Alternatives · Spreadsheets
EtherCalc alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best EtherCalc alternative for most people is Google Sheets (3.4 GPA), first in our ranking of spreadsheet and database tools. The best free one is Zoho Sheet (3.6 GPA).
EtherCalc compared with 4 alternatives: Google Sheets, Grist, LibreOffice Calc and Zoho Sheet.
EtherCalc is free to use. All 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| EtherCalcThis tool | Free | Free | Web |
| Google Sheets | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Grist | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| LibreOffice Calc | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Zoho Sheet | Free plan · from $2.50/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
EtherCalc has no paid plan and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Google Sheets and Zoho Sheet score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from EtherCalc
Google Sheets
Browser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account
- Google Sheets starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter).
- Google Sheets also lists iOS and Android apps.
Suits: Teams that edit and review the same spreadsheet together in a browser
Grist
Open-source relational spreadsheet with Python formulas
- Grist starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually.
- Grist also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Grist is open source, according to its own site.
- Grist also covers databases.
Suits: Spreadsheet users who have outgrown a single sheet and need linked tables
LibreOffice Calc
Free, open-source spreadsheet for Windows, macOS and Linux
- LibreOffice Calc is free.
- LibreOffice Calc also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- LibreOffice Calc lists no web app, which EtherCalc has.
- LibreOffice Calc is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want a full desktop spreadsheet at no cost
Zoho Sheet
Collaborative online spreadsheet with a free version
- Zoho Sheet starts at $2.50 per user / month, billed annually (Zoho WorkDrive Starter).
- Zoho Sheet also lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Zoho Sheet also covers templates.
Suits: Individuals who want a spreadsheet at no cost on web, desktop and mobile
Limits worth knowing in EtherCalc
- Access is anonymous by design: anyone who knows a sheet's URL can read and write unless a key is configured.
- Internet-facing self-hosting needs a reverse proxy for TLS and rate limits, per the README.
- The documentation lists browsers tested as Safari, Chrome and Firefox only.
- It has no desktop or mobile apps.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to EtherCalc?
The alternatives to EtherCalc in this directory are Google Sheets, Grist, LibreOffice Calc and Zoho Sheet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with EtherCalc.
Is there a free alternative to EtherCalc?
Yes. LibreOffice Calc is free to use. Google Sheets, Grist and Zoho Sheet have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which EtherCalc alternatives work on Windows?
The EtherCalc listing does not include a Windows app. Grist, LibreOffice Calc and Zoho Sheet list one.
Which EtherCalc alternatives work on macOS?
The EtherCalc listing does not include a macOS app. Grist, LibreOffice Calc and Zoho Sheet list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to EtherCalc?
Grist and LibreOffice Calc are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.