9 Best Google Sheets Alternatives for Your Team in 2026
Benjamin Grant
Lark Content Manager
Aug 5, 2026
Benjamin Grant
Aug 5, 2026
14 min read
Google Sheets is a popular online spreadsheet tool. It lets people work together at the same time, integrates easily with other Google apps, and is easy to use, making it good for simple data tracking and small projects. But when tasks get more complicated, Google Sheets can fall short.
If you’re looking for a Google Sheets alternative, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk through spreadsheet tools as well as no-code database platforms. Whether you want stronger automation, deeper analytics, or smoother integrations, you’ll find options that fit your workflow.
Google Sheets alternatives at a glance
Here are our top three Google Sheets alternatives out of the nine we tested and reviewed.
Why teams look for Google Sheets alternatives
Cluttered interface with large datasets makes navigating and analyzing data harder.
- Cumbersome sharing and collaboration can slow teamwork and introduce errors.
- No built-in automation for recurring tasks forces manual updates, wasting time.
- Advanced AI features require high-tier plans or external integrations, making analysis more complicated.
- Risk of formula errors and messy charts can disrupt workflows and reduce productivity.
For users who need powerful formulas, secure cloud syncing, and smoother collaboration, these gaps can be a major headache.
Top 9 Google Sheets alternatives in 2026
1. Lark: Advanced data analysis on spreadsheets and relational databases
Lark is an all-in-one platform that addresses the most significant pain points plaguing traditional spreadsheet apps: fragmentation and lack of collaboration features. For teams that need advanced calculations and in-depth data analysis, Lark Sheets offers robust spreadsheet features and a large, growing set of formula functions. For project management, CRM, or general data management, Lark Base provides a no-code, infinitely customizable solution that adapts to almost any workflow. Both tools work seamlessly with the built-in messenger, ensuring teammates never miss notifications and enabling effortless real-time collaboration by allowing them to tag each other.
Moreover, Lark offers a range of essential tools such as email, documents, video meetings, and automated approval management within its platform. This means teams can avoid the hassle of integrating multiple apps that often don't work as intended. What's more, by eliminating the need for separate subscriptions, Lark not only streamlines your workflow but also saves you money. For instance, a team of 100 people using Slack, Google Workspace, and Zoom can save a substantial $25,200 per year by switching to Lark Pro.
Key features
- Multidimensional data views: Instantly switch your data between multiple visual formats, including Grid, Kanban, Gantt, Gallery, and Calendar, to suit any project or workflow.
- Rich field types: Go beyond text and numbers with specific data types like attachments, ratings, progress bars, and linked records, ensuring cleaner data and improved data integrity.
- Built-in relational database: Easily link information across different tables (sheets) to create powerful, cross-referenced data models without writing complex formulas or VLOOKUPS.
- Contextual collaboration: Discuss data directly on a specific row or cell using integrated Lark Messenger threads, keeping all decision history tied to the record.
- No-code automation: Set up automated workflows instantly (e.g., auto-notify a teammate when a status changes, or send reminders before a deadline) without relying on third-party tools or coding.
- Granular Permission Control: Secure your sensitive data with advanced controls, including field-level permissions to hide specific columns from different user groups.
Pros
- Easily import data from CSV and Excel files.
- Access to advanced features such as pivot tables, data validation, and conditional formatting.
- Make spreadsheets available offline, and enable editing without an internet connection.
- Create graphs and charts to build live dashboards for data visualization.
- Intuitive features that automate workflows eliminate the need to handle repetitive tasks, thereby improving accuracy and productivity.
- Offers both traditional spreadsheet functions and modern data management capabilities on a single platform.
- Access from mobile, desktop, or web, enabling productivity anywhere at any time.
- Generous free plan and affordable paid plans make it accessible for teams of all sizes and budgets.
Cons
- Advanced features may take some time to learn through the Lark YouTube Channel or Help Center.
Ratings
- G2: 4.5/5
"With Lark, information is no longer scattered. We can make fast decisions with information readily available. The customizability of Base and the power of automated notifications have transformed how we operate."
- Ivan Nugraha, Technology Advisor for ILCS
Pricing
- Starter plan: Free forever plan that includes 11 powerful tools for up to 20 users. It also comes with 100GB of storage space, 1000 automation runs, AI translations, and more. No credit card needed.
