The think-cell Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about think-cell 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.
think-cell
The Insider’s Guide
PowerPoint add-in for data-linked charts, layout tools and AI slides
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among presentation tools, read from think-cell’s own pages.
Made by think-cell Software GmbH · checked Nov 12, 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 think-cell’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on think-cell’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.2
GPA, above 0 of the 89 other presentation tools we grade
think-cell is a PowerPoint add-in for business presentations. It adds 40+ chart types such as waterfalls, Gantt charts and Mekko charts linked to Excel data, plus alignment and sizing tools, a shared slide and image library, and, on the AI plans, chat-based slide building and deck translation. Licenses are priced per user, with lower rates for larger teams.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about think-cell, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It installs into Office, then charts link to Excel data.
- 1
Best for waterfall and Gantt charts inside PowerPoint
think-cell adds charts, layout tools and Excel linking to PowerPoint, with AI plans on top.
- 2
Paid plans start at $8.90 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $8.90 per user / month for 1 user (Essentials).
- 3
You can try it first
Free trial of the full functionality; its length is not stated on the pages read.
- 4
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 5
40+ chart types
Suite and above include waterfall, Gantt and Mekko charts, linked to Excel so charts update when the data changes.
- 6
Layout and alignment tools
Essentials and up add automatic alignment, sizing and scaling tools for objects on a slide.
- 7
Team slide and image library
A shared library of slides, templates and images is included from the Essentials plan.
- 8
A 1.2 GPA, above 0 of 89
That is against the other presentation tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of think-cell you could make: templates and reports. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
think-cell at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $8.90 per user / month for 1 user (Essentials)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free trial of the full functionality; its length is not stated on the pages read.
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- think-cell Software GmbH, since 2002
- Category
- Presentations
- Our grade
- 1.2 GPA, weak
The report card
Best for waterfall and Gantt charts inside PowerPoint
think-cell adds charts, layout tools and Excel linking to PowerPoint, with AI plans on top. Essentials is $8.90 a user a month, but the charts are on Suite at $28.60, and it runs on Windows only. The trial's length is not stated.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D | The chart tools sit on Suite at $28.60 a user a month, nearly three times the category's $10 middle. Essentials at $8.90 covers layout tools only, and the billing term is not shown. |
| Free plan and trial | D | A free trial of the full product is offered, but the pages do not say how long it lasts or whether a card is needed. |
| Features | D | 40+ chart types, alignment tools, Excel linking and AI slide building, all inside PowerPoint. It does not work without it. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. It installs into Office, then charts link to Excel data. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only, as the pages name Windows and list no web version. |
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 think-cell is for
- Fits if you build waterfall and Gantt charts in PowerPoint every week
- Works for firms that can buy volume licences, as the price falls with more users
Who it is not for
- Pricey if you want charts: Suite is $28.60 a user a month for one user
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Google Slides, as the pages name only Windows and PowerPoint
- Tight if you lean on AI: AI Suite is $46.54, usage is capped, and you are told at 80%
- Watch out: the billing term and the trial length are not stated on the pages read
Good to know
Good for
- Consultants and finance teams that build chart-heavy decks
- Teams that need waterfall and Gantt charts inside PowerPoint
- Organizations that want a shared slide library
Worth knowing
- It runs inside PowerPoint, so a PowerPoint license is needed; the pages read name Windows and list no web version.
- Charts and Excel linking need the Suite plan; AI features need AI Suite at $46.54 per user / month for one user.
- Prices shown are for one user and fall as the user count grows; the page did not state the billing term.
- AI usage is capped by volume, and users are notified at 80% of it.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$8.90
A month to start
think-cell is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $8.90 per user / month for 1 user (Essentials).
A free trial of the full product is offered, but the pages do not say how long it lasts or whether a card is needed.
Essentials
$8.90
per user / month for 1 user; billing term not shown
Team slide, template and image library plus tools for automatic alignment, sizing and scaling. Price drops with more users.
Suite
$28.60
per user / month for 1 user; billing term not shown
Adds 40+ chart types including waterfalls, Gantts and Mekkos, Excel data linking and auto-updating annotations.
AI Suite
$46.54
per user / month for 1 user; billing term not shown
Adds AI chat slide building, AI Excel analysis, summaries, translation in 70+ languages and 20 template updates a month.
AI Suite Plus
$97.60
per user / month for 1 user; billing term not shown
Everything in AI Suite with 5x the usage volume for complex AI tasks.
Trying it first
Free trial of the full functionality; its length is not stated on the pages read.
Read from thinkcell.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
Student, professor and staff licenses
The order page lists a Students program and a Professor & staff program, with their terms on separate pages.
Stated on thinkcell.comStartups
Startup program
A startup program is listed on the order page; the terms are on its own application page.
Stated on thinkcell.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
PowerPoint add-in for data-linked charts, layout tools and AI slides. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, templates, diagrams, presentations, reports.
Windows only, as the pages name Windows and list no web version.
