Martial arts gyms · Updated 2026-07-23
The best software for martial arts gyms in 2026
Running a dojo means tracking ranks, attendance and family billing at once — needs generic gym software handles poorly. We compared the platforms actually built for martial arts schools, from BJJ academies to traditional taekwondo dojangs. No paid placements: just the real market, with indicative pricing.
The picks at a glance
| Software | Best for | Indicative pricing |
|---|
| Kicksite | Traditional martial arts schools focused on rank progression | from ~$99/month |
| Gymdesk | BJJ / MMA academies that want modern software without contracts | from ~$75/month |
| Zen Planner | Established schools that want a proven, full-featured suite | from ~$99/month |
| MyStudio | Schools that grow through trials, events and family engagement | tiered plans |
| Spark Membership | Owners who treat enrollment as a sales process | tiered plans |
Pricing is indicative, checked at the date above — plans change; always confirm with the vendor. We have no paid relationship with any editor listed here.
The contenders, in detail
1. Kicksite
Pricing : from ~$99/month
Traditional martial arts schools focused on rank progression
Kicksite is built specifically for martial arts schools: rank and belt tracking, attendance kiosks, recurring billing and automated messaging to students and parents.
Strengths
- +Belt and rank promotion workflows are first-class, not an afterthought
- +Simple check-in kiosk students actually use
- +US-based support with martial arts background
Watch out for
- −Interface feels dated in places
- −Fewer third-party integrations than generic gym platforms
2. Gymdesk
Pricing : from ~$75/month
BJJ / MMA academies that want modern software without contracts
Gymdesk is a modern, month-to-month gym management platform popular with BJJ and MMA academies. Memberships, belt tracking, digital waivers and a clean member portal.
Strengths
- +Clean, fast interface — minimal training needed
- +No long-term contract, transparent pricing
- +Good value at small-academy scale
Watch out for
- −Marketing automation is lighter than older suites
- −Younger ecosystem of add-ons and consultants
3. Zen Planner
Pricing : from ~$99/month
Established schools that want a proven, full-featured suite
Zen Planner (part of the Daxko family) is a mature all-in-one: scheduling, billing, belt tracking, member app and staff kiosk. A long-standing reference for martial arts and functional fitness.
Strengths
- +Deep, battle-tested feature set
- +Member app and self-service kiosk included
- +Handles belts, skills and attendance-based promotions
Watch out for
- −Setup and onboarding take real effort
- −Interface is showing its age against newer rivals
4. MyStudio
Pricing : tiered plans
Schools that grow through trials, events and family engagement
MyStudio focuses on the parent and student experience: mobile-first memberships, trial offers, events, retail and point of sale, with strong sales funnels for enrollment.
Strengths
- +Polished mobile experience for parents and students
- +Trial and event funnels convert well for kids programs
- +Built-in retail / POS for merchandise
Watch out for
- −Costs add up as you enable modules
- −More moving parts to learn than minimalist tools
5. Spark Membership
Pricing : tiered plans
Owners who treat enrollment as a sales process
Spark Membership is a martial-arts-focused CRM with billing, attendance and marketing automation, with an emphasis on the sales pipeline — leads, trials, follow-ups.
Strengths
- +Lead pipeline and follow-up automation built in
- +Designed by people from the martial arts industry
- +Covers billing, ranks and attendance in one place
Watch out for
- −Interface is dense at first
- −Smaller company than the market leaders
Free shortlist
Not sure which one fits your business?
Tell us about your setup — we compare your case against the market and send you a personalised shortlist within 24 hours. Free, no sales call attached.
How to choose
01Belt & rank tracking that matches your art
Promotion rules differ between BJJ, karate or taekwondo. Check that ranks, stripes and testing requirements can be configured for your curriculum — not just a generic “level” field.
02Family billing
Most schools bill parents for several children on one payment method. Multi-member households and sibling discounts should be native, not a workaround.
03Attendance without friction
A kiosk or app check-in that takes two seconds keeps your data clean. If checking in is slow, students skip it and your promotion eligibility data dies.
04Contract terms
Some suites require annual contracts and onboarding fees; others are month-to-month. Weigh the switching cost before committing your member database.
Frequently asked questions
Can I migrate my member data from another platform?
All five vendors here support imports, usually via CSV of members, belts and billing schedules. Ask the new vendor to handle the migration during onboarding — Kicksite, Zen Planner and Gymdesk routinely do it.
Do these tools handle recurring payments and failed cards?
Yes — recurring billing with automatic retry on failed cards is standard across Kicksite, Gymdesk, Zen Planner, MyStudio and Spark. Payment processing fees come on top of the subscription, so compare effective rates.
What should a small startup dojo pick?
If you are under ~100 students and want minimal admin, month-to-month platforms like Gymdesk are the usual starting point. Schools with structured kids programs and testing cycles tend to justify the heavier suites.