SheetLink vs Copilot Money
Copilot is a beautiful iOS budgeting app ($14.99/month). SheetLink syncs transactions to Google Sheets for DIY budgeting ($2-10/month). Choose beautiful simplicity or spreadsheet flexibility.
Choose SheetLink if...
- You want to save 60-90% on cost
- You need cross-platform access (not just iOS)
- You want spreadsheet power for custom analysis
- You use it for business bookkeeping, not just budgets
Choose Copilot if...
- You're an iPhone user who values beautiful design
- You want a polished, guided budgeting experience
- You prefer mobile-first budgeting workflows
- You value UI/UX over price and flexibility
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SheetLink | Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0-10/month | $14.99/month |
| Free Tier | ✓ 7 days history | ✗ 30-day trial |
| Platform | Chrome Extension + Google Sheets | iOS only (iPhone/iPad) |
| Android Support | ✓ Via Chrome browser | ✗ iOS only |
| Bank Sync | ✓ via Plaid | ✓ via Plaid |
| Budgeting Approach | DIY in Google Sheets | Guided, category-based budgets |
| User Interface | Google Sheets interface | ✓ Beautiful native iOS app |
| Spending Insights | Build custom charts/pivots in Sheets | ✓ Pre-built visual insights |
| Recurring Transaction Detection | DIY with formulas | ✓ Automatic detection |
| Amazon Purchase Breakdown | ✗ | ✓ Shows item-level detail |
| Investment Tracking | Build custom tracking in Sheets | ✓ Net worth tracking |
| Spreadsheet Flexibility | ✓ Full Google Sheets power | ✗ Export to CSV only |
| Business Bookkeeping | ✓ | ✗ Personal only |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (need Sheets knowledge) | Low (intuitive UI) |
Pricing Comparison
SheetLink
Flexible per-institution pricing
- Free: 7 days of history, unlimited banks
- Basic: $2/mo per institution, 90 days
- Pro: $10/mo per institution, 24 months
- Works on Chrome (Mac, Windows, Chromebook)
Copilot Money
Single pricing tier
- Unlimited accounts and budgets
- Beautiful iOS app with all features
- 30-day free trial
- iOS only (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Annual Cost Comparison:
Copilot: $179.88/year ($14.99/month, no annual discount) | SheetLink Basic: $24/year (2 banks) | SheetLink Pro: $120/year (1 bank) |Savings: $60-156/year with SheetLink
When to Choose SheetLink
You Want Cross-Platform Access (Not Just iOS)
Copilot is iOS-only - no Android, no Windows, no web version. SheetLink works on any device with Chrome (Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook). Your data lives in Google Sheets, accessible anywhere. Perfect if you switch between iPhone and Android, or need to share financial data with a partner on a different platform.
You Want Spreadsheet Power for Custom Analysis
Copilot has beautiful pre-built budgets and insights, but you're limited to their features. SheetLink gives you raw transaction data in Google Sheets. Build custom P&L reports, forecasting models, tax categorization, or complex multi-year analyses. Unlimited flexibility vs Copilot's beautiful but rigid structure.
You Need Business Bookkeeping, Not Just Budgets
Copilot is designed exclusively for personal budgeting. SheetLink works for both personal finance and small business bookkeeping. Freelancers and solopreneurs use SheetLink to track business expenses, categorize transactions for taxes, and build simple P&L statements - all in Google Sheets.
You Want to Save $60-156/Year
Copilot costs $179.88/year with no annual discount. SheetLink costs $24-120/year depending on your plan, saving you 33-87% annually. If you're budget-conscious and comfortable with spreadsheets, SheetLink offers dramatically better value. The free tier (7 days of history) works forever for weekly tracking.
When to Choose Copilot
You're an iPhone User Who Values Beautiful Design
Copilot is one of the most beautifully designed budgeting apps available. The native iOS app is polished, fast, and feels like it belongs on your iPhone. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and appreciate thoughtful UI/UX, Copilot's design is worth the premium. SheetLink's interface is... Google Sheets.
You Want Automatic Insights Without DIY Work
Copilot automatically detects recurring subscriptions, breaks down Amazon purchases into individual items, and provides spending insights out of the box. SheetLink gives you transaction data - you build everything else. If you'd rather use a finished product than DIY in spreadsheets, Copilot saves significant setup time.
You Prefer Mobile-First Budgeting
Copilot is designed for mobile budgeting: check spending on your phone, review budgets while shopping, get push notifications for large transactions. SheetLink works through Google Sheets, which has mobile apps but isn't optimized for quick budgeting checks. If you budget primarily on your phone, Copilot's mobile experience is superior.
You Don't Want to Learn Spreadsheets
SheetLink requires Google Sheets knowledge - formulas, filtering, charts. Copilot requires zero spreadsheet skills. The app guides you through budgeting with an intuitive interface. If you're intimidated by spreadsheets or simply don't want to learn them, Copilot's simplicity is worth the higher price.
How to Switch from Copilot to SheetLink
Export Your Copilot Transaction History
In Copilot, export your transactions as CSV to preserve historical spending data. This gives you a backup of your categories and notes before switching. Import this into Google Sheets to maintain continuity.
Install SheetLink and Start Free Tier
Add SheetLink from the Chrome Web Store. Use the free tier (7 days of transactions) to test it alongside Copilot before canceling your subscription. Connect your banks via Plaid - the same service Copilot uses.
Recreate Your Budget in Google Sheets
Set up budget categories in Google Sheets using formulas like SUMIFS to track spending by category and month. Check SheetLink's Recipes for pre-built budget templates. You'll lose Copilot's automatic recurring detection and Amazon breakdowns - these need manual setup.
Test for 30 Days, Then Cancel Copilot
Run both services in parallel for a few weeks to ensure SheetLink meets your needs. Once you're confident with your Google Sheets budget, cancel your Copilot subscription. You'll save $155-180/year while maintaining the same Plaid-powered bank connectivity.
Note on Features:
Copilot's polished features (automatic recurring detection, Amazon purchase breakdown, beautiful charts) won't transfer to SheetLink. You'll need to rebuild these workflows manually in Google Sheets or accept that SheetLink is more bare-bones. The trade-off is spreadsheet flexibility and 60-90% cost savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between SheetLink and Copilot?
Copilot is a beautiful iOS-first budgeting app with a polished UI and simple workflows ($14.99/month). SheetLink syncs bank transactions to Google Sheets for DIY budgeting and analysis ($2-10/month). Copilot is iOS-only; SheetLink works on Chrome (cross-platform). Choose beautiful simplicity or spreadsheet power.
Is SheetLink cheaper than Copilot?
Yes, significantly. Copilot costs $14.99/month ($179.88/year). SheetLink costs $2-10/month ($24-120/year) with a free tier. For most users, SheetLink is 60-90% cheaper than Copilot, though Copilot offers a more polished budgeting experience.
Does SheetLink work on iPhone like Copilot?
SheetLink is a Chrome extension, so it works on any device with Chrome (Mac, Windows, Chromebook). You can access your data on iPhone through the Google Sheets mobile app. Copilot has a dedicated iOS app that's more polished for mobile budgeting, but is iPhone-only (no Android or web).
Can SheetLink replace Copilot for budgeting?
It depends on your needs. Copilot provides a beautiful, guided budgeting experience with native iOS apps. SheetLink gives you raw transaction data in Google Sheets - you build your own budgets. If you value UI/UX and mobile-first design, choose Copilot. If you want flexibility and lower cost, choose SheetLink.
Save $60-156/Year - Try SheetLink Free
Start with our free tier and see how Google Sheets can power your budgeting. No credit card required.
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