Best Mindbody alternatives for fitness and wellness studios
Fitness and wellness studios look for a Mindbody alternative when cost, contracts, a cluttered setup or a generic member app stop fitting their business. The main options are WellnessLiving, Vagaro, Glofox, Momence and Arketa, and studios with a distinct model can also build a custom branded booking and membership app, which Zoti builds from $499/month.
Updated November 3, 2026
- Off-the-shelf options
- WellnessLiving, Vagaro, Glofox, Momence, Arketa
- Custom build from
- $499/month
- Best custom fit
- Studios with a unique model or several locations
Why studios look for a Mindbody alternative
Mindbody is one of the best-known names in studio software. It covers class and appointment booking, memberships, payments, staff scheduling and marketing, and its consumer app can help new clients find a studio. Many large studios and franchises run on it.
Owners usually start comparing options for reasons like these:
- Total cost, including add-ons and payment processing, feels high for a small or single-location studio.
- The setup has more features and menus than a boutique studio needs.
- Members book through a shared marketplace app rather than an app that feels like your own brand.
- Your offering (hybrid classes, on-demand video, packages across locations) needs workarounds.
- Contract terms, support response or data access are not what you want.
Off-the-shelf Mindbody alternatives
Each of these is built for fitness and wellness businesses. Try booking a class as a member in each before you decide.
- WellnessLiving: an all-in-one platform for studios, gyms and spas, often named as the closest like-for-like replacement. It suits studios that want a full feature set, with the trade-off of a similar learning curve to Mindbody.
- Vagaro: booking and business software popular with salons, spas and fitness studios. It suits appointment-heavy businesses and those that mix beauty and fitness services, with the trade-off of fewer features aimed at large class-based gyms.
- Glofox (ABC Glofox): studio and gym management with a branded member app, owned by ABC Fitness. It suits boutique gyms that care about their own app, with the trade-off of being built for class and membership models more than appointments.
- Momence: booking, memberships, on-demand content and marketing for studios and creators. It suits studios that sell both in-person and online classes, with the trade-off of being a younger product than the established names, so check that it covers everything you rely on today.
- Arketa: booking and memberships aimed at boutique fitness and wellness. It suits design-conscious studios that want a modern member experience, with the trade-off of a smaller company and ecosystem.
When a custom build makes more sense
For most single studios, one of the platforms above is the sensible, lower-risk choice. A custom app becomes worth it when your model is unusual, you run several locations or a franchise, you sell digital content alongside classes, or your brand is a big part of why members choose you.
A custom studio app typically includes:
- Your own branded iOS and Android app and website booking, with no marketplace in between.
- Class, appointment and room scheduling that matches how you run sessions.
- Memberships, class packs, intro offers and family or corporate plans on your rules.
- Waitlists, late-cancel fees and check-in that follow your policies.
- On-demand video or programs for members who train from home.
- Staff scheduling, pay rates and reporting across locations.
How to switch studio software
- Request your data exportAsk Mindbody for a full export of clients, memberships, visit history and future bookings, and check what your contract says about data access.
- Plan payment detailsCard details usually move processor to processor through a secure transfer, so ask both providers how stored cards migrate.
- Set up and testRebuild your schedule, pricing options and staff in the new system, then test booking and payments as a member.
- Tell members earlyExplain the change, the new app and how to log in a few weeks ahead, with help at the front desk.
- Switch on a quiet weekPick a low-traffic week, freeze changes in the old system, do a final import and go live.
How to choose
Ask each vendor for a demo using your real schedule and pricing options, and ask to speak with a studio of a similar size. Then work through these questions:
- Are you mostly classes, appointments, or both?
- How important is a branded app compared with marketplace discovery?
- Do you sell on-demand or online classes alongside in-person ones?
- How many locations do you run, or plan to run?
- What does the contract say about length, cancellation and getting your data out?
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Common questions
What is the best alternative to Mindbody?
WellnessLiving is often named as the closest full replacement. Vagaro suits appointment-heavy businesses, Glofox suits boutique gyms that want a branded app, Momence suits studios selling online content, and Arketa suits modern boutique studios.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Mindbody?
Many smaller studios find a lower total cost with another platform, but pricing usually depends on locations, features and payment processing. Get written quotes that include processing fees and add-ons before comparing.
Can I get my client data out of Mindbody?
You can usually request an export of clients, memberships and history. Stored card details generally move through a secure transfer between payment processors, so check with both providers and review your contract.
Do I lose marketplace bookings if I leave Mindbody?
Bookings that come through the Mindbody consumer app will stop if you leave. Check how many new clients actually come from it before deciding, since many studios find most bookings come from their own site, social media and referrals.
Can a studio have its own custom booking app?
Yes. A custom app can handle classes, memberships, payments and on-demand content under your own brand. Zoti builds custom studio apps starting at $499/month, with a written quote first.
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