As the gym industry grows and becomes increasingly competitive, owners of boutique fitness studios seek ways to optimize their operations and boost sales.
That’s why gym management software has become crucial for achieving these objectives.
Managing a fitness facility can be compared to working out – just as you need the right equipment to maximize exercise benefits, you need the best gym management software to ensure your business runs smoothly.
Gym owners can streamline membership data, billing, and scheduling tasks with software like Spark Membership. Although it is a good option for fitness studios, other alternatives offer similar or even better benefits that might cater to your specific needs.
In this article, we’ll explore four such gym management software options to help you save time and decide faster.
Our Parameters for Choosing the Best Club Management Software
Gymdesk software dashboard
Choosing the right gym management software is crucial for the success of your fitness business. This tool makes tasks such as class and trainer scheduling, member management, and billing effortless.
However, selecting the right gym and martial arts management software can be overwhelming, given the many available options on the market.
But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We will outline the key parameters we used to choose the best Spark Membership alternatives, making your decision-making process much easier.
Functionality and features
As a gym owner, you need an all-in-one solution that caters to all your requirements and supports your business growth.
That’s why we researched a business management solution similar to Spark Membership, which provides critical features, including
- Member management
- Automated billing
- Class scheduling
- Trainer scheduling
- Attendance tracking
- Mass member messaging
These features are essential to the smooth running of your gym and fitness center.
Ease of use
Your gym management software shouldn’t require you to be a rocket scientist to use it. Running a martial arts school, yoga studio, or gym is already challenging.
Therefore, your preferred gym marketing software should be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
The software tools on our list are intuitive and require minimal training. You won’t have to spend weeks figuring out how to handle tasks such as gym member management, billing, or booking.
Value for money
The cost of club management software is a crucial factor for private gym owners. Therefore, the solution should strike a balance between affordability and functionality.
The next-level fitness business software should offer good value for money, help you automate processes and improve business efficiency.
Customer service
While using gym management software, you may encounter issues like the tool crashing or online payment methods not working. To resolve such problems, you need an exceptional support team.
That’s why we chose Spark Membership alternatives with responsive customer service and numerous communication channels.
Pricing structure
Business management tools should have a transparent and easy-to-understand pricing structure that offers different pricing tiers to fit the budget of various fitness businesses.
The cost must reflect what you get for your investment.
Third-party integration
Martial art schools, personal trainers, and fitness studios require gym management software that integrates with third-party tools.
This integration helps automate your workflow and allows you to devote more time to pressing tasks.
Therefore, we looked for gym management software that integrates with the following:
- Marketing tools
- Accounting platforms
- Payment processing solutions
- Scheduling apps
These integrations help enhance the software’s functionality and streamline processes, making managing your gym or fitness center easier.
Current user reviews
Current users can provide honest feedback and reviews based on their experience with the software, which can help you understand how beneficial it can be for your fitness business.
Therefore, Spark Membership alternatives on our list have positive reviews and high user satisfaction rates.
However, we also examined negative reviews to understand how the software providers deal with them.
Top 4 Spark Membership Alternatives to Start Using This Year
Now that we have discussed our criteria, let’s begin with our list of the best alternatives to Spark Membership that can help you manage your fitness business more efficiently.
Gymdesk
Gymdesk is a comprehensive gym management software that caters to the needs of gyms, martial arts schools, yoga studios, and other types of fitness businesses.
Gymdesk provides a centralized location for storing and organizing all relevant information, allowing you to manage your fitness business conveniently and efficiently. It eliminates the need for manual paperwork or losing time on repetitive administrative tasks.
Gymdesk also offers next-level membership management software, allowing you to track member activity, create various membership types, and enable automatic renewals. You can throw away your paper forms and maintain all records digitally.
If you require gym billing software, look no further than Gymdesk.
We integrate seamlessly with payment processing platforms like Stripe, Square, and Authorize.net. Our scheduled and recurring payment features ensure you do not miss out on revenue or experience payment failures.
To accurately evaluate the success of your fitness centers, Gymdesk offers a range of reports, including financial and attendance information.
If you are committed to effectively managing your gym, it’s time to switch to Gymdesk. Sign up today!
User rating
Gymdesk has received a rating of 4.8 stars (out of 5) on G2, with most users praising its functionality. For instance, martial arts studio owners can set belt ranks within Gymdesk to easily monitor member progress from one dashboard.
Many users also appreciate that Gymdesk is receptive to feedback and continually adds new features based on customer reviews. The customer support team is also responsive and efficient in resolving queries.
