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Spreadsheets · head to head

Numbers vs Weights & Biases

Numbers logo

Numbers

Spreadsheets

Apple spreadsheet, free on Apple hardware, now with an optional Apple Creator Studio subscription for AI features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weights & Biases logo

Weights & Biases

Machine Learning

Developer tools for machine learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Numbers numbers is not available on Windows or Android as a full application, so any collaborator outside the Apple ecosystem is limited to the basic iCloud.com web version.; Weights & Biases pricing can be prohibitive for large teams without enterprise discounts
  • They diverge on capability: Numbers covers Canvas-style layout, Weights & Biases covers Experiment tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Numbers and Weights & Biases actually diverge.

Attributes where Numbers and Weights & Biases differ
AttributeNumbersWeights & Biases
Pricing modelFree with Apple hardware, optional Apple Creator Studio subscription for AI featuresUnknown
PlatformsmacOS, iOS, WebWeb, Python SDK, REST API
CategorySpreadsheetsMachine Learning
FoundedUnknown2017

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 Numbers

  • Canvas-style layout
  • Formulas and categories
  • iCloud collaboration
  • Excel import and export
  • Apple Pencil and touch support
  • Apple Creator Studio AI features

Only in Weights & Biases

  • Experiment tracking
  • Dataset versioning
  • Model registry
  • Hyperparameter sweeps
  • Collaborative dashboards
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • Keras

What people use each for

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

Numbers

  • A Mac or iPad user who wants a spreadsheet with no additional software cost beyond the devicenot Weights & Biases
  • Someone building a visually laid-out document, an invoice or a planner, rather than a dense data tablenot Weights & Biases
  • A small team already on Apple hardware collaborating through iCloud without adopting Google Workspace or Microsoft 365not Weights & Biases
  • A user who wants light AI-assisted content generation and is willing to pay for Apple Creator Studio to get itnot Weights & Biases

Weights & Biases

  • Machine learningnot Numbers
  • Data analysisnot Numbers
  • Model trainingnot Numbers
  • Predictive analyticsnot Numbers

Where each one falls short

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

Numbers

  • Numbers is not available on Windows or Android as a full application, so any collaborator outside the Apple ecosystem is limited to the basic iCloud.com web version.
  • Complex Excel formulas, pivot tables and VBA macros do not convert reliably, so heavy Excel users moving files into Numbers risk losing functionality.
  • Its canvas-style layout that is a strength for visual documents becomes a weakness for large, dense datasets, where a fixed grid like Excel or Sheets is easier to navigate.
  • The newest AI features are now gated behind the separate Apple Creator Studio subscription, meaning the previously all-free app now has a paid tier for its most talked-about new capability.
  • Performance and formula depth trail both Excel and Google Sheets for serious financial modelling or statistical analysis.

Weights & Biases

  • Pricing can be prohibitive for large teams without enterprise discounts
  • Limited integrations compared to some competitors
  • Dashboard customization options limited on lower plans
  • Requires some setup and configuration knowledge

Pricing, plan by plan

Numbers

Free
  • NumbersFree
    • Free with a Mac, iPad or iPhone
    • Core spreadsheet and canvas features
    • iCloud collaboration included
  • Apple Creator Studio$12.99/month
    • AI-assisted features across Numbers, Pages and Keynote
    • Premium templates
    • 129 USD annual option

Weights & Biases

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 model seats
    • 5 GB storage
    • 1 GB/month Weave ingestion
  • Pro$60/month
    • 10 seats
    • 100 GB storage
    • Private projects
  • Teams$179/month
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced analytics
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Numbers if

  • You need canvas-style layout.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, Web.
  • You also want formulas and categories.
Numbers review

Choose Weights & Biases if

  • You need experiment tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Python SDK, REST API.
  • You also want dataset versioning.
Weights & Biases review

Questions people ask

Is Numbers or Weights & Biases better?
Neither clearly leads. Numbers starts at Free and Weights & Biases at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Numbers or Weights & Biases?
Numbers starts at Free and Weights & Biases at Free.
Does Numbers or Weights & Biases run on more platforms?
Numbers runs on macOS, iOS, Web. Weights & Biases runs on Web, Python SDK, REST API.
Can I use Numbers for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Numbers best used for?
Numbers is most often used for a mac or ipad user who wants a spreadsheet with no additional software cost beyond the device, someone building a visually laid-out document, an invoice or a planner, rather than a dense data table, a small team already on apple hardware collaborating through icloud without adopting google workspace or microsoft 365, a user who wants light ai-assisted content generation and is willing to pay for apple creator studio to get it. Of those, a mac or ipad user who wants a spreadsheet with no additional software cost beyond the device and someone building a visually laid-out document, an invoice or a planner, rather than a dense data table are not what Weights & Biases is typically brought in for.
What can Numbers do that Weights & Biases cannot?
Numbers covers Canvas-style layout, Formulas and categories, iCloud collaboration, Excel import and export. Weights & Biases covers Experiment tracking, Dataset versioning, Model registry, Hyperparameter sweeps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Numbers: Do I have to pay for Numbers?

No, it is free for anyone with a Mac, iPad or iPhone; it does not require a separate purchase.

Weights & Biases: Does Weights & Biases have a free plan?

Yes. The Free tier includes 5 model seats, 5 GB storage, and 1 GB/month Weave ingestion. Academic users get unlimited tracked hours, 200 GB storage, and 100 seats at no cost.

Source
Numbers: What does Apple Creator Studio add?

AI-assisted content generation and premium templates across Numbers, Pages and Keynote, for around 12.99 USD a month.

Weights & Biases: What are the paid plans for Weights & Biases?

Pro starts at $60/month with 10 seats and 100 GB storage. Team plans start at $179/month. Enterprise pricing is custom.

Source
Numbers: Can I use Numbers on Windows?

Only through a limited web version at iCloud.com; there is no native Windows application.

Weights & Biases: What machine learning features does W&B provide?

Weights & Biases captures hyperparameters, metrics, and model outputs automatically. Features include experiment tracking, interactive Reports for sharing findings, Artifacts for managing datasets and models, advanced hyperparameter sweeps, and model deployment tools.

Source
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