The LibreOffice Calc Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about LibreOffice Calc in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
LibreOffice Calc
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source spreadsheet for Windows, macOS and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among spreadsheet and database tools, read from LibreOffice Calc’s own pages.
Made by The Document Foundation · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from LibreOffice Calc’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on LibreOffice Calc’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 15 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade
LibreOffice Calc is the spreadsheet in LibreOffice, a free and open-source office suite from The Document Foundation. It covers formulas, pivot tables, what-if scenarios and charts, and it opens and saves Microsoft Excel files alongside its native OpenDocument format. It runs as a desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about LibreOffice Calc, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: download it, install it, open your Excel files.
- 1
Best for a full desktop spreadsheet that costs nothing
Calc is the spreadsheet in LibreOffice, and all of it is free: formulas, pivot tables, what-if scenarios, charts, and Excel files in and out, on Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 2
It is free
LibreOffice Calc has no paid plan at all. The whole LibreOffice suite, Calc included, is a free download from libreoffice.org for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Functions and the Function Wizard
Built-in functions, including statistical and banking functions, are combined into formulas for complex calculations, and the Function Wizard helps assemble them step by step.
- 5
Pivot tables
A pivot table combines, compares and analyzes large amounts of data. Its fields can be rearranged to view different summaries of the same source data.
- 6
Scenarios and what-if tools
Named scenarios hold alternative sets of cell values that can be switched to compare results, and the Multiple Operations command calculates a formula across a range of inputs.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 15 of 21
That is against the other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
LibreOffice Calc is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
LibreOffice Calc at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- The Document Foundation, since 2010
- Category
- Spreadsheets & Databases
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a full desktop spreadsheet that costs nothing
Calc is the spreadsheet in LibreOffice, and all of it is free: formulas, pivot tables, what-if scenarios, charts, and Excel files in and out, on Windows, macOS and Linux. But there's no hosted version and none is planned, sharing a file means edits merge only when each person saves, and on a phone you get an Android viewer with experimental editing.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It costs nothing from libreoffice.org, in a category whose middle plan is $9.99 a month and whose lowest quarter starts at $5.40. Only the app store copies carry a charge: the Mac App Store version is $8.99 and the Microsoft Store one is paid too. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole LibreOffice suite, Calc included, is a free download for Windows, macOS and Linux, with no cap and nothing held back for an upgrade, because there's no paid tier to upgrade to. |
| Features | C | As a desktop spreadsheet it has statistical and banking functions with a Function Wizard, pivot tables, named scenarios, Multiple Operations for what-if sums and charts that update with the data. The listing names the gap, a big one now: no hosted version, and shared mode merges edits on save, not live. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: download it, install it, open your Excel files. The Function Wizard walks you through building a formula step by step. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Computers only: Windows, macOS and Linux. On Android there's a viewer with experimental editing, and The Document Foundation points at Collabora's apps for editing on a phone. No web version, and the listing names no integrations and no API. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who LibreOffice Calc is for
- Fits if you want a full desktop spreadsheet without paying for one
- Works for people moving between Windows, macOS and Linux who want the same app on each
Who it is not for
- Skip it if several of you need to edit one sheet live, as shared mode only merges changes on save
- Not for you if you want your spreadsheets in a browser, because there's no hosted version and none is planned
- Too light for working on a phone, where all you get is an Android viewer with experimental editing
- Watch out: some commands are unavailable while a sheet is shared, and the listing names no integrations or API
- Watch out: the Mac App Store copy costs $8.99 and the Microsoft Store one is paid; the website download is free
Good to know
Good for
- People who want a full desktop spreadsheet at no cost
- Anyone who needs the same spreadsheet app on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Users who prefer open-source software and the OpenDocument format
Worth knowing
- There is no hosted cloud version; The Document Foundation says it does not plan a service like those from Google and Microsoft.
- Shared mode merges each user's edits when they save the file, and some commands are unavailable while a spreadsheet is shared.
- On Android the foundation offers only a viewer with experimental editing, and it points to Collabora's apps for editing documents on mobile.
- The Mac App Store version costs $8.99 and the Microsoft Store version also carries a charge; downloads from the website are free.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
LibreOffice Calc is free to use.
LibreOffice
$0
The full office suite, including Calc, downloaded free from libreoffice.org for Windows, macOS or Linux.
The free plan
The whole LibreOffice suite, Calc included, is a free download from libreoffice.org for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Read from libreoffice.org on Oct 5, 2026.
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for the app, against $8.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $11.99 | $8.43 | 6% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 599.00 | $9.54 | 6% more |
| Indonesia | Rp 179ribu | $10.01 | 11% more |
| Turkey | ₺499,99 | $10.17 | 13% more |
| Germany | 9,99 € | $11.19 | 25% more |
| United Kingdom | £8.99 | $11.89 | 32% more |
| Brazil | R$ 59,90 | $11.97 | 33% more |
| South Africa | R199.99 | $12.10 | 35% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Free, open-source spreadsheet for Windows, macOS and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, spreadsheets.
The listing names the gap, a big one now: no hosted version, and shared mode merges edits on save, not live.
- Functions and the Function Wizard
- Built-in functions, including statistical and banking functions, are combined into formulas for complex calculations, and the Function Wizard helps assemble them step by step.
