Find the best software to help you manage your martial arts school. We went over hundreds of user reviews, pricing, and features to bring you our top picks
Best martial arts management software:
More martial arts management software:
1. 🥇 Fitune - The best martial arts management solution
Transparent pricing: Yes
Price: Free to $169/month
Free client app: Yes, included in all plans
Ideal for small to medium studios: Yes
Starting your martial arts business has never been simpler with Fitune. This platform enables a rapid setup, allowing you to customize and launch your fully integrated website from day one.
Fitune’s intuitive website builder lets you create a website that aligns perfectly with your brand. With customizable colors, logos, and more, you can begin offering your services and growing your client base immediately—without the need to juggle multiple systems.
Save time and money streamlining your day to day
Designed to streamline your operations, Fitune saves you time and money while keeping your clients satisfied. Whether you're running in-person classes or virtual sessions, Fitune’s seamless scheduling system ensures everything runs smoothly. The platform also supports video on-demand, special events, and courses, helping you monetize your content and reach a broader audience.
With secure payment options, instant payouts, and robust client management tools, Fitune equips you with everything needed to efficiently manage and expand your martial arts business.
Increase sales with your own free branded app
What sets Fitune apart is its free branded client app—a feature unmatched by other platforms. This app allows your clients to book classes, schedule appointments, and purchase memberships directly from their smartphones, enhancing their experience and increasing your engagement.
Fitune's scheduling and calendar
Fitune's appointments
Fitune shines as the top choice for martial arts business owners who want to save time, automate bookings, and connect with more clients effortlessly. Its quick setup, comprehensive integration, and unique free client app make managing and growing your business easier than ever.
2. Arbox
Transparent pricing: Yes
Price: Free to $239
Free client app: Yes, but it’s not branded
Ideal for small to medium studios: Good if you have +50 clients
Arbox, while a general business management software, falls short when tailored for martial arts schools. Although it offers some specialized tools, its overall value may not meet expectations.
Arbox's pricing can be steep, ranging from $0 to $239 USD. However, its free version is severely restricted, limiting both the number of clients and weekly sessions you can offer. This may be particularly frustrating if you're looking for a scalable solution. The more basic payment plans do not provide a video-on-demand feature, which is increasingly important for martial arts schools that offer online training options.
Limited Functionality
While Arbox boasts transparent pricing, this transparency reveals that many essential features come at a premium. Branding your client app is only available with the most expensive package, which may not justify the cost for many schools. Furthermore, email communication and in-depth analytics are restricted to higher-tier plans, potentially leaving you with limited tools to manage client interactions and understand your business performance.
Arbox may have some specialized tools, but its high costs, restricted free version, and lack of essential features like video-on-demand make it a less appealing choice. Schools seeking a cost-effective, comprehensive solution may find better value elsewhere.
3. Acuity
Transparent pricing: Yes
Price: $16 to $49/month
Free client app: Yes, but it’s not brandable
Ideal for small to medium studios: Yes, if you just want a backend system
Acuity provides useful tools for client self-scheduling, appointment management, and integration with online meeting platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. It also supports payment processing through Stripe, Square, and PayPal, which can streamline your financial transactions. Customization options for branding and embedding the scheduler into your website are available, but these capabilities come with limitations.
The pricing plans for Acuity Scheduling range from $16 to $49 per month. However, for a more customized site, you’ll need to pay for Squarespace as well, which can significantly increase your costs. The necessity to manage two separate platforms—the scheduling system and Squarespace—can be a hassle. The learning curve associated with Squarespace, coupled with potential additional expenses for a developer, makes Acuity a more costly and time-consuming investment than anticipated.
Limitations for Martial Arts Schools
Despite its backend functionalities, Acuity Scheduling isn't ideal for martial arts schools aiming for a straightforward, budget-friendly solution. It does not support video on demand, a crucial feature for schools that want to offer online classes and monetize their content further. Additionally, Acuity limits the number of calendars you can manage, whereas platforms like Fitune allow for unlimited locations, providing greater flexibility. Furthermore, Acuity's mobile app is not branded, which means your clients will interact with a generic interface rather than one that reflects your school's branding.