Features list
- Membership management – Gymdesk offers online registration, allowing members to sign up easily. All members’ information is available on your laptop or mobile device, and you can update records quickly. This feature also lets you track members’ skill progress and rank.
- Billing management – Gymdesk provides an alternative to Spark Membership for billing management, supporting credit-card processing and direct debits. It automates the payment processes, renewing memberships each month.
- Attendance tracking – Our gym member attendance tracking feature enables members to check in to sessions or access online classes. The system collects data to help you understand which sessions are popular among members.
- POS system – Our gym point-of-sale software helps you track merchandise and inventory to ensure everything is in stock. The system also integrates with your account to process payments and sales. If members want your training gear, use Gymdesk to handle the transaction.
- Marketing tools – With Gymdesk, you can create a free SEO-optimized website and use our opt-in forms to capture leads. You can also take advantage of email and SMS text automation and promotions to grow your member list.
What makes this tool unique
Gymdesk is a unique alternative to Spark Membership because it offers an all-in-one solution. Everything you need to run a successful business, from billing and reporting to membership management and marketing software, is available on the Gymdesk platform.
Integrations
Image source: Zapier
Gymdesk integrates with countless platforms through Zapier. You can pair our tool with solutions like Slack, Mailchimp, Square and Google Ads.
Customer support
Our customer support team is easily accessible via phone, email, and chat. Whenever you need help with onboarding, you can schedule a video or voice call with one of our representatives.
Pricing
There are five available plans:
- Micro Gym – $75 a month
- Small Gym – $100 a month
- Medium Gym – $150 a month
- Large Gym – $200 a month
- Enterprise – a custom plan that fits your needs
You can find all details on our Pricing page or start a 30-day free trial now.
Pros
- All-in-one business management software
- Tools and templates to help you attract new members
- Intuitive and user-friendly dashboard
- Responsive customer service
- Affordable price
Cons
- Lack of email messaging capabilities
- A few customization options
WellnessLiving
Image source: Capterra
WellnessLiving is a club management software designed for fitness and wellness businesses.
It offers an online and mobile platform for scheduling virtual and in-person classes, allowing you to manage rooms and equipment. At the same time, members can easily book sessions and reserve gear online.
Its POS system allows you to accept payments from anywhere and track purchases within the platform. It also supports credit card payments for increased convenience.
With the WellnessLiving membership management feature, you can view customer profiles and send personalized messages to draw them to your business.
It benefits fitness studios, music schools, and other wellness-related companies.
User rating
WellnessLiving has received a 4.4 out of 5 on G2, with many reviews highlighting the helpful customer service. Customers also appreciate its comprehensive range of services, including CRM capabilities that enable them to launch effective marketing campaigns.
Features list
- Online booking and scheduling
- Member management
- Payment processing
- Reporting and analytics
- Marketing suite
What makes this tool unique
WellnessLiving stands out with its customizable mobile app that can be tailored to match the identity and style of your business.
Integrations
This membership management software integrates with:
- Booking platforms like Gympass and ClassPass
- Virtual service tools like Zoom
- Marketing apps such as Mailchimp
- Finance tools like Autymate
Customer support
WellnessLiving provides customer support through phone, email, and live chat. Additionally, they offer a knowledge base you can access to find answers to your questions before contacting customer support.
Pricing
WellnessLiving offers four plans:
- Starter – $89 per month
- Basic – $129 per month
- Business – $159 per month
- Enterprise – a custom plan
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive set of features to streamline processes
- Customization options
Cons
- Occasional glitches and bugs within the tool
- Limited integrations
- Limited reporting capabilities
EZFacility
Image source: Software Advice
EZFacility is a management software for sports and fitness facilities. It is suitable for overseeing different aspects of your business, including membership management, billing and scheduling.
EZFacility enables you to list all your classes. Your staff can search for available dates, rooms and personal trainers to provide a better customer experience. The clients have the option to book classes online.
It also comes with the right membership management tools. You can set custom plans or manage contracts and renewals.
Your members can use the customer self-service portal to update their profiles, buy gear or make payments.
User rating
EZFacility has a 4.7-star rating out of 5 on G2. The customer self-service portal is a favorite among users, allowing visitors to manage their profiles and memberships independently.
Features list
The key features of EZFacility are:
- Comprehensive member management
- Online scheduling software
- Customer self-service portal
- Billing and payment processing
What makes this tool unique
EZFacility suits various businesses, including baseball facilities, martial arts studios, tennis clubs, yoga and pilates studios, and more. It offers industry-specific features that cater to the unique needs of each business.
