First, the fair part
A spreadsheet is the honest first answer. It is free, it is yours, and for one account with a static drawdown it is genuinely enough — plenty of funded traders never need more.
What breaks it is not complexity, it is maintenance. The formula that models an end-of-day trailing line is not the one that models an intraday trail; the day you most need the sheet is the day you are least likely to fill it in; and the number you carry in your head is yesterday's.
Side by side
| Propbook | a prop firm spreadsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Yes — free | Free |
| Models intraday vs end-of-day vs static drawdown | Yes — per account, automatically | Only if you build and maintain each formula |
| Updates itself from a broker export | Yes — format detected on drop | No |
| Consistency rule and payout readiness | Yes | Manual |
| Alerts before a breach | Yes — Telegram | No |
| Several accounts on different firms | Yes — each on its own rule set | One tab each, and one mistake each |
| Fees and resets against payouts | Yes — automatic | Manual |
| Works offline / private | Yes — guest mode keeps data on your device | Yes |
Compiled from public information in September 2026. Both products change — check a prop firm spreadsheet's current plans on their own site before deciding, and this page carries no affiliate link either way.
Where Propbook is different
The maths is already written. Nineteen firms with their drawdown type, daily limit, target, consistency rule and minimum days, all editable — you pick the firm, the sheet builds itself.
The day fills itself in. Drop an export from TopstepX, Tradovate, NinjaTrader or MetaTrader and the days land where they belong. MT5 can sync on its own.
It notices things. Telegram alerts before a limit, payout readiness when the buffer and qualifying days are met, and the consistency share updated on every entry.
You keep the part you like. CSV export is one click, so the data is never locked in — and guest mode keeps everything on your device if you would rather not have an account at all.
Pick a prop firm spreadsheet if…
you trade a single account with a static drawdown, you enjoy maintaining the sheet, and you never miss a day. That combination genuinely does not need software.
Try it before you decide
Guest mode needs no account and no card — your data stays on your device until you choose otherwise. If it does not fit, you have lost two minutes.
Open Propbook →FAQ
Can I import my existing spreadsheet?
If it has a date column and a P&L column, yes — save it as CSV and drop it in. Propbook picks the columns and shows you its choice before saving.
Can I get my data back out?
Yes, as CSV, at any time. Nothing is locked in.
Do I have to create an account?
No. Guest mode works with no account and keeps your data on your device.
Why is it free?
The journal and rule tracking are free and stay free. Paid plans are planned for PropSync and automatic broker sync — the features that cost money to run.