- Basic plan: $6/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Starter and unlimited message history, 5TB of storage space, 1,000 automation runs, and more. Some users may need to contact sales to purchase this plan.
- Pro plan: $12/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Basic plus group calling for up to 500 attendees, 15TB of storage space, 50,000 automation runs, and more.
- Enterprise plan: Contact sales for custom pricing. Supports unlimited users and includes even more automation runs and advanced security, compliance, and management features.
Starter
Pro
Enterprise
Starter
For small teams with simple communication needs
$0
/ user / month
20 users max
18 months message history
1-on-1 video meetings
100 GB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
1000 Base automation runs/month
2000 rows per table in Base
Pro
For companies with comprehensive collaboration and management needs
$12
/ user / month
500 users max
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
50k Base automation runs/month
20k rows per table in Base
Enterprise
For large companies with advanced security and organizational management needs
Get a personalized demo and pricing
Unlimited users
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage + 30 GB storage/user
Lark Docs & Mail
500k Base automation runs/month
50k Base automation runs/month
Single sign-on (SSO)
Pro
For companies with comprehensive collaboration and management needs
$12
/ user / month
500 users max
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
50k Base automation runs/month
20k rows per table in Base
2. Microsoft Excel: Best for data analysis & financial modeling
Image source: microsoft.com
What list of Google Sheets alternatives would be complete without mentioning the legacy spreadsheet king, Microsoft Excel? With decades of development, it offers a depth of features for complex data manipulation, financial modeling, and standalone analysis. As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, it has evolved to include cloud-based collaboration, but its core strength remains its powerful desktop application. For individuals and teams whose primary need is crunching massive amounts of data, Excel remains a formidable tool.
Key features
- Access a vast library of functions, including modern dynamic arrays for complex calculations.
- Use PivotTables and Power Query to summarize and analyze huge datasets without a database.
- Automate nearly any task with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and integrated Python.
- Create a wide variety of charts and graphs to visualize data trends and patterns.
- Integrate deeply with other Microsoft 365 apps and collaborate in real-time on the web.
Pros
- Enjoy unmatched calculation power and functional depth for virtually any data task.
- Broad file compatibility and a large user base.
- Utilize extremely powerful built-in data analysis tools like PivotTables and Power Query.
- Experience seamless integration with the wider Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Cons
- Real-time collaboration is not as fluid as on cloud-native platforms.
- Performance can slow significantly when working with very large datasets.
- Mastering advanced features like VBA and Power Query requires a steep learning curve.
- The tool is often overly complex for straightforward task and project management.
Ratings
- G2: 4.7/5
Pricing
- Free: A web-based version with limited functionality is available with a free Microsoft account.
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $99.99 per year for one person.
- Microsoft 365 Family: $129.99 per year for up to six people.
- Microsoft 365 Business Plans: Various tiers are available, starting from $6 per user/month.
3. Airtable: Best for building custom database applications
Image source: airtable.com
Airtable is a leader in the "spreadsheet-database hybrid" category, successfully blending the familiar, approachable interface of a spreadsheet with the structural power of a relational database. It empowers non-technical users to build sophisticated, custom applications for a vast range of use cases, including CRMs, content calendars, product inventories, and project trackers. Its strength lies in its flexibility and visual appeal, making data management more intuitive and accessible.
Key features
- Create connections between different data sets using linked records.
- Visualize data in numerous ways, including Grid, Kanban, Gallery, and Gantt charts.
- Build custom, interactive dashboards and interfaces for collaborators without code.
- Streamline workflows with a native automation builder and popular tool integrations.
- Use an integrated AI assistant to help build applications and analyze data.
Pros
- Adapt the highly flexible and customizable platform to a wide array of business needs.
- Grasp complex database concepts easily with the visually intuitive interface.
- Create relational data structures that are impossible in a traditional spreadsheet.
- Streamline workflows with robust automation and integration capabilities.
Cons
- Face a steep learning curve if you are unfamiliar with database principles.
- Pricing can become expensive for larger teams due to per-user costs and usage limits.
- Native reporting and charting features are less powerful than some dedicated tools.
- The platform offers fewer native integrations compared to some project management competitors.
Ratings
- G2: 4.6/5
Pricing
- Free: Includes unlimited bases, up to 1,000 records per base, and 1GB of attachments.
- Team: $20 per user/month (billed annually), increasing limits to 50,000 records per base, 20GB of attachments, and 25,000 automation runs.
