Head to head · October 2026
Zen Planner vs Mindbody
Two long-established platforms with opposite pricing habits. Zen Planner publishes every tier by active member: Studio is $99/mo up to 45 active members and climbs to $289/mo at 251+, with a $39/mo branded app and belt/rank testing built in. Mindbody publishes only a $79/mo starting point and quotes Starter, Accelerate and Ultimate on a sales call, with owners reporting roughly $99–$159, $259–$279 and $499+ a month. Neither publishes its card-processing rate.
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Score duel
Factor by factor
| Feature | Zen Planner | Mindbody |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.5 | 6.2 |
| Headline price | $99/mo | $79/mo entry (per location) |
| True monthly cost | $99–$289/mo | ~$99–$499+/mo |
| Pricing model | Published tiers by active members (Studio → Essentials → Ultimate); month-to-month, annual contract on request | Quote-based (Starter, Accelerate, Ultimate — sales call required) |
| Transparent pricing | ||
| Branded app | ||
| AI tools | ||
| Unlimited clients | ||
| Scheduling / POS | ||
| Free tier |
The verdict
Pick Zen Planner if you run a martial arts school, a CrossFit box or a membership gym and want the price in writing, counted only on active members, with a cheap branded app. Read its Trustpilot reviews (3.7/5, mostly billing and cancellation disputes) before signing. Pick Mindbody if you run a class-heavy boutique studio and its consumer marketplace will actually bring you paying clients; otherwise you are paying a premium for discovery you will not use.
Choose Zen Planner if…
- You want every tier published before a demo, priced only on active members
- You run a martial arts school (belt/rank testing built in) or a CrossFit box (SugarWOD alongside billing)
- You want a branded app for $39/mo rather than a quote
Choose Mindbody if…
- Mindbody’s consumer marketplace is your main client-acquisition channel
- You run a class-heavy boutique studio with Pick-a-Spot booking needs
- You rely on the large third-party integration ecosystem built around Mindbody
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