Roundup · 2026

Best gym management software in Australia

Seven platforms compared across pricing, member app quality, AI, scheduling, access control, marketing and reviews. Written by one of them — which is why every entry says what it does better than us.

Figures last checked 14 August 2026All pricing NZD unless statedRe-verified quarterly (68d)

The questions that decide it

1. What’s the total cost?
Subscription plus any percentage of member payments, plus any per-transaction platform fee. The second and third numbers rarely appear on an invoice but are usually the bigger ones.
2. Can it direct-debit Australian members?
Stripe BECS, GoCardless AU, Ezypay and PayChoice are the main AU direct-debit rails. Direct debit is cheaper per transaction and fails less than card. Platforms that can’t confirm AU BECS or GoCardless AU leave you on card rates for every membership.
3. What do your members actually get in the app?
Most gym apps are a timetable and a payment screen. A few add tracking, AI coaching or nutrition. The gap between ‘a member app’ and one a member opens every day is the retention gap.
4. What does ‘included’ actually mean?
Marketing automation, access control, branded apps and CRM are ‘included’ on some platforms and separate paid modules on others. Check what you actually need before comparing headline subscription prices.

The options

Seven, in no particular order

GymMasterbest for 24/7 gyms needing integrated access + local AU billing

Christchurch, New Zealand · founded 1997

Christchurch-built and operating in 75+ countries. The strongest integrated access-control proposition in this comparison for Australian 24/7 gyms, backed by the widest local billing-partner choice. 4.5/5 · 628 ratings · AU App Storeapps.apple.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab).

Pricing: Subscription tiers not publicly verified in AUD — the pricing page requires a sales conversation. $129–299/mogymmaster.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab) is the published NZD grid; AU gyms should request AU pricing in writing. No minimum contract; 60-day money-back guarantee on software (excludes hardware shipping). Processing: NZ$0.50 per transaction, plus your processorgymmaster.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab).
Member app: Generic GymMaster Member iOS and Android app for bookings and membership. Custom-branded gym apps available but pricing not published. 4.5/5 · 628 ratings · AU App Storeapps.apple.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). No verified native member workout companion, nutrition tracking or AI chat.
AI: GymMaster publishes educational material about AI scheduling and attendance optimisation, but no production AI schedule generator or member AI companion was verified from official sources. Rules-based automation for billing, access revocation and retention outreach is well-established.
Scheduling: Strong class scheduling, bookings, check-in and billing integration. Access is connected to live membership status — joins issue access, lapses and cancellations revoke it automatically. Trial memberships, PT packs and recurring billing are all natively supported.
Access control: GymMaster’s Gatekeeper hardware — proprietary controller, RFID readers and fobs — is the platform’s main differentiator for 24/7 gyms. The hardware ecosystem integrates door locks, kiosks and barcode scanners with live membership status. Hardware is purchased separately and requires installation. What happens to your hardware if you cancel is not publicly documented. Get a written answer before committing.
Marketing: Rules-based automation for email outreach, retention campaigns and failed-payment follow-up is included. No multi-step lead pipeline or AI-generated sequences confirmed.
Best for: Australian 24/7 gyms whose primary requirement is access control tied to live membership and payment status, backed by locally integrated billing partners like Ezypay and PayChoice.
Watch for: Subscription pricing is opaque — tiers are not publicly listed in AUD. Access hardware is proprietary: if you leave, existing readers may only work with GymMaster’s controller. No verified member AI companion or AI-generated timetable. The structural risk is software lock-in: if you ever want to switch gym software, your access hardware decision complicates the move — readers only work with GymMaster’s controller. A software change can require a hardware change too.

Full comparison with PATO →

Mindbodybest for boutique studios that need to be found by new customers

United States · founded 2000

The consumer marketplace is Mindbody’s single strongest differentiator — roughly 3 million app users generating first-time bookings for listed studios. Dominant in AU yoga, Pilates and boutique fitness. 4.0/5 overall, 3.6/5 on value.

