Why Gyms Need Their Own App
A branded fitness app isn't a luxury — it's how you compete with Peloton, ClassPass, and YouTube. Your members expect to book classes, follow workouts, track progress, and make payments from their phone. A custom app increases retention by 30–40% (ABC Fitness data).
The good news: you don't need to hire developers. White-label fitness app builders create fully branded apps for a fraction of custom development cost.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Starting Price | White-Label App | Workout Delivery | Class Booking | Payments | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Glofox | Custom (~$150+/mo) | Yes (iOS + Android) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Gyms + studios |
| Trainerize | $5/mo | Yes (branded) | Yes (core focus) | Basic | Via Stripe | Personal trainers |
| Everfit | Free (basic) | No (Everfit-branded) | Yes | No | Yes | Online coaches |
1. ABC Glofox — Best for Gyms and Studios
Glofox (now part of ABC Fitness Solutions) is the leading gym management platform with a fully branded mobile app. Your members download YOUR app from the App Store — with your logo, colors, and branding.
Key Features
- White-label iOS and Android app — fully branded, no Glofox branding visible
- Class scheduling and booking — members book from the app
- Membership management — sign-ups, renewals, freezes, cancellations
- Payment processing — recurring billing, point-of-sale, family plans
- Member check-in — QR code or PIN at the front desk
- Workout delivery — assign and deliver custom workout plans
- Push notifications — promote classes, events, and offers
- Reporting — revenue, retention, attendance dashboards
- Lead management — capture and nurture prospects
Pricing
Glofox doesn't publish pricing (custom quotes based on member count):
- Typical range: $150–$500+/month depending on features and member count
- App publishing fees may apply separately
- Setup fee for initial configuration
Limitations
- Pricing is not transparent (must request a demo)
- Can be expensive for very small studios
- Workout programming is less advanced than Trainerize
- Some features require higher-tier plans
- Contract terms may apply
Best For
Gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit boxes, and boutique fitness studios that want a fully branded member app with booking, payments, and management.
2. Trainerize — Best for Personal Trainers
Trainerize is built specifically for personal trainers and online coaches. Its core strength is workout and nutrition program delivery — you create programs, clients follow them on their phone, and you track their progress.
Key Features
- Workout builder — drag-and-drop exercise programming with video demos
- Nutrition tracking — meal plans, macro tracking, food logging
- Habit coaching — assign daily habits and track compliance
- In-app messaging — chat with clients directly
- Progress tracking — photos, measurements, strength logs
- Branded app — your logo and colors (on higher plans)
- Integration with wearables — Apple Watch, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal
- Group training — deliver programs to multiple clients at once
- Payment processing — via Stripe, clients pay through the app
Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Clients | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5/mo | 1 client | Core features, messaging |
| Grow | $60/mo | Up to 30 | Branded app, nutrition, habits |
| Pro | $100/mo | Unlimited | Custom branding, advanced analytics |
| Studio | $250/mo | Unlimited | Gym features, multiple trainers |
Limitations
- Class booking is basic compared to Glofox
- Not designed for gym management (no front desk, no member check-in)
- Branded app requires Grow plan ($60/month)
- Payment processing limited to Stripe
- No facility access control
Best For
Personal trainers and online coaches who deliver training programs to clients remotely or in-person.
3. Everfit — Best Free Option for Online Coaches
Everfit offers a generous free plan for coaches just starting out. Its focus is online training delivery — workout programs, progress tracking, and client communication.