- 40+ chart types
- Suite and above include waterfall, Gantt and Mekko charts, linked to Excel so charts update when the data changes.
- Layout and alignment tools
- Essentials and up add automatic alignment, sizing and scaling tools for objects on a slide.
- Team slide and image library
- A shared library of slides, templates and images is included from the Essentials plan.
- AI slide building
- AI Suite adds slide building and precision editing through an AI chat, plus Excel data analysis and chart creation.
- Deck translation
- AI Suite lists AI translation of whole decks in 70+ languages, and 20 template updates a month from Excel or JSON data.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
- PowerPoint
- Excel
think-cell is made by think-cell Software GmbH, and has been around since 2002.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
0/89
Other presentation tools it is graded above
think-cell's GPA of 1.2 is higher than 0 of the 89 other presentation tools we grade.
It stands best on ease of use (C, above 6 of 89) and worst on value for money (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $8.90 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 24 of the 63 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.3 out of 4. 32 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 90 presentation tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. think-cell’s own letter is outlined.
- DValue for moneyAbove 0 of 89
- DFree plan and trialAbove 3 of 89
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 89
- CEase of useAbove 6 of 89
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 89
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 72 presentation tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. think-cell 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
The plain part of think-cell you could make: templates and reports. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 89 of the 89 other presentation tools grade higher. It costs $106.80 a year.
What you could make
- Templates and reports: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A slide editor.
- A diagram editor.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. think-cell’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
Mekko Graphics, Vizzlo, Lucen Timeline, Microsoft PowerPoint and Plus AI
The 5 tools think-cell is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 1.6GPA
Mekko Graphics
Free trial · from $399/yr
Marimekko, waterfall and Gantt charts inside PowerPoint and Excel.
- Only Mekko Graphics lists a macOS app.
- think-cell also covers templates.
- Mekko Graphics also covers Gantt & timelines.
- 2.4GPA
Vizzlo
Free plan · from $15/mo
Chart and business-graphic maker for slides, in browser or add-in.
- Vizzlo has a free plan. think-cell does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Vizzlo lists a web app.
- Only Vizzlo lists a macOS app.
- 1.8GPA
Lucen Timeline
Free plan · from $9/mo
PowerPoint add-in that turns project plans into timeline slides.
- Lucen Timeline has a free plan. think-cell does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Lucen Timeline lists a web app.
- think-cell also covers diagrams and reports.
- 3.4GPA
Microsoft PowerPoint
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Slide presentation app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser.
- Microsoft PowerPoint has a free plan. think-cell does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Microsoft PowerPoint lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft PowerPoint lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- 2.0GPA
Plus AI
Free trial · from $10/mo
AI slide assistant that works inside Google Slides and PowerPoint.
- Only think-cell lists a Windows app.
- Only Plus AI lists a web app.
- think-cell also covers diagrams and reports.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
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 think-cell free?
No, think-cell is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial of the full functionality; its length is not stated on the pages read.
How much does think-cell cost?
think-cell lists 4 plans. Essentials: $8.90 per user / month for 1 user; billing term not shown.
What platforms does think-cell work on?
think-cell is available on Windows.
Does think-cell offer any discounts?
think-cell publicly lists the following: Student, professor and staff licenses; Startup program.
Does think-cell have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. think-cell is listed for Windows.
Does think-cell have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. think-cell is listed for Windows.
Is think-cell open source?
think-cell is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
What does think-cell integrate with?
think-cell's listing names PowerPoint and Excel. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does think-cell have a student discount?
Student, professor and staff licenses. The order page lists a Students program and a Professor & staff program, with their terms on separate pages.
Who makes think-cell?
think-cell is made by think-cell Software GmbH. It dates from 2002.
What are the alternatives to think-cell?
The closest alternatives to think-cell in our directory are Mekko Graphics, Vizzlo, Lucen Timeline, Microsoft PowerPoint and Plus AI.
How does think-cell compare with other presentation tools?
think-cell's GPA of 1.2 is higher than 0 of the 89 other presentation tools we grade.
Is think-cell good value for money?
ToolGPA grades think-cell D for value for money. Its paid plans start at $8.90 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 24 of the 63 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of think-cell?
The plain part of think-cell you could make: templates and reports. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from think-cell’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from think-cell's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
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 think-cell Software GmbH. Prices change, so check thinkcell.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 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.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- think-cell, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/think-cell
- 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, "think-cell: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/think-cell
Know someone choosing between presentation tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/think-cell/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded presentation tools after think-cell, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Presentations Insider's GuideEvery one of the 90 presentation tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft PowerPoint Insider's GuideSlide presentation app sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Zoho Show Insider's GuideOnline presentation software, free for individuals3.4 GPA
- Canva Insider's GuideTemplate-based design platform for slides, graphics and video3.2 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 think-cell’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. think-cell is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by think-cell Software GmbH. Prices and plans change: check thinkcell.com before you buy.