Pricing: A$89–369/mo per locationmindbodyonline.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Processing rates Not published — get them in writing before signing. Marketplace commission: 20% of a new client’s first purchase, capped at $30. Branded app: $249–299/mo, or their top tier. Marketing automation: On higher tiers, not the entry plan.
Member app: Members use the generic Mindbody consumer app for discovery and booking, or a custom-branded version (paid add-on, price unpublished). The app supports class booking, appointments, package purchases and account management. No verified native member workout companion or AI nutrition tracking.
AI: AI front desk: answers common questions, books sessions and follows missed calls with a text — a practical customer-service tool rather than a member coaching companion. No verified AI-generated timetable or member workout/nutrition AI.
Scheduling: One of the broadest scheduling engines in this comparison: classes, appointments, rooms, equipment, staff, retail and POS coexist. Real-time availability, waitlists, website widgets and marketplace distribution. Strongest for mixed-service businesses (yoga + massage + workshops in one location).
Access control: Mindbody integrates with Brivo for access control. Not a native door-access system — a third-party integration that links membership status to Brivo hardware. Get a written quote for the hardware and integration cost separately.
Marketing: Marketing automation and lead nurturing are on higher tiers — On higher tiers, not the entry plan. The consumer marketplace itself (not automation) is the platform’s main lead-generation engine.
Best for: Boutique studios and yoga/Pilates businesses that generate a meaningful portion of new members through consumer discovery rather than word of mouth or existing traffic.
Watch for: Processing rates are unpublished — the total cost including commission can exceed the subscription. Marketplace commission adds 20% of a new client’s first purchase, capped at $30. Priced per location; multi-site pricing requires a sales conversation.

Full comparison with PATO →

PushPressbest for CrossFit and functional fitness — IF AU operation is confirmed

United States

⚠️ Australian merchant support not confirmed. Verify AU BECS direct debit and merchant onboarding with PushPress directly before shortlisting. If confirmed, PushPress has the strongest owner AI assistant in this comparison and a clean unlimited-member pricing model.

Pricing: $0 on Free · $159 Pro · $229 Maxpushpress.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab), all plans unlimited members. Processing: 4.99% + $0.30 on cards (Free plan)pushpress.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). The “free” plan at $11,976/year on $20,000/month processed isn’t free. Grow (CRM + automation + website): Grow — US$329/month + US$699 setuppushpress.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Branded app: +$81–97/mo.
Member app: Generic PushPress Members app covers reservations, workout history and billing. Members cannot settle invoices from the app directly. AU App Store rating not available. No verified member AI companion.
AI: PushPress AI Assistant is the strongest owner AI in this comparison — answers questions against live gym data and, after confirmation, books members, charges fees, updates memberships and flags at-risk accounts. Included on Pro and Max. Not a member-facing companion. Can analyse class demand and recommend schedule changes but does not auto-generate the timetable.
Scheduling: Core includes classes, appointments, waitlists, memberships, recurring billing and workout tracking. Strong fit for CrossFit, functional fitness and martial arts with gym-specific operational tools.
Access control: No verified integrated smart-lock or door-access system established from official PushPress sources. Treat physical access control as unconfirmed for AU.
Marketing: Grow is a separate US\$329/month module (plus US\$699 setup) covering lead management, automated trial follow-up and a website — not included in Core. This is the key structural difference from platforms where marketing is included.
Best for: CrossFit boxes and functional fitness gyms in Canada or the US where AU support is confirmed — the unlimited-member model and owner AI assistant are genuinely strong. Verify AU availability before committing.
Watch for: AU support unconfirmed. Processing takes a percentage at every tier, including paid ones. Grow is US\$329/month on top of Core. Australian merchant account support not confirmed.

Full comparison with PATO →

Gymdeskbest for transparent pricing, martial arts and processor independence

United States · remote

The clearest pricing model in this comparison: every feature included at every tier, no feature gates, no platform commission. Strongest native martial-arts toolset (belt progression, rank advancement, family accounts). Capterra 4.8/5 from 148 reviews — support rated 4.9.

Pricing: US$75–325/monthgymdesk.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab), priced in USD not AUD. No platform commission; you pay your processor only. Lower software tier if using Gymdesk Payments; US\$25–50 more per tier for other processors. Access control: US\$100/month for up to 3 devices. Branded app: US$100/monthgymdesk.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). 30-day free trial, no card. Month-to-month, no setup fee.
Member app: Generic Gymdesk Members App (iOS and Android) supports class booking, check-in, communications and payment management. Custom-branded gym app available at US\$100/month (first month free). US App Store 3.7/5 from 44 ratings — AU-specific score not available.
AI: Strong rules-based automation engine (email, SMS, push, webhooks, document delivery) but no verified AI schedule generator, owner AI analyst or member AI companion from official sources. Automations are manually configured by the gym.
Scheduling: Classes, bookings, attendance, kiosk check-in, rank progression, a POS, family accounts, lead/trial management and a website builder are all included at every tier. Best-in-class martial arts tools: belt progression, attendance-based promotion requirements, skill libraries.
Access control: Integrates with Rhombus, Seam, Kisi and hundreds of compatible locks — standard hardware, not proprietary. US\$100/month for up to 3 access devices. Members use the Gymdesk app, branded app, a key fob or the Kisi app depending on integration. Post-cancellation access behaviour should be confirmed with Gymdesk and the hardware vendor.
Marketing: Lead capture, automated nurture sequences, winback, referrals, reviews and a website builder are included — the most complete low-end marketing toolkit in this comparison. General automation engine: the sequences are the gym’s to design.
Best for: Martial arts academies, CrossFit boxes and independent gyms that want transparent USD pricing, full feature access from day one, third-party lock choice and confirmed AU BECS direct debit via Stripe.
Watch for: Prices are in USD: budget in AUD needs to account for the exchange rate. Branded app and access control each add US\$100/month. Reporting and event management are recurring criticisms in reviews.

