Cost comparison template

You’re up against a deadline. Leadership wants a clear answer on which vendor offers the best price. You’ve got quotes in emails, a feature list in a PowerPoint, and someone just dropped a PDF with “updated pricing.” None of it lines up. You’re still missing shipping info, and you’re expected to make a smart, defensible recommendation. Fast.

That’s exactly what this cost comparison template is for. It cuts out the mess and gives your team a single, collaborative workspace to collect and compare every detail. With flexible views, automation, and real-time updates, it doesn’t just help you crunch numbers; it enables you to make informed decisions with confidence.

Who benefits from cost comparison templates?

Here at Asana, we’ve seen countless teams delay purchasing decisions. Not because they lacked options, but because their price comparison data is spread across static spreadsheets, email threads, and half-finished PPT decks.

This cost comparison template is built for anyone who needs to weigh different prices or offerings to make the best possible decision. Whether you’re choosing between vendors, analyzing product prices, or deciding how to allocate budget, this template gives you structure, clarity, and real-time collaboration tools.

This price comparison template is a good fit for:

• Procurement leads comparing quotes from different vendors.

• Small business owners evaluating product prices or subscription plans.

• Freelancers comparing project expenses across multiple clients.

• Operations teams weighing shipping costs, supplier bids, or pricing strategies.

• Project managers making cost-effective choices between tools or services.

• Marketing teams comparing campaign costs or ad platform pricing.

• Anyone who needs more functionality than a simple cost comparison sheet.

Why use Asana’s cost comparison template?

We’ve talked to dozens of teams who started their comparison process in Google Sheets or an Excel template, only to find themselves stuck. There’s no easy way to assign tasks, track progress, or see the big picture when your data is siloed.

With Asana’s template, you’re not just storing numbers. Instead, you’re building a live, shareable system for decision-making.

Use this simple cost comparison template to:

• Centralize all pricing information in one collaborative dashboard.

• Track different vendors, product features, and cost structures side-by-side.

• Visualize cost comparisons using list, board, calendar, or timeline views.

• Assign tasks and follow-ups to teammates for input or review.

• Keep price analysis details in one spot by adding quotes, notes, and team feedback right where you’re making decisions.

• Use Asana AI and automation to reduce manual entry and streamline reviews.

With this cost comparison analysis template, teams spend less time wrangling spreadsheets and more time acting on data.

How to use this cost comparison template

This user-friendly template helps you compare options quickly and clearly. It’s more flexible than a traditional cost comparison spreadsheet, with built-in views and dashboards to bring your data to life. Explore the full Asana template library.

1. Set your comparison criteria

Start by identifying what you're comparing: vendors, service plans, equipment packages, or any other type of expense. Use custom fields to structure key variables like base price, recurring fees, delivery timelines, or included services.

2. Collect pricing details

Next, gather real data from vendors or internal resources. Assign teammates to pull quotes, extract numbers from contracts, or check the latest renewal pricing. Attach those files and notes to the relevant rows in your price comparison template so you don’t lose background or context.

3. Add your numbers

Now it’s time to enter the actual costs. Include flat fees, per-user rates, implementation charges, or any hidden costs you uncovered. Asana’s calculated fields can help tally totals automatically.

4. Analyze your options

With your data in place, use views and dashboards to spot trends and the lowest prices. You might notice one vendor has the lowest monthly fee, but the highest onboarding cost. Timeline view can help you see how costs evolve over time, while dashboards spotlight the best deals.

5. Share and discuss with your team

Now that your options are clear, start a conversation. Use comments, messaging, or a quick meeting to talk through trade-offs. If you’re stuck between two options, tag teammates for a second opinion or to clarify priorities.

6. Finalize and move forward

Once you’ve made your choice, record it in a summary section. Assign tasks for next steps like approvals, procurement, or setup. You can even use Asana’s automation to trigger reminders or assign follow-ups.

Asana cost-comparing features

We created this free cost comparison template using Asana’s most helpful comparison features. However, you’re not restricted to only our top picks. Check out our full range of tools and functions to customize your template to your needs.

Custom Fields

Add fields for cost categories like unit price, shipping fees, vendor name, or discount rates. This gives your team a structured way to compare options side by side. It’s similar to an Excel worksheet, but easier to update and share.

Timeline View

View cost comparisons over time to spot budget trends, seasonal shifts, or price fluctuations from vendors. Perfect for procurement planning or campaign spending.

Dashboards

Use visual dashboards to display graphs, charts, and widgets that highlight cost-effective options, average pricing, or total spend per vendor. Great for presenting to stakeholders.

Asana AI

Reduce manual work with AI-powered automation that helps assign tasks, analyze pricing fields, and even suggest next steps based on your inputs.

Forms

Standardize how you collect quotes or pricing info from internal teams or external vendors. All submissions feed directly into the template with no data loss.

Recommended integrations

Integrations connect Asana to the other tools your team already uses. So you can pull in data, attach files, or trigger actions without switching apps.

Here are a few that make comparing costs even easier.

Google Sheets: Import raw pricing data into your Asana cost comparison template. Perfect for syncing price lists or converting spreadsheet tables into actionable tasks.

Gmail: Turn vendor emails and quotes into Asana tasks instantly—no need to copy and paste or lose pricing info in your inbox.

Slack: Collaborate on cost comparisons in real-time. Automatically send task updates to Slack channels to keep procurement, finance, or leadership teams in the loop.

Microsoft Teams: Share cost breakdowns and final recommendations with your Teams group, so everyone stays informed across platforms.

Dropbox or Google Drive: Attach vendor brochures, price sheets, and product spec files directly to your tasks for easier side-by-side evaluation.

FAQs about price comparison templates