Apple Numbers vs. Microsoft Excel

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apple Numbers
Score 7.8 out of 10
N/A
Numbers is a spreadsheet application developed by Apple Inc. as part of the iWork productivity suite. It is available for Mac and iOS, or for Windows in a browser via its cloud edition.N/A
Microsoft Excel
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application available as part of Microsoft 365 (Office 365), or standalone, in cloud-based and on-premise editions.
$6.99
per month
Pricing
Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Excel with Microsoft 365
$6.99
per month
Excel for 1 PC or Mac
$139.99
perpetual license
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Considered Both Products
Apple Numbers
Chose Apple Numbers
I would say excel is top tier, but you are going to pay a premium price for it. A small step down is a price savings and two tools that are really similar: google sheets and Apple Numbers. If I had to pick one I would pick sheets as it is easier to collaborate with. For …
Chose Apple Numbers
I think Apple Numbers is inferior to both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Google sheets is more readily available for everyone and does not have the requirement that someone be on a MacOS system. Microsoft Excel, being the industry standard for spreadsheet management, has …
Chose Apple Numbers
If you're an Apple user, Apple Numbers is for you. If you primarily operate on PC and Android, you will find more compatibility with Excel. Both platforms perform similar functions -- you can create charts, graphs, and figures. Excel was the pioneer spreadsheet software but …
Chose Apple Numbers
Numbers is every bit as good and functional as Excel.
Chose Apple Numbers
We all work with Apple devices in this organization. So we mostly use this software. It is very well synced in Apple ecosystem and provide very attractive data representation by its graphics and charts. In few scenarios we use MS Excel also but we always try to stick on Apple …
Chose Apple Numbers
Apple Numbers is more aesthetically appealing than Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. I would say, however, that Microsoft Excel seems to have more tools and bells and whistles than Apple Numbers does. In that same vein, however, Apple Numbers has more bells and whistles than …
Microsoft Excel
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel It's the choice of professionals who delve into intricate financial models, statistical analyses, and other complex analysis. Its strength lies in its depth, offering a vast array of functions and features that can handle the most demanding tasks. Its pivot …
Chose Microsoft Excel
I find Microsoft Excel easier to use than either LibreOffice Calc or Google Docs because I use Excel regularly and know where to find the functions that I need. I find that other companies have an easier time opening Excel files than others.
Chose Microsoft Excel
My preference will always be Google Sheets, however, as the interface in Sheets is faster, smoother, and more aesthetically pleasing. Excel is part of the package with Outlook, and that tends to be the main reason why I’ve encountered companies who choose Excel over Sheets, but …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Excel is one of the tools I use for everyday work but fits alongside all the other programs I use. I keep Excel as a way of tracking projects from start to finish as well as document content strategy and audits. There are not many programs like Excel that I can think of other …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Lists allows for users to keep lists, but the functionality cannot be compared to Microsoft Excel. There are far more options for data manipulation, analysis, and creating outputs in Excel. Anything that can be done in Lists can be done easily in MS Excel. The key …
Chose Microsoft Excel
The integration Microsoft Excel has within the other Microsoft applications makes it top choice for me. I have worked in Google Sheets, however I prefer working in desktop version of software with full capabilities. Microsoft Excel provides this.
Chose Microsoft Excel
It isn't as collaborative or detail oriented as other platforms, or at least it doesn't market itself to be used that way. But it is still useful in its own ways
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel has its "niche" use cases, but it was the other way around. Its been many years since Microsoft Excel became the niche, while Google Sheets now is the mainstream data analysis application. I use Microsoft Excel today only because I am forced by my company to do …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Arcsight by OpenText, Google Sheets, Oracle Aconex, Oracle Analytics Cloud, Oracle BPM Suite, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Primavera Unifier, Primavera EXPRESS, PrimaveraReader, Oracle Primavera Submittal Exchange and Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is superior to these as it has a wider range of functions and is used corporately
Chose Microsoft Excel
Like I've put in previous questions, Microsoft Excel seems more advanced. I'm always going to prefer using Microsoft Excel if it's just me working on a task. If I have to work with other then Google sheets is going to be preferred. The online version of Microsoft Excel seems to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that is used for analyzing and organizing complex data. It offers advanced capabilities for data analysis, financial modelling and complex calculations. Excel can be used in offline form making it use flexible for users who want to use it …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets sync nicely with Google Workspace and can be accessed easily online. But Google Sheets is clunky and no where near the gold standard which is Microsoft Excel.
Chose Microsoft Excel
I think it stacks up very well, Clickup ha a better user interface however Microsoft Excel has a more sophisticated back end and formula approach. In my opinion, Clickup however does provide less of a need to 'learn' formulas as there is more of a click application approach …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Excel stands out from Google Sheets and Apple Numbers with its extensive range of advanced functions, including financial, statistical, and data analysis tools, surpassing the capabilities of its competitors. As the universally recognized industry standard, Excel offers better …
Chose Microsoft Excel
No any comparison, Excel are far better.
Chose Microsoft Excel
PowerPoint is excellent for displaying information in a far more visually engaging, relatable manner. However, where it is lacking is the ability to get to that point in analyzing competing deal information, building formulas around it, things of that nature.

