Tool comparison
Clear Margins vs. Excel Spreadsheets
Both tools can run margin, ROAS, runway, and CAC math. The difference is who should build the formula — and whether building it is the highest-value use of your next 20 minutes.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Clear Margins | Excel / Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first answer | Under 30 seconds | 10–30 min to build and audit |
| Formula correctness guarantee | Built-in, tested | Manual — errors common |
| Markup vs. margin distinction | Handled correctly by default | Requires correct formula |
| Custom multi-variable models | Not supported | Full flexibility |
| Historical scenario tracking | Pro plan and above | Unlimited, free |
| Plain-English result interpretation | Built-in with benchmarks | Requires your own analysis |
| Shareable read-only view | Instant link, no login required | Requires sharing file or copy-paste |
| Multi-user collaboration | Read-only share links | Full collaborative editing |
| Learning curve | None | Moderate to high |
| Mobile-friendly | Yes | Limited |
| Cost | Free core tier | Microsoft 365 subscription |
When to use each
Use Clear Margins when
- You need a fast, correct answer to a single pricing or unit-economics question
- You want a built-in plain-English benchmark to sanity-check the result
- You're presenting to a client and want a shareable, clean read-only view
- You've been burned by a formula error in a spreadsheet before
- You're on mobile and need a quick check before a meeting
Use Excel or Sheets when
- You need a multi-year model with linked assumptions
- You want to track 20+ variables across scenarios in one file
- You need a fully custom formula the calculators don't support
- You're building an investor deck with a full financial model
- Your team already lives in a shared Sheets environment
The most common Excel margin mistake
Most founders who build their own margin spreadsheet mix up markup and margin. They're not the same:
Markup = profit ÷ cost— e.g., cost $10, sell $15 → 50% markupMargin = profit ÷ revenue— e.g., cost $10, sell $15 → 33% margin
A product with a 50% markup has a 33% gross margin — not 50%. Pricing to "50% margin" using a markup formula leaves money on the table on every sale. Clear Margins uses the correct margin formula by default, so there's nothing to audit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Clear Margins replace my financial model?
No — and it's not designed to. Clear Margins is for single-decision math: "What price do I need for 40% margin?" or "How many months of runway do I have?" For multi-year models, investor-ready financials, or scenario planning across 15 variables, a spreadsheet is still the right tool.
Can I export Clear Margins results to Excel?
Pro and Agency users can export results as CSV for use in Excel or Google Sheets. Agency users can also export as a branded PDF, which can be inserted directly into a client deck.
Is Excel better for ROAS calculations?
Excel works for ROAS math, but the break-even formula requires knowing the correct inputs and correctly accounting for COGS, fulfillment, and contribution margin. The Clear Margins break-even ROAS calculator handles all of that with a two-field input and a plain-English interpretation of the result.
Try the margin calculator — no account required.
Open Margin Calculator →See all calculators