PushPress is a capable, modern platform with a genuinely free Core plan — but its add-on model means a $0 start can become a $585+/month stack, and its free-tier processing fees add up fast. This guide compares the 7 best PushPress alternatives in 2026, honestly, including where PushPress itself still wins. Updated June 2026.
Key takeaways
- PushPress’s strengths are a genuinely free Core plan and purpose-built martial-arts features — it powers 1,000+ martial arts schools.
- The main reasons owners look elsewhere are add-on costs (branded app, Grow CRM at $329/mo, and Train stack up to ~$585/mo) and high free-tier processing fees (4.19% + $0.30 per card).
- Mat Track is the best alternative for retention-focused schools — it bundles retention analytics and marketing in, with 0% platform transaction fees.
- GymDesk and Kicksite are simpler martial-arts-native options; Wodify suits performance-focused MMA/CrossFit; TeamUp leads on support.
- Watch the real cost — a low or free headline plus add-ons and processing fees can exceed an all-in-one plan.
- Match the tool to your priority: retention (Mat Track), simplicity (GymDesk, Kicksite), performance (Wodify), or support (TeamUp).
Why look for a PushPress alternative?
PushPress earns genuine praise — its free Core plan is a real, full platform (memberships, billing, scheduling, check-ins, waivers, member app), and it’s purpose-built for martial arts. But common reasons owners explore alternatives in 2026 include add-on costs (a branded app at ~$97/mo, the Grow CRM/marketing suite at ~$329/mo, and Train workout tracking at ~$79/mo, which can push a gym to ~$585/month before extras), high free-tier payment-processing fees (4.19% + $0.30 per card, which on real volume can exceed a paid plan elsewhere), and a reported AI-first support model. If those apply to you, the alternatives below are worth comparing.
1. Mat Track — best for retention-focused schools
Best for: schools that want retention analytics and marketing bundled in, without the add-on stack or high free-tier fees.
Mat Track answers PushPress’s two biggest friction points directly: cost structure and retention. Where PushPress charges separately for Grow (CRM/marketing) and a branded app, Mat Track bundles SMS marketing automation and retention analytics into its plans — and adds behavioural churn detection PushPress doesn’t have, setting each member’s personal attendance baseline over 60 days and flagging at-risk drops before they cancel. On fees, Mat Track charges 0% platform transaction fees, versus PushPress’s 4.19% + $0.30 on its free tier.
Pricing is transparent and all-in: a free-forever Starter (up to 200 contacts), Growth at $99/mo, Pro at $199/mo, month-to-month with no lock-in, plus native belt/rank tracking, family billing, and GoCardless support for UK/EU direct debit (where PushPress is Stripe-based). You can start on a free trial without a card.
Where Mat Track wins vs PushPress: bundled retention analytics and marketing (no Grow upcharge), 0% platform fees, native UK/EU billing, all-in pricing.
Where PushPress still wins: a larger established martial-arts base, workout programming via Train, and a mature modular ecosystem for gyms that want it.
Pricing:Free / $99 / $199 per month. Start your free trial →
2. GymDesk — best for affordable native belt tracking
Best for: martial arts schools wanting native belts and ease of use at a low, all-in price.
GymDesk (founded by a BJJ black belt) offers native belt tracking with attendance-based promotions and all features at every tier ($75–$200/month), with a built-in website and a choice of five payment processors. Unlike PushPress, marketing and website aren’t separate paid add-ons. The caveat: some customers report a support/functionality decline since its private-equity acquisition.
Where it wins vs Mat Track: built-in website, processor choice, low all-in price. Where Mat Track wins: behavioural churn analytics, retention focus, independent direction.
Pricing: $75–$200/month.
3. Kicksite — best for traditional schools wanting simplicity
Best for: established dojos valuing ease of use and support over modular depth.
Kicksite is a family-owned, martial-arts-only platform with 15+ years behind it, strong support, and simple student-count pricing ($49–$199/month). It avoids PushPress’s add-on complexity; trade-offs are lighter marketing tools and US-focused processing.
Where it wins vs Mat Track: long track record, simplicity, support reputation. Where Mat Track wins: behavioural churn analytics, marketing automation, UK/EU billing, a free plan.
Pricing: $49–$199/month.
4. Wodify — best for performance-focused MMA and CrossFit
Best for: gyms that live on workout tracking and performance metrics.
Wodify has deep CrossFit DNA — WOD tracking, performance leaderboards and athlete logging built into the core — and markets to MMA and martial arts too. Pricing starts around $79/month. For a gym whose culture revolves around tracking performance, it delivers that natively rather than as an add-on.
