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Head-to-head · Martial Arts Software

Zen Planner vs Gymdesk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Zen Planner #1 in Martial Arts Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Zen Planner
Gymdesk #4 in Martial Arts Software 8.0/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Gymdesk

Zen Planner leads on 1 check, Gymdesk on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreZen Planner · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceZen Planner · $39/mo
  • Free trialonly Gymdesk

Zen Planner scores higher on our rubric for martial arts software: 8.9 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Zen Planner is cheaper to start at $39/mo against $75/mo.

Zen Planner is the better fit for established gyms needing broad integrations. Gymdesk is the better fit for small gyms wanting core membership and class tools.

  • Zen Planner fits best

    Established gyms needing broad integrations

  • Gymdesk fits best

    Small gyms wanting core membership and class tools

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Side by side

Feature Zen Planner 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Gymdesk 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.0
Ranking #1 in Martial Arts Software #4 in Martial Arts Software
Best for Established gyms needing broad integrations Small gyms wanting core membership and class tools
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $39/mo (best) $75/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Zen Planner 1/5 · Gymdesk 1/5
Belt or rank tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Class scheduling ✓ ✓
Recurring billing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Attendance tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Student mobile app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Locations included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers memberships, scheduling, billing, attendance, waivers, payroll, and belt tracking
  • Member and staff apps support web, iOS, and Android access
  • Connects with tools including Zapier, Mailchimp, Google Calendar, and ClassPass
  • Combines memberships, scheduling, attendance and online booking
  • Supports recurring billing, digital waivers and member communications
  • Offers a member-facing app on iOS and Android
Cons
  • No free plan; displayed pricing starts at $99 per month
  • Marketing, website, app, and card-reader capabilities add separate monthly costs
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller, simpler programs
  • The $75 monthly entry tier covers up to 50 members
  • Multi-location support is limited
  • The focus is on core gym operations rather than a broader feature set
Our verdict

Zen Planner is cloud and mobile gym-management software for fitness businesses, martial arts schools, studios, and academies. Its core workspace combines membership management, class scheduling and online booking, attendance, automated…

Read the review →

Gymdesk brings member records, memberships, class scheduling, attendance, online booking, recurring billing, digital waivers and communications into a cloud-based system for gyms, martial arts schools and studios. Its member-facing app…

Read the review →
  1. Zen PlannerMartial Arts Software 8.9Paid
  2. GymdeskMartial Arts Software 8.014-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zen Planner — where it wins

    • Covers memberships, scheduling, billing, attendance, waivers, payroll, and belt tracking
    • Member and staff apps support web, iOS, and Android access
    • Connects with tools including Zapier, Mailchimp, Google Calendar, and ClassPass

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; displayed pricing starts at $99 per month
    • Marketing, website, app, and card-reader capabilities add separate monthly costs
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller, simpler programs

  • Gymdesk — where it wins

    • Combines memberships, scheduling, attendance and online booking
    • Supports recurring billing, digital waivers and member communications
    • Offers a member-facing app on iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • The $75 monthly entry tier covers up to 50 members
    • Multi-location support is limited
    • The focus is on core gym operations rather than a broader feature set

More comparisons

All martial arts software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update