Macabacus vs Mekko Graphics (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Mekko Graphics grades higher than Macabacus: 1.6 against 1.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Macabacus grades higher on features. Mekko Graphics grades higher on the free plan and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Macabacus
Excel, PowerPoint and Word add-in for finance and consulting
Mekko Graphics
Marimekko, waterfall and Gantt charts inside PowerPoint and Excel
Which one is for you
Pick Macabacus if
- Fits if you build decks from Excel models in banking or consulting
- Works for teams that enforce one brand and format across decks
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac, as only Windows is listed
- Pricey if you are one person, since the useful parts start at $360 a year
- Not for you if you do not own Microsoft Office, because it adds to Office and replaces nothing
- Watch out: SSO and the AI writing assistant need an Enterprise quote
- Watch out: Professional allows up to 5 admins and each needs a license
Pick Mekko Graphics if
- Fits if you make market-share and consulting charts in PowerPoint every week
- Works for teams of 4 or more, as volume prices start at $249 a user
Look elsewhere if
- Pricey if you are one person: $399 in the first year and $299 to renew
- Skip it if you use Google Slides or Keynote, as it needs PowerPoint
- Too light for a general slide tool, as it only makes charts
- Watch out: the Excel integration is Windows only
- Watch out: the system requirements page names older Windows and macOS versions, so check before buying
How we grade them
| 1.4GPAMacabacusWeak | 1.6GPAMekko GraphicsWeak | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | DProfessional is $360 a license a year, about $30 a month, three times the $10 middle of the category, and the linking and deck checking sit on it. Basic is $200 a year. | D$399 a user for the first year works out near $33 a month, against a category whose dearest tenth starts at $20. Renewal is $299, and volume rates start at $249. |
| Free plan and trial | DA free trial is offered, but its length is not stated and there is no free plan. | CA fully working licence is free for 30 days. The listing does not mention a card, and after that you pay. |
| Features | CExcel shortcuts, linking to PowerPoint and Word, shared libraries, deck checking and chart tools. It does that finance job fully, but it edits nothing without Office and the best parts need Professional. | DCharts for PowerPoint and Excel only. It needs PowerPoint to be useful at all, and it does one narrow job. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating is on record. It is an add-in with libraries and links to set up before it pays off. | CNo store rating on record. It installs into Office, and free online training is included, which suggests there is a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, though it ties into Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Entra ID. | CWindows and Mac, inside Office. The Excel integration is Windows only, and there is no web or phone version. |
| Best for | linking Excel models to PowerPoint decks | Marimekko and consulting-style charts in PowerPoint |
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: Macabacus and Mekko Graphics. How we grade
Price against what you get
Macabacus starts at $16.67 a month when paid by the year for each person and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Mekko Graphics starts at $33.25 a month when paid by the year for each person and scores 1.7.
They score the same, and Macabacus starts $16.58 a month lower. Of the other presentation tools on the chart, 52 score higher than Macabacus for less, and 60 score higher than Mekko Graphics 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
- Macabacus also covers documents and spreadsheets.
- Mekko Graphics also covers Gantt & timelines, diagrams and reports.
At a glance
| Macabacus | Mekko Graphics | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free trial |
| Starts at | $200 per license / year | $399 per user / year (renews at $299) |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | Free trial offered; length not stated on the pages read | Fully functioning license free for 30 days. |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Macabacus Inc. | insightsoftware |
| Price read from | macabacus.com | mekkographics.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Macabacus
- It is an add-in; it needs Microsoft Office and does not edit slides on its own.
- Linking, libraries and deck checking need Professional or above.
- Enterprise features such as SSO and the AI writing assistant need a quote.
- Pricing is per license, and the Professional plan allows up to 5 administrators, each needing a license.
Mekko Graphics
- Licenses are annual: a single user pays $399 the first year and the page lists a $299 renewal.
- Excel integration is described as Windows only.
- The system requirements page lists Windows 10 and macOS Monterey-era versions, so check the current Office and OS support before buying.
- Volume and Enterprise rates are starting prices; the Enterprise plan is bought by contacting sales.
Key features
Macabacus
- Link Excel to PowerPoint
- Link PowerPoint and Word to Excel charts and cells so exhibits update from the model.
- Deck Check
- Checks presentations for formatting, layout and content errors and brand rules before sharing.
- Shared libraries
- A repository of reusable slides, images and charts for you and your team.
- Model auditing
- Tracing tools and formula checks for Excel workbooks.
- Chart tools
- Quick Charts such as waterfall charts and chart add-ons for Excel.
Mekko Graphics
- Marimekko and bar Mekko charts
- Variable-width charts that show two dimensions at once, alongside cascade, bubble, scatter, bar, line, area and Gantt types.
- PowerPoint integration
- Charts are created and edited inside PowerPoint, so they stay editable on the slide.
- Excel integration
- Charts can draw on Excel data, though the vendor says this integration is on the Windows version only.
- Chart automation
- The documentation menu lists chart automation, and the site says preferences can be set once for consistent charts.
- Free training and support
- Every plan includes free online training, upgrades and support, and the Enterprise plan adds custom corporate training.
Plans
Macabacus
Basic$200
per license / year
Excel shortcuts, formula auditing, color palettes and basic tools for Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
Professional$360
per license / year
Adds Excel to PowerPoint and Word linking, shared libraries, deck checking and up to 5 admins.
EnterpriseCustom
Unlimited libraries and admins, SSO, AI writing assistant, tombstones and a dedicated account manager.
Mekko Graphics
Single$399
per user / year, renews at $299
One user. All chart types, PowerPoint integration, free online training, upgrades and support.
Volume$249
per user / year, for 4 to 100 users
Starting price for 4 to 100 users, with easy multiple-user administration. Pricing details are linked on the page.
Enterprise$149
per user / year, for 101 or more users
Adds custom branding and custom corporate training. Sold through the contact form or by phone.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Macabacus or Mekko Graphics?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Macabacus is cheaper to start with: $16.67 a month when paid by the year for each person, against $33.25 a month when paid by the year for each person for Mekko Graphics. Macabacus starts at $200 per license / year, and Mekko Graphics starts at $399 per user / year (renews at $299).
Which has a free plan, Macabacus or Mekko Graphics?
As of Nov 13, 2026, neither Macabacus nor Mekko Graphics has a free plan. Both have a free trial.
Which platforms do Macabacus and Mekko Graphics run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Mekko Graphics lists a macOS app. Both list a Windows 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.