LogYourTrade vs Trading Journal Spreadsheet
Free and flexible, but you will spend more time maintaining formulas than trading. See the trade-offs.
| Feature | LogYourTrade | Trading Journal Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Trade logging | Manual + Chrome extension | Manual entry in cells |
| Browser extension | Included | — |
| AI Coach | 30 messages/day (Premium) | — |
| Trading playbooks | Included | — |
| Position size calculator | Included | Build it yourself |
| Risk/reward calculator | Included | Build it yourself |
| Forex lot size calculator | Included | Build it yourself |
| Performance analytics | Included | Build it yourself |
| Equity curves | Included | Build it yourself |
| Multi-account support | Up to 5 accounts | Multiple sheets |
| CSV export | Included | Native format |
| Broker integrations | Premium plan | Manual paste |
| Mobile access | Any browser | Mobile Sheets app |
| Starting price | $19/month | Free (your time) |
| Setup time | Minutes | Hours to weeks |
| Maintenance | Handled for you | You fix every formula |
Why Traders Choose LogYourTrade Over Trading Journal Spreadsheet
You build and maintain every formula, chart, and dashboard yourself
No broker integrations or browser extension
No AI-powered coaching or automatic pattern detection
Error-prone — one wrong formula silently corrupts your analytics
When Trading Journal Spreadsheet Might Be Better
Trading Journal Spreadsheet has real strengths. It may be the better choice if: free if you already own Excel or Google Sheets; complete flexibility to customize every formula; no subscription and no vendor lock-in.
- +Free if you already own Excel or Google Sheets
- +Complete flexibility to customize every formula
- +No subscription and no vendor lock-in
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a trading journal spreadsheet really free?
The spreadsheet itself is free, but your time is not. Building a journal with reliable analytics, equity curves, and per-symbol breakdowns typically takes hours to weeks, and you maintain every formula yourself.
Can I export my LogYourTrade data to a spreadsheet?
Yes. LogYourTrade supports CSV export with date and status filters on the Pro plan, so you can always take your data with you.
What does LogYourTrade do that a spreadsheet cannot?
LogYourTrade provides one-click logging via Chrome extension, automatic broker sync, AI coaching, performance analytics out of the box, and zero formula maintenance. A spreadsheet can technically do some of this with enough custom work, but never the broker sync or AI features.
Try LogYourTrade free for 7 days
Full access to every feature. No credit card required. See why traders are switching.
Start Free Trial