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Comparison · Spreadsheet software

Numbers vs Google Sheets: which is better in 2026?

Numbers86.5#4 in best spreadsheet softwareGoogle Sheets91.0#2 in best spreadsheet software

Google Sheets ranks higher in our list of spreadsheet software (#2 against #4, score 91.0 against 86.5).

How we rank Share

  • 86.5
    Editorial score
    91.0
  • 3
    Platforms
    3
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Numbers if you want

Spreadsheets on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Free to download on Apple devices, with templates, categories and real-time sharing that needs no subscription. It has no Windows or Android app, so sharing with Excel users means exporting.

Choose Google Sheets if you want

Shared sheets and team trackers.

The easiest shared spreadsheet here: several people edit one file from any browser, and it opens Excel files. Some Gemini features need a Workspace plan, and offline use works only through the browser.

The main differences

  • Only Numbers runs on macOS.
  • Only Google Sheets runs on Android.

Side by side

NumbersGoogle Sheets
Score86.591.0
Rank in list#4 of 9#2 of 9
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree to download on Apple devices; some in-app purchasesFree plan, paid upgradesFree with a Google Account; some Gemini features need Workspace
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsmacOSiOSWebmacOS, iOS, WebWebAndroidiOSWeb, Android, iOS
Made byAppleGoogle
Native file formatNumbers, exports XLSXGoogle Sheets, opens XLSX
Real-time co-editingYesYes
Offline useApple device appsOffline mode in the browser
Best forSpreadsheets on Mac, iPhone and iPadShared sheets and team trackers
Strengths
  • Free to download on Mac, iPhone and iPad
  • Real-time collaboration without a subscription
  • Hundreds of built-in functions and categories
  • Several people can edit one sheet at once
  • Opens and edits Excel files
  • Connected Sheets for BigQuery and Looker data
Limits
  • No Windows or Android app, so mixed teams need exports
  • Works best inside Apple's ecosystem
  • Some Gemini features require a Workspace plan
  • Needs a Google Account to create and share sheets
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Numbers vs Google Sheets

Is Google Sheets better than Numbers?
Google Sheets ranks higher in our list of spreadsheet software (#2 against #4, score 91.0 against 86.5). Numbers is best for: spreadsheets on Mac, iPhone and iPad. Google Sheets is best for: shared sheets and team trackers.
Which is cheaper, Numbers or Google Sheets?
Numbers: Free to download on Apple devices; some in-app purchases. Google Sheets: Free with a Google Account; some Gemini features need Workspace.
Do Numbers and Google Sheets run on the same platforms?
Numbers supports macOS, iOS, Web. Google Sheets supports Web, Android, iOS.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

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