Mindbody vs Vagaro
Vagaro scores 7.5/10 vs 7.0/10. Best for: Budget-conscious fitness studios, personal trainers, and multi-service businesses (salon/spa/fitness combos) that want full features at an affordable flat rate.
Vagaro scores higher overall at 7.5/10 vs 7.0/10. Vagaro is the best value pick for solo trainers and small fitness studios that also offer wellness or beauty services. The flat pricing model is unbeatable, but the lack of workout builders and API access means serious gym-only operations may outgrow it quickly.
Mindbody 
Vagaro Rank
#12 of 15
Rank
#8 of 15
Features
16/18
Features
16/18
Starting at
$99/mo
Starting at
$30/mo
User reviews
3.7/5 (3470)
User reviews
4.6/5 (3787)
What they cost
| Mindbody | Vagaro | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $99 /mo | $30 /mo |
| Free trial | No | 30 days |
| Number of plans | 3 | 4 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, Vagaro looks cheaper at $30/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 Mindbody wins
- Massive consumer marketplace app drives organic new client discovery
- Robust class scheduling with waitlists and room management
- Wide third-party integration ecosystem
- Comprehensive reporting on higher-tier plans
Where Vagaro wins
- Extremely affordable pricing starting at $30/month with all features unlocked at every tier
- Monthly cost caps at $90 regardless of how many staff calendars you add
- Built-in marketplace gives your business free exposure to Vagaro's consumer user base
- Generous 30-day free trial with no credit card required
Where Mindbody falls short
- Expensive with add-ons, processing fees, and 20% marketplace commission on first purchase
- Annual contract required with no free trial
- Interface has become sluggish with steep learning curve
- Customer support quality is inconsistent with slow response times
Where Vagaro falls short
- Primarily built for salons and spas, so gym-specific features like workout programming are missing
- No public API limits custom integrations and third-party development
- Users report recurring bugs, slowdowns, and crashes during peak booking hours
- Many useful features like forms and branded apps are paid add-ons that increase the real cost
Who is each product built for?
Mindbody
Target: 1-50+ locations
Mindbody is the market leader with the largest consumer marketplace, making it valuable for businesses that rely on new client acquisition through discovery. The high price, annual contracts, and clunky interface make it a poor fit for small single-location gyms. Best for established studios willing to pay premium for marketplace visibility.
Vagaro
Target: 1-500 members
Vagaro is the best value pick for solo trainers and small fitness studios that also offer wellness or beauty services. The flat pricing model is unbeatable, but the lack of workout builders and API access means serious gym-only operations may outgrow it quickly.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Mindbody | Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Vagaro is designed for 1-500 members, making it a better fit for small shops. Mindbody targets 1-50+ locations.
Mindbody starts at $99/month. Vagaro starts at $30/month. Pricing was last verified in 2026-03-01.
No, Mindbody does not offer a free trial. You will need to contact sales or sign up for a paid plan.
Yes, you can switch between Gym & Fitness Studio tools. The main effort is migrating your data and setting up new workflows. Plan for 1-2 weeks of overlap where you run both systems.
The bottom line
Pick Mindbody if...
Established studios that want new client discovery through the Mindbody consumer marketplace.
Pick Vagaro if...
Budget-conscious fitness studios, personal trainers, and multi-service businesses (salon/spa/fitness combos) that want full features at an affordable flat rate.