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Published June 8, 2022

A Comparison between IronXL and Syncfusion Excel

Introduction

Manipulating Excel programmatically can be difficult for developers. There are several problems that arise when trying to edit Microsoft Excel files. The main problems are difficulty with the user interface and lack of documentation, making it difficult to handle an Excel file. But luckily, we now have some Excel libraries written by skilled programmers. These libraries help in editing Microsoft Excel file data. Here I will discuss two Excel C# libraries:

  • IronXL: C# Excel Library
  • Syncfusion Excel Framework

Let's get started with a comparison of these libraries.

IronXL: C# Excel Library

IronXL is a .NET Excel library of C# codes developed by Iron Software that is used to programmatically manipulate Excel documents. IronXL is written on the .NET framework and it simplifies the process of developing applications that normally require Microsoft Excel to work.

IronXL provides the programmer with a set of classes, methods, and properties that can be used for reading and writing data from/to an Excel workbook, manipulating workbook objects, accessing external data sources, and loading data into an Excel workbook.

Let's take a look at the features of IronXL.

Features of IronXL

There are many features of IronXL that make it stand out from other libraries.

Load, Read, and Edit Data

Using IronXL we can load, read and edit data from spreadsheet documents such as XLS, XLSX, XLST, XLSM, CSV, and TSV. IronXL provides very simple and easy-to-remember functions to create, read and edit these spreadsheet documents. It provides complete control over the documents.

Creating Charts

IronXL has a vast variety of functions to create spreadsheets with customized charts. It has good API documentation to support them.

Saving and Exporting

IronXL is great for saving and exporting documents in multiple formats. IronXL provides the facility to export or convert Excel files to XLS, XLSX, XLST, XLSM, CSV, TSV, and JSON file formats.

Working with Formulas

IronXL supports working with formulas in Excel files. We can create any formula and apply it to any cell according to our needs. IronXL has excellent and simple functions to assist us in working with formulas.

Cell Data Formats

Excel users often need to employ formatting in Excel cells. IronXL supports advanced conditional formatting features. IronXL is here to help format cell data with simple and easy-to-use functions. IronXL supports all formats supported by Microsoft Excel. You can format data with these formats:

  • Text
  • Number
  • Formulas
  • Dates
  • Currency
  • Percentages
  • Scientific
  • Time
  • Custom Formats

Cell Styling

Cell styling is an important feature of Microsoft Excel that helps to differentiate important data. It is very useful, and IronXL also supports this feature. You can change font style, font size, background pattern, border, and alignment using the IronXL functions.

Syncfusion Excel

The Syncfusion library provides an API for reading, writing, and manipulating Microsoft Excel (XLS) files. The Syncfusion library is a C# library that can be used by developers to create their applications for reading, writing, and manipulating Microsoft Excel (XLS) files. Customized data importing is also supported. It is compatible with all operating systems that support C# programming languages.

Features of Syncfusion Excel

Let's have a look at the features of the Syncfusion Excel library:

Let's take a look at how these libraries work. In order to check the various functionalities, we need to create a C# project first. So, let's get started.

1. Creating a C# Project

This tutorial will use the Visual Studio 2019 version (the latest version is recommended) and C# programming language to build a project.

  • Open Visual Studio 2019.
  • Click on "Create" to create a new project.

  • Select C# Console Application from templates and click on the Next button.

    Console Application Console Application

  • Give a name to the project and click on the Next button.

    Project Configuration Project Configuration

  • Select the .NET target framework >= 3.1 because 3.1 is supported and works on every device. The latest and most stable version of the .NET framework is 5.0. Click on the Create button. It will create a C# console application.

    .NET Target Framework .NET Target Framework

You can also use existing C# projects. Just open the project and install the libraries. We will see how we can install the Excel libraries in the next section.

2. Installing the IronXL Library

There are multiple ways to download and install the IronXL library. These are as follows:

  1. Package Manager Console
  2. Using the NuGet Package Manager

2.1 Package Manager Console

We can install the IronXL library using the Package Manager Console. Follow the steps below to install it:

  • Open the Package Manager Console. It is usually located towards the bottom of Visual Studio.

    Package Manager Console Package Manager Console

  • Type the following command and press Enter.

