FitBudd vs Zen Planner
FitBudd scores 7.9/10 vs 7.2/10. Best for: Personal trainers who want their own branded app published under their name in the App Store and Google Play, with zero commission on client payments.
FitBudd scores higher overall at 7.9/10 vs 7.2/10. FitBudd is the best option for personal trainers who want their own app in the App Store without paying a developer $10,000+. The zero commission model means your revenue stays yours. At $79/mo for up to 50 clients, the math works out to $1.58 per client if you fill the plan. It is not for gym owners who need class scheduling or front desk management. If you coach clients 1-on-1 and want to look like a real brand, FitBudd delivers on that promise.
FitBudd 
Zen Planner Rank
#6 of 21
Rank
#17 of 21
Features
15/18
Features
18/18
Starting at
$15/mo
Starting at
$99/mo
User reviews
4.7/5 (508)
User reviews
4.3/5 (365)
What they cost
| FitBudd | Zen Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $15 /mo | $99 /mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | No |
| Number of plans | 4 | 4 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, FitBudd looks cheaper at $15/month vs $99/month. But sticker price is only part of the story. Look at what is included on the base plan, how many users you get, and whether you need add-ons to get the features you actually need. The $99/month plan that requires $200 in add-ons is actually more expensive than the $250/month plan that includes everything.
Where FitBudd wins
- Your own branded app in the App Store, not a generic white label
- Zero commission on client payments, you keep every dollar you charge
- Starter plan at $15/mo is one of the cheapest entry points for branded apps
- 508 reviews across G2 and Capterra with 4.6-4.7 average ratings
Where Zen Planner wins
- Member-count pricing with no feature gating: you get every feature at every price level, from $99/mo (0-50 members) up to $348/mo (251+ members)
- Belt and rank tracking built in for martial arts schools. Karate, BJJ, and taekwondo gyms can track student progression without a separate system
- All core features included at the base price. Scheduling, billing, attendance, and member management are never locked behind an upgrade
- Month-to-month contract. No annual commitment, cancel any time without penalty
Where FitBudd falls short
- Starter plan capped at 2 clients, most trainers will need Pro at $79/mo quickly
- No class scheduling, this is a 1-on-1 coaching tool not gym management
- No API access limits integration with other business tools
- Elite pricing is hidden behind a sales call
Where Zen Planner falls short
- Add-ons inflate costs fast: website ($99/mo), marketing ($249/mo), and branded app ($39/mo) can push total spend over $500/mo
- Users report persistent bugs in scheduling and billing modules. Expect occasional glitches that require workarounds or support tickets
- Some gym owners report difficulty canceling their account or getting refunds for overbilled months
- Workout programming is basic compared to Exercise.com or Wodify. Strength and conditioning coaches will find it limiting
Who is each product built for?
FitBudd
Target: 1-5 trainers
FitBudd is the best option for personal trainers who want their own app in the App Store without paying a developer $10,000+. The zero commission model means your revenue stays yours. At $79/mo for up to 50 clients, the math works out to $1.58 per client if you fill the plan. It is not for gym owners who need class scheduling or front desk management. If you coach clients 1-on-1 and want to look like a real brand, FitBudd delivers on that promise.
Zen Planner
Target: 1-5 locations
Buy Zen Planner if you run a single-location martial arts school, CrossFit box, or yoga studio under 300 members and want simple, transparent pricing with all features included. Skip if you need marketing automation or a branded app without paying $250+/mo in add-ons, because the extras get expensive fast.
Feature comparison
| Feature | FitBudd | Zen Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling & Booking | ||
| Class/session scheduling | ||
| Online booking | ||
| Attendance tracking | ||
| Members & Staff | ||
| Member management | ||
| Membership plans | ||
| Staff management | ||
| Client portal/app | ||
| Payments & Billing | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| Automated billing | ||
| Retail/POS | ||
| Fitness Tools | ||
| Workout/program builder | ||
| Mobile app (client) | ||
| Mobile app (staff) | ||
| Waivers/forms | ||
| Marketing & Growth | ||
| Website builder | ||
| Marketing/email tools | ||
| Reporting/analytics | ||
| Integrations/API | ||
Common questions
FitBudd scores 7.9/10 vs Zen Planner's 7.2/10 in our ranking. FitBudd is the better pick for 1-5 trainers. Zen Planner is better if you need single-location martial arts schools, crossfit boxes, and yoga studios under 300 members who want transparent member-count pricing with no feature gating.
FitBudd starts at $15/month. Zen Planner starts at $99/month. Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-04-01.
FitBudd: Yes, 14-day free trial. Zen Planner: No free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
FitBudd covers 15 of 18 features we track. Zen Planner covers 18 of 18. Zen Planner has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
No, FitBudd does not have a mobile app. Zen Planner does not have one either.
Yes. The main effort is migrating your data (customer lists, job history, invoices). Plan for 1-2 weeks of overlap where you run both. Most gym & fitness studio tools can import CSV data. Ask both vendors about migration support before you sign.
The bottom line
Pick FitBudd if...
Personal trainers who want their own branded app published under their name in the App Store and Google Play, with zero commission on client payments.
Pick Zen Planner if...
Single-location martial arts schools, CrossFit boxes, and yoga studios under 300 members who want transparent member-count pricing with no feature gating