Comparison

SpreadsheetBroccoli vs ApprovalMax

ApprovalMax is approval workflow software for Xero with credit note and invoice approval features. SpreadsheetBroccoli is better for converting CSV files to accounting formats without workflow software subscriptions.

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Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison

Feature ApprovalMax SpreadsheetBroccoli
Flexible pricing (pay-as-you-go)
Try without signup
No setup or learning required
Data stays on your device Cloud-based
Works on any device
Error detection before upload
Fast email support
No API tokens required
No risk of data corruption
Full data transparency
Try It Free No signup required

What ApprovalMax Does Well

To be fair, ApprovalMax has genuine strengths:

Xero credit note approval workflows
Accounts payable and receivable workflows
Customizable approval matrix
Automatic sync to Xero
Auditable approval process
Reduces manual errors
Centralized approval system

Which Should You Choose?

Choose ApprovalMax

  • You use Xero and need approval workflows
  • You want credit note approval automation
  • You need customizable approval matrix
  • You want auditable approval process
  • You prefer workflow software approach

Choose SpreadsheetBroccoli

  • You need CSV file conversion to accounting formats
  • You want file-based tools without workflow subscriptions
  • You do occasional imports rather than approval workflows
  • You prefer browser-based conversion tools
  • You want instant results without workflow setup

How SpreadsheetBroccoli Works

1

Upload

Drop your CSV or Excel file — no signup needed

2

Preview

See exactly what your converted file looks like before paying

3

Download

Get your file in the right format, ready to import

Relevant SpreadsheetBroccoli Tools

These tools compete directly with ApprovalMax:

Validate Xero Credit Note

Ready for the simpler approach?

Try Xero Credit Note yourself - no signup required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your needs. ApprovalMax is built for businesses that need advanced automation and accounting integrations. If you're a small business doing monthly imports or occasional conversions, SpreadsheetBroccoli's simpler approach may be a better fit - no subscriptions, no setup, just results.
Not for the same transactions - you'd risk double-counting. However, you could use ApprovalMax for ongoing automation and SpreadsheetBroccoli for one-off historical imports or quick ad-hoc conversions outside your normal workflow.
ApprovalMax typically requires 30-60 minutes of initial setup (account creation, API connections, mapping configuration), then runs automatically. SpreadsheetBroccoli takes under 2 minutes per conversion - upload, preview, download. Choose based on whether you need ongoing automation or quick occasional conversions.
Pick a clean cutoff date (end of month works best). Let ApprovalMax finish processing that period, then disconnect. Export your data from the source platform and use SpreadsheetBroccoli for conversions going forward. The first month needs careful reconciliation to ensure no gaps or duplicates.
Both produce accurate results when used correctly. ApprovalMax uses API connections for automated data sync. SpreadsheetBroccoli processes the exact file you provide and shows you a preview before finalizing. Our pre-upload validation catches errors before they reach your accounting software.
ApprovalMax typically charges monthly subscriptions regardless of usage. SpreadsheetBroccoli offers flexible options: free preview before commitment, pay-per-conversion, credit bundles for volume, or subscriptions for heavy users. You only pay for what you actually use.
ApprovalMax offers various support tiers depending on your plan. SpreadsheetBroccoli provides fast email support to all users. Our file-based approach also means simpler troubleshooting - if something looks wrong, you can see exactly what data was converted in the preview.
ApprovalMax processes data on their servers via API connections. SpreadsheetBroccoli processes files entirely in your browser - your data never leaves your device. There's no account to hack, no API tokens to secure, and no data stored on external servers.
SpreadsheetBroccoli is ideal for small businesses doing their own bookkeeping, occasional users who need monthly or quarterly imports, and anyone who wants instant results without learning a new platform. ApprovalMax is better suited for larger operations with dedicated bookkeepers who need ongoing automation.
ApprovalMax offers automated syncing, real-time connections, and features like multi-channel consolidation or advanced accounting automation. SpreadsheetBroccoli focuses on doing file conversion exceptionally well - fast, private, and simple. We're not trying to replace full accounting platforms, just make conversions effortless.
Absolutely not. This is a major security advantage of SpreadsheetBroccoli over ApprovalMax. ApprovalMax requires you to hand over API keys or login credentials, creating a permanent security vulnerability. We only touch the specific file you upload, process it in your browser, and forget it immediately.
It works until it breaks. Automated integrations often fail silently when platforms update their APIs, leaving you with weeks of missing or duplicated data to clean up manually. SpreadsheetBroccoli is deterministic: you verify the file right now, import it right now, and you know it's done correctly. It turns "background anxiety" into "finished work."
You can, but the cost is validation and edge cases. AI often hallucinates math or format structures, and free scripts rarely handle messy real-world data (missing SKUs, strange currency formats, tax anomalies). We have battle-tested validators specifically for ApprovalMax exports that catch issues a generic script will miss.