    Install-Package IronXL.Excel

  • It will begin installing the IronXL library.

    IronXL Installation IronXL Installation

  • After installation, we can use it in our project.

2.2 Install using NuGet Package Manager

We can install the IronXL library directly from the NuGet Package Manager. Follow these steps to install IronXL:

  • Click on Tools from the menu bar and hover on NuGet Package Manager.

    NuGet Package Manager NuGet Package Manager

  • Select Manage NuGet Packages for Solution. Click on Browse and write IronXL in the search bar. It will show the IronXL library in the search results.

    Manage NuGet Packages Manage NuGet Packages

  • Click on IronXL.Excel and click the Install button. It will install the library automatically.

3. Installing the Syncfusion Excel Library

We can install the Syncfusion Excel library using the Package Manager Console. Unlike IronXL, we need to install each library differently for different projects such as Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET, UWP, and others. We need to write different commands for different platforms.

3.1 Installation using the Package Manager Console

Follow the steps below to install the Syncfusion Excel library:

  • Go to the Package Manager Console.
  • Write the following command to install the Syncfusion Excel library:

  • Write the following commands to use the Syncfusion Excel library with Windows Forms and WPF.

    Install-Package Syncfusion.XlsIO.WinForms
    Install-package Syncfusion.XlsIO.Wpf
  • It will begin installing the library. After installation, you can use the Syncfusion Excel framework in your project easily.

4. Reading an Excel Document

Reading an Excel document is a prime functionality of any Excel library. We will take a look at how we can read Excel files using the IronXL and Syncfusion Excel frameworks.

4.1 IronXL

IronXL enables the reading of Excel documents without using Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel. Before beginning with IronXL, there is a major step to be taken -- we always import IronXL into our program file. So, at the top, we must write the following line of code:

using IronXL;
using System.Linq;
using IronXL;
using System.Linq;
Imports IronXL
Imports System.Linq
VB   C#

Next, write the following lines of code to read and edit Excel files without the hassle of writing multiple lines of code with knowledge of core programming.

//Supported spreadsheet formats for reading include: XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV
WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("data.xlsx");
WorkSheet sheet = workbook.WorkSheets.First();
//Select cells easily in Excel notation and return the calculated value, date, text or formula
int cellValue = sheet["A2"].IntValue;
// Read from Ranges of cells elegantly.
foreach (var cell in sheet["A2:B10"])
{
    Console.WriteLine("Cell {0} has value '{1}'", cell.AddressString, cell.Text);
}
//Supported spreadsheet formats for reading include: XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV
WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("data.xlsx");
WorkSheet sheet = workbook.WorkSheets.First();
//Select cells easily in Excel notation and return the calculated value, date, text or formula
int cellValue = sheet["A2"].IntValue;
// Read from Ranges of cells elegantly.
foreach (var cell in sheet["A2:B10"])
{
    Console.WriteLine("Cell {0} has value '{1}'", cell.AddressString, cell.Text);
}
'Supported spreadsheet formats for reading include: XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV
Dim workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("data.xlsx")
Dim sheet As WorkSheet = workbook.WorkSheets.First()
'Select cells easily in Excel notation and return the calculated value, date, text or formula
Dim cellValue As Integer = sheet("A2").IntValue
' Read from Ranges of cells elegantly.
For Each cell In sheet("A2:B10")
	Console.WriteLine("Cell {0} has value '{1}'", cell.AddressString, cell.Text)
Next cell
VB   C#

The WorkBook.Load function helps to load the workbook easily. In the given code, we also see the values of the cells and print them to the console.

4.2 Syncfusion Excel

Let's look at how we can read and edit existing Excel files using the Syncfusion Excel framework. First, in order to use the Syncfusion Excel framework, we need to import Syncfusion into our project. To do this, we have to add the following lines of code to the top of the code file:

using Syncfusion.XlsIO;
using System.Drawing;
using Syncfusion.XlsIO;
using System.Drawing;
Imports Syncfusion.XlsIO
Imports System.Drawing
VB   C#

Next, add the following lines of code in the project to read and access the Excel files using the Syncfusion Excel framework.

