Prolisto vs. Spreadsheets
Most sellers start out with Excel or Google Sheets, and for a while that's fine. This page is about when it stops being fine.
The key differences
A spreadsheet is free and flexible, but it doesn't know when something sells. Prolisto is connected to your marketplaces, so the numbers update themselves.
Best for
Prolisto
Selling on more than one channel, a growing catalogue, or more than one person doing the work.
Spreadsheets
A small catalogue on one channel, looked after by one person.
Stock updates
Prolisto
Automatic on eBay, Amazon, Discogs, WooCommerce and ShopBlocks, straight away when something sells.
Spreadsheets
By hand. Someone has to update the sheet after every sale.
Where things are
Prolisto
Every item linked to a barcode and a named shelf or box.
Spreadsheets
A location column that gets out of date as soon as stock moves.
Pricing
Prolisto
Repricing rules with a floor you set.
Spreadsheets
Changed by hand, one listing at a time.
Shipping
Prolisto
Courier rules pick the service, labels print in batches for direct carriers (CSV upload for the rest), and picking lists follow the shelf order.
Spreadsheets
Orders copied between the marketplace and the carrier's website.
Cost
Prolisto
Free on the Start plan. Paid plans are a monthly fee plus a small share of sales.
Spreadsheets
Free to open. Paid for in staff time and mistakes.
When Prolisto makes more sense
Prolisto starts paying for itself once keeping the spreadsheet right takes more time than it saves.
Prolisto is a stronger fit if…
- You sell on more than one marketplace.
- You've oversold something, or lost an item in the warehouse.
- More than one person lists, picks or packs.
- You'd rather prices and shipping ran on rules than reminders.
When Spreadsheets may make more sense
For a very small operation, a spreadsheet is honestly fine.
Spreadsheets may fit better if…
- You list a handful of items on one channel.
- One person does everything and knows where everything is.
The hidden cost of "free"
Our clients ran their stock on spreadsheets until they had around 80,000 items. After moving to Prolisto, each person went from about 200 to 600 orders per shift, and they now manage up to 270,000 items.