Short answer
Use a spreadsheet when the comparison set is small, changes rarely, or needs a custom model. Test MenuSpy when collecting the same public menu information has become repetitive. Keeping both can also make sense: MenuSpy for collection and review, a spreadsheet for a custom calculation or approval record.
| Area | MenuSpy | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Organizes data from supported public sources when available | Someone searches and enters each value |
| Refresh | Weekly on Basic; daily on Premium, subject to source access | Only when a person updates it |
| Competitor limits | 5 on Basic; 20 on Premium | No software limit, but workload grows |
| Flexibility | Product-defined comparison and analysis workflows | Any formula, field, approval, or layout you build |
| Accuracy | Public-source extraction can be incomplete or wrong | Manual entry and interpretation can be incomplete or wrong |
Do not compare fictional time savings
Measure how long your actual spreadsheet takes to maintain. Then test the same competitor set in MenuSpy. A useful result includes the correct restaurants, source dates you can verify, and less work for your team. If it does not, the spreadsheet wins. No tiny violin required.