Best BJJ Gym Management Software in 2025: Complete Comparison

Written by a BJJ Black Belt coach

Running a successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy is about more than just teaching technique. Between chasing down payments, tracking belt progressions, managing class schedules, and monitoring competition teams, the administrative side can quickly overwhelm even the most passionate instructors.

I've been there. As a BJJ black belt who teaches classes and works closely with gym owners, I've seen firsthand how the right software can transform chaotic operations into smooth, professional systems letting you focus on what matters: being on the mats with your students.

After extensively researching and testing the top BJJ gym management platforms in 2025, I've put together this comprehensive comparison to help you make the best decision for your academy.

Quick Comparison Table

The 7 Best BJJ Gym Management Software Solutions

1. Kombat Evolve - Built by a Black Belt for Combat Sports

Pricing:

• Small: €29/month (30 students, 3 coaches max)

• Standard: €59/month (unlimited students & coaches)

• Pro: €99/month (includes website, marketing automation)

• ZERO transaction fees - you keep 100% of your money just Stripe process

What Makes It Stand Out:

Kombat Evolve was created by someone who actually understands the BJJ lifestyle a black belt who's lived through the frustrations of generic gym software. This shows in every feature.

But here's the game-changer: Zero transaction fees on payments. Every other platform takes a cut (1-3% + per-transaction fees). With Kombat Evolve, whether students pay cash, bank transfer, or card, you track everything in the app with ZERO additional fees. On a €10,000/month academy, that's €100-300 saved monthly compared to competitors.

Key Features:

• ZERO Payment Processing Fees: Track cash, bank transfers, and card payments without any percentage taken by the tool

• Competition Calendar & Management: The only platform with dedicated tournament tracking (IBJJF, local comps, team logistics)

• Belt & Stripe Progress Tracking: Automatically tracks attendance toward promotions

• QR Code Check-ins: Fast, contactless attendance

• Stripe Payment Integration: Optional automated billing (standard Stripe rates, no markup)

• Manual Payment Recording: Track cash and bank transfers with zero fees

• Performance Analytics Dashboard: Real-time insights on retention, revenue, attendance trends

• Multi-discipline Support: BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Karate all under one roof

Pros:

• ZERO transaction fees (biggest cost saver in the industry)

• Most affordable entry point (€29/month)

• Competition management built-in (competitors don't have this)

• Built by a practitioner who teaches classes

• Cash payment tracking without fees (huge for traditional dojos)

• Fast-moving startup that listens to user feedback

• No long-term contracts

• Clean, modern interface

• Track ANY payment method in-app

Cons:

• Newer platform (less market presence than established players)

• Smaller feature set compared to enterprise solutions (but that's often a good thing—less bloat)

• European-based (though works globally)

Best For: New academies getting started, growing gyms that want to scale affordably, competition-focused teams, academies with high cash payment volume, instructors who want software that "gets it," cost-conscious owners tired of losing 1-3% to fees.

Real Talk: If you're tired of paying for features you don't use AND losing 1-3% of every transaction, Kombat Evolve is a no-brainer. The zero-fee model alone pays for the software 3-4x over for most academies. Add competition tracking and you've got features competitors literally can't match.

2. MAAT - European BJJ-First Platform

Pricing:

• €49/month (regularly €59, currently 17% off)

• 1% transaction fee + Stripe fees

• Unlimited members

• No contracts

What Makes It Stand Out:

MAAT was built from the ground up by BJJ practitioners specifically for European combat sports academies. It's gained serious traction in the EU market with WhatsApp-based support and multilingual interfaces.

Key Features:

• Belt & Stripe Tracking: Attendance-based graduation system with coach notifications

• Leaderboards & Gamification: Students compete on progress boards, increasing retention

• Mobile-First Design: Clean student app for viewing schedule and progress

• SEPA & Direct Debit Support: Perfect for European payment preferences

• WhatsApp Customer Support: Direct access to founders who train BJJ

• Digital Waivers: Built-in liability management

Pros:

• Purpose-built for BJJ by BJJ people

• Excellent for European academies (SEPA, multilingual)

• Leaderboard feature is unique and drives engagement

• Responsive founder-led support

• Flat-rate pricing regardless of gym size

• Strong European community (Checkmat affiliates, etc.)

Cons:

• No competition/tournament management

• Limited marketing automation features

• Primarily focused on European market

• Newer platform with less third-party integrations

Best For: European BJJ academies, gyms wanting gamification features, instructors who value direct founder support.

Real Talk: MAAT has carved out a strong niche in Europe. If you're based in the EU and want software made by Europeans who roll, this is the obvious choice.

