Google Sheets Review 2023: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

When it comes to spreadsheets, the first app that pops into people's minds is Microsoft Excel. Excel has been the leading player in the spreadsheet application industry for a few decades. But, we’re not here to talk about Excel. Let’s focus on our Google Sheets review!

Other apps like Google Sheets have been slowly catching up with this tech giant by offering online access, a good deal of collaboration features, and a less overwhelming user experience. 

In this Google Sheets review, we'll explore its most notable features, discuss the pricing, and see what real customers are saying about using the app in their work lives.

Google Sheets review 2023: Is Google Sheets any good?

This Google Sheets review put the platform under the microscope and found that Google Sheets is an amazing spreadsheet application that's on par with Microsoft Excel. It comes packed with features like functions, data visualizations, integrations, add-ons, and many other basic tools you'd need from such an app. 

But where Google Sheets especially shines are its collaboration features that let multiple users work on the same file at the same time on multiple devices. Overall, the app is a suitable option for both individuals and businesses, and it is definitely one of the best spreadsheet software options available. 

Another perk of the system is its ease of use and suitability for beginners. The interface is user-friendly, and the onboarding process is quick and painless. You'll be happy to hear there won't be any need to invest in training classes or resources to teach users how to navigate the spreadsheet platform.

And did we mention that Google Sheets is an easily accessible platform? That's right! You can access the web-based SaaS application from any device, including laptops, tablets, or mobile devices. It's compatible with Windows systems, as well as with macOS and Linux.

A separate mobile app for iOS and Android lets you work on the go; there's even an offline mode. Supported browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Even better, all your workbooks are automatically saved to your Google Drive, so there's no need to click the save button. 

Google Sheets even made it to our list of best collaboration software for small businesses as part of the Google Drive platform. 

Google Sheets pricing plans

First of all, how much does Google Sheets cost? Let’s first review Google Sheets prices:

How much does Google Sheets cost for nonprofits?

Google offers eligible nonprofit organizations access to Google Workspace at discounted rates. The prices are the following:

• Google Workspace for Nonprofits: $0/user/month

• Business Standard: $3/user/month

• Business Plus: $5.04/user/month

• Enterprise: 70%+ off
   

Google Sheets free vs paid: what’s the difference?

Google Sheets is a free app that’s part of the web-based Google Docs Editors suite that includes other tools like Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drawings, Google Forms, Google Sites, and Google Keep. The Google Docs Editors suite falls under the Google Drive service umbrella. The free plan is ideal for individual use and for small businesses with basic needs. 

Apart from the free version, Google Sheets is also available as a paid option in Google Workspace for business use. The major difference between the free and paid plans is that the paid plans introduce more storage space, custom business emails, video meetings, group-level security settings, and priority support. 

Google Workspace plans start at $6/user/month and include features like 30GB of cloud storage per user, custom business, email, and standard support. 

The next paid plan is the Business Standard which costs $12/user/month and comes with 2TB per user cloud storage, meeting recordings saved to Google Drive, and noise cancellation. The Business Plus costs $18/user/month and opens the door to features like 5TB per user cloud storage and advanced security. 

You can take each plan for a spin for free, as there’s a 14-day trial. Each plan includes services like Gmail, Drive, Meet, Slides, Calendar, Docs, Chat, and more. 

Google Sheets overview: what is Google Sheets & what is Google Sheets used for?

Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet application for creating, editing, and sharing online spreadsheets in real-time. It's designed for both individual use and business. It's also ideal for teams who work remotely using multiple devices and for people who collaborate with other individuals on a regular basis. Some of the features you'll find within the app include built-in templates, functions, data visualization, collaboration, add-ons and integrations, and sharing options. 

Google Sheets features list

The main features of Google Sheets are:

• Data analysis and visualization 

• Functions

• Integrations and add-ons

• Templates

• Automation

• Sharing and collaboration

• Explore 

1. Data analysis and visualization 

Google Sheets has a built-in tool that allows you to analyze data automatically by asking questions called Explore. There are also sorting and filtering tools with advanced filters and filter views.

In terms of visualizations, you can add a wide range of charts and graphs to your spreadsheet, including scattered, bar, pie, and column. You can even add an automatically generated chart by using the Explore feature. Charts are fully customizable and can be saved as an image.
 

2. Functions 

Google Sheets is not short on functions you can add to your spreadsheet. There are functions for everything, including dates, financials, filters, VLOOKUP, math, etc.
 

3. Integrations and add-ons 

Google Sheets works seamlessly with other Google Workspace applications, including Docs, Calendar, Drive, and Gmail. You can also connect the app with tools like Google Forms, Google Translate, and Google Finance. 

For instance, you can use Google Forms to embed surveys and questionnaires into your spreadsheet presentations. Google Translate can come in handy when you need to create spreadsheets that require language translations. 

In addition to integrations, there are also many add-ons available that provide more customization. If you have unique requirements, these add-ons will be quite useful. 
 

4. Templates

If you want to kick things off quickly, there's a template gallery where you can choose from a variety of dashboards, project rockets, and other professionally designed templates. The template will be loaded into your spreadsheet where you can customize it with your data. 

Take a look at this post that lists the 23 best project plan templates for Google Sheets, Excel, and Word. 
 

5. Automation

You can save time by automating repetitive tasks with macros. A macro lets you record and replay your user interface actions to automate repetitive tasks.

Simply go to Extensions and then Macros, and then Record macro. You can set your macro to run based on actions, calendar updates, time intervals, or a chosen time and date.
 

