Gymdesk vs GymMaster
Gymdesk scores 7.8/10 vs 7.5/10. Best for: Small to mid-size gyms, martial arts schools, and CrossFit boxes that want all features included at every tier with no contracts.
Gymdesk scores higher overall at 7.8/10 vs 7.5/10. Gymdesk is an excellent choice for small gyms and martial arts schools that want simple, transparent pricing with all features unlocked from day one. The included free website and member app add strong value. Best suited for facilities with under 400 members who value simplicity over enterprise-grade analytics.
Gymdesk
GymMaster Rank
#10 of 21
Rank
#13 of 21
Features
15/18
Features
16/18
Starting at
$75/mo
Starting at
$99/mo
User reviews
4.8/5 (167)
User reviews
— (181)
What they cost
| Gymdesk | GymMaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $75 /mo | $99 /mo |
| Free trial | Free tier available | No |
| Number of plans | 4 | 4 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, Gymdesk looks cheaper at $75/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 Gymdesk wins
- All features are included in every plan with no feature gating or upselling
- Exceptional customer support with response times consistently within hours
- Free gym website included with every account, ready to use immediately
- No contracts, no hidden fees, and a free plan for up to 15 active members after trial ends
Where GymMaster wins
- Built-in 24/7 door access control with RFID and Bluetooth readers. No separate access system or monthly fee for a third-party provider like Kisi
- Highly customizable for specific gym workflows. Long-term users report tailoring membership types, billing rules, and access zones to fit their exact setup
- Support team responds fast and walks you through onboarding. Gym owners consistently praise getting real help, not canned responses
- 60-day money-back guarantee gives you two full months to test with real members before you are locked in
Where Gymdesk falls short
- No dedicated staff mobile app, only a member-facing app
- Reporting tools are basic and lack advanced custom report building
- No built-in payroll management features
- Smaller company with a less mature ecosystem of integrations compared to larger competitors
Where GymMaster falls short
- Pricing starts at $99/mo for Lite and climbs to $190/mo for Plus: more expensive than basic tools like Zen Planner for similar member counts
- Initial setup takes time. Configuring access zones, membership tiers, and billing rules can easily eat a full week before you are running smoothly
- POS app gets poor reviews from gym owners. Selling retail items or supplements at the front desk is clunky compared to a basic Square terminal
- No workout builder or exercise programming. If you coach members on training plans, you need a separate tool like Exercise.com or TrueCoach
Who is each product built for?
Gymdesk
Target: 1-400 members
Gymdesk is an excellent choice for small gyms and martial arts schools that want simple, transparent pricing with all features unlocked from day one. The included free website and member app add strong value. Best suited for facilities with under 400 members who value simplicity over enterprise-grade analytics.
GymMaster
Target: 50-2000 members
Buy GymMaster if you run a 24/7 access gym or fitness center with 100-2,000 members and need integrated door access control without paying for a separate system. The access hardware integration is the real differentiator. Skip if you run a training-focused studio that needs workout programming, because GymMaster does not have it.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Gymdesk | GymMaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Gymdesk scores 7.8/10 vs GymMaster's 7.5/10 in our ranking. Gymdesk is the better pick for 1-400 members. GymMaster is better if you need traditional gyms and 24/7 fitness centers with 100-2,000 members that need integrated rfid/bluetooth door access control alongside membership billing.
Gymdesk starts at $75/month. GymMaster starts at $99/month. Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-03-01.
Gymdesk: Yes, 30-day free trial. GymMaster: No free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
Gymdesk covers 15 of 18 features we track. GymMaster covers 16 of 18. GymMaster has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
No, Gymdesk does not have a mobile app. GymMaster 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 Gymdesk if...
Small to mid-size gyms, martial arts schools, and CrossFit boxes that want all features included at every tier with no contracts.
Pick GymMaster if...
Traditional gyms and 24/7 fitness centers with 100-2,000 members that need integrated RFID/Bluetooth door access control alongside membership billing