The 10 Best Gym Management Software for 2026 (Honest Comparison)

Choosing the right gym management software can feel overwhelming.

There are dozens of options. Each one claims to be "the best." And the wrong choice could cost you thousands in switching costs, lost leads, and wasted time.

Here's the truth: no single platform is perfect for everyone. The right software depends on your gym's size, goals, and how you want to grow.

We've tested and researched the leading platforms extensively. This guide breaks down the top 10 options for 2026, with honest pros and cons for each.

Quick note on our methodology: We evaluated each platform on pricing transparency, ease of use, automation capabilities, fitness-specific features, and real user reviews. We also considered how each handles the biggest pain points gym owners face: slow lead response, member churn, and fragmented communication.

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Quick Comparison: Top 10 Gym Management Software for 2026

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1. Gymleadhub: Best for Growing Boutique Gyms

Best for: Boutique gyms, CrossFit boxes, yoga studios, and PT studios that want enterprise features without enterprise pricing.

Gymleadhub was built from the ground up specifically for fitness businesses. Unlike generic CRMs adapted for gyms, every feature reflects how boutique studios actually operate.

The standout feature is the AI-powered lead response system. Trained on over 10,000 real gym conversations, it responds to inquiries 24/7 in seconds, not hours. Research shows leads contacted within 5 minutes are 21x more likely to convert. Most gyms take 4-6 hours to respond. That gap costs them members.

What Makes Gymleadhub Different

The platform solves the three biggest problems gym owners face:

Slow lead response. The AI agent handles every inquiry instantly, whether it comes in at 2pm or 2am. It qualifies leads, answers questions, handles objections, and books discovery calls directly into your calendar.

Fragmented communication. SMS, email, WhatsApp, and social messages appear in one unified inbox. No more switching between apps or losing context.

Complex, expensive software. One simple price: £50/month. All features included. No hidden fees. No per-member charges. No premium tiers. Whether you have 50 members or 500, the price stays the same.

Key Features

• Visual workflow builder with 50+ triggers and 30+ actions
• Class booking with waitlists and capacity limits
• Membership management (packs, subscriptions, session tracking)
• Stripe and GoCardless payment integration
• Customer portal for self-service booking
• AI nutrition coaching and meal planning
• Body metrics tracking with InBody integration
• Staff management with role-based permissions
• Meta Ads integration for direct lead import

Pricing

• Platform: £50/month (all features included)
• AI credits: Pay-as-you-go (approximately £10 for 50 conversations)
• No contracts. No member limits. No hidden fees.

Potential Drawbacks

• Relatively new platform compared to established players
• UK-focused pricing and support
• AI features require separate credit purchases

Bottom line: If you want enterprise-grade automation without enterprise prices, Gymleadhub delivers the most value for growing boutique studios. The 24/7 AI lead response alone can pay for itself with a single converted member.

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2. Mindbody: Best for Large Wellness Enterprises

Best for: Multi-location wellness brands and large gym networks that need robust analytics and don't mind complexity.

Mindbody is the industry veteran. Since 2001, it has grown to serve over 58,000 fitness businesses worldwide. If you've ever booked a yoga class through an app, there's a good chance it ran on Mindbody.

The platform offers comprehensive features: class scheduling, payment processing, marketing tools, and detailed reporting. The consumer marketplace can drive discovery for studios in high-traffic areas.

Key Features

• Advanced class scheduling and booking
• Integrated payment processing
• Marketing automation and email campaigns
• Consumer marketplace for member discovery
• Detailed business analytics and reporting
• Staff scheduling and payroll integration

Pricing

• Starts around £100/month for basic plans
• Full-featured plans can exceed £500/month
• Additional transaction fees apply
• No free trial available

Potential Drawbacks

• Price. It's significantly more expensive than alternatives, especially as you scale. Many owners report feeling nickel-and-dimed with add-on fees.
• Complexity. The interface has a steep learning curve. Features that should be simple often require multiple clicks and workarounds.
• Clunky workflows. Long-time users frequently cite frustration with outdated UX and limited customisation.
• Overkill for small studios. If you run a boutique gym with 100-200 members, you're paying for enterprise features you'll never use.

