Which martial arts CRM wins in 2026: Zen Planner vs Kicksite

For martial arts schools, having the right gym management software can be the difference between struggling with spreadsheets and running a professional, scalable operation. Zen Planner and Kicksite are two leading options in the martial arts software space, both offering features designed to streamline daily tasks like class scheduling, member billing, and communication.

But in 2026, which platform comes out on top? Let’s break down the features, pain points, and overall fit for martial arts academies.

Why gym management software matters for martial arts schools

Owning a dojo or martial arts academy means balancing training with business management. Without the right systems, owners often lose hours each week to manual tasks.

Here’s why investing in a gym management software is critical:

• Membership management: Simplify sign-ups, renewals, and family accounts.
  
• Class scheduling: Automate registrations and avoid double bookings.
  
• Billing and payments: Ensure consistent revenue with automated billing and reminders.
  
• Communication: Keep members engaged with timely updates and announcements.
  
• Progress tracking: Monitor attendance, skill milestones, and belt promotions.
  

For martial arts schools, these tools aren’t just conveniences—they’re foundational for long-term growth.

Common pain points in martial arts school management

Without software, martial arts academies face recurring challenges:

• Time wasted on manual entry for attendance, payments, and renewals.
  
• Inconsistent class schedules that frustrate members and parents.
  
• Member follow-ups missed, leading to dropped renewals.
  
• Overworked staff, balancing paperwork with teaching.
  
• Revenue leaks from late or missed payments.
  

Both Zen Planner and Kicksite attempt to solve these issues—but their approaches and depth of features differ.

Zen Planner vs Kicksite: Feature comparison

Zen Planner: Complete all-in-one solution

Zen Planner positions itself as more than software—it’s a growth partner for martial arts schools.

• Automation & scheduling: Automates renewals, class bookings, and attendance tracking.
  
• Integrated billing: Supports recurring memberships, family billing, and online payments.
  
• Financial reporting: Offers detailed dashboards for revenue, attendance, and retention metrics.
  
• Belt & progress tracking: Customizable rank progression aligned with your curriculum.
  
• Marketing automation: Includes built-in CRM, automated email campaigns, and lead nurturing tools.
  
• Mobile app: Provides students and staff with scheduling, progress tracking, and communication on the go.
  

Zen Planner’s strength lies in its all-in-one platform—combining billing, scheduling, CRM, and member engagement in one system.

Kicksite: Simple and user-friendly

Kicksite offers a focused feature set, aiming for ease of use:

• Member management & billing: Automates renewals, invoicing, and payment collection.
  
• Class scheduling & attendance: Organizes classes and logs attendance digitally.
  
• Email communication: Basic campaign tools to send announcements and reminders.
  
• Online registration: Simplifies new member onboarding with digital sign-ups.
  

Kicksite is valued for simplicity but lacks the advanced automation, reporting, and marketing depth that Zen Planner provides.

Which software is right for martial arts schools?

The choice depends on your academy’s size, growth goals, and operational needs.

• Zen Planner is ideal if you need:

  • Advanced reporting for data-driven decisions
    
  • Robust automation for billing and retention
    
  • Mobile-first engagement tools
    
  • Integrated CRM and marketing campaigns
    

• Kicksite is better suited if you want:

  • A straightforward, easy-to-use system
    
  • Basic scheduling and billing
    
  • Entry-level communication tools
    

Ultimately, both simplify dojo management—but Zen Planner delivers the broader, more scalable solution for schools serious about growth.

Take your martial arts school to the next level

Choosing the right functional fitness gym software isn’t just about managing schedules—it’s about creating a sustainable foundation for growth.

Zen Planner gives martial arts schools the complete toolkit to:

• Save hours every week with automation
  
• Stabilize revenue through consistent billing
  
• Keep members engaged with mobile apps and automated touchpoints
  
• Grow confidently with advanced reporting and CRM tools
  

Schedule a Demo today to see why Zen Planner is the best gym management software for martial arts schools in 2026.