Apple has its own …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Compatibility is the main issue. It is frustrating to send an Excel workbook to someone who can't open it. Also, user interfaces are not as slick and intuitive.
Chose Microsoft Excel
i have used many Microsoft products like Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Windows, Yammer etc., but I can say that every product is different from each other and each product solves different professional day-to-day work problems quite efficiently, although I …
Chose Microsoft Excel
I find that Microsoft Excel ranks higher than Microsoft Powerpoint because of it's ability to handle large amounts of data the fact that it has keys tools to helps streamline information. It does however not have the same capabilities as Microsoft Powerpoint when it comes to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is much easier to use, but CloudDrive is much safer from hackers. Sometimes I create a spreadsheet in Excel and then upload it to CloudDrive.
Chose Microsoft Excel
Much easier to edit the data that is imported for a report. Adobe has limited choices for font and styling.
Chose Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets is a comparable product to Microsoft Excel and it's more flexible when it comes to sharing because it can be shared with anyone who has the link or Google Drive access to it. However, Google Sheets does not have all the functions, especially when it comes to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel stands out amongst its peers for the service they provide and with every latest update, they tend to ensure that even the minor issues impacting their users are managed to make the software efficient for people like me to use. The software's user-friendly …
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Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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User Ratings
Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
7.7
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple NumbersMicrosoft Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
Apple Numbers is great for organizations who don’t live out of spread sheets. It is a cheaper option than the main competitor Microsoft Excel. So if you don’t want to shell out the extra money and take a little step back on features, Numbers is a great place to be for those companies.
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I find it easier to use than Google Sheets , though it's easier to collaborate with other teams using Google Sheets. I also feel like Microsoft Excel is more suited to deal with complex formulas. The best way to put it, if I have a project that I'm solely working on, I'm going to use Microsoft Excel. If it's going to be shared, then I'm using Google Sheets.
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Pros
  • Data security provided by Apple on its all the software.
  • Very well integration within the Apple ecosystem.
  • It is very well compatible with MS Excel also.
  • It is available on iOS also. We can use it on our Apple mobile phones and on our iPads also.
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  • Excel is the most fully featured spreadsheet software you are likely to find.
  • The software is compatible with a large number of file formats so using data from nearly any source is possible.
  • It can handle large data sets.
  • It can save your files in a variety of file formats.
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Cons
  • Could make the function keys a little more intuitive.
  • Could offer an increased variety of fonts.
  • Could offer an increased variety of font colors.
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  • Excel offers collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on the same spreadsheet, but managing changes made by different users can be challenging. Excel could improve its features by offering more granular control, better tracking of changes, and more robust conflict resolution tools.
  • Itcan be a barrier to productivity when importing and exporting data from other applications or file formats. To improve its features, it should offer better support for standard file formats and more robust error handling and reporting tools.
  • Excel can be challenging for finance students and working professionals, but it can be improved by offering more robust tutorials, better documentation, and more user communities and support forums.
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Likelihood to Renew
I just really like it
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Excel remains the industry standard for spreadsheets and has maintained simple and straight-forward formula writing methods. Although there is a learning curve to do more complex calculations, there are countless help sites and videos on the Internet for almost any need.
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Usability
Overall most things on Numbers are intuitive and easy to use. However there are some things that can seem like they are in the wrong place if you are use to or coming from excel. After a bit of a learning curve everything makes sense. If I had no excel experience I would rate Numbers higher.
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Overall I think the usuability is great and offers everything it should. I have never not be able to use it for what I wanted it for. However, it is so detailed and offers so much it can be difficult to use. Better descriptions or explanation to all the information could be helpful
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Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
I have rarely, if ever, had issues with its availability.
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Performance
No answers on this topic
Excel load and performs calculations immediately. It integrate well with all Microsoft Office applications and does not slow them down.
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Support Rating
Never have contacted
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I have not had to use it often, but it is good.
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Implementation Rating
Implementing Numbers effectively, whether for personal use or within an organization, requires understanding its strengths and limitations to maximize productivity
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Apple Numbers is more aesthetically appealing than Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. I would say, however, that Microsoft Excel seems to have more tools and bells and whistles than Apple Numbers does. In that same vein, however, Apple Numbers has more bells and whistles than Google Sheets. One of the ways I think Apple Numbers eclipses the other two is the fact that I can access the program on my iPhone.
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Excel is one of the tools I use for everyday work but fits alongside all the other programs I use. I keep Excel as a way of tracking projects from start to finish as well as document content strategy and audits. There are not many programs like Excel that I can think of other than Google Sheets and I find Excel is far better.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
Each user can use it to whatever level of expertise they have. It remains the same so users can contribute to another's work regardless of whether they have more or less expertise
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Return on Investment
  • Allows baseline management in a crunch
  • At least able to open and view datasets
  • Is not intuitive enough for efficiency needed in projects
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  • It helps to me gather my thoughts, organize my research, and most importantly prioritize information in an easy to digest manner depending on what I am most interested to see at that time.
  • It helps me quite a bit to talk my clients through the financial implications of various office leasing transactions under consideration and coach them in a way that is very unbiased and fact-driven which I like.
  • It helps me to be more thoughtful as well when thinking about the various different situations in which I use Excel. And because it ultimately results in my clients getting comfortable ultimately pulling the trigger on a given deal, it directly leads to more commission in my pocket which I love!
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