Microsoft’s spreadsheet program, Excel, is the most widely-used planning software for companies. From breaking down costs, to displaying complicated financing models with graphics and diagrams, the Office software makes it possible to design and process a diverse array of complicated graphics. And there’s also hope for those looking for a way to avoid paying a hefty price for a complete Office package: some free-of-charge alternative programs fulfill most of Microsoft Excel’s common functions, differing from the conventional user interface ever so slightly in terms of both structure and design.
The 10 Best Photoshop Alternatives for Mac (2019) You don’t have to use Adobe Photoshop on your Mac to edit images like a pro. There are plenty of Photoshop. Jun 11, 2018 - Thankfully, there are a couple of free Excel alternatives, and they are as. It is currently available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.
The freeware and open source alternatives offer one important advantage: they’re available for a comparable price, and in some cases, are also continually maintained. But what options are out there? And what can they do when stacked up against the market leader? In the following paragraphs, we’ll lay out 5 practical programs.
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Calc—the OpenOffice solution
When it comes to processing and planning texts and image content, there’s a wide array of freeware options to consider before purchasing the fee-based Microsoft Office options. Apache OpenOffice, formerly known as OpenOffice.org, is the most commonly used alternative to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice, which was also a spin-off from the OpenOffice package and has been continually developed. Both office packages are similar to one another, and are easy to use for experienced Microsoft users. As a spread sheet calculation tool by Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice, the open source tool Calc is one of the best Microsoft alternatives.
In terms of looks and functionality, Calc is quite similar to Excel. Just as with Excel, Calc offers a large rage of functions, like complex cell formatting options, the ability to adopt source data into cross tables, filterable pivot tables, different formatting templates, flexible and rotatable content, backgrounds, frames and sum buttons. Furthermore, it also offers users the ability to simultaneously access documents. Tables are saved in XML-based OpenDocument formats (.ods), which can be opened via other OpenDocument-capable software.
There is, however, one certain limitation in terms of the software’s compatibility with Excel: while Apache OpenOffice Calc can open the current Microsoft file format, .xlsx, it’s only able to save documents in the older .xlsx format. LibreOffice’s Calc program, on the other hand, is able to save the .xls format and can even be viewed in an Android viewer, giving the Berlin-based software company the edge in terms of compatibility. Both OpenOffice options are compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. An overview on additional practical and free office alternatives can be found here.
Conclusion: OpenOffice versions are practical alternatives to Microsoft Excel when it comes to private, every day as well as business-related use. This is because these versions all offer basic functions. What’s more, the program’s similar interface to that of Excel’s makes switching over more manageable. And while the file format’s compatibility may be limiting to some, the program’s functions work very well.
Google sheets—the easy-to-use browser table tool
Search engine giant, Google, also offers its users a free tool for creating and processing spreadsheets.
By using Google sheets logged-in users can generate texts, formulas, presentations, and spreadsheets via the browser-based office tool by Google docs. For those looking to free themselves from the traditional desktop version, this tool is available free of charge in mobile versions as well.
In addition to typical functions, like pivot tables as well as a wide arrange of formatting options, Google Sheets also offers a clear advantage when compared to Excel: collective and mobile access to documents. Because it’s a web-based application, the tool is very quick, and enables multiple mobile users to comfortably access documents via app. Conventional spreadsheets with different format templates can be easily created in the browser. Compatibility isn’t a problem: Excel files and Google spreadsheets can be easily saved, processed, and converted. The practical ‘Revision History’ function makes it possible to get a quick overview of the status of each project, which is also automatically saved. With a storage space of 15 GB on Google Drive, each account allows users to save a large number of spreadsheets. Sheets, however, is much more modestly designed than Excel, and requires a personal account to be set up prior to use.
In sum: Unlike Excel, Google Sheets is somewhat limited in terms of its functions. Those looking for flexible, mobile access to spreadsheets won’t be disappointed by this fast and useful browser tool. A Google account lets you easily share projects with others; processing Excel files also isn’t a problem with Sheets.
Gnumeric – a sleek tool trimmed down to the bare necessities
Born out of the Linux GNOME project, the free open source software Gnumeric, is also a decent Excel alternative for more complex calculations. Because it tends to use less resources, this program is also recommended for slower computers. Diagrams, graphics, finance formulas, and statistical analyses can all be easily processed in Gnumeric and its respective plugins. Like OpenDocuments, Gnumeric is also able to process and save .xls and .xlsx files. However, the somewhat minimalistic freeware isn’t always the easiest to use, and it doesn’t have the same scope of functions as Excel. What the version does offer, however, is a portable version for mobile devices. A further disadvantage: the user language is only offered in English and the program is mainly available for Linux. There aren’t any official Windows versions, and Mac users are completely left out to dry when it comes to Gnumeric.
