Robert M. Frankston (born June 14, 1949) is an American software engineer and businessman who co-created, with Dan Bricklin, the VisiCalc spreadsheet program.

He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City in 1966.

He earned a S.B degree in computer science and mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by a Master of Engineering degree in computer science, also from MIT.

[4] Frankston became an outspoken advocate for reducing the role of telecommunications companies in the evolution of the Internet, particularly with respect to broadband and mobile communications.

[5][6] He coined the term "Regulatorium" to describe what he considers collusion between telecommunication companies and their regulators that prevents change.