Bottom line: Mindbody works well for large, multi-location operations that need extensive analytics and can absorb the costs. For most boutique studios, it's overpriced and overcomplicated.

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3. Glofox: Best for Boutique Studios Wanting Branded Apps

Best for: Class-based boutique studios that prioritise a polished member-facing experience and branded mobile apps.

Glofox (now ABC Glofox) focuses specifically on boutique fitness. The platform shines in member engagement, offering white-label apps that look professional and feel native to your brand.

The software handles the core needs well: class booking, membership management, and attendance tracking. Integration with Trainerize adds workout programming capabilities.

Key Features

• Custom-branded member app
• Class scheduling and booking
• Attendance tracking and access control
• Lead capture and CRM features
• Integration with Trainerize for workouts
• Customer insight reports

Pricing

• Pricing not publicly disclosed (quote required)
• Generally ranges from £79-£349/month
• Scales based on features and member count

Potential Drawbacks

• Hidden pricing. You can't see costs without talking to sales, which often means higher-than-expected quotes.
• Limited automation. Compared to platforms with visual workflow builders, Glofox's automation feels basic.
• Integration gaps. Falls short on connecting with third-party tools. If you rely on specific marketing or payment systems, check compatibility first.

Bottom line: Glofox delivers a polished member experience through its branded apps. It's a solid choice for studios prioritising aesthetics over advanced automation. Just be prepared for opaque pricing.

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4. Zen Planner: Best for Martial Arts and Belt Tracking

Best for: Martial arts studios, BJJ gyms, and any facility that needs rank progression tracking alongside standard gym management.

Zen Planner carved out a niche by understanding what martial arts studios actually need. Belt tracking, testing schedules, and rank-based communication segments set it apart from generic gym software.

For appointment-based gyms and studios with structured progression programmes, the specialised features save significant manual work.

Key Features

• Belt and rank tracking with automated milestones
• Class scheduling with member self-service
• Automated billing and payment processing
• Integrated website builder
• Performance tracking and workout logs
• Automated door entry via key fobs

Pricing

• Starts around £60/month
• Free trial available
• Pricing scales with features and usage

Potential Drawbacks

• Niche focus. The martial arts features are excellent, but general fitness studios won't use half of them.
• Limited marketing tools. Lead generation and automation capabilities lag behind dedicated CRM platforms.
• Integration limitations. Connecting to external tools can be clunky.

Bottom line: For martial arts studios, Zen Planner is purpose-built and worth considering. For general fitness studios, the niche features add complexity without value.

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5. PushPress: Best Free Option for Small Gyms

Best for: Small gyms under 100 members looking to start with a free solution and upgrade as they grow.

PushPress offers something rare in gym software: a genuinely usable free tier. Up to 100 members and two staff members can use core features without paying.

The platform recently added AI-powered features, positioning itself as a more modern alternative to legacy systems. Integration with Amazon Fire Stick for in-gym displays shows thoughtful attention to the training floor experience.

Key Features

• Free tier for gyms under 100 members
• Class check-in and scheduling
• Billing and invoicing
• Integration with Slack, Facebook, Google, Xero
• Centralised dashboard with daily overview
• Visual reports for business analysis

Pricing

• Free: Up to 100 members, 2 staff
• Pro: $159/month (unlimited members, 15 staff)
• Max: $229/month (unlimited everything)

Potential Drawbacks

• Free tier limitations. The 100-member cap forces an upgrade just as you're gaining momentum.
• US-focused. Pricing in dollars and US-centric integrations may complicate things for UK gyms.
• Fewer automation features. Compared to dedicated CRM platforms, workflow automation is limited.

Bottom line: PushPress offers excellent value at the free and mid-tiers. It's a smart starting point for small gyms that expect to grow.

