Comparison

Veritome vs a spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is where most EU AI Act compliance starts — and where it quietly fails. It can’t classify against the law, can’t generate Annex IV files, can’t prove an evidence trail, and never tells you when a review is due.

The short answer

A spreadsheet is free and familiar, and fine for a first inventory. But it can’t classify systems against Annex III logic, won’t produce audit-preparation documents, has no verifiable evidence trail, and goes stale the moment you stop maintaining it. Veritome turns that static list into a living, traceable compliance system.

Veritome vs a spreadsheet — feature comparison
	Veritome	Spreadsheet
Cost	Free, then €79/mo	Free
Classifies against the Act	Branching wizard to the article	Manual interpretation
Maps obligations automatically	Yes — by role & risk tier	You research each one
Generates Annex IV / FRIA / DoC	Yes	No
Verifiable evidence trail	Hash-sealed, public verify URL	Editable cells, no proof
Tells you when a review is due	Automated reminders	You have to remember
Survives staff turnover	Auditable system of record	Lives on one laptop
AI literacy tracking (Art. 4)	Built in	No

Where each wins

Both columns, in good faith.

Where Veritome wins

Classification that follows the law, not guesswork
Documents that assemble themselves and seal
Reminders so nothing expires unnoticed
One source of truth your auditor can trust
Evidence a regulator can verify without an account

Where a spreadsheet wins

Free and instantly familiar
Fine for a first, rough inventory of AI tools
No new tool to learn for a one-off list

Who should choose which

The honest split.

Choose Veritome if…

You actually have to be — and prove you are — compliant. A spreadsheet can’t produce the documents or the evidence trail an auditor or enterprise buyer will ask for.

Stay on a spreadsheet if…

You just want a quick first list of which tools use AI and have no near-term audit, documentation, or procurement pressure. (Our free Excel tracker is a good start — then graduate.)

Straight answers

Questions people ask about this comparison

Can’t I just use your free Excel tracker?

Absolutely — it’s a great way to begin. It maps the timeline and obligations, but it can’t classify systems for you, generate Annex IV documents, or seal evidence. When that matters, the free Veritome tier is the next step.

What’s the real risk of staying on a spreadsheet?

No verifiable evidence and no review reminders. Under a regulation with fines up to €35M or 7% of turnover, “we had it in a spreadsheet” is not a defence.

Last reviewed: 05.08.2026. All comparisons →

Illustrative comparison for marketing purposes; completion in Veritome is a working method, not a guarantee of legal compliance — confirm with counsel.