A member’s day
Ask to see roster lookup, waiver evidence, check-in history and rank review with fictional records. A feature-list checkmark does not prove the exact workflow your staff needs.
A different foundation, not a blanket winner
CHOOSE THE SETUP
YOU WANT TO RUN.
Several platforms serve martial arts schools well. Start with how you want to manage the system: a hosted service, or WordPress and WooCommerce with your own team responsible for the site.
Compare the work
ASK EACH SYSTEM
TO SHOW ITS WORK.
A move from your current platform
Check exported fields, duplicate rules and what happens on a failed row. Confirm separate plans for billing credentials, family relationships and historical records.
AI and accountability
Ask what context is sent to a provider, who can read it, which actions need review and how staff verify the result. Compare total provider and support costs as well as license fees.
WHAT EACH OPTION BRINGS
Pricing checked September 30, 2026. Compare software fees alongside hosting, services and payment processing.
| Option | Published model | What deserves consideration |
|---|---|---|
| GymCore | $39 / $99 / $179 monthly; annual options. | Licensed WordPress/WooCommerce software. Site maintenance and connected-service costs remain separate. Verify plan-specific scope. |
| Gymdesk ↗ | $75 / $100 / $150 / $200 by active-member bands. | Core features, staff accounts and a website included. Publishes free data export. Additional locations and certain add-ons cost extra. |
| Kicksite ↗ | $49 / $99 / $149 / $199 by active-student bands. | All features across tiers, including attendance and belt tracking. Website services are a separate consideration. |
| Spark ↗ | Confirm a current quote. | Markets martial-arts CRM, payments, messaging and automation. Its broader campaign offering is not equivalent to GymCore’s baseline manual pipeline. |
| Zen Planner ↗ | Studio from $99; scales by active-member bands. | Martial-arts features include belt tracking. Assess website and engagement options separately. |
Vendor offers can change. Ask each provider for current pricing and a quote for your school.
ASK THE QUESTIONS
THAT CHANGE THE DECISION.
Who maintains the system?
GymCore may fit an owner with WordPress support or an agency relationship. A hosted platform may fit an owner who wants fewer infrastructure responsibilities.
What work is actually included?
Compare member workflows, campaigns, onboarding, migrations and support—not a checklist that treats every feature name as equivalent.
What is the complete cost?
Add subscription, hosting, extensions, payment processing, messaging and implementation. Avoid promising savings from the headline license price.
Can you leave with usable records?
Ask each vendor about export formats and retained history. Gymdesk expressly publishes free export; do not claim all hosted vendors lock data away.
Choose your next step
Choose the model your gym can run.
Start with the software plans. If you need help with your setup or a move from another system, talk it through first.