BullionKeeper or a spreadsheet?
Short answer: a spreadsheet is fine for a handful of purchases. BullionKeeper is better once you want live values, photos and paperwork kept with each piece, alerts, and records your family can use.
| What you need | Spreadsheet | BullionKeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Live spot valuation | You update prices by hand or wire up a data feed | Values every holding at live spot automatically |
| Cost basis per piece | Yes, if you build the columns and formulas | Built in: cost per gram, premium and gain per piece |
| Photos and invoices | Stored in separate folders, linked by filename | Front, back and invoice photos kept on each holding (Vault Elite) |
| Price alerts and goals | Not available without scripting | Weight goals and above or below price alerts |
| Sharing with family | Share the file and hope it is current | Beneficiaries with view access and an executor report (Vault Elite) |
| Flexibility | Total: any column, any chart, any layout | Structured around bullion, with fixed fields |
| Cost | Free | Free for up to 20 holdings; paid plans for more |
| Your data | In a file you control | In your private account, exportable to Excel any time |
When a spreadsheet is the right call
If you own a few pieces, enjoy building your own formulas and do not need photos or alerts, a spreadsheet costs nothing and does the job. Start there, and move when the upkeep becomes the problem. The bullion tracking spreadsheet guide covers how to set one up well.
Questions
Is a spreadsheet good enough for tracking gold and silver?+
For a small stack with a few purchases, yes. It stops being enough when you want live valuation, photos kept with each piece, alerts, or records someone else can use.
Can I move my spreadsheet into BullionKeeper?+
Yes. BullionKeeper can import a CSV or Excel file, and you can export your records back to Excel whenever you like.
Will I lose control of my data?+
No. Your records are in your private account, and an Excel export gives you a complete copy at any time.