Spreadsheets vs LettingGuru
Spreadsheets got you this far. But as your agency grows, they become a liability. LettingGuru automates what spreadsheets cannot.
Looking for a Spreadsheets alternative?
Many letting agents still manage their portfolios using Excel or Google Sheets. While familiar, spreadsheets lack automation, compliance safeguards, and multi-user collaboration that agencies need.
Feature Comparison
See how LettingGuru and Spreadsheets stack up across the features that matter most to UK letting agents.
| Feature | LettingGuru | Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|
| Property Management | Yes | Manual |
| Tenant Onboarding | Yes | No |
| Digital Referencing | Yes | No |
| AML Compliance | Yes | No |
| Maintenance Workflow | Yes | No |
| Financial Management | Yes | Manual |
| Xero Integration | Yes | No |
| AI Features | Yes | No |
| Mobile Apps (Landlord/Tenant/Contractor) | Yes | No |
| Contract Management | Yes | No |
| Compliance Tracking | Yes | Manual |
| Multi-Branch Support | Yes | No |
| Task Management | Yes | Manual |
| Reports & Analytics | Yes | Manual |
| Guided Inspections | Yes | No |
What LettingGuru offers
- Automated workflows replace hours of manual data entry every week
- Compliance safeguards ensure nothing slips through the cracks
- Real-time dashboards instead of outdated, error-prone spreadsheets
- AI-powered features that no spreadsheet can replicate
- Audit trail for every action — essential for regulatory compliance
- Multi-user access with role-based permissions and branch management
Where Spreadsheets falls short
- Error-prone — a single mistyped formula can cascade through your records
- No automation — every update requires manual work
- No compliance safeguards — easy to miss critical deadlines
- No mobile access for landlords, tenants, or contractors
- Version control nightmares — who has the latest copy?
- No audit trail — impossible to track who changed what and when
The Bottom Line
Spreadsheets are a familiar tool, and many agencies have built surprisingly elaborate systems using Excel or Google Sheets. There is no shame in having started there — it is a pragmatic choice when you are getting a business off the ground.
The problem is that spreadsheets do not scale. As your portfolio grows, the risks multiply: a mistyped formula can throw off your financial records, a missed compliance deadline can result in fines, and a lost file can mean hours of rework. Spreadsheets also make it impossible to give landlords, tenants, and contractors self-service access to their information.
LettingGuru replaces your spreadsheets with automated workflows, compliance tracking, financial management, and real-time dashboards. Your team spends less time on data entry and more time on the work that actually grows your agency. The transition is easier than you think, and the time savings pay for the software many times over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about switching from Spreadsheets to LettingGuru.
Is LettingGuru a good alternative to Spreadsheets?
Yes. LettingGuru provides all the core functionality of Spreadsheets plus additional features like AI-powered automation, guided inspections, dedicated mobile apps, and comprehensive financial management. Many agents switch to LettingGuru to consolidate their tech stack into a single platform.
Can I migrate my data from Spreadsheets to LettingGuru?
Absolutely. LettingGuru supports CSV import for properties, tenants, landlords, and financial data. Our onboarding team will help you plan and execute the migration so you can be up and running quickly with minimal disruption to your daily operations.
How long does it take to switch from Spreadsheets to LettingGuru?
Most agencies are fully operational on LettingGuru within one to two weeks. The intuitive interface means your team can start using the core features on day one, with more advanced workflows being adopted over the following days. Our support team is available throughout the transition.
Does LettingGuru offer a free trial or demo?
Yes. We offer a personalised demo where we walk you through the platform using your specific workflows and requirements. This gives you a clear picture of how LettingGuru fits your agency before you commit. Book a demo through our website to get started.
Ready to switch?
See how LettingGuru compares to Spreadsheets with a personalised demo tailored to your agency.