Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Microsoft Excel vs Pennylane

Microsoft Excel logo

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pennylane logo

Pennylane

Accounting

French tool combining business finances, accounting and a pro account in one platform

From
On request
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: Microsoft Excel free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access; Pennylane no pricing is displayed on the homepage or linked pricing page; visitors are directed only to a Demarrer maintenant (Start now) signup flow with no published EUR figure
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Excel and Pennylane differ
AttributeMicrosoft ExcelPennylane
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded1975Unknown

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 Microsoft Excel

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

Only in Pennylane

Nothing recorded that Microsoft Excel does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Excel

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

Pennylane

  • Automated invoicing with payment reminders and collectionsnot Microsoft Excel
  • Real-time cash flow visibility and financial forecastingnot Microsoft Excel
  • Employee expense management with card controls and workflowsnot Microsoft Excel
  • Automated supplier invoice payment processingnot Microsoft Excel
  • Mandatory e-invoicing compliance (France September 2026)not Microsoft Excel

Where each one falls short

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

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

Pennylane

  • No pricing is displayed on the homepage or linked pricing page; visitors are directed only to a Demarrer maintenant (Start now) signup flow with no published EUR figure
  • The product bundles accounting, invoicing and a business bank account together, so buyers cannot subscribe to only one function

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Pennylane

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Pennylane review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Pennylane if

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

Pennylane review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Excel or Pennylane better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Excel starts at Free and Pennylane at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Excel or Pennylane?
Microsoft Excel has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Excel and On request for Pennylane.
Does Microsoft Excel or Pennylane run on more platforms?
Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. Pennylane runs on Web.
Can I use Microsoft Excel for free?
Yes. Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pennylane starts at On request.
What is Microsoft Excel best used for?
Microsoft Excel is most often used for financial modeling, data analysis, budget planning, reporting. Of those, financial modeling and data analysis are not what Pennylane is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Excel do that Pennylane cannot?
Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Pennylane: What financial processes does Pennylane help automate?

Pennylane streamlines multiple financial functions including invoice creation, expense management, payment collection, and receipt documentation. The platform centralizes data from facturation, purchasing, treasury, and accounting in one unified system.

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
Pennylane: Can Pennylane help with corporate spending control?

Yes. Pennylane provides corporate cards for employees with built-in spending controls and authorization workflows, allowing businesses to manage team expenses while maintaining visibility and approval requirements.

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
Pennylane: Does Pennylane provide real-time financial visibility?

Yes. Pennylane's unified dashboard provides live transaction visibility and real-time cash flow monitoring across the entire business, helping teams access financial data instantly.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Microsoft Excel

More on Pennylane

Keep looking

Other head to heads