Running a martial arts school today means balancing teaching, community-building, payments, scheduling, retention, and new student acquisition, all at once. The right martial arts studio management software helps streamline all of this so you can stay focused on your students instead of admin work.
Below is a clear, updated breakdown of the major martial arts software platforms in the U.S. and what you need to know about each, without unnecessary hype. If you're researching software for 2025, this guide gives you an honest landscape view of your options.
Why Martial Arts Schools Use Studio Software
A dedicated martial arts CRM helps you:
- Manage class schedules, private lessons, camps, and workshops
- Automate billing and recurring membership payments
- Track attendance, student progress, belt ranks, and skills
- Communicate with students and parents through email and SMS
- Capture, organize, and convert new leads
- Reduce admin time and improve revenue consistency
- If a platform can’t handle these basics, it isn’t built for martial arts.
Top Martial Arts Studio Software Platforms (2025)
Here are our top picks for the best martial arts studio software this year:
1. Recess
Recess is a modern, all-in-one platform built specifically to streamline how martial arts and MMA schools run their day-to-day operations. Unlike older systems, it combines scheduling, payments, student management, and training content into one clean, fast, easy-to-use platform. Recess supports striking programs, BJJ classes, youth martial arts, competition teams, and multi-discipline schedules; along with on-demand and virtual training for students who need flexibility.
Key Features
- Dynamic class & private lesson scheduling for striking, grappling, no-gi/gi rotations, sparring groups, and coach-specific availability
- Automated billing & membership management to reduce late payments and eliminate manual follow-ups
- Full student CRM with attendance, skill notes, rank tracking, promotions, and program enrollment (fits MMA’s multi-discipline structure)
- Unlimited on-demand & virtual training library, perfect for technique walkthroughs, drilling videos, conditioning programs, and remote coaching
- Lead capture & conversion tools built for trials, intro offers, paid challenges, and ad-driven inquiries
- Clean, intuitive experience for coaches, admins, students, and parents; minimizing training time and reducing admin workload
2. Zen Planner
A long-standing option in the martial arts industry. Zen Planner includes many traditional martial arts tools such as rank tracking and belt progression, along with standard CRM and billing functionality.
Key Features
- Belt and rank tracking
- Attendance and student records
- Automated billing
- Class scheduling
3. Spark Membership
Spark focuses heavily on marketing, trials, and lead automation for martial arts schools. It's designed for owners who want structured sales funnels and high-touch communication tools.
Key Features
- SMS and email automation
- Lead funnels and trial workflows
- Attendance tracking
- Parent/student portal
4. Kicksite
Kicksite offers a simple, clean system for martial arts management. It’s known for straightforward attendance and rank tracking with built-in communication features.
Key Features
- Belt rank & attendance tracking
- Automated billing
- Email/SMS communication
- Class scheduling tools
5. Mindbody
Mindbody serves a broad fitness market and includes scheduling, billing, and marketing tools. Martial arts schools that operate like fitness studios may consider it, though it can be more complex and costly than niche solutions.
Key Features
- Large booking marketplace
- Reporting & analytics
- POS and retail tools
- Automated communication
6. Gymdesk
Gymdesk is an affordable, lightweight platform that includes the essentials for martial arts schools, especially those starting out or running on tighter budgets.
Key Features
- Attendance & belt tracking
- Membership management
- Online forms & waivers
- Lower-cost pricing structure
How to Choose the Right Martial Arts Software
Every school’s needs are different. As you evaluate options, consider:
Ease of Use
Your software should simplify your operations, not complicate them.
Core Martial Arts Features
Look for attendance, belt tracking, skill progression, and parent communication.
Billing & Payment Automation
This directly impacts revenue consistency and time savings.
Marketing & Lead Management
Especially important if you rely on trials, paid ads, or referral growth.
Virtual / On-Demand Training
More schools are offering hybrid training; your platform should support it.
Pricing vs. Value
Make sure what you're paying reflects the features you actually use.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right martial arts studio software can meaningfully improve how your school operates - helping you save time, improve retention, and deliver a better experience to your students.
Recess was built to give modern martial arts schools a clean, flexible alternative to older systems, combining easy scheduling, payments, student management, and virtual training in one place. If you're evaluating software for 2025, Recess offers a streamlined solution designed for today’s schools.