6. Sharing and Collaboration

Google Sheets offers some great real-time collaboration features. You can add comments, reply, edit, resolve, and chat with your collaborators while simultaneously working on the same sheet. In fact, multiple people can work on the same sheet simultaneously without any disruption. 

If a user changes the sheet, that change will be visible to all collaborators in real time. These features make Google Sheets a fantastic tool for teams that are working with different devices and platforms at different locations and time zones. Offline editing is also available. 

What's more, there's a neat built-in revision history functionality that tracks all changes made to the spreadsheet. You can see what changes were made and who from your collaborators changed the spreadsheet. 

It's also possible to revert the spreadsheet to its earlier version. You can even communicate with other people in a chat window that's located on the sidebar. Sheets can also be shared or presented in Google Meet.

When it comes to sharing options, Google Sheets lets you share your sheet via a link or email or give permission to other users to edit the sheet or view it.
 

7. Explore 

The Explore function uses machine learning to let you access additional functionalities without leaving the platform. Using this feature, you’ll be able to build charts, visualize data, ask questions, create pivot tables, and more. 

Google Sheets pros and cons

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of Google Sheets:
 

Google Sheets advantages

Let's start by saying how well Google Sheets works with other apps in the Google Workspace universe. For instance, you can find quick links to Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Maps, and Google Tasks on the sidebar inside Google Sheets. 

If you want to start a Google Meet meeting, there's a quick link for that as well in the top right corner. If you integrate Google Sheets with Google Translate, you'll be able to translate the spreadsheet data into different languages. 

Google Finance can help you locate and enter specific financial information into the spreadsheet. You can also directly reply to Gmail comments and analyze Google Forms data in Sheets.

Excel might be a more established player in the industry, but Google Sheets has the lead when it comes to collaboration. Sheets lets as many as 100 users edit the same document at the same time. And if you want to share the spreadsheet, you can simply copy a sharing link or send it directly to the person. 

You can write comments, reply to comments, make edits, resolve comments, and even have a conversation while you're all working together in the same spreadsheet. A recent functionality is an option to type "@" in a cell to mention people, and they'll be notified.

Subscribing to a paid plan will open the door to more advanced functionality. For instance, if the free plan supported 15 GB per user, the Business Standard extends that limit to 2 TB per user. 

You’ll also get a custom business email that can make your business seem more trustworthy and professional. The free version supports only 100 Google Meet participants, while the Standard plan supports 150, and the Business Plus supports 500. 
 

Google Sheets disadvantages

One of the biggest disadvantages of Google Sheets is that its biggest competitor is Excel. If we compare the two apps, Excel has more advanced features than Sheets. Excel is still the leader in terms of how much data it can handle, its range of functions, conditional formatting, and graphical presentation. 

At the same time, Google Sheets supports 5 million cells per spreadsheet, and Excel supports thousands of times more. Excel is also superior to Google Sheets when it comes to highly complicated functions and a much larger selection of charts. Excel's powerful data processing and advanced calculations make it a more feature-rich software than Google Sheets. 

Google Sheets complaints & praise (Google Sheets reviews from real customers)

Many positive reviews of Google Sheets talk about how Google Sheets makes it very convenient to collaborate with other people on projects, especially if you're working from different locations. 

Users love how everyone is aligned on the same sheet at the same time, a feature that eliminates a good deal of work and confusion. They say the app took the best features from Excel and added even better features, like collaboration and seamless integration with other Google Workspace apps. 

A few users like that they can use the spreadsheet software for free, where they get access to features like data collection and analysis.

Other user reviews praise the app’s accessibility and ease of use; it’s not intimidating like other similar apps with many overwhelming features and options. You can access it via any device, even your mobile phone or tablet.  Even if you are not good with technology, with a bit of instruction or playing around with the software, you’ll be able to figure out how it works.

Some users say they use Sheets to create schedules and organize their division of labor. Others use it for campaign tracking and accounting. Many use it in conjunction with Google Forms to collect and analyze information from clients and colleagues.

There are a few negative Google Sheets reviews from users complaining about the free plan's lack of support. They don't like how they have to look for an answer to their issue on their own in the forum instead of having someone from customer support help them. Some users say they've experienced trouble with formatting when downloading a Google Sheets document as an Excel file, as well as some occasional software glitches. 

If this is a deal-breaker for you, consider Google Sheets alternatives, such as Excel. In fact, we have a Google Sheets vs Excel comparison to help you learn more about these two and make a smart choice.
 

Review of Google Sheets support

Users of the free plan get access to self-help articles and community forums. If you click on the “help” option on the toolbar, you can type in your question. The Help drop-down menu also contains a list of updates, training materials, functions, and keyboard shortcuts. The paid plans include 24/7 online support. You can also purchase Enhanced Support as an add-on. 

Is Google Sheets worth it? Final points

The final question remains: Is Google Sheets worth it?

We say, yes, Google Sheets is an excellent spreadsheet program for users with modest needs when it comes to creating, editing, and sharing spreadsheets. The free plan of the software is ideal for individuals and small businesses with limited budgets who don’t need the full extent of the platform’s functionality. 

Larger businesses that need access to vast storage space, custom business email, and enhanced security and management controls can upgrade to one of the paid plans. 

All in all, you should use Google Sheets if your budget is limited, you need good collaboration tools, and you want to be able to access your spreadsheets from any device. But, if you’d like to explore what other tools are available, check out our Google Sheets alternatives article!
 

Our final Google Sheets overall rating

4/5