SheetLink vs BankToSheets

You Want to Test Before Paying

BankToSheets has no free tier. You hand over payment details before knowing whether the extension works with your specific bank, produces the columns you need, or fits your workflow. SheetLink's free tier lets you connect your accounts, sync 7 days of real transactions, and verify everything works exactly as expected — with zero credit card risk.

You Use Microsoft Excel

BankToSheets is strictly a Google Sheets add-in. If you work in Excel — whether on a Windows desktop, Mac, or Excel Online in a browser — BankToSheets simply isn't an option. SheetLink has a dedicated Microsoft Excel add-in published on Microsoft AppSource, available on Pro and MAX tiers. It syncs real bank transactions directly into Excel workbooks with the same Plaid connection.

You Want Privacy-First Sync

Automatic sync means the service maintains an active connection to your accounts in the background. With SheetLink, your Plaid link is used only when you click "Sync" — no background polling, no scheduled access, no persistent session with your bank. For users handling business finances or simply cautious about ongoing data access, manual sync is the more comfortable design.

You Want Annual Pricing or Developer Tools

BankToSheets has no annual plan — you pay $5/month regardless. SheetLink Pro annual is $39.99/year, saving $20 over twelve months. If you need more than a spreadsheet integration, SheetLink MAX ($10.99/month) adds a CLI, REST API, and Postgres/SQLite export — tools BankToSheets has no equivalent for.

You Want Completely Automatic Sync

If your priority is having transactions appear in your spreadsheet every day without any action on your part, BankToSheets' automatic sync delivers that. SheetLink's manual sync means you must open the extension and click sync — a small but real friction point if your goal is fully hands-off data ingestion.

You're Already Comfortable with the Google Sheets Add-In Model

BankToSheets runs natively as a Google Sheets add-in — you access it entirely from within the spreadsheet without a separate browser extension. If you prefer keeping everything inside Sheets rather than managing a Chrome extension, BankToSheets' workflow might feel more native to you.

What is the main difference between SheetLink and BankToSheets?

The key differences are: (1) Free tier — SheetLink has a permanent free tier (last 7 days of transactions, no credit card required); BankToSheets has no free option at any level. (2) Excel support — SheetLink works in both Google Sheets (Chrome extension) and Microsoft Excel (AppSource add-in); BankToSheets is Google Sheets only. (3) Sync method — SheetLink uses manual sync for privacy (you click when you want data); BankToSheets syncs automatically. (4) Price — SheetLink Pro is $4.99/mo or $39.99/year; BankToSheets is $5/mo (~$60/year).

Is SheetLink cheaper than BankToSheets?

On a monthly basis, SheetLink Pro ($4.99/mo) is very slightly cheaper than BankToSheets ($5/mo). The bigger difference is annual pricing: SheetLink Pro annual is $39.99/year vs BankToSheets at roughly $60/year — SheetLink saves you $20 per year. SheetLink also has a permanent free tier that never expires, so casual users pay nothing. BankToSheets has no free option.

Does BankToSheets support Excel?

No. BankToSheets is a Google Sheets add-in only. It does not support Microsoft Excel. If you use Excel — on Windows, Mac, or Excel Online — SheetLink is the better choice. SheetLink's Excel add-in is available on Microsoft AppSource and works on Pro and MAX tiers.

Does BankToSheets have a free plan?

No. BankToSheets has no free tier. You must start a paid subscription ($5/month) to use it at all. SheetLink offers a permanent free tier that gives you the last 7 days of transaction history forever, with no credit card required. You can test SheetLink with your real bank accounts before deciding whether to upgrade to Pro.

Why does SheetLink use manual sync instead of automatic?

Manual sync is a deliberate privacy choice. BankToSheets (and similar tools) maintain an ongoing connection to your bank accounts that runs in the background continuously. SheetLink only accesses your accounts when you click the sync button — there is no background polling, no scheduled connection, no persistent session. For users who review finances weekly or monthly, the behavior is identical to automatic sync in practice, but you stay in control of exactly when your financial data is accessed.