The best gym management software for UK gyms handles the thing US-built platforms fumble: BACS direct debit. Every platform on this list supports UK direct debit properly — the comparison is what else you get, from retention analytics to fully managed billing bureaus. Seven options compared honestly for UK gyms, with martial arts and combat sports given proper weight. Updated August 2026.
Key takeaways
- Direct debit is the UK filter: every platform here supports BACS properly — via GoCardless, own bureaus (ClubRight ≤45p, ClubWise FCA-regulated) or native integration.
- Mat Track is the martial-arts pick: GoCardless + Stripe native, 0% platform fees, belt tracking, churn detection, free plan.
- ClubRight is the flat-price UK value: £79/mo, unlimited members, no contracts.
- ClubWise outsources billing entirely — an FCA-authorised bureau chases failed payments for you.
- Churn-prediction claims are everywhere now (GymWyse, and others on this list) — demo the feature on real data, don’t buy the adjective.
- Watch billing currency: some strong options bill in USD; factor conversion into any comparison.
What UK gyms actually need from software
The UK market has one structural difference that decides everything: recurring revenue runs on BACS direct debit, not cards. Direct debit fails less (no card expiries), costs less per collection, and cuts involuntary churn — but only if your software treats it as a first-class rail rather than a workaround. So the qualifying question for this list was direct debit done properly; the ranking question is everything after: retention tooling, martial-arts depth, pricing transparency, and whether you want billing managed for you or by you.
1. Mat Track
Best for: UK martial arts and combat-sport gyms that want direct debit native and retention tracked.
Mat Track is built martial-arts-first: native belt/rank promotion tracking with configurable criteria and full history, QR and kiosk check-in, family and group billing, and SMS/email automation in one platform. For UK gyms specifically: members are billed in pounds with GoCardless direct debit and Stripe both native, at 0% platform transaction fees — you pay only your processor’s standard rates. Its analytics go deepest here — behavioural churn detection baselines each member’s own attendance over 60 days and flags drop-offs before they become cancellations, alongside cohort retention and coach-performance reporting. Built by a team running a multi-site BJJ academy that grew from 120 to 1,200 members across four locations; month-to-month, free migrations, and the Starter plan is free for up to 200 contacts.
Where it wins: GoCardless + Stripe native, 0% platform fees, churn analytics, free plan.
Where Mat Track wins: —
Pricing:Free / $99 / $199 per month by contact count; 0% platform transaction fees.
Start free with Mat Track → — no credit card required.
2. TeamUp
Best for: UK class-led studios that want booking polish with all-inclusive tiers.
TeamUp (part of DaySmart) is a UK favourite for good reason: clean booking and memberships, every feature at every tier, no setup fees, unlimited locations, and it works smoothly with GoCardless. From $119/mo by customer count with a 30-day trial. The martial-arts gap is progression — reviewers cite the lack of a native grading system — and long-standing customers note price rises.
Where it wins: booking UX, inclusive tiers, GoCardless-friendly.
Where Mat Track wins: belt/grading tracking, churn detection, free plan.
Pricing: From $119/mo. As of June 2026 — verify at goteamup.com.
3. ClubRight
Best for: UK independent gyms that want unlimited members at one flat UK price.
ClubRight is UK-built by ex-gym owners: memberships, bookings, access control and a member app from £79/mo with unlimited members, no contracts, no setup fees — and its ClubRight Pay direct debit costs no more than 45p per successful collection, which is sharp. It has a martial-arts page covering gradings, though progression tooling is lighter than the specialists.
Where it wins: flat UK pricing, 45p direct debit, access control.
Where Mat Track wins: belt criteria and history, retention analytics, free plan.
Pricing: From £79/mo unlimited members. As of July 2026 — verify at clubright.co.uk.
4. ClubWise
Best for: UK clubs that want billing fully managed by an FCA-regulated bureau.
ClubWise pairs club software with an FCA-authorised, BACS-accredited direct-debit bureau: collections run, failed payments chased, member payment queries handled — the whole billing function outsourced. Bookings, access control and a member app sit on top. Pricing is arranged with sales, so get the collection fees in writing.
Where it wins: managed collections, FCA/BACS accreditation, hands-off billing.
Where Mat Track wins: published pricing, martial-arts workflows, retention analytics.
Pricing: Quote-based. As of July 2026 — verify at clubwise.com.
5. GymWyse
Best for: UK gyms drawn to churn-prediction claims with native GoCardless.
GymWyse is a UK platform marketing AI churn prediction — flagging at-risk members ahead of cancellation — with native GoCardless direct debit. It’s a newer entrant, so the diligence is on evidence: ask to see the churn feature working on real data during a trial, and get pricing in writing. That churn-prediction claims are now common across the market (this list has several) makes the demo the real test.
Where it wins: churn positioning, native GoCardless, UK focus.
