Zen Planner vs Mindbody
✔ Last verified 2026-10-23✔ Prices linked to vendor sources✔ Our methodologyAffiliate disclosure
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Mindbody is built around booking and its consumer marketplace for fitness, wellness and beauty businesses. Zen Planner, founded by a martial arts school owner, is built around memberships, attendance and belt or skill tracking.
| Zen Planner | Mindbody | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $99/mo (Studio) | From $79/mo per location (Starter) |
| Pricing basis | Priced by active members (prospects and staff not counted) | Per location; unlimited users |
| Free trial | unknown | unknown |
| Contract | Month-to-month; annual contract on request | Depends on plan and promotion |
| Belt / rank tracking | Yes: belt and skill tracking listed | unknown |
| Attendance | Yes | unknown |
| Booking | Yes: online scheduling | Yes: self-serve booking, Pick-a-Spot (Accelerate+) |
| Payments / fees | Daxko Payments or preferred processors; rates unknown | Mindbody Payments: rate + $0.10-$0.30 per transaction; marketplace fee 20% (cap $30) on first purchase of new clients from app |
| Rating | unknown | unknown |
| Source | vendor page | vendor page |
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Prices as published (monthly no-commitment / annual where shown). "unknown" = not published. Checked 2026-10-23.
Pricing
Zen Planner: Studio from $99/mo (scaled by active members), Essentials $198/mo, Ultimate $348/mo. Mindbody: from $79/mo per location (Starter), with Accelerate and Ultimate priced through sales. Mindbody charges per location, not per user; Zen Planner charges by active members, not staff.
Marketplace and payment fees
Mindbody lists your business on the Mindbody app for free, but charges 20% (capped at $30) on the first purchase by a new client the app sends you. Mindbody Payments charges a processing rate plus $0.10-$0.30 per transaction (North America and Asia), and you can use a third-party processor instead. Zen Planner works with Daxko Payments and preferred processors; rates aren't published.
Features that differ
- Belt and skill tracking: listed by Zen Planner; not found on Mindbody's pricing page.
- Staff payroll: listed by Zen Planner.
- Pick-a-Spot and room/resource booking: Mindbody Accelerate and up.
- Website: included at Mindbody's entry price; Zen Planner from $99/mo extra or in Essentials.
- Branded app: Zen Planner $39/mo; Mindbody add-on (price not published).
Contracts
Zen Planner is month to month by default. Mindbody says terms depend on your plan and any promotion. Visit Zen Planner Visit Mindbody
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FAQ
Is Mindbody cheaper than Zen Planner?
Mindbody's published starting price ($79/mo per location) is lower than Zen Planner Studio's ($99/mo), but Mindbody publishes only the entry price, and new-client bookings from its app carry a 20% fee capped at $30.
Which is better for martial arts?
Zen Planner lists belt and skill tracking and was started by a martial arts school owner. We didn't find belt tracking on Mindbody's pricing page.
Do I have to use Mindbody Payments?
No. Mindbody says you can use a third-party payment processor.
Does Zen Planner charge for staff?
No. Zen Planner says prospects and staff are never charged; pricing scales with active members.