The Best PlanMaker Alternatives for Your Spreadsheet Needs
PlanMaker, a Microsoft Excel-compatible spreadsheet included in SoftMaker FreeOffice, offers a robust set of features for managing your data, from seamless Excel file compatibility to over 320 calculation functions and advanced formatting options. While it's a solid choice, users often seek alternatives for various reasons, including specific platform requirements, open-source preferences, or a desire for different feature sets. This article dives into the top PlanMaker alternatives that can meet your spreadsheet demands.
Top PlanMaker Alternatives
Whether you're a casual user or a data analysis professional, there's a PlanMaker alternative out there that's perfectly suited for you. Let's explore some of the best options available.
LibreOffice - Calc
LibreOffice Calc is a powerful and free, open-source spreadsheet program available across multiple platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com. As a fork of OpenOffice.org Calc, it's highly regarded by data miners and number crunchers for its professional capabilities, including robust data import/export (CSV, Google Spreadsheets), graph editing, and comprehensive spreadsheet features, making it an excellent PlanMaker alternative.
Microsoft Office Excel
Microsoft Excel, a commercial powerhouse within the Microsoft Office Suite, is the industry standard for spreadsheet applications. Available for Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad, it offers an extensive array of features such as advanced charting, CSV data import/export, data deduplication, pivot tables, and scriptability. For those deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem or needing the most robust features, Excel is a direct and powerful PlanMaker alternative.
Gnumeric
Gnumeric is a free, open-source spreadsheet program that is part of the GNOME desktop environment, aiming to provide a free and user-friendly desktop experience. It's available for Linux, PortableApps.com, AmigaOS, and Xfce, focusing on core spreadsheet functionalities. For users seeking a lightweight, open-source PlanMaker alternative with a strong emphasis on accuracy and calculation, Gnumeric is an excellent choice.
Apache OpenOffice Calc
Apache OpenOffice Calc is a free, open-source spreadsheet application that is part of the comprehensive Apache OpenOffice suite. Similar to other leading spreadsheet programs, it provides essential spreadsheet features and is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. For users looking for a free and established PlanMaker alternative with a familiar interface, OpenOffice Calc is a reliable option.
Spread32
Spread32 is a compact, freemium spreadsheet program for Windows, Windows Mobile, and Android, designed to offer core Excel-like features without the bulk. It supports macros, object drawing, chart generation, and calculations, making it a highly portable and lightweight PlanMaker alternative. For users needing a competent spreadsheet on the go or with limited system resources, Spread32 is worth considering.
WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets, a component of WPS Office, is a freemium offering available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. It enables users to perform complex data calculations and analysis, boasting features like a tabbed interface, built-in PDF converter, and pivot tables. Its high compatibility with Microsoft Excel makes it an excellent PlanMaker alternative for users who frequently work across different office suites.
Keikai
Keikai is a commercial, self-hosted web spreadsheet solution available for Mac and Windows, uniquely engineered for big data handling, making it incredibly fast regardless of dataset size. It offers advanced features such as double donut charts, embeddability, and export to Excel/PDF. For enterprises or developers needing a powerful, web-based PlanMaker alternative for large-scale data management, Keikai stands out.
TableEdit
TableEdit is a commercial, simple, and elegant spreadsheet application exclusively designed for Mac OS X. It features a minimalistic yet intuitive interface and provides essential spreadsheet functionalities, including built-in calculators. For Mac users seeking a clean, native, and straightforward PlanMaker alternative without the complexity of larger suites, TableEdit is a solid option.
Spreadsheet Conversion Tool
The Spreadsheet Conversion Tool is a commercial application for Windows, Windows S, and Windows Phone, primarily focused on file conversion. It allows users to easily convert various spreadsheet formats (CSV, ET, Numbers, XLS, XLSX, ODS) to image (PNG, JPG) and document (PDF, HTML) formats. While not a full-fledged spreadsheet editor like PlanMaker, it serves as an excellent complementary tool for specific conversion needs, especially for those who frequently need to transform spreadsheet data into other formats.
Vole Office
Vole Office is a freemium, lightweight Microsoft Word and Excel editor for Windows, designed for ease of use and affordability. It allows for the creation of full-featured Microsoft Word DOCX and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and offers strong compatibility with Microsoft Office formats. For users looking for a budget-friendly and easy-to-use PlanMaker alternative that handles common Office files efficiently, Vole Office is a practical choice.
The world of spreadsheet software offers a wealth of options beyond PlanMaker. Whether you prioritize open-source flexibility, cross-platform compatibility, advanced features, or a budget-friendly solution, there's a perfect PlanMaker alternative waiting for you. We encourage you to explore these options to find the best fit for your specific spreadsheet and data management needs.