3. BJJLINK - Pure BJJ Focus

Pricing:

• Admin+: $49/month (flat rate)

• Admin+ Black: $149/month

• Unlimited students

• No contracts

• No hidden fees

What Makes It Stand Out:

BJJLINK is the most specialized BJJ-only platform on this list. Recently acquired by MMA.inc, they're positioning as the purest Jiu-Jitsu solution available.

Key Features:

• Jiu-Jitsu Specific Check-ins: Custom for belt levels and divisions

• Integrated Ranking System: Built-in curriculum tools

• Public Membership Pages: Students can self-manage

• Financial Reporting: Detailed BJJ-specific metrics

• Content Monetization: Admin+ Black includes tools to monetize training programs

• Community Platform Integration: Connected to larger MMA.inc ecosystem

Pros:

• Truly built only for BJJ (not retrofitted)

• Flat-rate pricing regardless of academy size

• Strong BJJ community backing

• Simple, no-frills approach

• Good customer service reputation

• No transaction fees beyond processor

Cons:

• No competition management

• Limited marketing features

• Admin+ base plan is feature-light

• Recent acquisition creates uncertainty

• Higher price tier ($149) needed for advanced features

Best For: Pure BJJ academies (no other disciplines), instructors who want no-bloat software, gyms with 100+ students (flat rate becomes cost-effective).

Real Talk: If you only teach BJJ and want software designed exclusively for that, BJJLINK delivers. However, at $49/month with limited features in the base tier, make sure it meets your needs before committing.

4. Gymdesk - Beautiful & Versatile

Pricing:

• 0-25 students: Free trial, then contact for pricing

• 26-50 students: $99/month

• 51-100 students: $149/month

• 101+ students: $199/month

• 30-day free trial

• No setup fees

What Makes It Stand Out:

Gymdesk has built a reputation for having the most beautiful user interface in the martial arts software space. It's versatile enough for BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, or multi-discipline academies.

Key Features:

• Stunning Modern UI: Clean, intuitive design for owners and students

• Rank/Belt Promotion Tracking: Customizable criteria per program

• Member Self-Service Portal: Students manage their own info

• Lead Management: Capture and nurture prospects

• Website Builder: Free website included

• Stripe, Square, Authorize.net: Multiple payment processor options

• Class Booking System: Capacity management built-in

Pros:

• Genuinely beautiful interface (matters for student experience)

• Excellent customer service (developer/founder responds personally)

• Comprehensive feature set

• Works for multiple martial arts under one roof

• Strong reviews across all platforms

• Regular feature updates based on user feedback

Cons:

• Pricing scales with student count (can get expensive)

• Not BJJ-specific (more general martial arts)

• No built-in competition management

• Less specialized than pure BJJ platforms

Best For: Multi-discipline martial arts academies, gyms that value aesthetics and UX, instructors who want a professional-looking member portal, established academies with 50+ students.

Real Talk: Gymdesk nails the basics beautifully. If you want software that looks professional and works reliably without BJJ-specific features like competition tracking, it's solid. Just know you're paying more for polish.

5. Kicksite - Marketing-First Approach

Pricing:

• 0-25 students: $49/month

• 26-50 students: $99/month

• 51-100 students: $149/month

• 101+ students: $199/month

• Free unlimited one-way texting

• Discounted annual pricing available

What Makes It Stand Out:

Kicksite positions itself as the marketing-focused martial arts platform. If growing your student base is priority #1, Kicksite's lead capture and communication tools stand out.

Key Features:

• Lead Capture Forms: Customizable landing pages for online signup

• Automated Messaging: Email and SMS drip campaigns for prospects

• Free Unlimited One-Way Texting: Huge cost saver

• Belt Tracking: Promote with one click

• Automated Recurring Billing: Flat-rate processing through Basys

• Attendance Tracking: Multiple check-in methods

Pros:

• Best marketing and lead generation tools

• Free unlimited texting (saves $50-100/month vs competitors)

• Excellent for growing academies

• Simple pricing structure

• Good martial arts-specific features

• Solid customer support

Cons:

• No competition management

• Marketing focus means some operational features are lighter

• Pricing increases significantly with student count

• Not BJJ-specific

• Interface less modern than competitors

Best For: Academies in growth mode, instructors who struggle with marketing, gyms that rely heavily on SMS communication, martial arts schools with under 100 students.

Real Talk: If you're trying to grow from 30 to 100 students, Kicksite's marketing tools will help you get there. But once you're established, you might outgrow the platform or find better value elsewhere.