//Create an instance of new ExcelEngine IApplication application
using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
{
    //Instantiate the Excel application object using IApplication application = excelengine excel
    IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

    //Set the Excelengine excel application defaultversion = excelversion
    application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2016;

    //Load the existing Excel workbook into IWorkbook workbook = application. Workbooks
    IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Open("Sample.xlsx");

    //Get the first worksheet in the workbook into IWorksheet
    IWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

    //Assign some text in a cell
    worksheet.Range["A3"].Text = "Hello World";

    //Save the Excel document
    workbook.SaveAs("Output.xlsx", Response, ExcelDownloadType.PromptDialog, ExcelHttpContentType.Excel2016);
}
//Create an instance of new ExcelEngine IApplication application
using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
{
    //Instantiate the Excel application object using IApplication application = excelengine excel
    IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

    //Set the Excelengine excel application defaultversion = excelversion
    application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2016;

    //Load the existing Excel workbook into IWorkbook workbook = application. Workbooks
    IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Open("Sample.xlsx");

    //Get the first worksheet in the workbook into IWorksheet
    IWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

    //Assign some text in a cell
    worksheet.Range["A3"].Text = "Hello World";

    //Save the Excel document
    workbook.SaveAs("Output.xlsx", Response, ExcelDownloadType.PromptDialog, ExcelHttpContentType.Excel2016);
}
'Create an instance of new ExcelEngine IApplication application
Using excelEngine As New ExcelEngine()
	'Instantiate the Excel application object using IApplication application = excelengine excel
	Dim application As IApplication = excelEngine.Excel

	'Set the Excelengine excel application defaultversion = excelversion
	application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2016

	'Load the existing Excel workbook into IWorkbook workbook = application. Workbooks
	Dim workbook As IWorkbook = application.Workbooks.Open("Sample.xlsx")

	'Get the first worksheet in the workbook into IWorksheet
	Dim worksheet As IWorksheet = workbook.Worksheets(0)

	'Assign some text in a cell
	worksheet.Range("A3").Text = "Hello World"

	'Save the Excel document
	workbook.SaveAs("Output.xlsx", Response, ExcelDownloadType.PromptDialog, ExcelHttpContentType.Excel2016)
End Using
VB   C#

We can see that to read Excel files in Syncfusion Excel, we need to define the Excel version first. Then we can open the file and edit it. To save the modified file, we have to define the content type of the modified file according to the Excel version again. IronXL is very easy to understand and easy to use in this case because we didn't have to define the Excel version, and because we have small and easy-to-remember functions with parameters in IronXL.

5. Creating New Excel Documents

Next, we will compare the methods to create new Excel documents and populate the created documents with values. First, we will look at how we can create documents in IronXL.

5.1 IronXL

IronXL does not require Excel to be installed on your server or Interop. IronXL provides a faster and more intuitive API than Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel. As we already know, we need to import the IronXL library first, and then write the code to create the Excel files. The following code is used to create Excel files in IronXL.

using IronXL;
//Create new Excel WorkBook document. 
WorkBook xlsxWorkbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
xlsxWorkbook.Metadata.Author = "IronXL";
//Add a blank WorkSheet
WorkSheet xlsSheet = xlsxWorkbook.CreateWorkSheet("main_sheet");
//Add data and styles to the new worksheet
xlsSheet["A1"].Value = "Hello World";
xlsSheet["A2"].Style.BottomBorder.SetColor("#ff6600");
xlsSheet["A2"].Style.BottomBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Double;
//Save the excel file
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx");
using IronXL;
//Create new Excel WorkBook document. 
WorkBook xlsxWorkbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
xlsxWorkbook.Metadata.Author = "IronXL";
//Add a blank WorkSheet
WorkSheet xlsSheet = xlsxWorkbook.CreateWorkSheet("main_sheet");
//Add data and styles to the new worksheet
xlsSheet["A1"].Value = "Hello World";
xlsSheet["A2"].Style.BottomBorder.SetColor("#ff6600");
xlsSheet["A2"].Style.BottomBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Double;
//Save the excel file
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx");
Imports IronXL
'Create new Excel WorkBook document. 
Private xlsxWorkbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX)
xlsxWorkbook.Metadata.Author = "IronXL"
'Add a blank WorkSheet
Dim xlsSheet As WorkSheet = xlsxWorkbook.CreateWorkSheet("main_sheet")
'Add data and styles to the new worksheet
xlsSheet("A1").Value = "Hello World"
xlsSheet("A2").Style.BottomBorder.SetColor("#ff6600")
xlsSheet("A2").Style.BottomBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Double
'Save the excel file
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx")
VB   C#

