DojoTally vs. spreadsheets
A spreadsheet and manual WhatsApp, or a system that does it for you
Almost every academy starts with an Excel file or a Google spreadsheet for dues and a phone for everything else. It works, until it doesn't. Here's what changes, task by task.
Task by task
What you do today with a spreadsheet and your phone, and how DojoTally handles it.
| Task | Spreadsheet + manual WhatsApp | DojoTally |
|---|---|---|
| Setting up the month's dues | Copy the month's column and fill it in student by student | Generated automatically from each student's plan |
| Overdue dues and late fees | Check who hasn't paid and work out the late fee by hand | Flags overdue dues and applies the late fee you set |
| Reminding that dues are due | One message per student, from your phone | Notifies each student |
| Collecting online | Send your bank details and wait for the receipt | MercadoPago or Stripe on your own account, with MercadoPago automatic debit |
| Recording a bank transfer | Find the receipt in the chat and write it down | The agent reads the receipt and records it once you say yesWith the AI agent |
| Taking attendance | A paper list, or from memory | A kiosk on a tablet: each student checks in with their PIN or QR card |
| Knowing at the door who owes | Open the spreadsheet and search | Green if paid up, red if they owe, on the kiosk |
| The student who stops coming | Depends on you remembering to write | Messages them from the academy's WhatsApp after the days you choose |
| WhatsApp and Instagram enquiries | You answer them, when you can | The agent replies and books the trial class into your timetableWith the AI agent |
| Trial classes | Noted in the chat or in your phone's calendar | Slot checked against your timetable, a reminder the day before and follow-up |
| Several coaches | Everyone on the same shared spreadsheet | Each coach sees and does only what they need |
| What the student sees | Whatever you reply in the chat | Their portal on their phone: dues, payments, schedule and belt |
Swipe the table to see it all →
What it costs, for a 50-student academy
| Per month, as of October 2026 | Spreadsheet + manual WhatsApp | DojoTally |
|---|---|---|
| Management software | $0Google Sheets is free with a Google account [1] | US$59Base plan, up to 50 active students. In Argentina, ARS 70,000 [2] |
| With the WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger agent | Not applicableYou answer the enquiries yourself | US$74Base + AI agent (US$15). In Argentina, ARS 85,000 [2] |
| Your time | Everything in the table above, every month | Reviewing and confirming |
Sources, checked in October 2026:
When to choose each
Stick with the spreadsheet if…
- You have few students and collect almost everything in cash
- Answering enquiries doesn't take time away from teaching
- Your spreadsheet works and it's up to date
Switch to DojoTally if…
- You chase dues every month
- You collect by transfer or MercadoPago and log receipts by hand
- WhatsApp and Instagram enquiries arrive at night
- More than one coach edits the same spreadsheet
Up to 10 students? DojoTally's Free plan has every management feature, without the agent. It's a way to leave the spreadsheet without adding a cost.
Send us your spreadsheet. We'll load it for you.
- Free migration from your spreadsheet
- 14-day trial, no card needed
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