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6. Wodify: Best for CrossFit and Performance Tracking

Best for: CrossFit boxes and performance-driven gyms where workout tracking and leaderboards matter.

Wodify understands the CrossFit community. The platform includes leaderboards, performance tracking, and benchmark workout history that athletes expect.

For gyms where members track PRs and compete on daily workouts, these features create genuine engagement that generic platforms can't match.

Key Features

• Performance tracking and leaderboards
• Benchmark workout history
• Membership management and billing
• Class scheduling and booking
• Communication tools and automations
• Mobile app for members

Pricing

• Starts from $79/month
• Multiple tiers with quote-based pricing
• No free trial or free plan

Potential Drawbacks

• CrossFit-centric. Features like leaderboards add little value for yoga studios or PT facilities.
• No free trial. You commit before truly testing the platform.
• Quote-based pricing. Lack of transparency makes comparison difficult.

Bottom line: If you run a CrossFit box or performance gym, Wodify's specialised features justify the investment. Other gym types should look elsewhere.

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7. GymDesk: Best Budget Option for Martial Arts Schools

Best for: Small martial arts schools, dojos, and sports clubs seeking affordable administration tools.

GymDesk positions itself as a cost-effective alternative to heavyweight platforms. Belt tracking, attendance, and automated billing cover the essentials for martial arts instruction.

The platform integrates with common tools like QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Stripe, and PayPal, reducing the learning curve for gyms already using those services.

Key Features

• Belt and rank tracking
• Attendance management
• Automated billing
• Mobile app for members
• Integration with QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Zapier
• Lead management tools

Pricing

• Quote-based pricing
• Generally more affordable than competitors
• Free trial available

Potential Drawbacks

• Limited scalability. Enterprise features are lacking for growing studios.
• Basic automation. Workflow capabilities don't match dedicated platforms.
• Niche positioning. Like Zen Planner, the martial arts focus may not suit general fitness.

Bottom line: GymDesk delivers solid fundamentals at lower cost for small martial arts schools. Larger or more diverse studios need more robust tools.

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8. TeamUp: Best for Class-Only Studios

Best for: Yoga studios, dance schools, HIIT boutiques, and any facility where classes are the entire business.

TeamUp focuses exclusively on class-based operations. If you don't offer personal training, memberships, or gym floor access, the streamlined approach reduces clutter.

Integration with ClassPass and MoveGB helps fill spots, though reliance on marketplaces can commoditise your brand over time.

Key Features

• Class scheduling and booking
• Waitlist management
• Flexible payment options
• Integration with ClassPass, MoveGB, Zapier
• Website and social media booking
• Attendance tracking

Pricing

• Starts at $104/month
• Scales based on active members
• No free plan available

Potential Drawbacks

• Class-only focus. If you add PT or memberships later, you may outgrow the platform.
• Marketplace dependency. ClassPass integration drives discovery but often at the expense of margins.
• Price scales with growth. Costs increase as your member base expands.

Bottom line: TeamUp works well for pure class-based studios. Hybrid models or facilities planning to diversify should consider more flexible platforms.

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9. Exercise.com: Best for Large Enterprise Operations

Best for: Multi-location gym chains, franchise operations, and facilities with dedicated IT resources.

Exercise.com aims at the enterprise end of the market. Custom-branded apps, extensive workout libraries, and comprehensive client management suit operations with significant scale.

The platform handles high client volumes, complex scheduling, and multi-location reporting. For corporate wellness or franchise models, these capabilities matter.

Key Features

• Custom-branded mobile apps
• Extensive exercise library
• Client and group management at scale
• Automated billing and invoicing
• Built-in CRM and marketing automation
• Advanced analytics and reporting

Pricing

• Starts at $125-$239/month per location
• Custom apps and add-ons cost extra
• Transaction fees apply

Potential Drawbacks

• Enterprise pricing. The cost structure suits large operations, not independent studios.
• Complexity. More features mean more setup time and ongoing management.
• Steeper learning curve. Some users report navigation challenges.

