Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Fiken vs Microsoft Excel

Fiken logo

Fiken

Accounting

Norwegian accounting software for sole proprietors and small companies

From
219/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Excel logo

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fiken bank integration available only as add-on (69 NOK/month); Microsoft Excel free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fiken and Microsoft Excel actually diverge.

Attributes where Fiken and Microsoft Excel differ
AttributeFikenMicrosoft Excel
Starting price219/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown1975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Fiken

Nothing recorded that Microsoft Excel does not also cover.

Only in Microsoft Excel

  • Advanced formulas
  • Pivot tables
  • Data visualization
  • Charts and graphs
  • Conditional formatting
  • Data analysis tools
  • Macro automation
  • Collaboration features

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fiken

  • Solo accounting and invoicing for small businessesnot Microsoft Excel
  • Multi-user accounting collaboration at no extra costnot Microsoft Excel
  • Invoice management with EHF e-invoice supportnot Microsoft Excel
  • Bank integration for transaction trackingnot Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel

  • Financial modelingnot Fiken
  • Data analysisnot Fiken
  • Budget planningnot Fiken
  • Reportingnot Fiken
  • Business intelligencenot Fiken
  • Statistical analysisnot Fiken

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fiken

  • Bank integration available only as add-on (69 NOK/month)
  • Project accounting requires separate add-on (69 NOK/month)
  • Payroll and employee features cost extra (69 NOK/month)
  • Physical mail invoicing costs 25 NOK per invoice

Microsoft Excel

  • Free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access
  • Paid plans have per-user costs increasing significantly with more users
  • AI features like Copilot limited or unavailable on lower-tier plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Fiken

219/month
  • Base Plan$219/month
    • Complete accounting functionality
    • Unlimited invoice sending via email and EHF
    • Unlimited user accounts

Microsoft Excel

Free
  • Microsoft Excel (Free)Free
    • Excel for the web
    • Real-time collaboration
    • 5 GB cloud storage
  • Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/month
    • Desktop Excel app
    • 1 TB cloud storage
    • Single user on up to 5 devices
  • Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/month
    • 1-6 users (AI features for subscription owner)
    • Up to 6 TB cloud storage (1 TB per person)
    • Each user up to 5 devices
  • Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99/month
    • 1-6 users
    • Extensive Copilot feature access
    • Exclusive advanced AI capabilities

Which should you pick?

Choose Fiken if

Nothing in the data separates Fiken from Microsoft Excel on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Fiken review

Choose Microsoft Excel if

  • You need advanced formulas.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want pivot tables.
Microsoft Excel review

Questions people ask

Is Fiken or Microsoft Excel better?
Neither clearly leads. Fiken starts at 219/month and Microsoft Excel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fiken or Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at 219/month for Fiken and Free for Microsoft Excel.
Does Fiken or Microsoft Excel run on more platforms?
Fiken runs on Web. Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Microsoft Excel for free?
Yes. Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fiken starts at 219/month.
What is Fiken best used for?
Fiken is most often used for solo accounting and invoicing for small businesses, multi-user accounting collaboration at no extra cost, invoice management with ehf e-invoice support, bank integration for transaction tracking. Of those, solo accounting and invoicing for small businesses and multi-user accounting collaboration at no extra cost are not what Microsoft Excel is typically brought in for.
What can Fiken do that Microsoft Excel cannot?
Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Fiken: Is there a free trial for Fiken?

Yes, Fiken offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial, the base plan costs 219 NOK per month.

Source
Microsoft Excel: How much does Microsoft Excel cost?

Microsoft Excel is free as a web app with 5 GB storage. Paid options include Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/month for desktop apps and 1 TB storage, Family at $12.99/month for 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage, and Premium at $19.99/month with extended Copilot access.

Source
Fiken: Do additional users cost more on Fiken?

No, Fiken includes unlimited user accounts at no extra cost on the base plan.

Source
Microsoft Excel: Is there a free version of Excel?

Yes, Excel for the web is free and includes sharing, real-time collaboration, and 5 GB cloud storage accessible on web, iOS, and Android without subscription.

Source
Fiken: What add-ons are available and how much do they cost?

Monthly add-ons include bank integration, project accounting, KID number system, and API access (69-99 NOK each). Time tracking, payroll, and expense reimbursements also cost 69 NOK per month. Annual tax filing costs 1,290 NOK for sole proprietors or 1,590 NOK for limited companies.

Source
Microsoft Excel: What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Family and Premium tiers?

Family tier at $12.99/month supports 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage and standard features. Premium tier at $19.99/month allows extensive Copilot feature access and exclusive advanced AI capabilities including image creation and audio generation.

Source
Fiken: What are the per-transaction costs?

SMS invoicing costs 3 NOK, e-invoicing via Vipps costs 5 NOK, physical mail invoicing costs 25 NOK, and credit checks cost 15 NOK per transaction.

Source
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