Choosing studio management software is one of the most consequential decisions a studio owner makes. The wrong choice costs you time, money, and members. Here is an honest breakdown of the major platforms in 2026.
What to actually look for
Before comparing logos and feature lists, here is what matters in practice:
- Total cost of ownership — the monthly fee is only part of the story. Transaction fees, add-on costs for SMS, branded apps, and API access add up fast.
- Ease of daily use — your front desk uses this 8 hours a day. If check-in takes 4 taps instead of 1, that frustration compounds.
- Member experience — can your customers book, buy, and manage their account from their phone without calling you?
- Migration pain — how hard is it to switch? Will you lose booking history, member data, or have downtime?
Mindbody
The incumbent. Mindbody has the largest market share and the broadest feature set. But in 2026, the complaints are consistent: the interface feels dated, pricing has increased significantly (Essential starts around $139/month, with transaction fees of 2.49% + 15¢ on top of Stripe), and customer support quality has declined. Studios doing $20k+/month in revenue can easily pay $6,000–$10,000 per year in transaction markups alone.
Best for: Large multi-location chains that need marketplace discovery and are willing to pay for it.
Glofox (now ABC Glofox)
Glofox targets boutique fitness studios with a cleaner interface than Mindbody. Pricing is not publicly listed — you need a sales call, and contracts are typically annual. The branded app is a strong feature, but it comes at an additional cost. Reports from users suggest the onboarding process can be slow and custom development requests are expensive.
Best for: Boutique fitness studios with budget for annual contracts and custom app work.
Momence
Momence has gained traction with yoga and pilates studios thanks to a modern UI and strong workshop/event booking features. Pricing starts around $129/month. Transaction fees apply. The platform is strongest for event-heavy businesses but can feel over-engineered for studios that just need simple class scheduling and POS.
Best for: Yoga and pilates studios that run lots of workshops and events.
WellnessLiving
WellnessLiving positions itself as the affordable Mindbody alternative. Plans start around $89/month. The feature set is broad but the interface can feel cluttered. Migration support exists but is reportedly inconsistent. The platform works well for studios that need a wide feature set at a lower price point and are comfortable with a steeper learning curve.
Best for: Price-sensitive studios that need broad features and can invest time in setup.
KOLLABO OS
Full disclosure: this is our platform. KOLLABO OS starts at $99/month (Starter) and goes to $399/month (Pro). The critical differentiator is zero transaction markup — Stripe fees pass through unchanged. A studio processing $20k/month saves roughly $4,800–$9,600 per year compared to platforms that add 2–3% on top.
The platform covers scheduling, POS, CRM, payroll, branded customer and staff mobile apps, waitlists, challenges, leaderboards, and marketing automations. It is industry-aware — fitness studios, salons, clinics, and service businesses all get a tailored experience from the same platform. Migration from Mindbody or other platforms is handled within 48 hours.
Best for: Studios, salons, and clinics that want a modern all-in-one platform without transaction markups or annual lock-in.
The bottom line
If you are on Mindbody and feeling the cost pressure, every alternative on this list will save you money. The question is which platform fits your specific workflow. If you run workshops and events, look at Momence. If you want the lowest sticker price, look at WellnessLiving. If you want zero transaction fees, a branded app, and a platform that works for fitness, beauty, and health — look at KOLLABO OS.