- Business: $45 per user/month (billed annually), with 125,000 records per base, 100GB of attachments, and 100,000 automation runs.
- Enterprise Scale: Custom pricing for advanced needs.
4. Zoho Sheet: Best for teams that are already in Zoho’s ecosystem of apps
Image source: zoho.com
Zoho Sheet is an online spreadsheet application that competes directly with Google Sheets. It is offered entirely free as a standalone product and is also a core component of Zoho's extensive suite of business applications, including Zoho Workplace and Zoho One. Its biggest advantage is its seamless integration with other Zoho products, making it an incredibly powerful tool for businesses already operating within that ecosystem.
Key features
- Use over 350 functions, pivot tables, and more than 35 chart types.
- Get automated data cleaning and chart generation from Zoho's AI assistant.
- Benefit from real-time co-editing, cell-specific comments, and granular user permissions.
- Scan printed tables and automatically convert them into editable spreadsheet data.
- Connect effortlessly with other Zoho apps like Forms, Writer, and CRM.
Pros
- Use the application completely free as a standalone product.
- Receive automated data analysis and insights from the powerful AI assistant.
- Enjoy unbeatable integration with the extensive Zoho ecosystem of business apps.
- You can use strong real-time collaboration features with great permission controls.
Cons
- The user interface can feel dated compared to modern competitors.
- Performance may lag when working with very large or complex spreadsheets.
- Users have reported inconsistent quality from customer support channels.
- Its value is significantly diminished for teams that do not use other Zoho applications.
Ratings
- G2: 4.5/5
Pricing
- Free plan available
- Paid plans start from $3 per user/month as part of Zoho Workplace.
5. Smartsheet: Best for project management on a spreadsheet-like interface
Image source: smartsheet.com
Smartsheet is an enterprise-focused work execution platform that leverages a familiar spreadsheet-like interface to manage complex projects, programs, and portfolios at scale. It is designed for structured, top-down project management, offering powerful tools for planning, resource allocation, and reporting that appeal to PMOs and large, process-driven organizations.
Key features
- Use advanced tools including Gantt views, critical path analysis, and resource management.
- Create complex workflows with conditional logic to handle alerts and approvals.
- Build real-time dashboards and roll-up reports for high-level visibility.
- Benefit from robust security, governance, and administrative controls.
- Connect with essential enterprise tools like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Jira.
Pros
- Manage large-scale, complex projects and entire portfolios effectively.
- Streamline repetitive processes with robust automation capabilities.
- Provide excellent visibility for leadership with powerful reporting and dashboards.
- Lower the initial adoption barrier for teams with a familiar spreadsheet-like interface.
Cons
- The platform can feel rigid and inflexible, often described as a "glorified Excel".
- Mastering advanced features and automation rules involves a steep learning curve.
- The expensive and restrictive licensing model can hinder widespread team collaboration.
- The user interface for creating dashboards is often described as clunky and lacking customization.
Ratings
- G2: 4.4/5
Pricing
- Free: A limited free plan is available for a single user and up to two editors.
- Pro: $9 per user/month (billed annually), for up to 10 users.
- Business: $32 per user/month (billed annually), includes unlimited automations and user management.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for enterprise-grade features and security.
6. monday.com: Best for visual workflow and project management
Image source: monday.com
monday.com is a Work Operating System (Work OS) that stands out for its colorful, intuitive, and highly visual approach to project and workflow management. It provides a flexible set of building blocks, like boards, views, and automations, that teams can assemble to create their ideal workflow for nearly any use case, from marketing campaign tracking to software development sprints.
Key features
- Visualize work in multiple ways, including Kanban, Calendar, Timeline, and Gantt charts.
- Tailor boards to fit specific team needs with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Use a no-code automation builder and over 200 native integrations with popular tools.
- Build custom, real-time dashboards with over 30 different widgets to track key metrics.
Pros
- Adopt the extremely intuitive and visually engaging user interface with ease.
- Adapt the highly customizable platform to almost any type of workflow or project.
- Collaborate effectively with clear visibility into task ownership and status.
- Configure powerful automations and integrations easily.
Cons
- The pricing structure can be confusing and costly with a minimum of three user seats.
- Key features like time tracking and private boards are restricted to more expensive plans.
- Mastering the full range of advanced features can present a learning curve.
- The platform lacks a native, built-in chat tool for real-time team communication.
