When it comes to successful scheduling apps**, there’s no doubt Mindbody makes the list. But with so many scheduling apps out there these days, finding the perfect scheduler for your business isn’t easy.**
With over twenty years in the online scheduling game and 58,000 businesses on its app, it makes sense that you might be considering Mindbody for your gym or studio.
To help you make your decision, we’re breaking down Mindbody’s best features, pricing, integrations, and other competitors in the industry.
What You Need to Know About Mindbody
Blake Beltram started Mindbody back in 2001, and it’s been growing and evolving ever since. With a focus on “empowering people who bring wellness to life,” they’re on a mission to “connect people with the experiences that make them whole.”
Here’s a quick rundown of its best features:
- Set how early clients can book online before the start of service.
- Automatically notify waitlisted clients when class spots open up.
- Set overlapping appointments for services so you can manage two clients at once.
- Build your own branded app.
- Let clients choose a spot in class (like which bike they want or which mat area).
- Automatically substitute instructors.
- Customize access for employees.
- Clock in employees, track hours, and calculate pay and commissions.
- Share links to classes on social media.
- Handle client payments. Accept cards and store credit cards.
- Automate recurring payments to handle monthly memberships.
FAQs about Mindbody
Is Mindbody free? No, Mindbody does not have a free version or a free trial. Its Starter Plan is $159/month, then from there you move up to more features with the Accelerate Plan at $279 and the Ultimate Plan at $499. Then there’s the Ultimate Plus Plan for $699.
Is Mindbody HIPAA compliant? Yes, Mindbody is HIPAA compliant, though it’s not HIPAA certified, as noted on their support page. If you plan on handling protected health info on Mindbody, they suggest you reach out to them about a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) first.
What integrations does Mindbody offer? Mindbody integrates with several other software tools you may need for your business or like to link up with your Mindbody account. Some of its biggest integrations include:
Check out Mindbody’s partner store for a full list of integrations.
Do they accept payments? Yes, it has the ability to process client payments. With a processing rate of 2.75% for each transaction, they also note that businesses who process over $25,000 monthly may qualify for a different rate.
Can you embed Mindbody into a website? Yes, technically you can add your Mindbody calendar to your existing business website, though the process is not as easy as simply adding a widget. With Mindbody, you have to first create a branded widget. They also note that not all subscription levels have the ability to add a booking widget to their site, and you may need experience in web development to get the task done.
Does it have an app? Yes, Mindbody has apps for both iPhone/iPad and Android.
Does it send reminders? Yes, it has automatic reminders for email and text.
The Best Mindbody Alternatives for Your Small Business
Mindbody definitely has all the bells and whistles you need to run your fitness, yoga, or pilates business, but is it the best? It depends on the tools you need and the monthly subscription budget you have for your business.
The big takeaway for Mindbody? It’s great for larger fitness and wellness businesses who need allll the tools and can afford the subscription price point. It’s especially handy for businesses looking to integrate with ClassPass.
But if you’re a smaller operation looking to grow, like a solo hair stylistor nail tech, Mindbody may be a bit more than you need. To help you explore other options, here’s a list of four Mindbody alternatives to consider.
Vagaro
Made for pros in the hair, beauty, and wellness industries, the Vagaro has the tools you need.
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Customize your schedule, and let clients book on their own. They can book using your unique URL or discover you through the Vagaro Marketplace.
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Include extra time for color processing, cleanup, or travel if you’re a mobile service provider. Easily add buffer time so you can truly enjoy that “me time.”
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Get a unique booking link to share with clients or the world. (Vagaro provides free widgets to embed directly into your website or social media – no coding required.)
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Access all the booking options your business might need: recurring appointments, classes, workshops, group sessions, memberships, and more.
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Automate reminders and confirmations via text or email to reduce no-shows. Plus, set up automated birthday, thank-you, and rebooking emails with customizable templates and client list segmentation.
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Take control of policies and waivers to fit your business’ needs—from cancellations to no-shows to liability. Clients acknowledge forms before booking to protect you.
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Payment processing? Absolutely! Accept payments online or in person with Vagaro’s integrated POS system, including deposits, packages, gift cards, and tips.
Of course, with all this goodness, you may be asking yourself, “Is Vagaro free?”
Vagaro offers a free trial for new businesses to explore the platform. Paid plans start at around $30 per month for a single-location business, with pricing scaling based on users, features, and locations—making it a flexible option for solo providers or growing teams.
GloFox
GloFox is all about fitness and wellness. With tools made for everything from yoga studios to larger franchise businesses, they’re great for larger businesses.
GloFox’s best features:
- Nurture leads with automated email flows.
- Create high-quality website forms to gather leads.
- Manage sales and client history with a built-in CRM system.
- Allow clients to book classes, buy memberships, and make payments all within the client app.
What’s similar between GloFox and Mindbody?
- Both are built for large-scale businesses with established client lists and several providers or locations.
- GloFox and Mindbody both have invoicing and billing tools for monthly memberships.
- Payment processing and POS are included in both systems.
- Both apps offer inventory management and marketing automation.
How much does GloFox cost? GloFox has only one pricing plan for all levels of business: $110/month.
Acuity
If you’re looking for a scheduling app with plenty of integrations for external marketing and payment tools, Acuity may be for you. Let’s take a look at some of its best features!
Acuity’s best features:
- Integrate the app with PayPal, Mailchimp, and QuickBooks.
- Acuity is owned by Squarespace, so you can easily integrate Acuity with your Squarespace website.
- Manage multiple calendars and multiple locations.
- Customize your account with logo and company colors.
- Integrations for payment processing with PayPal, Square, and Stripe.
What’s similar between Acuity and Mindbody?
- Both apps have the ability to handle room bookings and multiple providers.
- Acuity and Mindbody can manage group bookings.
- Both have tools for selling memberships and packages.
- Each app has a ton of integration options for marketing and sales.
How much does Acuity cost? Acuity offers a 7-day trial for all new users, then they have tiered pricing ranging from $14 – $45 per month.
How to Choose the Best Scheduling App?
Choosing the best scheduling app for your fitness, health, or wellness business isn’t easy! It takes some research and shopping around to truly find the scheduler that works for you.
So as you’re browsing around, don’t forget to [request demos and chat with support teams to learn more about each app. Also, take the time to read through reviews and get a feel for real user experiences!