When a spreadsheet is the right answer
If you are applying to five carefully chosen roles over two months, a spreadsheet wins. It is free, it is instant, it is yours, and there is no software to install. You will remember all five without help. Anything that automates a problem you do not have is overhead.
Where it breaks
Past roughly twenty applications, three things go wrong. Entry cost: a minute per application does not sound like much until it is the reason you skip it. Decay: once a few rows are missing, the sheet stops being trustworthy, and an untrustworthy tracker gets abandoned entirely. Lost context: the job description is the single most useful thing to keep, and nobody pastes a full description into a cell - so when an interview is scheduled six weeks later, the posting is gone.
What automation actually changes
The entry cost goes to zero, because submitting the application is the record. The description comes along for free, which means an AI fit score, a tailored cover letter and likely interview questions are available for every row without extra work. Follow-ups get nudged instead of forgotten. What you give up is the total control of a file you own - which is why exporting your data is not gated behind a paid plan.
A fair summary
Spreadsheet: free, private by construction, zero setup, infinite flexibility, entirely manual. Apptracka: free for tracking, automatic capture, keeps job descriptions, reminders and AI tools, requires a browser extension and an account. If you are applying at volume, the deciding factor is not features - it is whether the tracker will still be accurate in week four.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I export my applications?
Yes. Your data is yours and can be exported; export is not restricted to paid plans.
Do I still need a spreadsheet alongside it?
No, but nothing stops you. Some people keep a sheet for salary research and offer comparison while letting the tracker handle the pipeline.
Is there a free plan, or just a trial?
A genuinely free plan, not a trial. Unlimited application tracking, the extension, reminders and wellness tools do not expire.