RollData vs Spreadsheets & Paper Journals
Many grapplers track training with Google Sheets, Excel, or paper notebooks. Fully customizable but time-consuming to set up and maintain for BJJ-specific analysis.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RollData | Spreadsheets & Paper Journals |
|---|---|---|
| Session logging | ||
| Round-by-round detail | ||
| Technique tracking | ||
| Position-technique mapping | ||
| Partner tracking | ||
| Training calendar | ||
| Belt/promotion tracking | ||
| Progress analytics | ||
| BJJ Skill Tree | ||
| Fully customizable | ||
| Works offline | ||
| No account needed | ||
| Free |
- Session logging
- Round-by-round detail
- Technique tracking
- Position-technique mapping
- Partner tracking
- Training calendar
- Belt/promotion tracking
- Progress analytics
- BJJ Skill Tree
- Fully customizable
- Works offline
- No account needed
- Free
- Session logging
- Round-by-round detail
- Technique tracking
- Position-technique mapping
- Partner tracking
- Training calendar
- Belt/promotion tracking
- Progress analytics
- BJJ Skill Tree
- Fully customizable
- Works offline
- No account needed
- Free
Ready to start tracking your training?
Try RollData FreeKey Differences
Spreadsheets and paper journals offer total flexibility — you can track anything in any format. If you've built a system that works for you, that's a real advantage.
The tradeoff is setup time. RollData gives you a purpose-built interface with pre-populated BJJ-specific fields for techniques, positions, and outcomes — less manual configuration to get started.
Paper journals can't be searched, graphed, or backed up. Spreadsheets can, but require you to build and maintain your own formulas and charts. RollData handles the analysis automatically.
RollData's BJJ Skill Tree turns logged sessions into a visual progression map — something impossible to replicate in a spreadsheet without significant custom development.
The Verdict
Choose RollData if you want detailed tracking with features like round-by-round detail, technique tracking, position-technique mapping. Choose Spreadsheets & Paper Journals if you prioritize fully customizable and works offline. Both are solid options for BJJ practitioners — the right choice depends on how you prefer to track your training.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is RollData better than Spreadsheets & Paper Journals?
- It depends on what you need. RollData offers features that Spreadsheets & Paper Journals doesn't, including Round-by-round detail, Technique tracking, Position-technique mapping. Spreadsheets & Paper Journals has its own strengths, including Fully customizable and Works offline. The best choice depends on your training goals.
- Does Spreadsheets & Paper Journals have technique tracking?
- Spreadsheets & Paper Journals does not offer dedicated technique tracking. RollData includes a full technique library with position-based mapping, so you can log specific techniques for each round and track your progress over time.
- Is RollData free?
- Yes, RollData offers a generous free tier that includes session logging, the technique library, training calendar, partner tracking, and more. Pro features are available for practitioners who want advanced analytics and insights.
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Last updated: 2026-02-26