Which is better: Chairlog or a spreadsheet?
Use Chairlog if you want to log each client in seconds on your phone and get totals, tip tracking, charts and goals without building anything. Use a spreadsheet if you need custom formulas or combine many people’s data. The two work together: Chairlog Pro exports CSV.
Side-by-side comparison
| Chairlog | Spreadsheet (Excel / Google Sheets) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free; Pro $2.99 once | Free (Google Sheets) or Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Setup | None — install and log | Build columns, formulas and charts yourself |
| Logging on a phone | Designed for it: big buttons, presets, autocomplete | Small cells; easy to mistype |
| Tips and products separately | Built-in fields and totals | If you add columns for them |
| Daily / monthly totals | Automatic | Formulas you maintain |
| Charts | Analytics by week, month, quarter (Pro) | Build your own |
| Revenue goals | Weekly, monthly, yearly with progress card | Manual |
| Calendar import | Reads Apple Calendar (read-only) | No |
| Works offline | Yes, data on device | Excel yes; Sheets limited |
| Custom formulas | No | Yes — unlimited |
| Export | Backup file (free), CSV (Pro) | Native |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad | Any device |
When a spreadsheet is the better choice
- You manage a salon and combine several stylists’ numbers.
- You need custom calculations (commission tiers, mileage, expenses).
- You use Android.
When Chairlog is the better choice
- You want to log each client right after the appointment, on your phone.
- You want tips and retail tracked separately without building it.
- You want goals and charts without maintaining formulas.
- You prefer a one-time price over another subscription.
The best of both
Log daily in Chairlog, then export a CSV each month or at tax time and keep it in your spreadsheet or send it to your accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chairlog better than a spreadsheet for tracking stylist income?
For day-to-day logging, usually yes: Chairlog is built for entering clients on a phone between appointments, adds up services, tips and products automatically, and shows charts and goals. A spreadsheet is better if you need custom formulas or to merge salon-wide data. Many stylists log in Chairlog and export CSV to a spreadsheet for taxes.
Can I move my Chairlog data into Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Chairlog Pro ($2.99 once) exports your full history as a CSV file that opens in Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets.