Mindbody alternatives for fitness studios, gyms and trainers
Short answer: Mindbody starts at $79 a month per location, with three plans and card fees of a percentage plus 10 to 30 cents per payment, as of October 2026. Strong alternatives include WellnessLiving from $69 a month, Zen Planner from $99 a month, PushPress with a free plan, and Glofox, which prices by quote. Personal trainers who coach online may suit Trainerize, which has a free plan.
You're a studio or gym owner trying to work out if Mindbody's real cost is worth it, or whether a cheaper alternative actually covers what you need.
I'm Ranjit, and I run Blur Studio: 15+ years building software, 120 apps taken live, and clients who have gone on to raise $10M+. I build AI systems and processes that help businesses do a lot more with a lot less time. I also work differently from most of what else is out there, more on that further down this page. Say hello.
How much does Mindbody cost?
Mindbody's pricing page lists three plans: Starter, Accelerate and Ultimate. It gives one starting price of $79 a month per location. It does not list a price for each plan, so you get the full price from sales.
- Starter: Core business tools, unlimited users, payments, booking widgets for your website, a business website, a listing in the Mindbody app and basic reports.
- Accelerate: Everything in Starter, plus deeper reports, room and resource booking, Client Pick-a-Spot and promo codes. The AI Concierge and a branded app are add-ons.
- Ultimate: Everything in Accelerate, plus email and text marketing, a lead management dashboard and the AI Concierge. The branded app is still an add-on.
Mindbody's FAQ explains card fees. Mindbody Payments charges a percentage plus a fixed fee of 10 to 30 cents per payment in North America and Asia. The rate changes based on whether the card is present and the payment type. Mindbody says there is no onboarding fee on any plan. Data transfer can carry a fee, and custom data work is priced on its own.
Why do studios look for a Mindbody alternative?
Owners usually compare tools for reasons tied to cost and fit.
- You cannot see each plan's price: Mindbody shows a starting price, and the rest comes from a sales call.
- Add-ons raise the bill: On Mindbody's page, the branded app is an add-on even on Ultimate.
- Card fees matter at scale: A studio that takes $30,000 a month in cards feels every tenth of a percent.
- Different business types: A CrossFit box, a martial arts school and an online coach each need different features.
What are the best Mindbody alternatives?
Blur Studio (best value)
A ready-built, well-tested core with a different pricing model: no per-seat fees, and it covers almost all the features you'd actually need, usually working out to the best value for money. On top of that, Blur Studio builds owned customizations, meaning you can ask for it to be modified to your exact specifications, and you own those modifications outright. Learn more over a quick call with me, Ranjit.
- Best for: Businesses that need software that works without barriers, no unnecessary fees and options to customize it to their needs.
WellnessLiving
WellnessLiving offers class and appointment booking, a client app, a staff app, a point of sale and email and text reminders. Its Starter plan costs $69 a month, or $62 a month billed yearly. Starter covers one staff member and includes free data migration.
The Business plan adds unlimited staff, rewards, events, marketing and lead tools. Its regular price is $199 a month, or $179 billed yearly. BusinessPro lists a white-label client app, at a regular $349 a month. Ask whether that app is included or charged as an add-on. Through October 31, 2026, WellnessLiving shows 80% off the first two months of Business and BusinessPro.
- Best for: Studios that want an all-in-one tool with clear list prices.
Zen Planner
Zen Planner's Studio package starts at $99 a month. It covers memberships, billing, scheduling, staff and member apps, attendance and payroll. Essentials starts at $198 a month and adds a branded website and lead capture. Ultimate starts at $348 a month and adds marketing automation and AI email and text campaigns.
Prices scale with active members. Zen Planner counts a person as active if they have a membership or came to an event in the past month. Prospects and staff are not charged.
- Best for: Gyms and studios that bill members every month.
PushPress
Of the tools here, PushPress is the one that publishes its card rates next to each plan.
| PushPress plan | Monthly fee | Card rate | Bank (ACH) rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 4.99% + 30¢ | 2.89% + 30¢ |
| Pro | $159 | 2.89% + 30¢ | 0.79% + 30¢ |
| Max | $229 | 2.75% + 30¢ | 0.79% + 30¢ |
All three plans include unlimited members, staff, leads and admins. They also include the member and staff apps and a kiosk mode for check-in. The plans differ mainly in price, card rates and support. The Free plan has self-serve help, while Pro and Max add live human support.
- Best for: Gyms that want to start free or see card costs in advance.
Glofox
Glofox describes itself as software for class-led fitness businesses, from independent studios to growing gym brands. It covers memberships, booking, a branded member app, billing, a CRM, check-in, staff tools, analytics and multi-location tools. Its pricing page asks you to request a quote and does not list prices.
- Best for: Class-led studios and gym brands that want a branded member app in the core product.
Trainerize
Trainerize is a coaching app for personal trainers and gyms. Clients get workouts, habit coaching, meal tracking and messages in a mobile app. Its Basic plan is free for one client. Paid plans are priced by client count, so check the figure for your size on Trainerize's page. Studio Plus is for groups with 5 or more locations. It adds video calls, prospect booking and API access, and you get its price from sales.
- Best for: Personal trainers and online coaches who sell programs more than classes.
How do the Mindbody alternatives compare?
| Tool | Starting price | Card fees published | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindbody | $79 a month per location | Fixed fee range in FAQ | Studios that want a Mindbody app listing |
| WellnessLiving | $69 a month | Not listed | All-in-one studio tool |
| Zen Planner | $99 a month | Not listed | Membership gyms |
| PushPress | $0 | Yes, by plan | Gyms that want clear card costs |
| Glofox | Quote only | Not listed | Class-led studios and gym brands |
| Trainerize | $0 for one client | Not listed | Personal trainers and online coaching |
Mindbody vs Glofox: how do they differ?
Both tools aim at class-based fitness businesses. Both cover booking, memberships, payments and reports.
The clearest difference is how they sell. Mindbody publishes a starting price of $79 a month and lists what each plan adds. Glofox gives all pricing by quote. Mindbody also includes a listing in the Mindbody app on every plan. Glofox lists a branded member app among its core features, while Mindbody sells its branded app as an add-on.
So ask both for a written quote for your exact setup. Include the branded app, your card volume and the number of locations. Then compare the full yearly cost.
What should I use if I am looking for a Trainerize alternative?
First decide what you need. Trainerize is built for coaching clients one by one, with programs, habits and meals. Studio tools like Mindbody, Zen Planner and PushPress are built for classes and memberships.
If you mostly run classes, a studio tool fits better. If you coach clients online, look at tools built for coaching. If you need both, ask each vendor how it handles programs and class booking in one place. For a broader look at gym tools, see my guide to gym management software.
How do I choose studio software?
Run two or three tools side by side on a free trial or demo. Use your real class schedule and real price plans.
- Get the full price: Ask for the yearly total with every add-on you need.
- Ask for card rates in writing: Compare them on your real monthly card volume.
- Check the move: Ask who moves your members, payment details and class packs, and what it costs.
- Check the contract: Ask about length, notice periods and fees to leave.
- Test the client app: Book a class on your phone as if you were a member.
When does a custom build make sense for a studio?
Most studios should buy software. These products handle bookings and payments well, and they cost far less than a custom build.
Custom software starts to make sense in a few cases.
- You run several brands or types of location: For example, a group with yoga studios, a gym and a recovery spa, each on different tools.
- You sell something unusual: For example, hybrid memberships that mix online coaching, classes and nutrition plans.
- You want one view of your data: Members, sales and attendance sit in separate tools, and nobody trusts the numbers.
- You need AI help at the front desk: An AI receptionist can answer calls, book classes and handle common questions using your own rules.
Often the best move is to keep your studio software and add a custom layer on top. That could be a dashboard across all sites, or an automation that follows up with members who stop coming.
How would Blur Studio help a studio or gym?
My team would start by mapping how members join, book, pay and leave. Then I would check what your current software can already do. Often a cleaner setup solves most of the problem.
If there is a real gap, I build the missing piece and connect it to the tools you keep. Your studio owns what I build, including the code and the accounts, and I supports it once it is live. If you also run a salon or spa, my Vagaro vs GlossGenius guide compares beauty booking tools.
Need something completely custom?
Everything above is a path to get it running quick and cheap. But sometimes the honest answer is that none of those quite fit, and what you actually need is something custom that you own, built uniquely for your business from the ground up, with AI thoughtfully designed into the parts of it that your processes actually benefit from. An asset that grows in value, not a generic, one-size-fits-all boilerplate that's an expense with a lock-in. This is a complete bespoke build, and it's something I do very well. Get in touch to know more.
Questions people ask
How much does Mindbody cost per month?
As of October 2026, Mindbody starts at $79 a month per location. It has three plans, Starter, Accelerate and Ultimate, and you get each plan's exact price from Mindbody's sales team.
What is a cheaper alternative to Mindbody?
PushPress has a free plan with card fees of 4.99% plus 30 cents, as of October 2026. WellnessLiving starts at $69 a month for one staff member. Compare the full yearly cost, including card fees, before you switch.
Does Glofox publish its prices?
Glofox's pricing page asks you to request a quote, as of October 2026. It does not list plan prices, so ask for a written quote that includes card fees and the branded app.
Is Mindbody or Glofox better for a small studio?
Both serve class-based studios. Mindbody lists its plans and includes a listing in its consumer app. Glofox lists a branded member app as a core feature and prices by quote. Get written quotes from both for your exact setup.
What does Mindbody charge for card processing?
As of October 2026, Mindbody Payments charges a percentage plus a fixed fee per payment. Its FAQ puts that fixed fee at 10 to 30 cents in North America and Asia. The exact rate depends on the card type and whether the card is present.
Does Mindbody actually publish its prices?
Not fully. Mindbody quotes most studios directly rather than publishing one price list, and third-party trackers report different numbers for the same tier, from roughly $139 a month for a starter plan up toward $699 for its top plan with a dedicated account manager. Treat any number you see online as a starting point, not a quote, and ask Mindbody for your actual price before you compare it against an alternative.
What hidden fees should I watch for with Mindbody?
Beyond the monthly plan fee, Mindbody has been reported to charge separately for SMS messages, some integrations and extra staff seats, on top of payment processing fees around 2.75% plus 25 cents a transaction. Ask for the full fee schedule in writing before you sign, not just the headline plan price.
Roughly what does this cost?
As a broad reference, fixes and finishes start at around $1,500, and new builds start higher, always a fixed price agreed in writing before I start, never an hourly rate. My AI app cost guide explains what actually drives a quote up or down.
Is my project too small for this?
No. Most of the owners I work with have no tech team at all, that is the whole point. If the smarter move is a cheap software subscription instead of custom software, I will tell you that on the first call, even though it means I do not get paid.