Fontics vs ChatGPT for Excel
ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets puts OpenAI's models in a sidebar next to your cells, on every ChatGPT plan. Fontics is an AI-free add-in for the analysis and review you need to repeat and defend. Both run in Excel and Google Sheets.
Last reviewed by Admin.
Facts about ChatGPT for Excel come from OpenAI's public pages and other public sources, listed under Sources. Prices are list prices as of the review date.
Short answer
- ChatGPT for Excel is a capable model builder: it builds and updates models in the open workbook, cites the cells it reads and changes, and asks before it edits.
- It is generally available on all ChatGPT plans since 5 May 2026, and the same add-in family covers Google Sheets.
- Fontics is the deterministic layer for the same workbook: one-click scenario sets, tornado charts, multi-driver goal seek, Monte Carlo, formula audits and valuation reviews, with no prompts and no variance between runs.
you want AI to build, update or explain a model in Excel or Google Sheets, especially if your firm already runs on ChatGPT.
you need analysis and reviews that give the same answer every time and trace to cells, for an IC paper or a credit memo.
At a glance
What each tool is built to do. A dot means it can be done, but you prompt for it or set it up yourself each time.
| Stage | Job | ChatGPT for Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | Build a model from scratch | Yes | No |
| Write and fix formulas | Yes | No | |
| Data wrangling, pivots, charts | Yes | No | |
| Plain-language questions | YesCites cells; asks before editing | No | |
| Analyze | Scenario analysis | PartlyPer prompt | Yes10+ scenarios in a minute |
| Sensitivity and tornado charts | Partly | YesRank drivers in seconds | |
| Stress tests and break-evens | Partly | Yes | |
| Multi-driver goal seek and solvers | Partly | Yes | |
| Monte Carlo simulation | Partly | Yes1,000+ runs, add-on from $5/month | |
| Review | Valuation review (DCF/LBO drivers, DLOM, Black-Scholes) | Partly | Yes |
| Formula audit | PartlyExplains and fixes formulas | Yes | |
| Deep precedent and dependent traces | Partly | Yes | |
| Platform | Same answer every run | NoGenerative; outputs vary | YesAI-free |
| Excel for Mac | Yes | Yes | |
| Google Sheets | YesChatGPT for Google Sheets | YesSame plan |
Side by side
| Fact | ChatGPT for Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | OpenAI add-ins for Excel and Google Sheets. Excel beta from 5 Mar 2026, Google Sheets beta from 22 Apr 2026, generally available on all plans from 5 May 2026.[1][2] | An AI-free Excel and Google Sheets add-in that runs analysis (scenarios, sensitivities, stress tests, solvers, Monte Carlo) and reviews models (formula audits, deep traces, valuation reviews) for investment, credit and valuation teams. |
| How you use it | Chat in a sidebar. ChatGPT builds or edits the workbook, cites the cells it reads and changes, and asks permission before editing.[1][3] | Pick a module, select inputs and output, click evaluate. No prompts. |
| Builds models | Yes. Builds and updates spreadsheet models in the open workbook.[1] | Does not build models. It analyzes and reviews the model you or your AI built. |
| Skills and apps | Reusable skills and app integrations for Excel and Google Sheets.[2] | 20+ fixed analysis and review modules. |
| Repeatability | Generative. The same request can return different structure or numbers. | AI-free and 100% deterministic: same inputs, same answer, every time. |
| Macros | VBA and macros may not be fully supported.[3] | Works on any formula-driven model; analysis runs in new sheets. |
| Plans and limits | All ChatGPT plans; usage is limited on Free and Go, and business plans run on credits.[2][3] | Core has a daily analysis limit; Institutional is unlimited. |
| Data handling | Workbook content is processed by OpenAI under your ChatGPT plan's terms. | Standard modules run 100% locally in your workbook. Only Monte Carlo distribution sampling runs in the cloud. |
| Price | Included in ChatGPT plans; no separate add-in price.[1] | Free Core plan; paid plans $20 and $50/month; Monte Carlo add-on from $5/month |
Choose ChatGPT for Excel if
- Your firm already uses ChatGPT Business or Enterprise and wants AI in the spreadsheet under the same agreement.