Where it wins vs Mat Track: native workout/performance tracking, leaderboards. Where Mat Track wins: behavioural churn/retention analytics, martial-arts belt workflows, a free plan.
Pricing: from ~$79/month.
5. TeamUp — best for support and simplicity
Best for: boutique studios and small gyms that value human support above all.
TeamUp consistently earns top customer-support ratings in the category (~4.6 on G2) and offers solid core gym-management features from around $99/month. If PushPress’s AI-first support is what’s pushing you out, TeamUp is the human-support opposite. It doesn’t do door access control.
Where it wins vs Mat Track: support reputation, simplicity. Where Mat Track wins: behavioural churn analytics, native belt tracking, a free plan.
Pricing: from ~$99/month.
6. Zen Planner — best for established multi-discipline schools
Best for: larger schools wanting deep features and willing to pay for the stack.
Zen Planner offers deep functionality and excellent belt/skill tracking ($99/month base, scaling with members and modules). For established multi-discipline schools that use that depth, it’s capable — though its module costs and Daxko Payments lock-in are real considerations.
Where it wins vs Mat Track: mature, deep feature set, skills library. Where Mat Track wins: bundled pricing without the add-on stack, behavioural churn analytics, a free plan, no exit fees.
Pricing: $99/month base, plus modules.
7. PushPress — when it’s still the right choice
For completeness: PushPress remains an excellent choice if you want a genuinely free start, a purpose-built martial-arts platform with a large install base, and you’ll use its modular ecosystem (Grow, Train) as you scale. For a new academy that wants professional software at $0 to begin, its free Core plan is a real advantage — just model the add-on and processing costs as you grow.
Comparison table
| Platform | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Native belt tracking | Retention analytics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mat Track | Retention-focused schools | $0/mo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Behavioural churn detection |
| GymDesk | Affordable native belts | $75/mo | ✅ (15-student cap) | ✅ | Reporting + at-risk alerts |
| Kicksite | Traditional simplicity | $49/mo | ❌ | ✅ | Limited |
| Wodify | Performance/MMA | ~$79/mo | ❌ | Added | Reporting |
| TeamUp | Support & simplicity | ~$99/mo | ❌ | Generalist | Generalist |
| Zen Planner | Deep, established schools | $99/mo (+modules) | ❌ | ✅ (excellent) | Reporting |
| PushPress | Free start + MA ecosystem | $0/mo | ✅ | ✅ | Reporting |
All pricing as of June 2026; verify on each provider’s site. PushPress add-ons and free-tier processing fees raise real cost.
Which PushPress alternative is right for you?
If you want PushPress’s martial-arts focus without the add-on stack or high free-tier fees — plus retention analytics it lacks — Mat Track is the strongest fit. For affordable native belts, GymDesk; for proven simplicity, Kicksite; for performance tracking, Wodify; for human support, TeamUp; for deep features, Zen Planner. If PushPress’s free Core and ecosystem suit you and you’ve modelled the add-on costs, staying put can still make sense.
Start your free trial with Mat Track → — no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PushPress alternative in 2026?
For martial arts schools focused on retention, Mat Track is the best PushPress alternative — it bundles retention analytics and marketing in (no Grow upcharge), charges 0% platform fees versus PushPress’s free-tier processing, and adds behavioural churn detection. GymDesk and Kicksite are simpler martial-arts-native options.
Why do gym owners leave PushPress?
Common reasons in 2026 are add-on costs (a branded app, Grow CRM at ~$329/mo and Train can push spend to ~$585/mo), high free-tier processing fees (4.19% + $0.30 per card), and a reported AI-first support model. As of June 2026.
Is PushPress really free?
PushPress Core is genuinely $0/month as a subscription and a full platform. But the free tier carries higher processing fees (4.19% + $0.30 per card), so on real payment volume it can cost more than a paid plan elsewhere. Mat Track’s free Starter plan charges 0% platform fees. As of June 2026.
Which PushPress alternative is cheapest?
Mat Track’s free Starter plan is $0/month for up to 200 contacts with 0% platform fees. GymDesk starts at $75/month all-in, and Kicksite at $49/month. Wodify starts around $79/month. As of June 2026.
Does Mat Track work for UK martial arts gyms better than PushPress?
For UK and EU gyms, Mat Track supports GoCardless for local direct-debit billing alongside Stripe, where PushPress is Stripe-based. Combined with 0% platform fees and bundled analytics, that makes Mat Track a strong fit for British and European academies.
