Copilot in Excel vs Gemini in Google Sheets
Copilot in Excel and Gemini in Google Sheets sit in the same category and share 12 tasks. The verdict below is calculated for each role from the tasks, the role fit and the price.
Short answer
Gemini in Google Sheets wins for 9 of 20 roles in our data. Gemini in Google Sheets starts at $14/mo and Copilot in Excel at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.
Verdict by role
| Role | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 9; cheaper entry plan |
| Lawyer | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; cheaper entry plan |
| HR manager | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 4 of this role's tasks against 3; built for this role; cheaper entry plan |
| Finance manager | Copilot in Excel | covers 13 of this role's tasks against 10 |
| Manager | Copilot in Excel | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 8 |
| Marketer | Gemini in Google Sheets | cheaper entry plan |
| Sales manager | Either one | even on tasks, Gemini in Google Sheets is cheaper to start |
| Data analyst | Either one | even on tasks, Gemini in Google Sheets is cheaper to start |
| Teacher | Copilot in Excel | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 8 |
| Executive assistant | Copilot in Excel | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 8 |
| Logistics manager | Either one | even on tasks, Gemini in Google Sheets is cheaper to start |
| Procurement manager | Copilot in Excel | covers 14 of this role's tasks against 11 |
| Secretary | Gemini in Google Sheets | cheaper entry plan |
| Recruiter | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 4 of this role's tasks against 3; built for this role; cheaper entry plan |
| HR administrator | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 4 of this role's tasks against 3; built for this role; cheaper entry plan |
| Tax consultant | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 9; cheaper entry plan |
| Auditor | Gemini in Google Sheets | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 9; cheaper entry plan |
| Economist | Copilot in Excel | covers 13 of this role's tasks against 10 |
| Project manager | Copilot in Excel | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 8 |
| Social media manager | Copilot in Excel | covers 10 of this role's tasks against 8 |
Side by side
| Copilot in Excel | Gemini in Google Sheets | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | |
| Category | Spreadsheets and data | Spreadsheets and data |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | Included in Copilot Pro, $20/mo | Included in Workspace Business Standard, $14/mo |
| Top plan | Included in Microsoft 365 Copilot, $30/mo | Included in Google AI Pro, $19.99/mo |
| Tasks covered | 16 | 16 |
Copilot in Excel: Formulas, pivot tables and pattern finding in an Excel table from a plain-language request.
Gemini in Google Sheets: Gemini side panel in Sheets: formulas, summaries and anomaly checks with no copying of data into a chat.
Tasks both handle
- Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request
- Reconcile the trial balance with the bank and source documents
- Analyze budget variances, actual versus plan
- Find discrepancies in a counterparty reconciliation statement
- Design a KPI dashboard for the business owner
- Keep a contract register and track deadlines
- Build a 12-week cash flow forecast
- Select an audit sample of transactions
- Calculate product cost
- Classify expenses by category
- Build an annual vacation schedule
- Check a time and attendance sheet
Only Copilot in Excel covers
- Build a pricing model
- Write the financial section of a business plan
- Prepare a business case for a project
- Turn a table into a clear chart
Only Gemini in Google Sheets covers
- Analyze customer reviews by topic
- Categorize a bank statement by cash flow line
- Design an engagement survey and analyze the answers
- Log incoming correspondence with a short summary
Pitfalls to watch at work
Copilot in Excel
- Copilot works only with a range formatted as a table (Ctrl+T) with headers in the first row: on a plain sheet with merged cells it refuses or gets things wrong
- The file must be in OneDrive or SharePoint with AutoSave on; Copilot cannot see a local file on your disk
- Check a formula on control rows: the model confuses absolute and relative references and the direction of a condition
Gemini in Google Sheets
- The panel only reads a range with headers and one data type per column: merged cells, empty headers and dates stored as text give wrong answers
- Check a Gemini formula by hand on five rows before filling it down the whole column
- The =AI() function uses quota on every row and may return different answers for identical rows: freeze the result as values
FAQ
Is Copilot in Excel or Gemini in Google Sheets better for work?
In our data Gemini in Google Sheets is the better choice for 9 of 20 roles. The table above shows the reason for each role.
Which is cheaper, Copilot in Excel or Gemini in Google Sheets?
Gemini in Google Sheets starts at $14/mo and Copilot in Excel at $20/mo on the cheapest paid plan.
Do Copilot in Excel and Gemini in Google Sheets have free plans?
Copilot in Excel: No. Gemini in Google Sheets: No.
Compare Copilot in Excel with
- Copilot in Excel vs ChatGPT
- Copilot in Excel vs Julius AI
- Copilot in Excel vs Claude
- Copilot in Excel vs Airtable AI
- Copilot in Excel vs Numerous.ai
Compare Gemini in Google Sheets with
- Gemini in Google Sheets vs ChatGPT
- Gemini in Google Sheets vs Claude
- Gemini in Google Sheets vs Numerous.ai
- Gemini in Google Sheets vs Make
- Gemini in Google Sheets vs Airtable AI
Alternatives to Copilot in Excel · Alternatives to Gemini in Google Sheets · Copilot in Excel pricing · Gemini in Google Sheets pricing
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