Output:

IronXL Output IronXL Output

We can set the metadata of the Excel files. It is very easy to set the value for cells and format cells with simple and easy-to-use functions. We use the Style.BottomBorder.SetColor function to set the color of the cell's bottom border.

5.2 Syncfusion Excel

The following code demonstrates how to create a new Excel file and save it with Syncfusion Excel. Add the following code and include the necessary namespaces:

using Syncfusion.XlsIO;
using Syncfusion.XlsIO;
Imports Syncfusion.XlsIO
VB   C#

Now add the following lines of code:

//New instance of ExcelEngine is created equivalent to launching Microsoft Excel with no workbooks open
//Instantiate the spreadsheet creation engine
using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
{
  //Instantiate the Excel application object
  IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

  //Assigns default application version
  application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2013;

  //A new workbook is created equivalent to creating a new workbook in Excel
  //Create a workbook with 1 worksheet using workbook = application Workbooks create
  IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1);

  //Access first worksheet from the workbook
  IWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

  //Adding text to a cell
  worksheet.Range["A1"].Text = "Hello World";

  //Saving the workbook to disk in XLSX format
  workbook.SaveAs("Sample.xlsx");
}
//New instance of ExcelEngine is created equivalent to launching Microsoft Excel with no workbooks open
//Instantiate the spreadsheet creation engine
using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
{
  //Instantiate the Excel application object
  IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

  //Assigns default application version
  application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2013;

  //A new workbook is created equivalent to creating a new workbook in Excel
  //Create a workbook with 1 worksheet using workbook = application Workbooks create
  IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1);

  //Access first worksheet from the workbook
  IWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

  //Adding text to a cell
  worksheet.Range["A1"].Text = "Hello World";

  //Saving the workbook to disk in XLSX format
  workbook.SaveAs("Sample.xlsx");
}
'New instance of ExcelEngine is created equivalent to launching Microsoft Excel with no workbooks open
'Instantiate the spreadsheet creation engine
Using excelEngine As New ExcelEngine()
  'Instantiate the Excel application object
  Dim application As IApplication = excelEngine.Excel

  'Assigns default application version
  application.DefaultVersion = ExcelVersion.Excel2013

  'A new workbook is created equivalent to creating a new workbook in Excel
  'Create a workbook with 1 worksheet using workbook = application Workbooks create
  Dim workbook As IWorkbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1)

  'Access first worksheet from the workbook
  Dim worksheet As IWorksheet = workbook.Worksheets(0)

  'Adding text to a cell
  worksheet.Range("A1").Text = "Hello World"

  'Saving the workbook to disk in XLSX format
  workbook.SaveAs("Sample.xlsx")
End Using
VB   C#

The above code creates a new IWorkbook object, and then it creates a Worksheet within the Workbook using the Workbooks.Create() function. It gets access to the Excel worksheets' cells via its "cells" property, and then it finally saves the file using the SaveAs() function.

6. Exporting Excel Files

Next, we will look at how we can export Excel files to other data formats. This is an important feature for Excel libraries because sometimes we need data in different formats for different kinds of processing -- that's why we will check which library offers simple and easy solutions.

6.1 IronXL

Using IronXL, we can convert Excel files with just one line of code. IronXL can export Excel data to CSV, JSON, XML, XLSX, XLS, and many more.

The following code helps to convert Excel files into different formats using IronXL.

