PermitDuePermitDue vs Spreadsheets: Which is right for your business?
A lot of business owners track their permits in a Google Sheet or Excel file. Makes sense. Spreadsheets are free, flexible, and you already know how to use them.
We even publish a free permit tracker template because it is a good starting point. But we also know where spreadsheets fall apart, because we have seen it happen over and over.
Here is an honest comparison.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PermitDue | Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic reminders | Email at 90, 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day | Manual calendar setup required |
| Compliance packet | Downloadable PDF for auditors and lenders | |
| Direct government links | Verified .gov renewal links | You add them yourself (if you remember) |
| Penalty tracking | Shows fines for late renewals | Only if you research and enter them |
| Cost tracking | Built-in fee data per permit | Manual entry |
| Stays current | Updated as requirements change | Goes stale unless you actively maintain it |
| Permit discovery | Tells you what you might be missing | Only tracks what you already know about |
| Time investment | 5 minutes to set up | Hours to research, set up, and maintain |
Pricing
The verdict
Spreadsheets work. We are not going to pretend they do not. If you have one location, a handful of permits, and the discipline to check regularly and update every renewal, a spreadsheet will keep you compliant.
Most people do not check regularly. The spreadsheet gets created with good intentions and then goes stale. You forget to update a renewal date. You miss a new requirement. Your health permit is 30 days out and you do not notice until it is 3 days out.
PermitDue is for the business owner who knows they should track this stuff but will not open a spreadsheet every week. It does the checking and sends you an email before anything expires.
If the spreadsheet is working, keep using it. When you miss your first deadline and the fine hits, you will wish something had reminded you.
Takes two minutes. No credit card required.