TeamUpbest for class-led studios that want scheduling done right

United Kingdom

The highest-rated option globally at 4.8/5 (346 global reviews). Known for uncomplicated scheduling, free migration and one-to-one onboarding. Confirmed GoCardless direct debit in Australia.

Pricing: Current AU pricing grid not published as a static table — the pricing slider requires a live check. Historical range approximately US\$99–309/month by active-customer bands. Branded app AU: A$149/monthgoteamup.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab), no setup fee, cancel anytime. No TeamUp surcharge on top of Stripe or GoCardless processing.
Member app: Generic TeamUp Member Booking app (iOS and Android) for class browsing, registration and membership status. AU App Store score not decision-useful — the older listing had one rating, the newer app’s score was recently reset. Branded app supports in-app membership purchases.
AI: TeamUp Perform includes an AI Workout Builder and AI Business Advisor — coaching and owner tools, not a member companion. Confirms no automated timetable generation from demand, but the workout programming tools are substantive for coaches.
Scheduling: Classes, appointments, private coaching, rentals, courses, packs, waitlists, cancellation policies, eligibility rules, instructor availability, attendance, no-show charges and online booking/payment. Free migration and one-to-one onboarding are included — a genuine differentiator for gyms switching platforms.
Access control: Kisi integration available. No robust native door-access ecosystem confirmed for the AU market. Treat smart-lock integration as needing direct confirmation with TeamUp before relying on it.
Marketing: Booking confirmations, reminders, waitlists, billing retries, no-show charges and basic marketing automation are included in the core platform. TeamUp’s marketing tools are simpler than Gymdesk’s or PushPress Grow’s.
Best for: Class-led studios and boutique gyms that want the highest-rated scheduling system, confirmed GoCardless AU direct debit, free migration and hands-on onboarding.
Watch for: Base subscription pricing is not clearly listed in AUD. Not a strong fit for 24/7 gyms needing integrated physical access. Marketing tools are simpler than Gymdesk or PushPress Grow.

Glofoxbest for boutique brands wanting a polished branded app + integrated CRM

Dublin, Ireland · part of ABC Fitness

Part of ABC Fitness. Strongest branded member experience and CRM automation in this comparison for boutique studios. 4.4/5 · 356 global reviews. Integrated with standard access-control hardware. Pricing is quote-only and fees are generally non-cancellable once committed — get everything in writing.

Pricing: Not published — quote onlyglofox.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Processing fees in order form only. Branded app price not published. Fees generally non-cancellable and non-refundable per order formglofox.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab).
Member app: Many Glofox clients publish their own branded member app through Glofox’s infrastructure rather than using a generic one — so there is no single “Glofox App Store” rating; clients have separate branded listings. The app supports scheduling, bookings, memberships and in-app purchases.
AI: AI Churn Predictor and intelligent billing workflows are described on Glofox’s own site — these are retention and billing automation tools, not a member AI companion. Workout programming and progress tracking are supplied through ABC Trainerize (a separate integration, not native).
Scheduling: Strong class scheduling, appointments, flexible class formats (Glofox frequently receives praise for handling unusual timetable structures), waitlists and booking widgets. Particularly strong for boutique studios with irregular or premium schedules.
Access control: Kisi, Gantner, Innertelligence, Passportglofox.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Access is linked to live membership and payment status — failed payments can automatically block access. Members can use in-app barcode, kiosk or supported mobile-door integrations. Standard third-party hardware means you are not locked in to Glofox readers.
Marketing: CRM workflows, churn prediction, automated retention outreach and onboarding sequences are a Glofox strength. Lead-to-member conversion automation is included by package — exact tier breakdown requires a quote.
Best for: Boutique studios and fitness brands that want a polished member experience, strong branded app infrastructure, integrated CRM and standard access-control hardware. Price transparency is the main tradeoff.
Watch for: All pricing requires a sales conversation. Fees are Fees generally non-cancellable and non-refundable per order formglofox.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Common review complaints: support quality and unresolved scheduling defects. Full cost of hardware, branded app and processing must be negotiated in writing before signing.

