Health App vs Spreadsheet for Tracking

When you decide to start tracking your health data, you face a choice: use a dedicated health app, or build your own system in a spreadsheet?

Both approaches can work. Both have tradeoffs. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide what makes sense for your situation.

The Spreadsheet Approach

Many people start with spreadsheets because they're familiar, flexible, and free.

What Works Well

Full control over structure. You decide exactly what to track and how to organize it. Add columns, change layouts, create custom calculations — it's entirely up to you.

No learning curve for basic use. If you already know Excel or Google Sheets, you can start immediately without learning a new tool.

No subscription cost. Google Sheets is free. Excel comes with many Microsoft subscriptions. There's no ongoing fee for basic use.

Your data stays with you. Your spreadsheet file lives on your computer or cloud storage. No account to manage, no app that might shut down.

Works offline. With a local file, you can access and update your data without internet.

What Doesn't Work Well

Manual data entry. Every lab value must be typed in by hand. This is tedious and error-prone. Most people eventually fall behind or give up.

No automatic extraction. Your lab report PDF sits next to your spreadsheet. You read values off one and type them into the other. There's no automation.

Limited visualization. Spreadsheets can create charts, but it takes work. Dynamic, interactive trend visualization requires significant setup.

No intelligence. A spreadsheet stores what you put in. It doesn't explain what values mean, identify concerning trends, or answer questions about your health.

Doesn't scale. Tracking a few values works. Tracking dozens of biomarkers across years of tests becomes unwieldy. The spreadsheet gets complex and hard to maintain.

Mobile access is clunky. Spreadsheet apps on phones work, but data entry on a small screen is frustrating.

The Health App Approach

Dedicated health apps are designed specifically for health data management.

What Works Well

Automatic data extraction. Upload a PDF or photo of your lab report. The app extracts the values automatically. No manual typing.

Built for health data. The app understands medical terminology, lab values, reference ranges. It's designed for exactly what you're trying to do.

Trend visualization. See your data over time without setting up charts yourself. Most health apps make trending a core feature.

Intelligence and context. Good apps explain what values mean, flag concerning changes, and help you understand your data.

Mobile-first. Designed for phone use. Upload documents by taking a photo. Access your data anywhere.

Scales effortlessly. Whether you have 5 lab values or 500, the app handles it. You don't manage the underlying structure.

What Doesn't Work Well

Subscription cost. Good health apps typically require a paid subscription. This is an ongoing expense.

Less flexibility. You work within the app's structure. If you want to track something unusual, the app may not support it.

Data portability concerns. Your data lives in the app's system. What happens if the company shuts down? Can you export everything? These are legitimate concerns.

Privacy considerations. You're trusting a company with sensitive health data. You need to evaluate their privacy practices, data storage location, and security.

Learning curve. A new app means learning new workflows. This investment pays off, but there's initial friction.

When a Spreadsheet Makes Sense

A spreadsheet might be the right choice if:

You're only tracking a few values. If you're monitoring 3-4 biomarkers from occasional tests, manual entry is manageable.

You have very specific tracking needs. If you need to track something unusual or want calculations no app supports, a spreadsheet's flexibility helps.

You're unwilling to pay for an app. If cost is a decisive factor, a free spreadsheet works — you just do more manual work.

You're technically inclined and enjoy building systems. Some people genuinely prefer building their own solution.

When a Health App Makes Sense

A health app is likely the better choice if:

You have many lab results to track. Once you're beyond a handful of values, manual entry becomes a significant burden.

You want to actually use your data. If the goal is insight, not just storage, an app's intelligence and visualization features add real value.

You receive documents from multiple sources. An app that can process PDFs from any lab, any hospital, any country saves enormous time.

You value your time. The hours spent manually entering data and building spreadsheet charts have value. An app does that work for you.

You want mobile access. If you need your health data at appointments, on your phone, accessible anywhere — apps do this well.

The Healthbase Approach

Healthbase is designed to give you the benefits of a dedicated app while addressing the concerns:

Automatic extraction: Upload any document, any format, any language. AI extracts the data.

EU data storage: Your data stays in Germany, never leaving EU jurisdiction.

Full data export: Download your complete data anytime. You're not locked in.

No data selling: Your health information is yours, not a product to monetize.

Comprehensive tracking: Whatever biomarkers matter to you, we track them.

The right choice depends on your situation. But if you have more than a handful of lab results and want to actually understand your health over time, a dedicated health app typically delivers more value than a spreadsheet — with less ongoing effort.