Comparison
Certification tracking: spreadsheet or software?
Most small businesses start with a spreadsheet, and for a handful of people that can work fine. Here’s where a spreadsheet is enough and where it starts to cost you.
| Spreadsheet | DueLantern | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | From $49/month |
| Stores expiration dates | Yes | Yes |
| Color warnings for upcoming dates | Yes (with our free template) | Yes |
| Reads dates from documents for you | No, you type them | Yes, AI reads them |
| Reminds employees automatically | No, someone has to remember | Yes, by email, until it’s done |
| Collects the renewed document | No, you chase it by email or text | Yes, employees upload from a link |
| Alerts managers when something is overdue | No | Yes |
| Keeps a history of every document | Only if you organize folders | Yes, automatically |
| Works when the person who manages it is out | Often not | Yes, it runs on its own |
When a spreadsheet is enough
If you have only a few employees, only a few credentials each, and one organized person who checks it every week, a spreadsheet can do the job. Start with our free certification tracker template.
When it starts to slip
The spreadsheet itself rarely fails. The follow-up does. Someone has to open it, notice what’s coming up, remind each person, wait, remind them again, collect the new certificate, and update the date. With more employees, more credentials or a busy season, that’s when a license quietly expires.
DueLantern automates exactly that part: reminders go out on their own, employees upload the renewal from their phone, AI reads the new date, and you just approve it.
Already have a spreadsheet?
Keep it as a backup if you like. During your free trial you can send us your spreadsheet or documents and we’ll set up DueLantern for you. See how we compare to other tools too: DueLantern vs. Expiration Reminder.
Let the follow-up run itself
Try DueLantern free for 14 days. Bring your spreadsheet, and we’ll help you move it over.
Try DueLantern free for 14 daysNo credit card · Or we’ll set it up for you