- You want to build or update a model from a description, or have a workbook explained in plain language.
- You work across Excel and Google Sheets and want the same AI in both.
- You want to start free: the add-in is on every ChatGPT plan.
What ChatGPT for Excel does well
- Available on every ChatGPT plan, including Free (with limits).
- Excel and Google Sheets from one vendor.
- Cites cells and asks before editing, which makes changes easier to review.
- Skills and apps for repeatable prompts and connected data.
Choose Fontics if
- You run base, downside and upside cases, a tornado and break-evens on every deal and want them in one click, the same way each time.
- Your numbers go to an IC or a lender and must be reproducible and traceable to cells.
- You want a Monte Carlo on a deal model without building it by prompt.
- You need to review a model before you rely on it, including one ChatGPT built.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build models, write formulas or explain a workbook in plain language.
What ChatGPT for Excel does well
- Available on every ChatGPT plan, including Free (with limits).
- Excel and Google Sheets from one vendor.
- Cites cells and asks before editing, which makes changes easier to review.
- Skills and apps for repeatable prompts and connected data.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build models, write formulas or explain a workbook in plain language.
Using ChatGPT for Excel and Fontics together
ChatGPT drafts the model. Fontics proves it. Both run in Excel and Google Sheets.
- 01
Build with ChatGPT
Ask ChatGPT to build or extend the model and lay out the case assumptions.
- 02
Audit with Fontics
Run a formula audit and deep traces to see exactly how IRR, DSCR or equity value is calculated.
- 03
Stress-test with Fontics
Run scenarios, a tornado, break-evens and Monte Carlo. Paste the outputs back into ChatGPT for the memo commentary.
Who uses each
ChatGPT for Excel
ChatGPT's broad user base, from individuals on Free and Plus to Business, Enterprise and Edu customers. OpenAI launched it with investment-banking-style modelling benchmarks in mind.[1][4]
Fontics
Investment, credit and valuation teams at funds, banks, lenders and advisors. They run DCF, LBO, project finance and real estate models and need to defend the numbers in front of an investment or credit committee.
Pricing
ChatGPT for Excel
Fontics
- Core is free forever, Transactions is $20/month and Institutional is $50/month.
- Monte Carlo is an add-on from $5/month ($5 on Core, $10 on Transactions and Institutional).
- Every plan covers Excel and Google Sheets.
FAQ
Is ChatGPT for Excel enough for scenario analysis?
It can build scenarios when asked. Each run is a new generation you prompt and check. Fontics runs fixed scenario, sensitivity and goal-seek modules on your model's own formulas and gives the same answer every run.
Do both work in Google Sheets?
Yes. ChatGPT has a Google Sheets add-in, and every Fontics module works in Google Sheets on the same plan as Excel.
Can Fontics check a model ChatGPT built?
Yes. Run a formula audit and deep traces first, then stress-test the key drivers. That is one of the most common Fontics workflows.
Does Fontics use AI?
No. Fontics is 100% deterministic. Standard modules run locally in your workbook; only Monte Carlo sampling runs in the cloud.
What does it cost to use both?
ChatGPT for Excel is included in your ChatGPT plan. Fontics Core is free; Transactions is $20/month and Institutional $50/month, with Monte Carlo from $5/month.
Sources
- 1.OpenAI, Introducing ChatGPT for Excel · updated 5 May 2026
- 2.Vantaige, ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets: setup, plans and credits · Sep 2026
- 3.OpenAI Help Center, ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets
- 4.Pasquale Pillitteri, ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets guide
Vendor features and prices change often. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Fontics is not affiliated with them.
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