Ratings
- G2: 4.7/5
Pricing
- Free: $0 for up to 2 seats, with limited features.
- Basic: $9 per user/month (billed annually), with a 3-user minimum.
- Standard: $12 per user/month (billed annually), with a 3-user minimum. Includes timeline & Gantt views.
- Pro: $19 per user/month (billed annually), with a 3-user minimum. Includes private boards and time tracking.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for advanced security and support.
7. ClickUp: Best for general work management
Image source: g2.com
ClickUp markets itself as the "everything app for work," designed to replace multiple collaboration tools by consolidating tasks, documents, chat, goals, and whiteboards into a single, unified platform. Its greatest strength lies in its large feature set and high level of customization, allowing teams to tailor their workspace to their specific needs.
Key features
- Organize work logically with a flexible hierarchy of Spaces, Folders, and Lists.
- Visualize work in over 15 ways, including List, Board, Gantt, and Mind Map views.
- Enable or disable specific features at the workspace level to avoid a cluttered interface.
- Use built-in Docs, Whiteboards, and a real-time Chat view to reduce external app needs.
Pros
- Benefit from an exhaustive feature set that aims to be a true all-in-one solution.
- Adapt the platform to virtually any workflow with an extremely high level of customization.
- Utilize one of the most generous free plans on the market with unlimited users and tasks.
- Access paid plans that are very affordably priced compared to direct competitors.
Cons
- The user interface can feel cluttered and complex to navigate for beginners.
- Users frequently report performance issues and slow loading times with large projects.
- The mobile app experience is often cited as less powerful than the desktop version.
Ratings
- G2: 4.7/5
Pricing
- Free Forever: $0 for unlimited members, with 60MB of storage and some feature limitations.
- Unlimited: $7 per user/month (billed annually), with unlimited storage, integrations, and Gantt charts.
- Business: $12 per user/month (billed annually), adding Google SSO, unlimited teams, and advanced automations.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for advanced permissions and dedicated support.
8. Baserow: Best for open-source, self-hosted database building.
Image source: baserow.com
Baserow positions itself as a premier open-source alternative to traditional spreadsheet apps, offering a powerful no-code database tool that prioritizes data ownership, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Its defining feature is the ability to be self-hosted, which grants organizations complete control over their data and infrastructure, free from the vendor lock-in and usage limits of proprietary cloud services.
Key features
- Gain complete control over your data and infrastructure with the self-hosted version.
- Use an intuitive, spreadsheet-like interface to easily create and manage databases.
- Visualize data with essential views like Grid, Gallery, Kanban, and Calendar.
- Integrate with any tool via the API and create custom plugins to extend functionality.
Pros:
- Enjoy unparalleled flexibility and control with the open-source model.
- Benefit from a cost-effective and scalable self-hosting option with unlimited rows.
- Maintain complete data ownership, which is ideal for security-conscious organizations.
- Adopt the clean and familiar user interface easily if coming from spreadsheet tools.
Cons:
- The self-hosted version requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
- It has fewer native integrations and pre-built templates compared to competitors.
- Advanced features like role-based permissions are only available in paid tiers.
- Support for the free version is primarily community-driven, which may not suit enterprise needs.
Ratings
- G2: 4.8/5
Pricing (Cloud-Hosted)
- Free: $0, includes 3,000 rows per workspace and 2GB of storage.
- Premium: $10 per user/month (billed annually), includes 50,000 rows per workspace, 20GB of storage, and additional views like Kanban and Calendar.
- Advanced: $18 per user/month (billed annually), includes 250,000 rows per workspace and role-based permissions.
9. Rows: Best for integrating web data and building interactive reports
Image source: g2.com
Rows is a modern spreadsheet designed from the ground up to connect to the web. It reimagines the spreadsheet as a hub for data from various online services, allowing users to pull information directly from APIs and other platforms without writing code or using third-party connectors. It excels at automating marketing reports, enriching data, and creating interactive dashboards that can be easily shared.
Key features
- Connect to over 50 native integrations to import and refresh data automatically.
- Use a powerful AI assistant to clean data, generate formulas, and summarize insights.
- Share spreadsheets as clean, mobile-friendly web pages or embed them into other tools.
- Connect to any REST API and parse JSON data directly within cells for advanced use cases.
Pros
- Eliminate the need for external automation tools with powerful native integrations.
- Create beautiful and engaging reports with a modern interface and innovative sharing options.
