Calligra Sheets vs Gnumeric (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Gnumeric grades higher than Calligra Sheets: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Gnumeric grades higher on features. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Calligra Sheets if
- Fits if you run Linux and want an offline spreadsheet for invoices and budgets
- Works for people who already use KDE apps
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows, a Mac or a phone, as only Linux is listed
- Not for you if you need people editing one sheet together, as no cloud collaboration is described
- Watch out: the pages publish no system requirements
- Watch out: the Windows version is only described as being worked on
Pick Gnumeric if
- Fits if you run Linux and open large spreadsheets
- Works for people who want a spreadsheet without a subscription or an account
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows, as the project does not release Windows binaries
- Not for you if you use a Mac, phone or browser, since none is listed
- Watch out: the newest Windows build the site links is 1.12.17, older than the current 1.12.62
- Watch out: no cloud sharing is described
How we grade them
| 2.8GPACalligra SheetsGood | 3.0GPAGnumericVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree to install, with optional donations to KDE. A program anyone can download and run counts as free and substantial. | AFree of charge, open source under the GPL. A program anyone can download and run counts as free and substantial. |
| Free plan and trial | ANo plan, no cap and no account: the whole program is free. | ANo plan, no cap and no account: the whole program and its source are free. |
| Features | CFormulas, charts and templates for common sheets. The listing shows no cloud collaboration, which for a spreadsheet is a gap, so this is a C. | BA full spreadsheet program with a manual and tested functions. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core job. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record. You install it from your distribution or Flathub and open it, with nothing to set up. | BNo store rating on record. On Linux you install it from your distribution's packages and open it, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | DLinux only. The site says a Windows version is being worked on, and no web, iPhone or Android version is listed. | DLinux and BSD only. The project does not release Windows binaries, and no Mac, phone or browser version is listed. |
| Best for | a free spreadsheet on Linux | a free spreadsheet on Linux |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Calligra Sheets and Gnumeric. How we grade
Price against what you get
Calligra Sheets has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Gnumeric has no paid plan and scores 2.3.
Gnumeric scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other spreadsheet and database tools on the chart, none scores higher than Calligra Sheets for less, and none scores higher than Gnumeric for less.
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
Where they differ
- Calligra Sheets also covers templates.
At a glance
| Calligra Sheets | Gnumeric | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free to install; the site asks for optional donations to KDE. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Linux | ||
| Made by | KDE | Gnumeric |
| Price read from | calligra.org | gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Calligra Sheets
- The download page lists Linux only; a Windows version is described as being worked on.
- No web, iOS or Android version is listed.
- It is installed from distribution repositories or Flathub, and there are no published system requirements.
- No cloud collaboration is described on its pages.
Gnumeric
- The project does not release Windows binaries; the newest older build it links is 1.12.17.
- On Linux and BSD the site recommends installing from your distribution's packages.
- The site lists no macOS, mobile or browser versions.
Key features
Calligra Sheets
- Formulas and charts
- The page describes a comprehensive formula list covering economic and scientific functions, and charts.
- Templates
- Default templates for balance sheets, invoices, credit-card trackers and vacation lists.
- Shapes and mind maps
- Shares Calligra's shapes, so notes, flowcharts and mind maps can sit alongside a sheet.
- Familiar spreadsheet tools
- The page says it uses the same tools and functions as other spreadsheets and describes a responsive application that opens and saves files quickly.
Gnumeric
- Open source
- The program and its source code are free of charge under GPL version 2 or version 3.
- Fast with large files
- The site says Gnumeric starts quickly and stays responsive with large spreadsheets.
- Accuracy of functions
- The site points to research that found its built-in functions accurate.
- Tested functions
- The project aims to test every sheet function, preferably in its automated test suite; coverage is not complete.
- User's manual
- A user's manual and FAQ are published alongside the download page.
Plans
Calligra Sheets
Free$0
Install from your Linux distribution or Flathub; donations to KDE are optional.
Gnumeric
Free$0
The full program and its source code, licensed under GPL version 2 or version 3.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Calligra Sheets or Gnumeric?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Calligra Sheets and Gnumeric are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Calligra Sheets or Gnumeric?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Calligra Sheets and Gnumeric have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.