Note libraries help you research. A formula generator helps you ship.
Fragrance Engine vs Excel spreadsheets
A spreadsheet holds rows. A formula generator holds the rules. Here is the difference for an indie perfumer who wants to ship a compliant product.
Fragrance Engine
Excel
Instant analysis: pyramid, projection, longevity
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Publish to the community Formulary
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Mass-weighted batch density math
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Manual formula
Cost per gram with supplier overrides
✓
Manual formula
AI drafting from a written description
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Lab sheet PDF export
✓
Manual layout
Substitute finder by descriptor profile
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Version history per formula
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Save-As pattern
Multi-user share read-only
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Permissions overhead
One-time cost
$0 to $29 / mo
$0 to $20 / mo
Excel is great when you already know what to type into the cells. A formula generator is what you reach for when you want the math to check itself and the regulator to never come knocking.
Fragrance Engine vs Perfumer's Companion
Both calculate dilution. One composes the formula too.
Fragrance Engine
Perfumer's Companion
Dilution calculator
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✓
Bottle volume calculator
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✓
Formula composition (descriptor to formula)
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AI assistance
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Instant analysis: pyramid, projection, longevity
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The Formulary community library
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Lab sheet PDF export
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Saved formula library
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Limited
Cost per gram with supplier overrides
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Perfumer's Companion is a calculator. Fragrance Engine is the calculator plus the engine that decides what to mix in the first place.
Fragrance Engine vs ScentDB-style note libraries
Note libraries help you research. A formula generator helps you ship.
Fragrance Engine
Note libraries
Browse common naturals + aroma chemicals
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✓
Olfactive radar + descriptor profile
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Sometimes
Volatility, MW, BP data
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Sometimes
Compose a multi-material formula
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Mass-weighted density math
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Lab sheet PDF export
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Saved formulas + version history
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AI drafting
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Substitute finder by descriptor profile
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Note libraries answer 'what is this material'. A formula generator answers 'what should I do with it'.