//Export to many formats with fluent saving
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xls");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsCsv("NewExcelFile.csv");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsJson("NewExcelFile.json");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsXml("NewExcelFile.xml");
//Export to many formats with fluent saving
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xls");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsCsv("NewExcelFile.csv");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsJson("NewExcelFile.json");
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsXml("NewExcelFile.xml");
'Export to many formats with fluent saving
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xls")
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAs("NewExcelFile.xlsx")
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsCsv("NewExcelFile.csv")
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsJson("NewExcelFile.json")
xlsxWorkbook.SaveAsXml("NewExcelFile.xml")
VB   C#

In the above code, we see that we can export Excel files very easily with just one line of code. But, we need to open or create the Excel file first, and we have already seen above how we can open and create an Excel file using IronXL.

6.2 Syncfusion Excel

The Syncfusion Excel framework can convert Excel files into PDF and JSON format. We can convert Excel files to JSON format without installing an extra library. Here is the code for how to convert an opened Excel file to a JSON file.

//Saves the workbook to a JSON file, as schema by default
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema-default.json");

//Saves the workbook to a JSON file as schema
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema.json", true);
//Saves the workbook to a JSON file, as schema by default
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema-default.json");

//Saves the workbook to a JSON file as schema
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema.json", true);
'Saves the workbook to a JSON file, as schema by default
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema-default.json")

'Saves the workbook to a JSON file as schema
workbook.SaveAsJson("Excel-Workbook-To-JSON-as-schema.json", True)
VB   C#

To convert typical Excel documents into PDF files, we need to install an extra library that will provide support for the conversion. Excel-to-ODS saves Excel files in ODS formats to use in various applications such as OpenOffice and Google Sheets. Excel-to-HTML dynamically renders an Excel workbook or worksheet as an HTML file.

7. Protecting Excel Files

Protection is the most important feature of Microsoft Excel. It gives you control over who can edit and open files. Password-protected Excel files are important because they may store important data. Let's take a look at how we can protect our Excel files using Excel libraries.

7.1 IronXL

Using IronXL, we can protect our Excel file with one line of code. The following code demonstrates how we can open and protect an Excel file.

using IronXL;

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("test.xlsx");
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet;

//This is how we can protect the worksheet by setting the password to it
//Users will then need to know this password to edit the password protected Excel files worksheet in Excel.
worksheet.ProtectSheet("password");
workbook.Save();

//This is how to unprotect the worksheet and remove any password locks 
//It works even if you do not know the password!
worksheet.UnprotectSheet();
workbook.Save();
using IronXL;

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("test.xlsx");
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet;

//This is how we can protect the worksheet by setting the password to it
//Users will then need to know this password to edit the password protected Excel files worksheet in Excel.
worksheet.ProtectSheet("password");
workbook.Save();

//This is how to unprotect the worksheet and remove any password locks 
//It works even if you do not know the password!
worksheet.UnprotectSheet();
workbook.Save();
Imports IronXL

Private workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("test.xlsx")
Private worksheet As WorkSheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet

'This is how we can protect the worksheet by setting the password to it
'Users will then need to know this password to edit the password protected Excel files worksheet in Excel.
worksheet.ProtectSheet("password")
workbook.Save()

'This is how to unprotect the worksheet and remove any password locks 
'It works even if you do not know the password!
worksheet.UnprotectSheet()
workbook.Save()
VB   C#

The ProtectSheet() function enables the user to encrypt an Excel file. To unprotect the sheet, we can use the UnprotectSheet() function after loading the Excel file. This function will remove all passwords, even if you don't know the passwords.

7.2 Syncfusion Excel

We can protect Excel files using the Syncfusion Excel framework. The following code enables us to create and protect an Excel file.

private void ProtectWorkbook()
{
    using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
    {
        //Instantiate the application object
        IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

        //Create a workbook
        IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1);

        //Protect the workbook specifying a password with Boolean attributes for structure and windows protection
        bool isProtectWindow = true;
        bool isProtectContent = true;
        workbook.Protect(isProtectWindow, isProtectContent, "password");

        //Save the Excel file
        workbook.SaveAs(@"d:\test\XlsIOOutput_ProtectedWorkbook.xlsx");
    }
}
private void ProtectWorkbook()
{
    using (ExcelEngine excelEngine = new ExcelEngine())
    {
        //Instantiate the application object
        IApplication application = excelEngine.Excel;

        //Create a workbook
        IWorkbook workbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1);