- Make complex data analysis more accessible to all users with the AI Analyst feature.
- Get started with a generous free plan that includes unlimited spreadsheets and members.
Cons
- The platform may lack some niche functions that power users of Excel rely on.
- The integration-first approach can present a learning curve for some users.
- It may struggle to perform well on very large, static datasets compared to desktop apps.
Ratings
- G2: 4.9/5
Pricing
- Free: $0, includes unlimited spreadsheets and members, with limited AI prompts and integration tasks.
- Plus: $8 per user/month (billed annually), with unlimited AI prompts and daily automated data refreshes.
- Pro: $79 per month base fee + $8 per user/month (billed annually), with per-minute automation and more guest users.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing.
What to look for in Google Sheets alternatives
While Google Sheets excels at simplicity and real-time collaboration, its traditional spreadsheet design is both its greatest strength and most significant limitation. For basic calculations and simple task tracking, it works well, but it's inadequate for most modern projects.
Here's what we prioritized when evaluating the key features of alternatives:
- Collaboration features: Since no one works in isolation, a strong alternative must support real-time editing, comments, permissions, and multi-user access. Version history and mobile access are also vital for collaboration.
- Automation & integrations: How the spreadsheet program integrates with your other tools is crucial to team productivity. Built-in automation that is easy to set up can slash manual work. Meanwhile, integrations with your communication, CRM, project management, calendar, and other tools can make or break your workflow.
- Value for money: Is the Google Workspace pricing fair for the features offered? Some free versions are too limited for real work, while expensive plans don't always provide much better features. The best options offer a robust free plan and meaningful upgrades for paid plans.
- User experience & learning curve: A great tool should be intuitive enough for spreadsheet users while providing advanced capabilities for power users, ensuring a smooth transition for both technical and non-technical users in your team.
- Use cases: Perhaps what your team needs is not a more powerful spreadsheet but something else entirely. Therefore, we also looked at database apps, project management apps, and no-code app builders.
By weighing these factors, we identified the best Google Sheets alternatives for different needs, whether you're looking for a familiar spreadsheet upgrade or an entirely new way to manage data.
Conclusion
Choosing the right spreadsheet alternative depends on your team's needs. For those seeking Excel's power online, Microsoft 365 Excel is a solid choice. Airtable and Smartsheet offer modern, versatile solutions that blend database functions with project management.
However, Lark stands out for combining advanced spreadsheet and database capabilities. Lark Sheets supports complex formulas, while Lark Base excels in data organization and visualization. With integrated tools like messaging, calendars, and document types, Lark's all-in-one platform meets a wide range of requirements, which we think no business should ignore. In addition, Lark's generous free plan and affordable options make it easy to get started.
FAQs
What are some free alternatives to Google Sheets?
Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets may be the most well-known spreadsheet apps, but their free plans are too limited for most teams. Many products like Lark, ClickUp, Airtable, and Rows offer free plans. Lark, in particular, offers a generous free plan with 11 powerful tools, 100GB storage, and support for 20 users.
Are there any open-source spreadsheet software?
Yes. Several open-source spreadsheet options are available. Baserow, Grist, LibreOffice Calc, and Apache OpenOffice Calc are popular choices for teams looking for open-source solutions.
Why should I consider switching from Google Sheets?
Despite Google Sheets being a part of Google Workspace, most teams switch from Google Sheets to overcome limitations like a messy user interface, manual data importing, and a lack of collaboration and automation features. Modern Google Workspace alternatives offer better automation, integrated workflows, and database capabilities to handle more complex work.
What can Google Sheets do that Excel can't do?
Google Sheets offers easier collaboration between multiple team members. With Microsoft Excel, it can be difficult to collaborate with your team.
Is Google Sheets good for business?
It depends on your business needs. For spreadsheets, Google Sheets works well for light-to-moderate data tasks. Platforms like Lark, however, are designed for all types of businesses, letting you create spreadsheets and databases for any workflow, including CRM software, SCM software, and more.
Why do businesses switch from Google Sheets?
A lack of automation, a messy user interface, and manual data imports are among the reasons cited by users on Reddit and G2. Additionally, next-generation platforms are redefining what a spreadsheet solution looks like, making it hard for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel to keep up with their traditional models.
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Start using Lark today
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Table of contents
Start using Lark today
Manage all your work in one place
Boost team efficiency by 10x
Save up to 70% on software costs
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