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Gnumeric vs Pyspread (2026): which should you pick?

As of Nov 13, 2026, Gnumeric grades higher than Pyspread: 3.0 against 2.6 out of 4.0.

Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA

Gnumeric grades higher on features and ease of use. Pyspread grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and the free plan.

Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.

Gnumeric

Free, open-source spreadsheet program

Free
Full detailsgnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org

Pyspread

Free open-source spreadsheet where every cell holds Python code

Free
Full detailspyspread.gitlab.io

Which one is for you

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

Pick Pyspread if

  • Fits if you know Python and want formulas that are real code
  • Works for people who need a free desktop sheet on Linux

Look elsewhere if

  • Skip it if you use a Mac, as macOS is currently unsupported
  • Not for you if you don't write Python, since every cell is code
  • Too light for heavy number-crunching, as long-running cells can lock it up
  • Tight if you want an easy install, since it needs Python and PyQt6

How we grade them

3.0GPAGnumericVery good2.6GPAPyspreadGood
Value for money
AFree of charge, open source under the GPL. A program anyone can download and run counts as free and substantial.
AFree under GPL v3 for anyone to download and run, with no paid plan.
Free plan and trial
ANo plan, no cap and no account: the whole program and its source are free.
AFree outright, with no cap and no paid tier.
Features
BA full spreadsheet program with a manual and tested functions. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core job.
CPython in cells, modules, charts, images and import and export. Long-running cells can lock the app, and it isn't built for heavy computation.
Ease of use
BNo store rating on record. On Linux you install it from your distribution's packages and open it, with nothing to set up.
DYou install it with pip or a system package and it needs Python and PyQt6. The project warns that cell code is a steep climb for non-programmers.
Platforms and integrations
DLinux and BSD only. The project does not release Windows binaries, and no Mac, phone or browser version is listed.
CA program for computers only, on Linux and Windows. macOS is listed as unsupported, with links to NumPy, Matplotlib and R.
Best fora free spreadsheet on Linuxa free spreadsheet where every cell holds Python

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: Gnumeric and Pyspread. How we grade

Price against what you get

Gnumeric has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Pyspread has no paid plan and scores 1.7.

Gnumeric scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other spreadsheet and database tools on the chart, none scores higher than Gnumeric for less, and none scores higher than Pyspread for less.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$1$2$5$10$20$50$100$200$500$1k$2kMore for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessGnumericPyspread

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
The full chart of spreadsheet and database tools, and the best at every price

Where they differ

    In commonFree planLinuxOpen sourceSpreadsheets

    At a glance

    GnumericPyspread
    PricingFreeFree
    Starts atFreeFree
    Free planNoneNone
    Free trialNone listedNone listed
    Windows
    Linux
    Made byGnumericMartin Manns and the pyspread team
    Price read fromgnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.orgpyspread.gitlab.io
    CheckedNov 12, 2026Nov 13, 2026

    Worth knowing

    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.

    Pyspread

    • The project says people without Python experience may find the learning curve for code in cells too steep.
    • It is not built to parallelize heavy computation, and long-running cells can lock up the app.
    • The install page lists Linux, POSIX platforms and Windows, and says macOS is currently unsupported.
    • It needs Python and PyQt6, and is installed with pip or a system package.

    Key features

    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.

    Pyspread

    Python in cells
    Cells accept Python expressions, so no separate spreadsheet formula language is needed.
    Python modules available
    Cells can use modules such as NumPy, and a macro panel can import your own modules.
    Charts and images
    Cells can show text, markup, images, dates or charts; Matplotlib and R charts are supported, some through optional dependencies.
    Import and export
    Imports CSV, SVG and XLSX, and exports CSV, SVG and PDF; XLSX import needs optional dependencies and PDF is made by printing to file.
    Signed save files
    The pysu save format works with git, and blake2b signatures are meant to stop foreign code from running.

    Plans

    Gnumeric

    • Free$0

      The full program and its source code, licensed under GPL version 2 or version 3.

    Pyspread

    • Free$0

      Free software under the GPL v3 licence; no paid plans.

    Common questions

    Which is cheaper, Gnumeric or Pyspread?

    As of Nov 13, 2026, both Gnumeric and Pyspread are free to use.

    Which has a free plan, Gnumeric or Pyspread?

    As of Nov 13, 2026, both Gnumeric and Pyspread have a free plan.

    Which platforms do Gnumeric and Pyspread run on?

    As of Nov 13, 2026, only Pyspread lists a Windows app. Both list a Linux app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.

    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.
    How we review and grade