Zen Planner vs Mindbody
Which martial arts school software is right for your dojo or academy?
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Quick Summary
Zen Planner and Mindbody are often considered together by martial arts school owners because Mindbody is the most well-known name in fitness software. But they're built for very different businesses. Zen Planner was designed specifically for martial arts schools; Mindbody was built for yoga and wellness studios and later expanded. This comparison shows why that distinction matters enormously in practice.
At a Glance
| Zen Planner | Mindbody | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $99–$348/month | $139–$599/month |
| Founded | 2006 | 2001 |
| Users | 15,000+ | 60,000+ |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zen Planner | Mindbody | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month | $139/month | Zen Planner |
| Martial Arts Belt Tracking | Advanced | None | Zen Planner |
| Martial Arts Focus | Dedicated | General wellness | Zen Planner |
| Consumer Marketplace | Mindbody app | Mindbody | |
| Class Discovery | 60M+ users | Mindbody | |
| Multi-Location | Good | Excellent | Mindbody |
| Marketing Tools | Standard | Advanced | Mindbody |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear | Complex | Zen Planner |
| Setup Simplicity | Easy | Complex | Zen Planner |
| Customer Support | Business hours | 24/7 | Mindbody |
| Martial Arts Community | Dominant | Small fraction | Zen Planner |
When to Choose Each
Choose Zen Planner if...
- You run a dedicated martial arts school (BJJ, Karate, MMA, TKD)
- Belt and rank tracking is central to your school operations
- You want lower monthly costs with transparent pricing
- You want a platform built by and for martial arts school owners
- You want faster setup without enterprise complexity
Choose Mindbody if...
- You want consumer marketplace visibility through the Mindbody app
- You run multiple wellness businesses under one brand
- You need enterprise-level franchise management
- Your school benefits from class discovery by new students
- You're already using Mindbody for another business
Our Verdict
Zen Planner wins decisively for dedicated martial arts schools. It's purpose-built for the martial arts niche, costs significantly less, and has deeper belt tracking. Mindbody wins if your martial arts school is part of a larger multi-discipline wellness brand, if you need consumer marketplace visibility through the Mindbody app (millions of users actively searching for classes), or if you're running a large franchise. For the typical dojo owner, Zen Planner is the right choice at half the price.
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Start Free Trial →Frequently Asked Questions
Why would a martial arts school use Mindbody instead of Zen Planner?
The main reason is Mindbody's consumer marketplace. The Mindbody app has millions of active users searching for fitness classes. If your school is in a competitive urban market where new student discovery is a challenge, Mindbody's built-in discovery platform can bring in leads you wouldn't otherwise reach. That said, most martial arts schools grow through word-of-mouth and community — making the marketplace advantage less compelling than for yoga or spin studios.
Is Mindbody harder to set up than Zen Planner?
Yes, significantly. Mindbody is designed for large, multi-location wellness businesses and has corresponding complexity. Zen Planner is designed for martial arts schools and can typically be up and running in a week. Mindbody implementations often take 2–4 weeks and may require professional services.
Does Mindbody have belt tracking for martial arts?
No. Mindbody has no native belt/rank tracking. It treats martial arts classes the same as yoga classes — there's no concept of rank progression, stripe testing, or promotion milestones. If belt tracking is important to your school, Mindbody is the wrong choice.