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Accounting · head to head

Microsoft Excel vs Zoho Sheet

Microsoft Excel logo

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoho Sheet logo

Zoho Sheet

Spreadsheets

Free standalone cloud spreadsheet from Zoho, also bundled into the low-cost Zoho Workplace suite

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Excel free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access; Zoho Sheet its template, add-on and third-party integration ecosystem is much smaller than Google Sheets or Excel, so specialised workflows may not have a ready-made extension.
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Zoho Sheet covers Real-time collaboration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Excel and Zoho Sheet actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Excel and Zoho Sheet differ
AttributeMicrosoft ExcelZoho Sheet
Pricing modelfreemiumFree standalone, bundled into paid Zoho Workplace for organisations
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
CategoryAccountingSpreadsheets
Founded1975Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Zoho Sheet

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Deluge scripting
  • Pivot tables and formulas
  • Excel compatibility
  • Zoho ecosystem integration
  • Offline access

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Excel

  • Financial modelingnot Zoho Sheet
  • Data analysisnot Zoho Sheet
  • Budget planningnot Zoho Sheet
  • Reportingnot Zoho Sheet
  • Business intelligencenot Zoho Sheet
  • Statistical analysisnot Zoho Sheet

Zoho Sheet

  • An individual wanting a genuinely free spreadsheet without a Google or Microsoft account requirementnot Microsoft Excel
  • A small business already using Zoho CRM that wants spreadsheet data flowing directly from itnot Microsoft Excel
  • A price-sensitive team choosing Zoho Workplace over Google Workspace for the same headcountnot Microsoft Excel
  • A nonprofit or startup on the Zoho Workplace Forever Free plan for up to 5 usersnot 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

Zoho Sheet

  • Its template, add-on and third-party integration ecosystem is much smaller than Google Sheets or Excel, so specialised workflows may not have a ready-made extension.
  • Collaborators outside a company who are used to Google Sheets or Excel face a small adjustment to the Zoho interface and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Zoho Workplace Forever Free is capped at 5 users and 5GB, so it stops being viable the moment a team grows past that.
  • Deluge, its scripting language, is Zoho-specific, so automation logic written for Zoho Sheet does not transfer to Google Apps Script or Excel VBA if a company later switches suites.
  • Brand recognition and market share are far smaller than Google or Microsoft, so IT departments evaluating vendors may have less familiarity or fewer case studies to draw on.

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

Zoho Sheet

Free
  • Zoho Sheet (standalone)Free
    • Full core spreadsheet functionality
    • No forced account upgrade
    • Individual use
  • Zoho Workplace Forever FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • 5GB storage
    • Sheet, Docs, Slides, Mail and Meeting bundled
  • Zoho Workplace Professional$6/month
    • Full Workplace suite for teams
    • Annual billing rate
    • Larger storage per user

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 Zoho Sheet if

  • You need real-time collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want deluge scripting.
Zoho Sheet review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Excel starts at Free and Zoho Sheet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet?
Microsoft Excel starts at Free and Zoho Sheet at Free.
Does Microsoft Excel or Zoho Sheet run on more platforms?
Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. Zoho Sheet runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use Microsoft Excel for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Zoho Sheet is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Excel do that Zoho Sheet cannot?
Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs. Zoho Sheet covers Real-time collaboration, Deluge scripting, Pivot tables and formulas, Excel compatibility.

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
Zoho Sheet: Is Zoho Sheet free on its own, without buying the suite?

Yes, it can be used as a standalone spreadsheet with a free Zoho account with no forced upgrade.

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
Zoho Sheet: How does Zoho Workplace pricing compare with Google Workspace?

Independent pricing comparisons put Zoho Workplace at roughly 50 to 70 percent cheaper than equivalent Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 plans.

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
Zoho Sheet: Does Zoho Sheet open Excel files?

Yes, it imports, edits and exports Microsoft Excel format files.

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