While Acuity Scheduling offers some useful features, its high costs, complex setup, and limitations make it a less attractive option for martial arts schools. For a more integrated, cost-effective solution with features tailored to your needs, other platforms may provide better value.
4. Glofox
Transparent pricing: No
Price: Undisclosed + App add-on
Free client app: No
Ideal for small to medium studios: No
Glofox is a prominent name in the fitness industry, but it may not be the best fit for martial arts schools, especially considering recent issues with their member app.
Glofox provides a range of features, including class booking, payment management, and a merchandise shop. The merchandise feature can be beneficial for businesses that rely on merchandise sales as a significant revenue stream. However, the member app, which is central to these functionalities, has faced issues that have led some studios to seek alternative solutions.
An unaffordable platform for most
One of the major drawbacks of Glofox is its pricing structure. The cost can exceed $200 per month, which can be prohibitive for small to medium-sized martial arts schools. Moreover, the pricing details are not transparently provided on their website. Potential users are required to go through a demo call to learn about pricing, which can create a high-pressure sales environment.
While Glofox is designed with features suitable for larger chains and complex structures, it may not offer the best value for smaller schools. Users have reported that the features provided do not align well with the high cost, and the lack of clear information on features versus pricing can be frustrating. The need to schedule a demo call to obtain pricing information further complicates the decision-making process and adds pressure to commit.
Glofox, despite its strong reputation in the fitness industry, may not be the ideal choice for martial arts schools. The high cost, issues with the member app, and lack of transparent pricing make it a less attractive option compared to other platforms better suited for smaller operations and budget-conscious businesses.
5. Zen Planner
Transparent pricing: Yes
Price: $99 to $348/month
Free client app: Yes, but it’s not branded
Ideal for small to medium studios: No
Zen Planner is praised for its comprehensive feature set, including client management, scheduling, billing, and payroll. This array of tools helps streamline the operations of fitness studio owners by consolidating various business activities into one platform. It is particularly useful for managing a large staff and complex schedules.
Users appreciate Zen Planner’s customer support, especially the assistance provided during the lengthy setup process and day-to-day troubleshooting. The platform is noted for its intuitive user interface, making it relatively easy to schedule classes and manage payments compared to more complex systems like Mindbody or Acuity.
A steep cost for new businesses
However, Zen Planner’s pricing poses a significant concern. The cost can reach up to $349 per month for higher-tier plans, with even the basic plan starting at $99 per month. This can be a steep investment for new businesses still building their client base. The website creation feature is locked behind a $198 per month plan, adding to the overall expense. For boutique studios or smaller fitness businesses, this pricing structure may be prohibitive.
Despite its solid feature set, Zen Planner has notable limitations. The mobile app lacks some functionalities, which can be a drawback for those who rely on mobile devices for daily operations.
While Zen Planner provides a strong suite of features and excellent customer support, its high cost and limitations, particularly with its mobile app and technical issues, make it a less ideal option for smaller martial arts schools or those just starting out. For businesses seeking a more budget-friendly solution with fewer drawbacks, other platforms may offer better value.
Conclusions for the best martial arts management software
When it comes to managing your martial arts school, choosing the right software can make a significant difference in streamlining your operations and enhancing client engagement. Fitune stands out as the top choice due to its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. With its transparent pricing and robust capabilities, Fitune allows you to set up a fully integrated website quickly, start offering services immediately, and benefit from a free branded client app. This makes managing both in-person and virtual classes seamless and efficient, saving you time and helping you grow your client base without the hassle of juggling multiple systems.
In contrast, other options like Arbox, Acuity Scheduling, Glofox, and Zen Planner each come with their own set of drawbacks that may not align well with the needs of smaller martial arts schools. Arbox, while offering some specialized tools, is limited by its high costs and restrictive free version. Acuity Scheduling, though functional, requires additional expenses and complexities due to its integration with Squarespace. Glofox's high pricing and lack of transparent information can be prohibitive for smaller studios, and Zen Planner's steep costs, coupled with mobile app limitations and technical issues, may pose challenges for those just starting out. Overall, while these platforms have their merits, Fitune's balanced approach and tailored features make it the most suitable choice for martial arts businesses looking for an efficient and cost-effective solution.
Ready to try Fitune? Start now for free or book a demo to learn how to grow you fitness business.
