Excel works. Maintaining it is work.
Excel is flexible, familiar and good for custom calculations. It may be enough when you have few entries and consistently maintain formulas, dates and categories. Aurio fits when that upkeep starts hiding the full picture: it categorises transactions, connects invoices to tax estimates, tracks net worth and reminds you about deadlines. No bank connection is required.
Excel is not the problem
A good workbook can solve a lot. The difference is who maintains the structure, rules and context every week.
Complete flexibility
Excel wins when you need a formula or report built your way.
Manual upkeep
The workbook categorises, checks and updates nothing on its own.
Continuous tax context
Aurio connects dates and categories with quarterly estimates.
Where daily work changes
Excel can cover all these points if you build it. Aurio provides a financial and tax structure prepared for Spain.
| Area | Excel or Google Sheets | Aurio |
|---|---|---|
| Data entry | Manual or through imports and automations you create. | Manual entries, supported imports, OCR and Shortcuts. |
| Categorisation | Manual, with formulas, macros or rules you maintain. | Rules and AI suggestions over the data recorded. |
| Accrual-based VAT | Possible if you keep every invoice date, base and VAT amount. | Estimates from the issue and expense dates recorded. |
| Net worth | Needs a separate workbook for assets, debts and history. | Brings assets, liabilities and progress into one view. |
| Reminders | Requires a separate calendar or automation. | Includes a Spanish tax calendar and configurable alerts. |
Try the public calculations
Before changing your system, compare how Aurio explains VAT and net worth.
Calculate quarterly VAT
Enter bases and VAT amounts to estimate output VAT minus deductible input VAT.
Open calculatorUnderstand form 303
Review accrual, deductibility and the limits of an informational calculation.
Read the guideCalculate your net worth
Organise assets and debts to understand what a net worth view measures.
View the guideYou can keep using Excel
This does not need to become a format war. Excel remains useful for your own analysis and exceptional calculations.
Before leaving the workbook
Less upkeep, more context
Try Aurio with your own data and decide whether the prepared structure reduces recurring work.
Start freeYour estimates remain informational