- Pivot tables
- A pivot table combines, compares and analyzes large amounts of data. Its fields can be rearranged to view different summaries of the same source data.
- Scenarios and what-if tools
- Named scenarios hold alternative sets of cell values that can be switched to compare results, and the Multiple Operations command calculates a formula across a range of inputs.
- Dynamic charts
- Spreadsheet data can be presented in charts that update automatically whenever the underlying data changes.
- Excel compatibility
- Imports and modifies Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and filters open and save a variety of other formats in addition to the native OpenDocument format.
- Shared spreadsheets
- In shared mode several users can open the same spreadsheet file for writing at once. Changes merge when each person saves, with a dialog to settle conflicting edits.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
LibreOffice Calc is made by The Document Foundation, and has been around since 2010.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
15/21
Other spreadsheet and database tools it is graded above
LibreOffice Calc's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 15 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, and level with 2.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 18 of 21) and worst on features (C, above 0).
LibreOffice Calc has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 22 spreadsheet and database tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. LibreOffice Calc’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 17 of 21
- AFree plan and trialAbove 18 of 21
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 21
- BEase of useAbove 13 of 21
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 1 of 21
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 22 spreadsheet and database tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. LibreOffice Calc is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
LibreOffice Calc is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 15 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade.
What you could not
- A spreadsheet engine with its formulas.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. LibreOffice Calc’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Microsoft Excel, WPS Spreadsheet, ONLYOFFICE, Google Sheets and Numbers
The 5 tools LibreOffice Calc is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.4GPA
Microsoft Excel
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Spreadsheet app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser.
- Only LibreOffice Calc lists a Linux app.
- Only Microsoft Excel lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Excel lists iOS and Android apps.
- 3.0GPA
WPS Spreadsheet
Free plan · from $5.83/mo
Excel-compatible spreadsheet app in the WPS Office suite.
- Only WPS Spreadsheet lists a web app.
- Only WPS Spreadsheet lists iOS and Android apps.
- LibreOffice Calc is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.4GPA
ONLYOFFICE
Free plan · from $20/mo
Open-source office suite for documents, sheets, slides and PDFs.
- Only ONLYOFFICE lists a web app.
- Only ONLYOFFICE lists iOS and Android apps.
- ONLYOFFICE is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 3.4GPA
Google Sheets
Free plan · from $7/mo
Browser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account.
- Only LibreOffice Calc lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Only Google Sheets lists a web app.
- Only Google Sheets lists iOS and Android apps.
- 3.2GPA
Numbers
Free plan · from $12.99/mo
Apple's free spreadsheet app for Mac, iPad and iPhone.
- Only LibreOffice Calc lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Numbers lists a web app.
- Only Numbers lists an iOS app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is LibreOffice Calc free?
Yes. LibreOffice Calc is free to use.
How much does LibreOffice Calc cost?
LibreOffice Calc lists one plan. LibreOffice: $0.
What platforms does LibreOffice Calc work on?
LibreOffice Calc is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does LibreOffice Calc have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. LibreOffice Calc is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does LibreOffice Calc have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. LibreOffice Calc is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is LibreOffice Calc open source?
Yes. LibreOffice Calc is open source, according to its own site.
Does LibreOffice Calc work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes LibreOffice Calc?
LibreOffice Calc is made by The Document Foundation. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to LibreOffice Calc?
The closest alternatives to LibreOffice Calc in our directory are Microsoft Excel, WPS Spreadsheet, ONLYOFFICE, Google Sheets and Numbers.
How does LibreOffice Calc compare with other spreadsheet and database tools?
LibreOffice Calc's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 15 of the 21 other spreadsheet and database tools we grade, and level with 2.
Is LibreOffice Calc good value for money?
ToolGPA grades LibreOffice Calc A for value for money. LibreOffice Calc has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of LibreOffice Calc?
LibreOffice Calc is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from LibreOffice Calc’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from The Document Foundation's own pages on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-18.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by The Document Foundation. Prices change, so check libreoffice.org before you buy.
- libreoffice.org/download-other/
- libreoffice.org/
- libreoffice.org/download/
- libreoffice.org/system-requirements/
- libreoffice.org/faq/
- libreoffice.org/libreoffice-timeline/
- help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/main0503.html
- help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/guide/datapilot.html
- help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/guide/scenario.html
- help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/scalc/guide/multioperation.html
- help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/shared/guide/collab.html
- apps.apple.com/us/app/libreoffice/id1630474372
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- LibreOffice Calc, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/libreoffice-calc
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "LibreOffice Calc: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/libreoffice-calc
Know someone choosing between spreadsheet and database tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/libreoffice-calc/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded spreadsheet and database tools after LibreOffice Calc, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Spreadsheets & Databases Insider's GuideEvery one of the 22 spreadsheet and database tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Sheet Insider's GuideCollaborative online spreadsheet with a free version3.6 GPA
- Google Sheets Insider's GuideBrowser-based spreadsheet, free with a Google Account3.4 GPA
- Microsoft Excel Insider's GuideSpreadsheet app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what LibreOffice Calc’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. LibreOffice Calc is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by The Document Foundation. Prices and plans change: check libreoffice.org before you buy.