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Accounting · head to head

Microsoft Excel vs Wise Business

Microsoft Excel logo

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wise Business logo

Wise Business

Accounting

The smart way to send and receive business payments

From
$29/month
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; Wise Business opening a Wise Business account in the UK carries a one off setup fee of 50 GBP
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Wise Business covers Multi-currency accounts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Excel and Wise Business actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Excel and Wise Business differ
AttributeMicrosoft ExcelWise Business
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Founded19752011

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 Wise Business

  • Multi-currency accounts
  • International transfers
  • Batch payments
  • API access
  • Team management
  • Xero
  • QuickBooks
  • Various

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Excel

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

Wise Business

  • Holding and converting multiple currencies as a businessnot Microsoft Excel
  • Paying international suppliers and contractors at the mid market ratenot Microsoft Excel
  • Receiving payments into local currency account details in several countriesnot 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

Wise Business

  • Opening a Wise Business account in the UK carries a one off setup fee of 50 GBP
  • Volume discounts on transfers start only above 20,000 GBP equivalent sent per month

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

Wise Business

$29/month
  • StandardFree
    • Multi-currency account
    • Real exchange rate
    • Batch payments

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 Wise Business if

  • You need multi-currency accounts.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want international transfers.
Wise Business review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Excel or Wise Business better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Excel starts at Free and Wise Business at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Excel or Wise Business?
Microsoft Excel has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Excel and $29/month for Wise Business.
Does Microsoft Excel or Wise Business run on more platforms?
Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. Wise Business runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use Microsoft Excel for free?
Yes. Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wise Business starts at $29/month.
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 Wise Business is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Excel do that Wise Business cannot?
Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs. Wise Business covers Multi-currency accounts, International transfers, Batch payments, API access.

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
Wise Business: How fast are international transfers with Wise Business?

Wise Business offers fast global payments with 70% arriving in 20 seconds and 95% arriving in under 24 hours. You can also pay up to 1,000 contacts in a single batch transfer.

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
Wise Business: Does Wise Business offer volume discounts?

Yes, volume discounts are available on monthly transfers over 20,000 GBP or equivalent.

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
Wise Business: How does Wise Business keep funds secure?

Wise customers move over AED60 billion monthly with systems built to keep funds safe. The company runs over 7 million daily fraud checks (80 per second), keeps funds diversified with secure financial institutions, and offers 24/7 customer support.

Source
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