Bottom line: Exercise.com serves the enterprise market well. Independent boutique owners will find it expensive and over-engineered for their needs.

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10. Trainerize: Best for Online Personal Trainers

Best for: Individual personal trainers and online coaches focused on workout delivery rather than gym management.

Trainerize (now ABC Trainerize) specialises in trainer-client relationships. Workout programming, meal plan delivery, and real-time messaging help coaches stay connected with clients remotely.

The platform integrates with MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, and other tracking apps, creating a comprehensive view of client progress.

Key Features

• Workout programming and delivery
• Meal plan creation
• Client messaging and communication
• Integration with fitness wearables
• Progress tracking and photos
• Habit coaching tools

Pricing

• Free: 1 client
• Grow: From $5/month (up to 2 clients)
• Pro: Scales with client count
• Studio plans available for facilities

Potential Drawbacks

• Not gym management software. No class scheduling, no membership billing, no facility operations.
• Limited automation. Marketing and business management features are basic.
• Per-client scaling. Costs add up quickly as you grow.

Bottom line: Trainerize excels at workout delivery for online coaches. It's not gym management software and shouldn't be evaluated as such.

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How to Choose the Right Gym Software

The right platform depends on your specific situation:

Choose Gymleadhub if:

• You run a boutique gym, CrossFit box, or PT studio
• Lead response speed matters to your growth
• You want enterprise features at boutique prices
• Automation across SMS, email, and WhatsApp appeals to you
• Simple, transparent pricing is important

Choose Mindbody if:

• You operate multiple large locations
• You need robust analytics and reporting
• Budget isn't a primary concern
• You're willing to invest time in setup and training

Choose Glofox if:

• A polished, branded member app is the top priority
• Your business is primarily class-based
• You prefer boutique-focused vendors

Choose Zen Planner or GymDesk if:

• You run a martial arts studio or dojo
• Belt tracking and rank progression are essential

Choose PushPress if:

• You're just starting out with under 100 members
• A free tier to get started is essential
• You expect to grow and can budget for upgrades

Choose Wodify if:

• CrossFit or performance tracking is central to your offering
• Leaderboards and workout tracking drive member engagement

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gym management software for small gyms?

For small gyms, the best options balance features with affordability. Gymleadhub offers all features at £50/month regardless of member count, making it predictable for budgeting. PushPress offers a free tier for gyms under 100 members.

How much should I pay for gym software?

Expect to pay between £50-£150/month for a capable platform. Be wary of per-member pricing that scales unpredictably. The total cost should include payment processing fees, add-ons, and any transaction charges.

Do I need AI features in my gym software?

AI-powered lead response is becoming essential. Research shows 78% of leads go to the first gym that responds. If you're not responding within minutes, you're losing members to competitors. Platforms with 24/7 AI response (like Gymleadhub and PushPress) solve this automatically.

Can I switch gym software without losing data?

Yes, but it requires planning. Most platforms offer data export. The real cost is retraining staff, notifying members of new apps, and rebuilding automations. Choose carefully upfront to avoid switching costs later.

Which gym software has the best payment processing?

Look for platforms that integrate with Stripe or GoCardless for transparent, competitive rates. Avoid platforms that mandate proprietary payment processing, as fees often exceed market rates.

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The Bottom Line

Every platform on this list can run a gym. The question is which one fits your specific needs and growth plans.

For most boutique fitness businesses, the combination of features, pricing, and AI-powered automation makes Gymleadhub the strongest choice in 2026. Enterprise features shouldn't require enterprise budgets.

But don't take our word for it. Test the platforms that interest you. Most offer free trials or demos.

The worst decision is no decision. Every month with the wrong software (or no software at all) costs you leads, members, and revenue.

Ready to see how Gymleadhub can help your gym grow? Start your free trial today and experience 24/7 AI lead response, powerful automations, and simple pricing that doesn't punish success.

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