Summary: Linux users looking for good Microsoft Excel alternatives, especially when it comes to processing and creating diagrams and mathematical formulas, will find Gnumeric to be a good solution. For those looking to learn on their own, GNOME offers an extensive user manual.
Apple Numbers—for attractive spreadsheets
Apple’s spreadsheet program, Numbers is a web app especially optimized for Mac computers and laptops, iPhones, and iPads. As a part of the iWorks suite for iColoud, its browser-based set-up allows multiple users to access individual projects simultaneously. Numbers can be used by many different devices and these can access the spreadsheets from any location with a secure and reliable internet connection. All that’s needed is to register with the iCloud platform
Numbers can import tables and save them in Excel format. Fitting to Apple’s creative design, the program offers a diverse array of design options for animated diagrams and graphics. This makes Numbers the most stylish and modern spreadsheet tool on offer. Unlike Excel’s somewhat conservative approach, Numbers’ icon-heavy user interface has been set up more for looks than it has for performance reasons. And while this may not be appropriate for every industry, Numbers’ sharp looks makes the program especially well-suited to creative industries.
Conclusion: Numbers is an ideal alternative to Excel for those who value good design and mobile use. In terms of its basic functions, the tool is comparable to Excel, and even surpasses it as far as visuals are concerned. The browser-based setup allows projects to be worked on in a synchronized, flexible, and mobile manner.
Spread (SpreadCE)—small, mobile, and functional
Spread32, offered by the company ‘Bye Design’ Ltd., offers a sleek, portable spreadsheet program that supports all common file formats. From lists and filters, to complex calculations and macros, this program will have you covered with its over 300 basic functions. What’s more, Spread32 also processes and stores .xls and .csv files. Those who aren’t too bothered about design will find that Spread32 is a very compact tool for devices running on Windows and Android. A further practical point: the .exe file only needs a bit of storage space, and can be easily started via your own hard drive or via portable storage media, such as USB sticks.
Conclusion: Although the comparatively modest Spread32 isn’t quite at eyelevel with Excel, it’s extremely versatile and offers many advantages through its mobile, flexible use; it’s a practical, portable tool without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
Excel—universal power tool or complacent market leader?
When it comes to dealing with large, complex data sets in a professional manner, Excel is still the most comprehensive spreadsheet program out there. This is particularly true when it comes to finance, where advanced calculations, formulas, and depictions are often needed. It’s in these areas that conventional freeware versions of the Microsoft application often fall short. Working with large amounts of data and complex formulas is still most easily achieved with Excel. And if you want to avoid formatting losses, then some of the less compatible tools should be avoided. However, free-of-charge Microsoft Excel alternatives may be worthwhile, depending on the purpose of your project.
Depending on how they’re implemented, freeware spreadsheet functions have a deciding advantage when compared with Excel. Alternative tools are especially well suited to those looking for increased flexibility and better visuals. When it comes to calculating moderately-sized data sets, though, many of the offers are still at an advantage when compared with the market leader. In the end, it depends on what line of work you’re in and how you plan on exploiting the data. Remember, these alternatives don’t constitute as full-proof Excel replacements, but trying something new may be well worth your while.
Overview of Excel alternatives
You don’t have to use Adobe Photoshop on your Mac to edit images like a pro. There are plenty of Photoshop alternatives for Mac that you can download or use in-browser to create just the right images and graphics for your projects. And some of them are completely free!
None of these are necessarily one-size-fits-all solutions. Each tool tends to serve a specific purpose; Do you want to edit online or on a desktop? Are you editing photos or multiple file types? Is all the work for web or will images get printed?
Here’s a list of the best Photoshop alternatives for Mac in 2019, but not in any particular order. Have a read through to find the one that’s right for you.
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1. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a past Apple Mac App of the Year Winner and the professional tool has everything you’d expect in a premium photo-editing product.
Use it to edit and retouch images as well as create multi-layer pieces. The professional corrections and adjustments tools rival any other app out there and it has a great noise-reduction filter. Retouching options include the usual dodge, burn, clone, patch, blemish, and red eye tools, but there’s also an inpainting brush and liquify feature.
