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 logo

Gymdesk

7.8
Better overall
vs
GymMaster logo

GymMaster

7.5

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
Gymdesk pricing verified: 2026-03-01 GymMaster pricing verified: 2026-03-01

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.

Martial Arts SchoolsCrossFit BoxesYoga StudiosPersonal TrainingGeneral Fitness

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.

Commercial Gyms24/7 Fitness CentersCrossFit BoxesHealth ClubsRecreation Centers

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