Key Features
- Free plan for up to 5 clients
- Workout builder with exercise library (1,500+ exercises with video)
- Program templates — save and reuse workout programs
- Progress tracking — photos, measurements, workout logs
- In-app messaging — communicate with clients
- Group programming — deliver workouts to multiple clients
- Client app — clients use the Everfit app (not white-labeled on free plan)
- Integrations — Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal
Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Clients | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 clients | Core features, 1,500+ exercises |
| Starter | $19/mo | 20 clients | Custom exercises, automations |
| Pro | $49/mo | Unlimited | Advanced analytics, team features |
| Business | $99/mo | Unlimited | White-label, multiple coaches |
Limitations
- Free plan limited to 5 clients
- No white-label app on lower plans (clients see Everfit branding)
- No gym management features (booking, payments, check-in)
- Nutrition tracking is basic
- Smaller exercise library than Trainerize
Best For
New coaches starting online training who want a free platform to deliver workouts and track client progress.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
| Business Type | Best Platform | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gym / fitness studio | ABC Glofox | $150–$500+ |
| Personal trainer (in-person + online) | Trainerize | $60–$100 |
| Online coach (starting out) | Everfit | Free–$49 |
| CrossFit box / boutique studio | ABC Glofox | $150–$500+ |
| Trainer wanting cheapest option | Trainerize Starter | $5/mo |
All pricing verified from official sources, Q1 2026.
How the published evaluation criteria considered se Platforms
BizTechScout's evaluation criteria for fitness app builders weight the following factors, based on publicly available product documentation, G2 and Capterra review aggregates, and vendor-published feature lists:
White-label capability — Does the platform publish a fully branded app under your name to the App Store and Google Play, or do clients see the platform's branding? This is the single most important factor for gyms building a member-facing product.
Core fitness functionality — Workout delivery, class scheduling, progress tracking, and nutrition tools. Platforms are scored on depth, not just presence, of each feature.
Business management tools — Membership billing, recurring payments, lead capture, and staff management. A fitness app that can't handle payments or automate renewals creates admin overhead.
Scalability — Can the platform grow from 50 members to 5,000 without forcing a platform migration? Pricing tiers, API access, and integration options all factor in here.
Integration ecosystem — Connections to tools like Zapier, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign Email for marketing automation; QuickBooks Online or Xero for accounting; and wearables like Apple Watch and Fitbit.
Pricing transparency — Platforms that publish clear pricing score higher. Hidden pricing that requires a sales call introduces friction for independent operators making budget decisions.
User sentiment — G2 and Capterra ratings and review patterns are incorporated to reflect real operator and trainer experiences, particularly around customer support quality and onboarding complexity.
4. Mindbody — Best for Multi-Location Studios
Mindbody is one of the most widely recognized names in fitness business software. It serves yoga studios, spas, fitness centers, and wellness businesses — and it doubles as a consumer marketplace where potential members can discover your studio directly.
Key Features
- Branded mobile app — white-label iOS and Android app available on higher tiers
- Online booking — classes, appointments, and events
- Membership management — tiered memberships, intro offers, family plans
- Mindbody marketplace — consumer discovery platform with millions of active users, according to Mindbody's published figures
- Marketing suite — automated email campaigns, referral programs, and promotions
- Staff management — scheduling, payroll reporting, and permissions
- Point-of-sale — retail, supplements, and merchandise sales in-app
- Reporting dashboards — revenue, class fill rates, client retention metrics
- Integration with Zapier — enables workflow automation across your tech stack
Pricing
Mindbody uses tiered pricing based on plan level and business size. Per Mindbody's published pricing (Q1 2026):
| Plan | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$139/mo | Booking, scheduling, basic reporting |
| Accelerate | ~$279/mo | Marketing tools, automated campaigns |
| Ultimate | ~$499/mo | Branded app, advanced analytics |
| Ultimate Plus | Custom | Multi-location, API access |
Pricing scales with number of staff users and locations. The branded mobile app is gated behind Ultimate tier and above.
Limitations
- The branded app requires a higher-tier plan, which raises the entry cost significantly
- G2 reviewers frequently cite customer support response times and billing complexity as friction points
- Marketplace discovery is primarily US-focused, limiting value for international studios
- Contract lengths and cancellation terms are noted concerns in Capterra reviews
- Less suited to pure online coaching or remote personal training
Verdict
Well-suited for established multi-location studios or wellness centers that want both a managed member app and the organic discovery benefit of the Mindbody consumer marketplace. Smaller single-location studios may find the cost-to-feature ratio challenging at entry-level tiers.