Integrations
EZFacility integrates with QuickBooks, an accounting solution, and Perkville, a referral and customer loyalty platform.
Customer support
The team is available via email and phone support. You can also access the support center to find more information.
Pricing
The pricing is available upon request and reflects your business needs.
Pros
- Customer self-service portal
- A range of features to accommodate every industry
- Automated billing and payment processing
Cons
- It can be expensive for small businesses
- A steep learning curve
- Limited integrations
TeamUp
Image source: Capterra
TeamUp is a versatile business management tool that caters to various facilities in the fitness and wellness industry, such as yoga studios, martial arts schools, and pilates centers. The platform is customizable to match your preferences and business needs.
One of the critical features of TeamUp is its membership management functionality, which enables gym owners to set up recurring memberships and process them automatically on specific dates. Clients can select from various membership options and levels to find the one that suits them best.
TeamUp also simplifies appointment scheduling for fitness businesses. Clients can easily book personal appointments by choosing an available time slot with their preferred trainer. They can also reserve spots for other classes on the same day.
The platform provides detailed analytics, including new member data, class popularity, and frequent customer insights. You can use this information to develop effective marketing and onboarding strategies.
User rating
TeamUp has a 4.6 rating of 5 on G2, with most users praising its dashboard for being straightforward and effective in managing memberships and bookings.
Features list
- Class scheduling
- Billing and payments
- Personal training software
- Reporting and analytics
What makes this tool unique
TeamUp provides a mobile app that is beneficial for both businesses and members. Companies can manage their operations, and clients can book classes directly from their mobile devices.
Integrations
TeamUp integrates with Zapier. This allows you to integrate with almost all available apps. For instance, you can pair TeamUp with Facebook Ads, PayPal, Zoom and GoDaddy.
Customer support
You can get in touch with TeamUp customer support via email or phone.
Pricing
The pricing depends on the number of active members, ranging from $100 to over $300 per month.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly dashboard
- Mobile optimization
- A wide range of integrations
Cons
- Scheduling system needs improvement
- Difficult to manage customers with multiple memberships
Spark Membership Alternatives: a Quick Overview
Solution | Features | Pricing | Pros | Cons | Ratings |
Gymdesk | Membership management, attendance tracking, POS system, class scheduling tool, billing management, website builder | From $75 to $200 per month | Responsive customer service,intuitive and user-friendly dashboard,affordable price | Lack of email messaging capabilities,limited customization options | 4.8 on G2 |
WellnessLiving | Online booking and scheduling,member management,payment processing | From $89 to $159 per month | User-friendly interface,comprehensive set of features,customization options | Glitches and bugs,limited integrations,limited reporting capabilities | 4.4 on G2 |
EZFacility | Online scheduling software,customer self-service portal | Available upon request | A range of features to accommodate every industry,automated billing and payment processing | Expensive for small businesses,a steep learning curve,limited integrations | 4.7 on G2 |
TeamUp | Class scheduling,billing and payments,reporting and analytics | From $100 to over $300 per month | Simple and user-friendly dashboard,mobile optimization | Scheduling system needs improvement,managing customers with multiple memberships | 4.6 on G2 |
Conclusion About Spark Membership Alternatives
Various alternatives to Spark Membership available in the market offer different pricing plans and features. We recommend reviewing these options to find the best one that meets your needs.
For those seeking an all-in-one solution that enables membership and billing management, attendance tracking, POS system and marketing tools, we recommend Gymdesk as the best option.
It offers all the necessary features to help your business grow and provide a seamless member experience.
When owners want to get serious about managing their gym, they switch to Gymdesk. So why wait?
FAQs About Spark Membership Alternatives
What is club management software?
Club management software provides features for scheduling classes, managing memberships, processing payments, and tracking member activities.
It streamlines operations and makes it easier for businesses to manage their facilities and provide a better experience for their members.
Why is membership management crucial for your business?
It lets you keep track of your members’ information easily, automates many time-consuming tasks such as billing, renewals, and scheduling, streamlines your business operations, improves member retention, and increases revenue, making it a crucial tool for any fitness or sports facility.
How do I cancel my Spark Membership account?
You can cancel your Spark Membership from your account. Go to “Account Settings” and locate the option “Cancel Account.”
How can I migrate from Spark Membership?
To migrate from Spark Membership, you should contact your new provider. They will be able to support you throughout the process. If you want to switch to Gymdesk, contact us today.