PATObest for gyms that want everything in one AI-first platform

Aotearoa New Zealand · built by NEZIAK · AU-available

Our own entry — weigh it accordingly. PATO is an AI-first gym operating system: not AI added to existing software, but built around an agent that already knows your gym’s members, classes, pricing and coaches, and can act on it. Every feature on every plan — no tier gates. Used by general fitness gyms, 24/7 facilities, MMA gyms and PT studios. The most complete base offer at this price point.

Pricing: NZ$99 / NZ$249 / NZ$499 per month by member count, billed in NZD (our billing currency for all markets today). Direct debit via Stripe BECS or GoCardless. No commission on member payments — ever. 14-day free trial, no card.
Member app: The member app is on iOS and Android as PATO. Members log meals from a photo or voice note, track workouts with a 2,900+ movement library, monitor body composition and nutrition trends, chat with an AI companion, and earn rewards and badges. A gym-branded version can be published to the App Store (NZ\$499 setup + NZ\$99/month, 12-month minimum).
AI: For members: AI companion that logs meals, builds workout and meal plans, answers questions any time, and flags nutrition gaps. Grounded in 11,000+ verified foods — it identifies food, a verified catalogue supplies the macros, no guessing. For owners: AI agent across all management surfaces: ask questions, generate reports, act on at-risk member data. Marketing sequences are written by PATO from a brief, not a blank template.
Scheduling: Classes add-on (NZ\$49/month): timetable templates, AI week generation, batch editing, waitlists, paid drop-ins, visitor and guest passes, 1:1 session booking with per-trainer availability hours, self check-in, and a booking page on your own website. Door scan automatically marks class attendance if Gym Access is enabled.
Access control: Access is not a proprietary ecosystem — it’s an integration. Gym Access Basic (NZ$39/month): QR check-in with static or rotating codes, physical card printing, existing key import (Code 128 supported). Access Pro connects with major providers via Seam and Kisi — hardware you own, that works with or without PATO. The point: you’re not locked into a reader ecosystem that chains you to one SaaS. If you change software, your doors keep working.
Marketing: Included on every plan. Lead capture form, pipeline board, four pre-written automated sequences (new leads, trial started, trial gone quiet, trial ending). Instagram and Facebook inbound messages handled automatically by the same agent that knows the gym’s live data. Broadcast email to your audience from inside PATO. Website builder from four questions.
Best for: General fitness gyms, 24/7 facilities, MMA and martial arts academies, CrossFit boxes and PT studios that want one platform for everything. Member AI companion, coaching tools, gamification, scheduling with a built-in website, marketing that writes itself, and billing with no commission — all on every plan. No feature gating. The most complete base offer at this price point.
Watch for: Billed in NZD, not AUD. We’re new in Australia, with fewer AU gyms than NZ and no decade of logos. No consumer marketplace — if being discovered by strangers is the priority, Mindbody has one and we don’t.

At a glance

	AU subscription	Commission	AU direct debit	Marketing	Access	Capterra
GymMaster	NZD tiers, AU unverified	AU$0.50/transaction + processor		Included (rules-based)	Proprietary	4.7
Mindbody	From A$89/location	Rate not published		Higher tiers only	Brivo (3rd party)	4.0
PushPress	US$0–229 (AU unconfirmed)	2.75–4.99% cards	Verify	Grow add-on US$329/mo	Unconfirmed	4.7
Gymdesk	US$75–325	None		Included (self-configured)	Standard (+US$100/mo)	4.8
TeamUp	USD tiers, AU unverified	None		Basic included	Kisi (3rd party)	4.8
Glofox	Quote only	Not published	Verify	CRM included by package	Standard (Kisi, Gantner)	4.4
PATO	NZ$99–499/mo	None		Included, AI-written	Standard (+NZ$39/mo)	—

Member AI = an AI companion the member can use for coaching and nutrition. Owner AI = an AI tool for gym management decisions. “Verify” means the feature was not confirmed from the vendor’s own AU-facing documentation. Capterra scores are global aggregates, not AU-filtered. Data verified October 2026 from vendor-published sources.

The honest summary

You want a consumer marketplace to be found inMindbody
24/7 gym with local AU billing partners + integrated accessGymMaster
Transparent pricing, martial arts, processor independenceGymdesk
Scheduling done extremely well, confirmed GoCardless AUTeamUp
Boutique branded experience + CRM + standard access hardwareGlofox
Retention is the problem and you want members using something dailyPATO

Five of those six point somewhere other than us. That’s the point of a roundup — if your problem isn’t the one we solve, we’d rather you found the right answer here than the wrong one from us.

All figures from vendor-published sources, verified October 2026 via Perplexity Deep Research. GymMaster subscription pricing is published in NZD; AU pricing requires a direct sales conversation. PushPress prices in USD; AU merchant support not confirmed from official sources. Gymdesk prices in USD. Where a vendor does’t publish a figure, this page says so rather than estimating one.

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