Comparison
EU AI Act compliance: consultants vs spreadsheets vs Complee
Most small businesses using ChatGPT, Copilot, or a customer chatbot face the same choice: track obligations in spreadsheets, hire consultants, or use a self-serve tool.
Article 4 literacy and Article 50 transparency already apply. Annex III high-risk duties start on 2 December 2027 for many sectors. The practical question is how you document your AI use and keep that record current without stopping day-to-day work.
Last updated: October 2026
Spreadsheets and manual docs
Best for: One tool, one owner, and time to maintain a folder yourself
Advantages
- No software subscription
- You control the document format
- Can work for a single simple use case
Limitations
- Records go stale when tools or use cases change
- Owner time spent on formatting instead of running the business
- Hard to show customers or partners a current compliance status
- No live badge or verify page for procurement questions
- Regulators and customers expect dated, maintained evidence
Legal consultants
Best for: High-risk or borderline systems that need bespoke legal interpretation
Advantages
- Expert interpretation for complex or high-risk cases
- Custom advice for your regulatory context
- Credibility with board and legal stakeholders
Limitations
- Expensive for everyday ChatGPT and Copilot use
- Slow when your AI stack changes every quarter
- Deliverables are often static PDFs, not kept current
- Re-engagement needed when you add tools or customer-facing AI
- Overkill for minimal or limited-risk deployer duties
Complee
Best for: SMBs using AI tools who need documents and a badge customers can verify
Advantages
- Free risk assessment from your website and AI use description
- Compliance pack with inventory, literacy record, and transparency notice
- Plus keeps records current and adds a live badge on your site
- Public verify page for customers and partners
- Self-serve pricing without a sales call
Limitations
- Built for deployer use of AI tools, not custom model development
- High-risk or prohibited results use the long questionnaire instead of the standard pack
- Sector-specific regimes like MDR may still need specialist review
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Spreadsheets | Consultants | Complee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to first result | Days | Weeks | Minutes |
| Keeps up when AI use changes | Manual | Re-engage | Plus subscription |
| Customer-facing proof | Share a PDF | Engagement letter | Live badge + verify page |
| Compliance pack included | You write it | Custom deliverable | Yes |
| Typical cost for an SMB | Owner time | €5k+ | €9 once or €12/mo |
| Works for ChatGPT / Copilot use | Yes, manually | Yes | Yes, built for it |
Start with a free assessment
Before you choose an approach, see your risk tier and obligations. Then pick spreadsheets, consultants, or Complee with a clear picture of what applies.
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