What's the difference really?
Free, but there are hidden costs
The Excel licence really does cost zero forints, but maintenance, fixing errors and manual calculations consume a significant amount of HR time. On top of that, every rule change has to be entered manually, and a spreadsheet on its own is a weak basis for later verification.
A transparent, predictable monthly fee
2 490–6 490 Ft/user/mo. No spreadsheet maintenance and no manual formula updates. The calculation logic is aligned with Hungarian working-time recording practice, and exports to your accounting program in a single click. The system provides administrative support; it does not replace an employment-law review or professional advice.
For a company of 15+, it pays off from the first month
For a team of 20, SimpliTime's Basic plan costs 49 800 Ft/mo. If it saves just 17 hours of HR time a month (at 3 000 Ft/hour), that already covers the cost of the software — and the reduced risk counts on top of that.
Detailed comparison
| Feature | SimpliTime | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Working-time banking calculation | ✓ Automatic | Manual formulas, with error sources |
| Automatic separation of regular hours/overtime | ✓ Automatic | Manual, errors happen |
| Two-level approval workflow | ✓ Built-in | Email/phone |
| Real-time leave balance | ✓ Automatic | Manual update |
| Payroll summary + payslip list | ✓ In every plan | None |
| NEXON / Kulcs-Soft / RLB accountant-ready export | ✓ Payroll Control plan | Manual formatting |
| Regulatory audit log (with timestamps) | ✓ Automatic | — |
| Monthly payroll report | ✓ Exportable | Manual compilation |
| EU data storage, GDPR | ✓ Frankfurt | Local machine? |
| Excel/CSV import (when switching) | ✓ Yes | — |
| Mobile-friendly interface | ✓ Yes | Limited |
| Onboarding support | ✓ Free | On your own |
| Monthly cost (team of 20) | 49 800 Ft/mo | 0 Ft + HR time |
The hidden cost of Excel: The HR and payroll time spent maintaining spreadsheets, consolidating data and fixing errors every month does not show up in the software bill, but it is a real cost. SimpliTime's Basic plan for a team of 20 is 49 800 Ft/mo, at a predictable monthly fee — with zero hidden cost.
When Excel is no longer enough
Every change in the law requires a manual update
An Excel template only knows what was put into it. If an internal rule on working-time banking, overtime limits or rest periods changes, all the formulas have to be updated by hand. SimpliTime applies the configured rules centrally, with no update needed.
Multiple editors → conflicts, overwrites
If several HR staff or managers edit the Excel file at the same time, data gets overwritten and versions get mixed up. At month-end you need to reconcile which version is the right one. In SimpliTime everyone works at once, in the view matching their role, with no conflicts.
Everyone sees everyone's data
In a shared Excel file, employees' pay data, leave balances and sick leave are visible to everyone — a serious data protection problem. In SimpliTime, role-based access ensures that everyone sees only their own data, and a manager only their team's.
"I have an Excel file" — that's not enough
During an inspection it matters that you can see who changed what, and when. An Excel file often doesn't show this consistently. SimpliTime keeps an audit log, and the data is available in an exportable format.
Reformatting the same thing every month
At month-end the Excel data has to be gathered, totalled and put into a format compatible with the accounting program — usually 2–4 hours of manual work. From SimpliTime you can export to NEXON, Kulcs-Soft or RLB format in one click, and your accountant can process it straight away.
Who is SimpliTime for, instead of Excel?
A 20-person manufacturing company
Multiple shifts, weekly overtime claims, a monthly payroll package sent to the accountant. Until now: 3 different Excel templates that shift leaders filled in differently, which HR reconciled at month-end.
A unified recording interface for every shift leader, automatic calculation aligned with Hungarian working-time recording practice, a single-click accountant export. HR maintenance time dropped from 12 hours a month to 1.
A 40-person logistics company
Flexible hours, a mix of drivers and office workers, a need for two-level approval (area manager + HR director). Until now: approvals over email, lost threads, time spent searching.
Digital two-level approval, automatic reminders, a full approval log. The manager approves requests from their phone, and the audit trail is preserved.
An 80-person trading house
Leave management, sick leave, a payroll report with 14+ metrics. Until now: 2 HR staff spent a total of 20 hours a month totalling the data, and leave balances were never up to date.
A real-time leave balance for every employee, automatic sick-leave handling, a payroll report with 14+ metrics in one click.
SimpliTime vs. Excel — FAQ
Is Excel time tracking suitable for Hungarian working-time record-keeping practice?
How much does SimpliTime cost for a team of 20?
Can Excel data be brought into SimpliTime?
Which accounting programs is SimpliTime compatible with?
How long does it take to get started?
Does SimpliTime need to be installed?
What's the difference between the Basic and Pro plans?
Switch to SimpliTime.
Leave Excel maintenance behind. 2-minute sign-up, 60-day trial, decide only afterwards.