Most studio owners pay for software that books classes fine but bleeds money through hidden processing fees and auto-renewing contracts. The best gym management software for fitness studios right now is WellnessLiving: published prices, free data migration, and a white-label app on BusinessPro.
Below, you’ll find a price chart, 10 honest reviews, and the contract traps to check before signing.
Quick Price Chart: What Each Platform Really Costs
Sticker prices lie. The real cost of gym management software for fitness studios is the monthly fee plus card processing, the branded app, and texting. Prices below come from each vendor’s pricing page, checked in late 2026.
| Platform | Published starting price | Branded app | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| WellnessLiving | $69/mo (1 staff); $199 and $349 list for business tiers | Included on BusinessPro | Monthly or annual |
| Mindbody | $79/mo per location (Starter) | Add-on, higher tiers only | Varies by plan |
| Walla | $299/mo per location | Included on Pro (quote) | Several term lengths |
| Arketa | $49/mo billed annually (solo) | Studio Suite or add-on | Not published |
| Momence | Quote only | Quote | Not published |
| ABC Glofox | Quote only | Core selling point | Annual, auto-renews |
| PushPress | $0, $159, or $229/mo | $97/mo add-on | Not published |
| TeamUp | $189/mo (101–200 active customers) | £79/mo add-on | Month-to-month |
| Mariana Tek | Quote only | Included | Quote |
| Vagaro | $23.99/mo intro, then $30 | Included | Cancel anytime |
Key takeaway: five of the 10 hide some or all pricing behind a sales call. That’s not a red flag on its own — but it means you negotiate, and you get every number in writing.
The 10 Best Gym Management Software Platforms for Studios
Each pick below covers real costs, at least two complaints owners actually raise, and who should walk away. Not every piece of gym management software for fitness studios fits every studio — so match the pick to your model.
1. WellnessLiving: Best Overall for Studios
Among gym management software for fitness studios, WellnessLiving wins because it publishes real prices and doesn’t charge to move you in. Setup, data migration, onboarding, and training are free on every plan.
Here’s the catch: Starter ($69/mo) covers only one staff member. Most studios with a team land on Business ($199 list) or BusinessPro ($349 list), which adds the white-label Achieve app. It also integrates with Brivo for keyless door access.
Cons:
- No published card processing rate — only a claim that you’ll “save over 20%.”
- Price-creep complaints cluster on the BBB, even as Capterra scores stay high.
Who Should Skip This: solo instructors. The starter’s one-staff cap fits, but simpler tools cost less.
2. Mindbody: Best for Marketplace Discovery
Mindbody is the giant — more than 40,000 businesses run on it, and Starter lists your studio on the Mindbody consumer app. Its parent, Playlist, closed a $7.5 billion merger with EGYM in early 2026, putting Mindbody and ClassPass under one roof with smart gym equipment.
The starter is $79/mo per location. Accelerate adds Pick-a-Spot and room management, while Ultimate adds automated campaigns and a 24/7 AI front desk — both are quote-only. There’s no onboarding fee, but data transfer may cost extra.
Cons:
- The marketplace can show nearby competitors to clients browsing for your class.
- Owners report steady price increases and slow, automated support.
Who Should Skip This: single-room studios that don’t need marketplace traffic.
3. Walla: Best Modern Platform for Funded Boutiques
Walla is the platform many studios switch to when they’re done with Mindbody. The starting plan runs $299/mo per location with unlimited users, Book-a-Spot, and WallaPredict reporting.
The best part? Walla adds no booking fees for your clients. An optional “offset” lets clients cover a 3.9% fee instead of you.
Cons:
- The Pro tier — branded app, two-way texting, lead tracking — is quote-only.
- The old low-cost starter tier is gone, so entry pricing is steep for a new studio.
Who Should Skip This: studios doing under $10,000 a month in revenue.
4. Arketa: Best for Instructors Going Hybrid
Arketa’s solo plan costs $49/mo billed annually and includes an unlimited on-demand video library. Studio Suite adds a branded app that plays on Apple TV and Roku — handy if you sell recorded classes.
Cons:
- The solo plan adds a 3% transaction fee on top of Stripe’s processing.
- Every Studio tier needs a demo to see the price.
Who Should Skip This: in-person-only studios that will never sell video.
5. Momence: Best for Studios Selling Events and Workshops
Momence handles classes, workshops, and ticketed events well. It’s now part of Xplor, which closed its merger with Clubessential in March 2026 — the same group that owns Mariana Tek.
Momence posts US processing rates: 3.9% + $0.30 online, 3.7% + $0.05 in person, and 1.8% on ACH. There’s a 14-day trial.
Cons:
- Subscription pricing isn’t published.
- Two ownership changes since early 2025 mean the roadmap could shift again.
Who Should Skip This: owners who refuse to sit through a sales demo.
6. ABC Glofox: Best Branded App (With Contract Risk)
Glofox built its name on polished branded apps for boutique studios. ABC Fitness owns it now.
On the flip side, its reviews split hard: 4.5 on G2 against 3.6 on Trustpilot.
Cons:
- Owners report mid-contract price hikes, including one widely cited 70% increase.
