Alternatives · Spreadsheets
Microsoft Lists alternatives
Microsoft Lists compared with 5 alternatives: Airtable, Smartsheet, Zoho Tables, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Planner.
Microsoft Lists is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams). 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft ListsThis tool | Free trial · from $5.40/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Airtable | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Smartsheet | Free trial · from $9/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Zoho Tables | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Microsoft Access | Free trial · from $9.99/mo | Trial only | Windows |
| Microsoft Planner | Free trial · from $5.40/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Microsoft Lists
- Free plan · from $20/mo
Airtable
Relational database platform for building team workflows and apps
- Airtable starts at $20 per seat / month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly). Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams).
- Airtable has a free plan. Microsoft Lists does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Airtable lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Airtable also covers calendar, kanban boards and Gantt & timelines.
- Microsoft Lists also covers templates.
Suits: Teams that want to shape a database into their own project tracker
- Free trial · from $9/mo
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style project and work management for teams
- Smartsheet starts at $9 per Member / month, billed yearly ($12 billed monthly). Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams).
- Only Smartsheet lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Smartsheet also covers tasks, calendar, kanban boards and Gantt & timelines.
- Microsoft Lists also covers databases and templates.
Suits: Teams that are comfortable working in spreadsheets
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Zoho Tables
Spreadsheet-style relational database with automations
- Zoho Tables starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually ($5 billed monthly); minimum 3 licenses. Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams).
- Zoho Tables has a free plan. Microsoft Lists does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Zoho Tables lists iOS, Android and macOS apps.
- Zoho Tables also covers kanban boards, no-code and forms.
- Microsoft Lists also covers templates.
Suits: Small teams that want an inexpensive Airtable-style database
- Free trial · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Access
Windows desktop database app sold with Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Access starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams).
- Only Microsoft Access lists a Windows app.
- Only Microsoft Lists lists a web app.
- Microsoft Access can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft Access also covers app builder and reports.
Suits: Small businesses building their own database apps on Windows PCs
- Free trial · from $5.40/mo
Microsoft Planner
Task and project planning app built into Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Planner starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams). Microsoft Lists starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams).
- Only Microsoft Planner lists iOS and Android apps.
- Microsoft Planner also covers tasks, kanban boards and Gantt & timelines.
- Microsoft Lists also covers databases and workflow automation.
Suits: Organizations already paying for Microsoft 365
Limits worth knowing in Microsoft Lists
- Lists is not sold on its own: it comes with Microsoft 365 business and enterprise plans, which are priced per user.
- The iOS and Android apps were retired in mid-November 2025. On a phone, Lists runs in a mobile browser or inside Teams.
- A list can hold up to 30 million items, but a view that shows more than 5,000 can run into the list view threshold.
- Help pages direct users to a work or school account. Lists for personal Microsoft accounts is offered only as a preview.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Microsoft Lists?
The alternatives to Microsoft Lists in this directory are Airtable, Smartsheet, Zoho Tables, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Planner. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft Lists.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Lists?
Yes. Airtable and Zoho Tables have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Microsoft Lists alternatives work on Windows?
The Microsoft Lists listing does not include a Windows app. Airtable, Smartsheet and Microsoft Access list one.
Which Microsoft Lists alternatives work on macOS?
The Microsoft Lists listing does not include a macOS app. Airtable, Smartsheet and Zoho Tables list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.