Where Mat Track wins: operator track record, martial-arts depth, published pricing, free plan.
Pricing: Confirm with vendor. As of July 2026 — verify at gymwyse claims directly.
6. GymDesk
Best for: small UK schools that want simplicity, a website and GoCardless support.
GymDesk supports GoCardless among its five processors, publishes pricing from $75/mo (billed in USD — factor conversion), bundles a website builder and native belt tracking, and keeps a 15-student free plan after trial. Recent post-acquisition reviews are the diligence item.
Where it wins: processor choice incl. GoCardless, website, published pricing.
Where Mat Track wins: GBP-native billing experience, churn detection, bigger free plan.
Pricing: $75–~$200/mo (USD). As of June 2026 — verify at gymdesk.com.
7. Glofox
Best for: UK boutique studios that want a premium branded app and accept quote-based terms.
Glofox (ABC Glofox) has real UK presence and a genuinely strong branded member app. The diligence load is also real: quote-only pricing (operator-reported $110–$600+/mo), documented mid-contract increases, and post-cancellation billing complaints in verified reviews. If the app wins you over, negotiate terms in writing.
Where it wins: branded app, boutique polish, UK presence.
Where Mat Track wins: transparent pricing, no lock-in, martial-arts depth, free plan.
Pricing: Quote-only; reported $110–$600+/mo. As of June 2026 — verify with their sales team.
Comparison table
| Platform | Best for | Pricing | UK direct debit | Platform fee | Free plan | Retention analytics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mat Track | Martial arts + retention | $0 / $99 / $199 published | ✅ GoCardless + Stripe | 0% | ✅ (200 contacts) | ✅ Behavioural |
| TeamUp | Class-led studios | $119/mo published | ✅ Works with GoCardless | 0% | ❌ Trial | Reporting |
| ClubRight | Flat-price UK value | £79/mo published | ✅ ClubRight Pay ≤45p | 0% | ❌ | Reporting |
| ClubWise | Fully managed billing | Quote | ✅ FCA/BACS bureau | Bureau fees apply | ❌ | Reporting |
| GymWyse | Churn-focused UK entrant | Confirm | ✅ Native GoCardless | Confirm | ❌ | Claimed — demo it |
| GymDesk | Simplicity + website | $75/mo (USD) | ✅ GoCardless supported | 0% | ✅ (15-cap) | At-risk alerts |
| Glofox | Branded app | Quote-only | ✅ Multi-market | Confirm | ❌ | Generalist |
All pricing as of June–July 2026; verify on each provider’s site. GoCardless’s standard rate is reported at ~1% + 20p — confirm current pricing at gocardless.com.
Which is right for your UK gym?
Martial arts or combat sports: Mat Track — the rails (GoCardless, GBP member billing, 0% fees) plus the retention engine, free to start. Class-led studio: TeamUp. Budget-led independent: ClubRight at £79 flat. Want billing off your plate entirely: ClubWise. Drawn to churn-prediction marketing: demo GymWyse against Mat Track on your own data and let the results decide.
Start your free trial with Mat Track → — no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gym management software in the UK?
For UK martial arts and combat-sport gyms, Mat Track — GoCardless and Stripe native, members billed in pounds, 0% platform fees, belt tracking and behavioural churn detection, with a free plan. For class-led studios, TeamUp; for flat-price UK value, ClubRight (£79/mo unlimited); for fully managed billing, ClubWise.
Which gym software supports GoCardless direct debit?
As of July 2026: Mat Track (native, alongside Stripe), TeamUp (works smoothly with it), GymWyse (native), GymDesk (one of five supported processors), plus ClubRight and ClubWise running their own regulated direct-debit services. Always confirm per-collection fees — they range from ~1% + 20p at GoCardless’s standard rate to ClubRight’s ≤45p.
How much does gym management software cost in the UK?
From free (Mat Track Starter) and £79/mo (ClubRight, unlimited members) through $119/mo (TeamUp) for most independents; quote-based UK options (ClubWise, Glofox) should be confirmed in writing. Note some vendors bill in USD — factor conversion into comparisons. As of July 2026.
Is direct debit better than card payments for UK gyms?
For recurring memberships, usually yes: BACS direct debit fails less often than cards (no expiry dates), costs less per collection (~1% + 20p standard GoCardless rate, verify current pricing), and reduces involuntary churn from failed payments. Cards remain better for one-off purchases and trials — most UK gyms run both.
Do UK gyms need UK-specific software?
Not necessarily — what they need is native BACS direct debit, GBP member billing and VAT-friendly reporting. UK-built platforms (ClubRight, ClubWise, GymWyse) guarantee that context; international platforms with GoCardless support (Mat Track, TeamUp, GymDesk) deliver the same rails with broader feature sets. Judge on the rails, not the flag.
