Microsoft Excel costs $15/mo.
These cost $0.
6 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Microsoft Excel is Baserow (MIT Open Source). Across this category, 6 self-hostable tools are available (including Baserow and Teable). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $900/year compared to Microsoft Excel's $15/mo subscription.
The catch: Baserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.
Microsoft Excel vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $15/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baserow | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 6.3k | Microsoft Excel vs Baserow → |
| Teable | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 22k | Microsoft Excel vs Teable → |
| Grist | open source | Apache-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 12.1k | Microsoft Excel vs Grist → |
| CryptPad | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 8.1k | Microsoft Excel vs CryptPad → |
| IronCalc | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 4.3k | Microsoft Excel vs IronCalc → |
| Collabora Online | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 3.4k | Microsoft Excel vs Collabora Online → |
The picks
6 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Baserow
open sourceMITSelf-host6.3knov 2026Open-source platform for building databases, internal apps, and automated workflows without writing code. Available on cloud or self-hosted.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelBaserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup, or Docker/Docker Compose for self-hosting
- setup
- Self-hosting requires Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and public-URL/TLS configuration
- your data
- Cloud workspaces live in Baserow Cloud; self-hosted records live in PostgreSQL and uploaded files in the mounted Baserow data volume; CSV export is available
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Teable
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host22knov 2026Open-source platform combining powerful database capabilities with a user-friendly spreadsheet interface for efficient data management and collaboration.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelTeable is an Airtable-like database rather than a project execution suite, so dependencies, portfolio reporting, and resource management are substantially weaker.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup, or Docker Compose/Kubernetes for self-hosting
- setup
- Self-hosting needs Docker, at least 4 GB RAM, PostgreSQL, secrets, storage, and a public URL; the full AI/App Builder stack is materially heavier than the standalone deployment
- engines
- AI features can use a configured model provider or self-hosted compatible service; standalone community deployment omits AI and App Builder
- your data
- Cloud records live in Teable Cloud; self-hosted records live in PostgreSQL, with attachments in local, MinIO, S3, or Aliyun object storage; bases export as .tea backups and tables as CSV
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Grist
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host12.1knov 2026A versatile data management platform combining spreadsheet simplicity with relational database capabilities for efficient data organization and analysis.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelSelf-hosting preserves the product but gives up the paid hosted service's managed upgrades, backups, secure sharing, support, and operational reliability.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup, desktop app, or Docker container for self-hosting
- setup
- None for hosted or desktop use; shared self-hosting requires Docker, authentication, backups, a public URL, and safe Python-formula sandboxing
- your data
- Each document is a .grist SQLite database containing table data, attachments, document metadata, and recent history; CSV/Excel exports are also available
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
CryptPad
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Self-host8.1knov 2026Open-source collaboration suite offering encrypted document editing, file sharing, and team workspaces with complete privacy protection.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelCryptPad provides a stronger encrypted drive but its whiteboard is markedly less delightful and capable for drawing, libraries, and diagram composition than Excalidraw+.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedthey host it
- install
- Use a public CryptPad instance, or self-host the Node.js service behind a reverse proxy
- setup
- Public hosting is immediate; self-hosting requires two domains or subdomains, HTTPS, strict security headers, Node.js configuration, persistent storage, and careful upgrades/backups
- your data
- Documents are encrypted in the browser before upload; the server stores encrypted document files, blobs, and account pin metadata on its filesystem and cannot read document content
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 05
IronCalc
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host4.3knov 2026IronCalc is an open-source, Rust-powered spreadsheet engine with .xlsx support, 300+ functions, and bindings for JavaScript and Python.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Excel.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/ironcalc/ironcalc or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 06
Collabora Online
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host3.4knov 2026Powerful online document editor with Microsoft Office compatibility. Integrate into your infrastructure or use trusted hosting partners for secure team collaboration.
The catch vs Microsoft ExcelRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Excel.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/collaboraonline/online or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Microsoft Excel Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 6 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Microsoft Excel open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Excel?+
The top free alternative to Microsoft Excel is Baserow (open source, MIT). Open-source platform for building databases, internal apps, and automated workflows without writing code. Available on cloud or self-hosted. Other popular Microsoft Excel replacements include Teable, Grist, CryptPad.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Microsoft Excel?+
Yes. Of the 6 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel, 6 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Baserow (MIT), Teable (AGPL-3.0), Grist (Apache-2.0), CryptPad (AGPL-3.0+), IronCalc (Open Source), Collabora Online (Open Source).
How much does switching from Microsoft Excel to a free alternative save?+
Microsoft Excel starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Baserow saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Microsoft Excel clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Microsoft Excel is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Microsoft Excel or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Baserow.
What is the catch when switching from Microsoft Excel to Baserow?+
Baserow can hold project rows but does not match Smartsheet's Gantt dependencies, critical-path planning, portfolio reporting, and resource management.
