Contando Pollos vs GrandTotal: the no‑subscription GrandTotal alternative
This is the closest comparison in our lineup. Contando Pollos and GrandTotal are both native Mac invoicing apps that keep your data on your machine and work offline. The big difference today is how you pay: GrandTotal is now sold as a subscription, while Contando Pollos is still $27.99, once. Here is how the two compare.
Last updated October 16, 2026 · Competitor prices checked October 2026 from GrandTotal's official site. Prices may change.
Best for whom
Contando Pollos is best for freelancers, consultants, and small business owners who want a modern, all-in-one Mac invoicing app with built-in time tracking, a large template library, and multi-business support, all for a single payment. If you want everything included without tiers or renewals, Contando Pollos delivers that.
GrandTotal is best for Mac users who already know the app and prefer its established workflow, or who need features available in its higher plans and plug-in ecosystem. GrandTotal has been around for many years and has a loyal user base. If it meets your needs and the subscription fits your budget, there may be little reason to switch.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Contando Pollos | GrandTotal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $27.99 once | Subscription: S €5.90, M €7.90, L €9.90, XL €14.90 per month |
| Platform | Native macOS app | Native macOS app |
| System requirements | macOS 14.6 or later | macOS 10.15 or later |
| Invoice templates | 15 built-in templates | See GrandTotal's docs |
| Time tracking | Built-in, included | L plan and above (or plug-ins) |
| Client management | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-business support | Yes, built-in | See GrandTotal's docs |
| Offline mode | Full offline support | Full offline support |
| Local data storage | Yes | Yes; sync only when you choose |
| PDF export | Yes | Yes |
| Revenue dashboard | Yes | See GrandTotal's docs |
| Automatic backups | Yes | See GrandTotal's docs |
Pricing comparison: subscription vs one-time
GrandTotal is now sold as a subscription. Mediaatelier lists four plans from €5.90 to €14.90 per month, and built-in time recording starts on the L plan (€9.90/month), per GrandTotal's site in October 2026. Monthly and yearly billing are both offered. At the monthly price, the L plan adds up to about €356 over three years.
Contando Pollos takes the old-school route: $27.99 once, with time tracking, all 15 invoice templates and multi-business support included. No tiers, no renewals, and future updates are free. If you are searching for a GrandTotal subscription alternative, that is the whole pitch.
Competitor pricing checked on October 16, 2026 from GrandTotal's official site. Prices may change; check the official page before you buy.
Privacy and storage model
This is where the two apps are most alike. Both Contando Pollos and GrandTotal store your data locally on your Mac and work without an internet connection; GrandTotal syncs only when you choose to. Your invoices, client records, and financial information stay on your machine.
If privacy and data ownership are your primary concerns, both apps take them seriously, and that is a good thing. Contando Pollos adds automatic backups on a schedule you control, plus one-click manual backups and restores, so an unexpected issue does not mean lost invoices.
Mac experience
Both Contando Pollos and GrandTotal are native macOS applications, not web apps. GrandTotal has been available for many years and has a traditional, utility-style feel that long-time Mac users know well. Contando Pollos is a newer app with a contemporary interface, a visual revenue dashboard, custom themes, and, yes, a chicken.
Verdict
GrandTotal is a reliable, well-established native Mac invoicing app that shares the same core values as Contando Pollos: local data and a real Mac experience. If you are a current GrandTotal user and the subscription works for you, there is no urgent reason to switch.
If you would rather pay once, Contando Pollos makes a strong case. It includes built-in time tracking without a higher tier, ships with 15 professional templates, supports multiple businesses in one app, and provides a revenue dashboard and automatic backups, for a one-time $27.99. It is invoice software you buy once, not rent.
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Want the 30-second version? Watch the Contando Pollos commercial or browse app screenshots.