Choosing software to run your dojo is a big decision. You need something that saves time, supports your instructors, helps you grow, and doesn’t quietly drain your bank account every month.
The good news? You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to run a professional, modern martial arts school. There are free dojo management software options, but the differences between them matter a lot.
Below is an honest look at the best truly free options, with a clear breakdown of what you actually get.
Why Consider Free Dojo Management Software?
Running a dojo means juggling a lot:
- Class schedules
- Private lessons
- Family memberships
- Payments
- Student communication
- Belt progression and retention
Good software automates the admin so you can focus on teaching. And if you’re just starting out, or trying to keep costs lean, free software can give you a serious advantage if it includes the right features.
The key is avoiding “free” tools that lock core functionality behind paid upgrades.
Top Free Dojo Management Software
1. Recess: A Truly Free, All-In-One Platform for Dojos
Recess is completely free and includes core martial arts workflows that other platforms charge extra for. It’s not a trial, and it’s not a stripped-down demo.
What Recess includes for free (no feature gating):
- Full CRM for students, parents, and instructors
- Lead capture, conversion, and tracking (including trial students)
- Advanced sequences for follow-ups, retention, and win-back
- Email marketing and win-back messaging
- Multi-location support
- POS system for uniforms, gear, and merch
- Belt tracking and gamification
- Integrated lesson scheduler for classes, privates, and intros
- White-glove onboarding to help you get set up quickly
This matters for dojos because you’re not just scheduling classes, you’re managing long-term student progression, family relationships, and retention cycles.
Recess is also intentionally simple to use. You can be up and running quickly, without paying to “unlock” the features you actually need.
2. WodGuru: Free for Very Small Schools
WodGuru offers a legitimate free plan, but it comes with hard limits.
What’s included on the free plan:
- Class scheduling
- Attendance tracking
- Up to 30 active members
This can work if you’re a very small dojo or just testing software. However, once you grow past the cap, upgrading is required, and features like marketing, automation, and deeper CRM functionality are paid.
3. Springly: Free for Non-Organizations
Springly offers a free plan specifically for registered non-profits.
What’s included:
- Basic CRM
- Website builder
- Email communication tools
Springly isn’t dojo-specific and doesn’t support belt tracking, lesson scheduling, or martial-arts-specific workflows. But for non-profit schools that need basic admin and communication tools, it can be a useful free option.
How to Choose the Right Free Dojo Software
When comparing free platforms, focus on what’s included without upgrading.
The Bottom Line
Many platforms advertise “free” plans, but limit the very features dojos rely on.
Recess stands out because it:
Is actually free
- Includes martial-arts-specific features
- Doesn’t gate CRM, automation, POS, or belt tracking
- Scales from small schools to multi-location academies
Starting with free dojo management software is a smart move. And for many schools, a free platform like Recess isn’t just a starting point, it’s all they ever need.
For more tips on running and growing your school, explore our other resources here: Are You Teaching the Right Martial Arts Training Styles in 2025?
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