If you need to turn connected business data into a working analysis spreadsheet, Quadratic lets you ask questions and inspect the cells behind the answer.
Buy it only if that work is worth $18 per user each month on annual billing; compared with Google Sheets, it costs more and asks more of you.
Who it's for
Quadratic is built for you if your spreadsheet work involves live business data, large files, or code-based analysis. You will be disappointed if you mainly need polished tables, familiar pivots, and simple sharing.
Buy it if
- You pull sales, finance, or product data from databases and need analysis inside a spreadsheet.
- You already use Python or SQL and want editable code next to your tables.
- You work with a small team that needs to share one analysis workspace.
Skip it if
- You need Excel-style pivot tables and detailed formatting for client-ready reports.
- You expect an AI prompt to replace checking calculations and editing its output.
- You do most spreadsheet work from a mobile browser.
Your first hour
Quadratic offers a free account instead of a separate trial. Its pricing page does not state whether sign-up uses email, Google sign-in, or a card, and it does not publish a time-to-result claim.
- Create an account Start on the free Personal plan, which has limited AI usage and sharing.
- Bring one dataset Import one CSV, Excel file, Parquet file, PDF, or connect a supported data source.
- Ask a question Use plain language to request an analysis or chart before writing a formula.
- Check the cells Inspect and edit the Python, SQL, JavaScript, or formula cells used for the result.
The basics are approachable, but you should stop after the free account if code and data connections already feel unfamiliar.
What you actually get per plan
Quadratic has a free Personal plan and charges paid plans per user. Most solo founders and freelancers who use AI analysis regularly will land on Pro for its $20 monthly AI credit allowance and unlimited sharing; Business adds more credits and on-demand credit purchases.
| Plan | Price | What’s inside | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | Free | Limited AI usage, limited sharing, limited support | Usage limits are not quantified publicly |
| Pro | $18/user/month, billed annually | $20 AI credits each month, unlimited sharing, unlimited files and connections | Annual billing for the published price |
| Business | $36/user/month, billed annually | $40 AI credits each month, on-demand extra credits, team access | Annual billing for the published price |
| Enterprise | Quote | Custom AI usage, SSO, advanced permissions | Custom pricing |
Three real situations
These are the points where the subscription either earns its place or becomes extra spreadsheet overhead.
A freelance analyst with three retainer clients
They connect client exports and use editable SQL or Python cells for recurring analysis. One Pro seat costs $18 per month on annual billing, and the $20 AI credit allowance gives them room to use prompts without buying a team plan.
A two-person online store
Two Business seats cost $72 per month on annual billing and include $40 in AI credits per user. It suits a store combining Stripe, QuickBooks, and database data, but both connections remain read-only.
A creator with a weekly newsletter
They need neat sponsor trackers, familiar pivots, and finished-looking reports from a small CSV. Quadratic is not the right buy: Google Sheets is the simpler route, especially when AI-generated code needs tweaks or reruns.
Where it falls short
Reviewers report that JavaScript output can need tweaks and reruns. They also cite a steeper learning curve for non-programmers, gaps in niche Python library guidance, and occasional stutters on very large or complex visual canvases. Excel remains the better fit for specialized formatting and pivot-table work, while Quadratic’s mobile browser experience is more limited.
Paid pricing is per user and the advertised Pro and Business rates require annual billing. Business is the plan that permits on-demand AI-credit purchases, which matters if your work exceeds included credits. Connections are read-only, but teams with strict retention rules must review settings because prompt storage can be disabled rather than being described as disabled by default.
Watch out: $18 and $36 are annual-billing rates. Adding a team member also creates a pro-rated charge for the remaining subscription period.
Common questions
Is there a free plan?
Yes. Personal is free, with limited AI usage, sharing, and support.
What is the cheapest way to try Quadratic?
Create a free Personal account. Quadratic does not offer a separate free trial.
Can I cancel Quadratic at any time?
Yes. The vendor says you can cancel or downgrade at any time. It does not publish refund terms on its pricing page.
Does Quadratic train on my data?
The vendor documents zero-day retention by its AI model providers. It does not publish a direct statement on its pricing page saying whether customer data is used for model training.
Is Quadratic worth it for a freelancer?
It can be worth $18 per user each month on annual billing if you analyse connected data or use Python and SQL. For ordinary trackers and client-facing spreadsheets, Google Sheets or Excel is usually the cheaper choice.
Bottom line
Buy Quadratic only if you analyse connected business data and will use its editable code or AI work often enough to justify $18 per user each month on annual billing. Skip it if you mainly need standard spreadsheets, polished formatting, or pivot tables.
