft Excel is free to download, many users report that editing documents requires a paid subscription, especially on devices like the iPad R3R18R26R44.
Does Google Sheets offer good collaboration features?
Yes, Google Sheets is highly praised for its excellent collaboration features, allowing users to easily share and work on spreadsheets together in real-time across various devices R52R100.
Are there common complaints about Microsoft Excel's mobile app?
Yes, common complaints for Microsoft Excel's mobile app include missing key features from the desktop version, persistent login issues, difficulties saving files, and a generally cumbersome user interface R1R4R10R16.
What are the main issues with the Google Sheets mobile app?
The main issues with the Google Sheets mobile app include frequent crashes, especially with complex spreadsheets, some limitations in functionality compared to the desktop version, and recent negative feedback about its new app icon R59R63R77R87.

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. [R1] Microsoft Excel 2/5 · US Comes up Short on Key Excel Features: Key features missing that drive poor productivity - Would not recommend unless you are desperate and it’s free too. Simple key features are missing from the iOS version of Microsoft Excel… >> Poor graph features >> “Advanced File” option(s) missing >> User interfaces are weak compared to Windows Desk / Lap top versions >> Etc…Etc…Etc
  2. [R3] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · US Typical Microsoft: Does not support vba macros Does not support editing without paying Wow i can see my data but….. Sometimes the bottom and top toolbars disappears when you scroll down and you have to hit fx to get it back or scroll up. This is not always convenient. This is cumbersome and can lead to errors
  3. [R6] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · US App is missing a lot of functionality: App for Excel is missing many simple features that are in the desktop version.
  4. [R9] Microsoft Excel 3/5 · US So close but not quite there yet: I like using the app on my M4 IPad Pro, however, I wish Microsoft would give it the full functionality we get on windows PCs
  5. [R20] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Garbage: Makes no sense if you have ever used on a desktop, which pretty much the entire world has. Why would you change what works and everyone knows?
  6. [R22] Microsoft Excel 2/5 · US Office for iPads: I absolutely hate the Microsoft Office 365 version for iPads. The menus are very different and are a complete nuisance to use.
  7. [R4] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Constantly logged out: How many times can I get logged out of an account? Every time I go to use this I am required to log in again. It is almost impossible to use this program offline.
  8. [R7] Microsoft Excel 2/5 · US A Problem: Good app, but a major problem, why do I have to sing almost every time I want to edit a form?!!!! Sometimes I don’t have no internet connection so I can’t use my forms.
  9. [R10] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Microsoft's sign in system makes their products unusable: Literally have to sign in every time I try to open a document or join a teams call. It never remembers me and it never works to log n. It's so horrible. I literally have two separate paid 365 accounts and Microsoft cannot let me sign into either one. There's always some random error message that says something like "something went wrong". N
  10. [R16] Microsoft Excel 2/5 · US Saving: It is very hard and complícate to save the files on device or external memories
  11. [R38] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Bought and Paid for but can’t share easily: I have this version for my iPad and another for my Mac; the versions do not play well with each other and you need to pay another version to have them be able to share even when at home
  12. [R52] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Great for collaboration: My partner is a Microsoft guy and I am iOS. We needed an application we could easily share. Google Sheets was the answer and is easy to use and very similar to the other 2 common spreadsheet applications.
  13. [R18] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Paid App: Using it On my iPad isn’t for free
  14. [R26] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Inconsistent uses between iPad and iPhone: You need to be logged in and with a paid account on iPad to print. For iPhone, you just need to be logged in. Makes excel completely useless on iPad.
  15. [R44] Microsoft Excel 1/5 · US Nothing ever works.: Half the time it won’t let me edit, even though we pay a subscription. Sometimes it doesn’t load. It’s a terrible program.
  16. [R100] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Easy to Use and Reliable: Google Sheets is a very useful and accessible tool for organizing information, creating spreadsheets, and collaborating with others in real time. If you are tech-savvy, it’s pretty easy to use and navigate. I appreciate the cloud-based features and how simple it is to share documents with others. It works well for both personal and professional tasks. Some advanced featu
  17. [R59] Google Sheets 3/5 · US Crashes all the time: Most of my sheets work fine but one albeit with a lot of data and conditional formatting just keeps crashing the app, making it unusable. Otherwise sheets as a program is great, but the app needs improvement
  18. [R63] Google Sheets 2/5 · US Rebrand is bizarre and bad: The first thing I thought when I saw the new icon is “oh that’s weird something‘s glitching on my iPhone.” I’ve since learned that this rebrand is actually intentional. I have no idea what this icon is meant to convey. It looks like a battery? It’s an app for spreadsheets. Let’s not overthink it.
  19. [R77] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Crashing. Unusable.: Use GS regularly and on the whole am very happy with it. Since the recent update it will not stay open, after 5-10 seconds it just crashes. Have to use browser version on laptop.
  20. [R87] Google Sheets 2/5 · US Love it but crashes every time I open for the past 2 weeks: Love it but crashes every time I open for the past 2 weeks

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