- Annual contracts auto-renew, and several reviewers describe billing after they cancelled.
Who Should Skip This: anyone who won’t negotiate a price cap into the contract.
7. PushPress: Best Free Starting Point
PushPress offers a true $0 plan. Pro costs $159/mo and Max $229/mo, and a branded app adds $97/mo.
Now, you might be wondering why anyone pays when free exists. Processing. Free charges are 4.99% + $0.30 per card transaction, against 2.89% on Pro. On $15,000 a month in card sales, that’s about $749 versus $434 — so Pro saves roughly $156 a month even after its fee.
Cons:
- Add-ons stack fast. A “full stack” setup runs about $559/mo.
- Its roots are in functional fitness, so spa-style appointment tools feel thin.
Who Should Skip This: appointment-heavy studios that sell massage, physio, or spa services.
8. TeamUp: Best Month-to-Month Option
TeamUp prices by active customers — $189/mo for 101 to 200 — with unlimited locations, no setup fee, and no contract. Cancel any time.
Cons:
- Price climbs with every active-customer bracket you cross.
- Add-ons like the branded app (£79/mo) are priced in pounds, so US costs shift with the exchange rate.
Who Should Skip This: fast-growing studios that would rather pay a flat rate.
9. Mariana Tek: Best for Premium Multi-Location Brands
Mariana Tek powers high-end boutique chains. Members can pick their spot and even pre-order amenities like water or bike shoes.
Pricing is quote-only and sits at the premium end, and setup takes weeks.
Cons:
- Reviewers say retail POS items need the desktop version.
- At least one owner notes you can’t email clients directly from the system.
Who Should Skip This: new single-location studios watching every dollar.
10. Vagaro: Best Budget Pick for Hybrid Studios
Vagaro starts at $23.99/mo for the first six months, then $30. Each extra bookable calendar costs $10, up to seven. A free card reader comes with Vagaro Merchant Services.
Cons:
- It’s built for salons and spas first, so fitness reporting is light.
- Door access needs a do-it-yourself setup, and its “cancel anytime” promise carries exclusions.
Who Should Skip This: class-heavy studios running 40-plus classes a week.
Hidden Costs in Gym Management Software for Fitness Studios
That brings us to the biggest mistake people make: comparing only the monthly fee. Watch for these:
- Card processing: usually your largest software cost. Get the rate in writing.
- Branded app: $97 to $149 a month as an add-on at several vendors.
- Texting: Walla once listed two-way texting at $100/mo; it now sits inside the quote-only Pro tier.
- Migration: free at WellnessLiving; extra at Mindbody and Walla’s guided plans.
- Client-side fees: some platforms pass fees to members at checkout. Members notice.
What Your Front Desk Actually Needs
Picture this: it’s 5:55 a.m., 24 riders are arriving for a 6:00 spin class, and one person is working the desk. Gym management software for fitness studios that looks great in a demo can choke here.
Before you sign, test these on real hardware:
- Check-in speed: Can a member check in on a 10-inch tablet kiosk in one tap?
- Card reader: Does the platform support the reader you already own, or force a new one?
- Door access: Does it connect to systems like Brivo for early or 24/7 entry?
- Staff logins: Protect admin accounts with an authenticator app, not SMS codes.
The 2026 Ownership Shake-Up
The truth is, who owns your software affects what you’ll pay next year. Three groups now control much of the gym management software for fitness studios:
- Playlist (Mindbody, ClassPass, Booker, and now EGYM).
- Xplor (Mariana Tek and Momence, after merging with Clubessential).
- ABC Fitness (Glofox).
Bottom line: private-equity owners often push prices up after a deal. Ask for a multi-year price cap.
How to Switch Without Losing Members
Moving platforms is where studios lose revenue — even with good gym management software for fitness studios on the other end. Follow this order:
- Export members, memberships, and visit history to a spreadsheet or a team database first.
- Confirm your stored card details can move between processors, or members must re-enter cards.
- Run both systems for one billing cycle.
- Announce the new booking app two weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best gym management software for a small fitness studio?
WellnessLiving is the best all-around pick. PushPress is the strongest free option, and TeamUp suits studios that want no contract.
How much does fitness studio software cost?
Published plans run from $0 to about $350 a month. Card processing, a branded app, and texting often add $100 to $500 more.
Is Mindbody worth it for a small studio?
Only if marketplace discovery brings you paying clients. Otherwise, you’re paying for reach you don’t use.
Do fitness studios need a branded app?
Not at first. A clean booking widget works fine under roughly 150 members. Add a branded app once retention matters more than acquisition.
Can I switch gym software without re-collecting member cards?
Sometimes. It depends on both processors supporting a card-data transfer, so ask both vendors before you sign.
What’s the difference between gym software and a CRM?
Gym software runs bookings, billing, and check-ins. A CRM tracks leads and follow-ups. Most studio platforms now include a basic CRM.
Final Thoughts
The right gym management software for fitness studios is the one whose total cost you can predict 12 months out. Start with WellnessLiving or PushPress, run a full billing cycle in the trial, and get your processing rate in writing.
Still building out the rest of your stack? See our list of top SaaS tools for startups — then cut anything your studio software already does.