Other key features:
Cost: $49.99
Try it:From the App Store 2. Sketch
Sketch isn’t a photo-editing app per se, but you can editing images within the Mac prototyping tool.
The best part of editing in Sketch is that all edits are nondestructive, meaning that any of your changes take effect without overwriting the original image file. (So you can always go back to the original if you want.)
Sketch allows for basic image editing including inverting images, cropping and color fill. It can be described as a basic bitmap editor and for many simple projects is enough.
Other key features:
Cost: $99/year
Try it:From Sketch
3. GIMP
GIMP offers powerful photo manipulation and editing capability in a free, open source package. (You can also download the source code and make changes as you see fit and add more functionality with third-party plugins.)
GIMP is designed for high-quality photo manipulation including retouching images and photo restorations. Users can also use it to create original artwork, a feature that many other non-Photoshop editors don’t provide (or have but it can be difficult to use).
Other key features:
Cost: Free
Try it:From GIMP 4. Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is a nondestructive editor that allows you to make changes to images and draw in the app. It also includes a nifty machine learning auto color adjustments tool to help make color changes a breeze.
One of the best features of Pixelmator Pro is that you can even export images for the web – hello, optimization – so you don’t have to use multiple tools to edit and then shrink image for top website quality production. Pixelmator Pro also includes some workflow tools to help you work more efficiently.
Other key features:
Cost: $59.99
Try it: From the App Store or try the free demo 5. Pixlr Pro
Pixlr Pro is an in-browser image editing app that’s packed with photo, vector and text editing capability. You can edit like a pro with tools that include layer masks, multiple brush options, curve and level adjustments, color and blend modes, effects and filters, and transform and wrap tools.
What’s different about Pixlr Pro, which also has a free version, is that you don’t have to download anything to use it. All the tools are right in your browser (and it has strong browser compatibility). It also includes a lot of other goodies to help jumpstart projects, such as templates and fonts.
Other key features:
Cost: $5/month
Try it:From Pixlr 6. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is a well-known online photo editor and retoucher. It has the most complicated structure of features of all the tools in this list with free, basic and pro pricing plans with different levels of features and tools.
If you plan to use any of the advanced features – save and export, advanced retouching, effects and overlays, fonts – then you are probably looking at the pro level plan. Free plans include ads; paid plans do not. PicMonkey is a pretty straightforward tool that is popular with users creating images for social media and online-only use with a simple photo editor and design tools.
Other key features:
Cost: Starting at $5.99/month
Try it: From PicMonkey 7. Fotor
The tool that the BBC called “Photoshop lite” is simple and easy to use. Edit images, add effects and text or tough up portraits like a pro with Fotor.
The photo editor has all the tools you’d expect for everyday editing with shape and aspect ratio cropping, color, saturation and white balance options and ability to straighten and rotate images. You can also create a custom college in the app.
Other key features:
Cost: Free
Try it:From the App Store 8. Acorn
Acorn is another nondestructive piece of Mac photo editing software that has a robust set of tools. The company claims that it has “everything you need in an image editor” with the ability to add layer masks and selections to touch up images or make something entirely new. You can also remove backgrounds, combine images, perform color corrections, resize, transform, crop and more.
While Acorn is billed as an image editor, it also includes vector tools as well and a text on a path feature.
Other key features:
Cost: $29.99
Try it:From The Flying Meat store (other addons also available) 9. SumoPaint
SumoPaint has free and paid version with different options. One key difference is whether you want to edit image on- or off-line (paid only).
SumoPaint is billed as an image manipulator with plenty of options, not all of which are designed for working with photos. The native Sumo file format also provides a nondestructive save option. The tool includes plenty of brushes, shapes and colors and gradients to jumpstart any project. It also allows for use of layers and comes with plenty of filters.
Other key features:
Cost: $4/month
Try it:From SumoPaint 10. DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is the go-to for RAW photo editing. It’s packed with features – you might even mistake the dashboard for Photoshop at a glance – and doesn’t get bogged down when working with large files and detailed images.
The tools include the ability to editing using control points to work on just the parts of a photo you want to edit, there are plenty of brushes for precise work, a graduated filter makes landscape photos look great and the auto repair mode can remove unwanted elements from images.
Other key features:
Cost: $99.99 (Essential Edition)
Try it:From DxO Comments are closed.
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