CoinTable vs CoinGecko for Google Sheets

Overview

Both CoinTable and CoinGecko provide cryptocurrency data that you can use in Google Sheets, but they work very differently:

• CoinTable is a native Google Sheets add-on. Install it, use formulas like =CT_PRICE("BTC").
• CoinGecko is a data platform with a public API. You connect it to Sheets via IMPORTDATA, custom scripts, or third-party integrations.

This comparison helps you decide which approach fits your needs.

Setup Experience

CoinTable Setup

1. Go to Google Workspace Marketplace
2. Search "CoinTable"
3. Click Install
4. Use =CT_PRICE("BTC") in any cell

Time: ~30 seconds. No API key. No account.

CoinGecko Setup

1. Go to coingecko.com and create an account
2. Navigate to the API dashboard
3. Generate an API key (Demo plan available)
4. Open Google Sheets → Extensions → Apps Script
5. Write a custom function to call CoinGecko's API:

function COINGECKO_PRICE(coinId) {
  const API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE";
  const url = `https://api.coingecko.com/api/v3/simple/price?ids=${coinId}&vs_currencies=usd&x_cg_demo_api_key=${API_KEY}`;
  const response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url);
  const data = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());
  return data[coinId]?.usd;
}

6. Use =COINGECKO_PRICE("bitcoin") (note: uses full name, not ticker)

Time: 5–15 minutes. Requires API key and JavaScript knowledge.

Feature Comparison

Pricing Comparison

CoinTable

CoinGecko API

For Google Sheets use cases, CoinTable's Plus plan at $5/month covers far more than what most users need. CoinGecko's free tier has aggressive rate limits (30 calls/minute) that can cause errors when refreshing a sheet with many formulas.

When to Use CoinTable

CoinTable is the better choice when:

• You want simplicity — install and use, no coding or API keys
• Privacy matters — CoinTable doesn't require an account or collect personal data
• You use tickers — =CT_PRICE("BTC") is more natural than =COINGECKO_PRICE("bitcoin")
• You need multiple data points — market cap, volume, ATH, supply are all built-in formulas
• You're not a developer — no JavaScript or API knowledge required
• Budget is a factor — CoinTable Plus ($5/month) vs. CoinGecko Analyst ($14/month)

When to Use CoinGecko

CoinGecko might be better when:

• You need historical price data — CoinGecko's API offers rich historical data that CoinTable doesn't currently provide
• You're already using CoinGecko's API in other projects and want to consolidate
• You need very high request volumes — CoinGecko's paid plans offer higher rate limits
• You want exchange-specific data — CoinGecko provides per-exchange price data
• You're comfortable with APIs — and prefer the flexibility of raw API access

The Honest Take

CoinGecko is an excellent data platform. Their API is comprehensive and well-documented. If you're building a custom application or need deep historical data, CoinGecko is hard to beat.

But for getting crypto prices in Google Sheets, CoinTable is purpose-built for the job. It's a Google Sheets add-on, not an API-with-a-spreadsheet-wrapper. That difference shows in the setup experience (30 seconds vs. 15 minutes), the formula design (tickers vs. full names), and the reliability (managed add-on vs. DIY scripts that break).

Most users comparing these two tools are looking for the simplest way to track crypto in their spreadsheet. For that use case, CoinTable wins.

Conclusion

For most Google Sheets users tracking crypto portfolios, CoinTable is the better choice. It's simpler, cheaper, and designed specifically for spreadsheets.