kardfolio vs Spreadsheets
The honest comparison: spreadsheets work, but they require discipline. Here's when each approach makes sense.
Last updated: March 8, 2026
The honest truth: spreadsheets work. Many churners use them successfully. But they require manual discipline that most people eventually lose. kardfolio automates what spreadsheets can't—expiration alerts, ROI calculations, and mobile access—so you spend less time tracking and more time using your benefits. And if you already have your wallet in a sheet, you can import your card list by CSV to avoid starting over.
Why People Use Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are the go-to tool for credit card enthusiasts, and for good reason. They offer advantages that no app can fully replicate:
- Complete customization and control—build exactly the tracking system you want with custom formulas, charts, and layouts
- Free—Google Sheets costs nothing and works across all devices
- No account creation needed—no email signup, no password, no personal data shared
- Track anything, not just card benefits—spending patterns, sign-up bonus timelines, 5/24 status, and more
- Community templates—the r/churning community has shared free templates refined over years
What Spreadsheets Can't Do
The limitations of spreadsheets become clear when you have multiple premium cards with dozens of benefits across different reset schedules:
- Expiration alerts—this is the biggest gap. Spreadsheets can't send you a push notification when your monthly Uber credit is about to expire. You have to remember to check.
- Auto-calculate ROI against current annual fees—a spreadsheet can do the math, but you have to manually update fee amounts when issuers change them
- Mobile-friendly tracking on the go—editing a spreadsheet on your phone while standing in line at Saks is not a great experience
- Sync across devices seamlessly—Google Sheets syncs, but the mobile experience is clunky compared to a native app
- Update benefit details when issuers change terms—when Amex restructures Platinum benefits (which happens regularly), you have to manually update every affected row
- No guided migration to app-based tracking—your spreadsheet data may be portable, but you still need a clean way to move from rows and formulas into a dedicated workflow
Feature Comparison
| Feature | kardfolio | Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|
| Expiration alerts | ||
| Auto ROI calculation | ||
| Import existing wallet | CSV import | Already in your sheet |
| Data export / portability | Pro CSV export | CSV-native |
| Mobile app | Limited | |
| Benefit database | 65+ cards | Manual |
| Customization | Structured | Unlimited |
| Cost | Free tier | Free |
| Setup time | Minutes | Hours |
| Privacy | ||
| Offline access |
Who Spreadsheets Are Best For
Power users who want total control over their tracking system. If you enjoy building formulas, want to track more than just card benefits (sign-up bonuses, 5/24 status, spending targets), and have the discipline to update your sheet consistently, a spreadsheet gives you flexibility that no app can match.
Who kardfolio Is Best For
Cardholders who want automated tracking without the maintenance overhead. If you carry 3+ premium cards, tend to forget monthly credits, and want expiration alerts delivered to your phone, kardfolio handles the tracking so you can focus on actually using your benefits. No bank login required—your financial credentials stay private. If you already track your wallet in Google Sheets or Excel, CSV import gives you a faster starting point.
Track Your Benefits Automatically
Stop manually tracking credits. kardfolio alerts you before benefits expire and calculates your ROI—no bank login required.