        //Protect the workbook specifying a password with Boolean attributes for structure and windows protection
        bool isProtectWindow = true;
        bool isProtectContent = true;
        workbook.Protect(isProtectWindow, isProtectContent, "password");

        //Save the Excel file
        workbook.SaveAs(@"d:\test\XlsIOOutput_ProtectedWorkbook.xlsx");
    }
}
Private Sub ProtectWorkbook()
	Using excelEngine As New ExcelEngine()
		'Instantiate the application object
		Dim application As IApplication = excelEngine.Excel

		'Create a workbook
		Dim workbook As IWorkbook = application.Workbooks.Create(1)

		'Protect the workbook specifying a password with Boolean attributes for structure and windows protection
		Dim isProtectWindow As Boolean = True
		Dim isProtectContent As Boolean = True
		workbook.Protect(isProtectWindow, isProtectContent, "password")

		'Save the Excel file
		workbook.SaveAs("d:\test\XlsIOOutput_ProtectedWorkbook.xlsx")
	End Using
End Sub
VB   C#

We use the Protect() function to encrypt the Excel file. We need to pass three parameters to the function if we need only to protect the sheet, or if we also need to protect the content of the Excel file. The third parameter will be the password that you want to set.

8. Licensing

8.1 IronXL

IronXL is absolutely free for development. You can try each and every aspect of it for development. But, there will be a watermark in the free development version. You can try it for free in production too. You can activate the free trial for production without any payment. If you choose to purchase IronXL, the price plans are as follows:

Lite Edition ($749)

You can choose the Lite Edition if you are a single developer and wish to use IronXL in your project. This will be the best option for you.

IronXL Lite IronXL Lite

Professional Edition ($2,999)

The Professional Edition is best if you have a company with multiple branches across the world. This Edition supports 10 locations, 10 developers, and 10 projects at a time.

IronXL Professional IronXL Professional

Unlimited Edition ($2,999)

This pricing plan supports unlimited developers, unlimited locations, and unlimited projects for a lifetime with one payment. It is the best option if you would prefer using IronXL in many projects.

IronXL Unlimited IronXL Unlimited

IronXL also supports royalty distribution, and also offers you product support and updates.

Royalty Distribution Royalty Distribution

IronXL's licensing page contains more details about pricing and usage rights.

8.2 Syncfusion Excel Library

The Syncfusion Excel library also offers a free trial. If you want to purchase Syncfusion Excel, then you can buy it for $395 for a team of up to five developers. Syncfusion offers additional licenses for teams of 10 or more developers, and special unlimited licenses for use in single projects or for entire companies.

Syncfusion Syncfusion

9. Conclusion

Both libraries provide effective functionalities. But, if we look at the bigger picture, IronXL is more convenient and easier to use. It has small and easy-to-remember functions. With the help of IronXL, you can do a lot of editing and formatting with a single line of code. The flow of code is complex, but a beginner can understand it very easily. You don't need to have knowledge of, or understand the workings of IronXL. There is no need to install separate libraries for different platforms. Install it one time, and you are good to go for every action.

Syncfusion Excel has many features as we have seen above. We can do many formattings and conversions with the help of Syncfusion Excel. We can create new Excel documents, modify already existing Excel files, do multiple formattings, and do encryption. We have to install a separate library to perform the conversions.

IronXL has a variety of pricing plans. You can purchase the plan best suited to your own needs. For example, if you are the only developer and need IronXL for commercial purposes for a project, you can activate it with a one-time payment of just $749. It is far more cost-effective than Syncfusion, which requires you to purchase a library for just one year for $999, for only one developer and one project. So, IronXL is far cheaper and offers much better choices than the Syncfusion Excel framework.

In conclusion, IronXL is a better choice than the Syncfusion Excel framework. As we have seen in the above paragraphs, it is very easy to use IronXL thanks to its simple functions, and we can do many formattings with a single line of code. But, in the Syncfusion Excel framework, we need to write multiple lines of code to define many items that are already defined in IronXL at the backend, and the user didn't need to spend his time defining multiple parameters and variables. Further, IronXL is also cheaper and has better licensing options. Iron Software currently has a special offer whereby you can buy five software packages for the price of just two. This means that you can purchase five Iron Software packages for just $suiteLiteLicense.