Office & Mobile Suites
Arte Sheets vs Collabora Office on iPad and iPhone
When Arte Sheets fits best
- Loads in Safari in seconds with zero App Store download, clean responsive controls, light/dark themes, and 31 UI languages.
- Built-in optional cloud collaboration (live selections, @comments, suggestions) without needing to self-host Nextcloud + Collabora Online.
- Pairs spreadsheet editing with 2,950+ runnable web formula lessons and an optional Pro AI assistant.
When Collabora Office (iOS & iPadOS) fits best
- Runs the full LibreOffice Calc engine completely offline inside a native iOS/iPadOS sandbox with Apple Files integration.
- 100% free open-source app supporting 500+ Calc functions, full PivotTables, and native OpenDocument (.ods) editing.
- Preserves embedded charts and complex document formatting across Calc, Writer, and Impress files.
Web-Native Browser Grid vs Ported Desktop Engine Wrapper
Collabora Office on iOS embeds LibreOfficeKit alongside a webview tile renderer so iPad users can edit .ods, .xlsx, .docx, and .pptx files locally. While technically impressive and privacy-friendly, tile-rendered desktop dialogs and menus can feel cramped compared with a lightweight web interface.
Arte Sheets is engineered specifically as a pure browser ES-module spreadsheet: DOM/canvas rendering, dedicated calculation and .xlsx workers, local IndexedDB persistence, and a Service Worker shell cache—delivering crisp typography and immediate formula-bar interaction on iPad with Magic Keyboard or touch.
| Attribute | Arte Sheets | Collabora Office (iOS / iPadOS) |
|---|---|---|
| App delivery | Instant mobile web app (sheets.arte-soft.com/app/) | App Store binary (~250–350 MB install) |
| Underlying engine | Pure JS/Web Worker formula & workbook engine | LibreOfficeKit C++ core + mobile webview UI |
| Offline capability | Service Worker shell cache + local browser IndexedDB | Full native offline sandbox via Apple Files |
| Turnkey cloud sharing | Built-in EU cloud workbooks (10 free / 1,000 Pro) | Requires external Nextcloud / OwnCloud / iCloud setup |
| Supported spreadsheet files | Imports .xlsx, .xlsm, .xls, .xlsb, .ods, .csv, .tsv; exports .xlsx, .ods, .csv, .tsv | .ods, .xlsx, .xls, .csv (plus Writer/Impress docs) |
| Account requirement | None for local browser work | None for local iOS Files work |
Formulas, PivotTables, and Educational Depth
Collabora inherits LibreOffice Calc’s massive catalog of statistical and engineering functions plus full free PivotTables. Arte Sheets covers the 184 core and modern Excel functions (including XLOOKUP, XMATCH, FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT, SEQUENCE, and SUMIFS) while adding guided learning and Pro AI assistance that Collabora does not offer.
| Feature | Arte Sheets | Collabora Office iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Formula catalog | 184 Excel-compatible functions + dynamic array spills | 500+ LibreOffice Calc & Excel functions |
| PivotTables | SUM free; AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX & column groups in Pro | Multi-field Calc PivotTables free |
| Charts & exports | 7 canvas charts + PDF print (.xlsx exports formulas & cell styles) | Native embedded Calc/Excel charts saved in .ods & .xlsx |
| Goal Seek & Macros | Pro Goal Seek + browser Macro Studio & custom functions | Limited macro UI on iOS compared with desktop LibreOffice |
| AI assistant | Pro assistant (2,000 credits/mo; text, voice & file excerpts) | None built into mobile app |
| Interactive lessons | 2,950+ free public guides + 62 graded Academy lessons | None |
Cost and Best-Fit Summary
Both tools respect user privacy and let you work free without ads. Use Collabora Office when you live inside native iPad .ods files or offline multi-format OpenDocument bundles; use Arte Sheets when you want a snappier browser grid, instant shared workbooks without running a server, or guided Excel formula mastery.
| Option | Price | Best Scenario | Key Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arte Sheets Free | $0 | Fast iPad Safari spreadsheets, 184 Excel formulas & 10 EU cloud files | Charts not embedded in exported .xlsx |
| Arte Sheets Pro | $19.99/mo or $179.99/yr | AI formula coaching, 62 courses, Goal Seek & 1,000 shared EU workbooks | Recurring subscription (no lifetime plan) |
| Collabora Office iOS | $0 (Open Source) | Offline native Apple Files editing of .ods, .xlsx, .docx & .pptx | Heavier tile-rendered UI; no turnkey cloud collaboration |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both Collabora Office and Arte Sheets on the same iPad?
Yes. Because Arte Sheets runs in Safari with zero install footprint and exports standard .xlsx, .ods, and .csv files, both tools interoperate cleanly via the iPad Downloads/Files workflow.
Does Arte Sheets require hosting a Nextcloud server to collaborate?
No. Signing in with a verified email gives you 10 free private EU cloud workbooks (or 1,000 on Pro) with instant link sharing, @comments, and suggestions.
Are XLOOKUP and FILTER supported in Arte Sheets on iPad?
Yes. Both XLOOKUP and FILTER—along with XMATCH, UNIQUE, SORT, SEQUENCE, and VSTACK—are built into the free Arte Sheets formula engine.
Is Arte Sheets open source like Collabora?
No. Arte Sheets is proprietary independent spreadsheet software operated by Arte Soft EOOD in the European Union, with a permanently free core web tier.