6. Zen Planner - The Established Player

Pricing:

• Starting at $99/month (Studio package)

• Tiered pricing based on active members

• 12-month commitment available

• Additional payment processing fees apply

What Makes It Stand Out:

Zen Planner has been around since 2006 (founded by a martial arts school owner) and serves over 6,000 gyms worldwide. It's the "safe" enterprise choice.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Belt Tracking: Testing and promotion management

• SugarWOD Integration: Popular for CrossFit-style conditioning

• Extensive Reporting: Deep analytics and dashboards

• Mobile Apps: Staff and member apps included

• Payroll Management: Built-in payroll features

• Marketing Campaign Marketplace: 100+ pre-built campaigns

• AI Content Generation: Automated social posts and emails

Pros:

• Mature, battle-tested platform

• Extensive feature set (you get everything)

• Strong customer support

• Works for franchises and multi-location operations

• Long track record and financial stability

• Professional onboarding process

Cons:

• Most expensive option for small academies

• Complex interface (steep learning curve)

• Feature bloat (many features go unused)

• 12-month contract (less flexibility)

• Payment processing fees on top of subscription

• Overkill for most single-location BJJ gyms

Best For: Established academies with 100+ students, multi-location franchises, instructors who want enterprise-level features and support, gyms with complex operational needs.

Real Talk: Zen Planner is what you graduate to when your academy is a real business with multiple locations and staff. For a single-location BJJ gym, you're likely paying for features you'll never use.

7. Mindbody - The Enterprise Juggernaut

Pricing:

• Custom pricing (must contact sales)

• Typically $200-500+/month depending on size

• Annual contracts standard

• Additional fees for branded apps, integrations

What Makes It Stand Out:

Mindbody is the 800-pound gorilla of fitness software—not made for BJJ, but so feature-rich that some large academies use it anyway.

Key Features:

• Marketplace Exposure: Listed on Mindbody consumer app (2.8M+ users)

• Extensive Integrations: 90+ third-party connections

• Branded Mobile Apps: Custom apps for your academy

• Messenger[ai]: AI assistant for missed calls

• Mindbody Capital: Business loans without credit checks

• Enterprise Tools: Franchise management, multi-location support

• Marketing Automation: Advanced email, SMS, and ad campaigns

Pros:

• Most comprehensive feature set available

• Exposure to millions of potential students

• Enterprise-grade reliability

• Advanced marketing and automation

• Works for any size operation

• Strong financial backing

Cons:

• Expensive (often $200-500+/month)

• Not built for martial arts (zero BJJ-specific features)

• Complex, overwhelming interface

• Requires significant time investment to learn

• Annual contracts with exit difficulties

• Overkill for 95% of BJJ academies

Best For: Large multi-location franchises, academies with 300+ students, operations that need every possible feature, gyms with dedicated admin staff.

Real Talk: Unless you're running a large multi-location operation, Mindbody is almost certainly overkill. You'll spend more on the software than you would on a part-time admin assistant who could handle everything manually.

Feature Deep-Dive Comparison

Belt & Progression Tracking

Winner: Kombat Evolve & MAAT (Tie)

• Kombat Evolve: Automatic attendance-based tracking with promotion notifications

• MAAT: Attendance-based system with coach alerts and leaderboards

• BJJLINK: Integrated curriculum and ranking system

• Gymdesk: Customizable promotion criteria per rank

• Others: Basic belt tracking without BJJ-specific features

Competition Management

Winner: Kombat Evolve (Only Option)

Kombat Evolve is literally the only platform with built-in competition tracking. You can manage tournament registrations, weight classes, divisions, and team logistics all in one place. If you run a competition team, this feature alone is worth the price.

Pricing & Value

Winner: Kombat Evolve

At €29/month for small academies with ZERO transaction fees, Kombat Evolve is the clear value champion. Let's do the math:

Example Academy: 50 students paying €100/month = €5,000 monthly revenue

• Kombat Evolve: €59/month + Stripe fees (~€145) = €204 total

• MAAT: €49/month + 1% fees (€50) + Stripe fees (~€145) = €244 total

• Gymdesk: $99/month (~€93) + Stripe fees (~€145) = €238 total

• Kicksite: $99/month (~€93) + processing fees (~€125) = €218 total

Kombat Evolve saves you cost compared to competitors.

Even the Pro tier (€99/month) with website hosting and marketing automation included costs less than competitors charge for software alone before fees.

User Experience & Interface

Winner: Gymdesk

Gymdesk simply has the most polished, modern interface. Students love the member portal, and instructors find it intuitive to use.

Marketing & Growth Tools

Winner: Kicksite

Free unlimited texting plus automated lead nurturing campaigns make Kicksite the clear choice if marketing is your focus.

BJJ-Specific Features

Winner: BJJLINK

Purpose-built exclusively for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with no feature bloat for other sports.

Customer Support

Winner: MAAT & Kombat Evolve (Tie)

Both offer direct access to founders who actually train BJJ. Both WhatsApp support and personal responsiveness beat enterprise ticket systems.

Enterprise Features

Winner: Zen Planner & Mindbody

If you need payroll, franchise management, or extensive integrations, these are your options.

How to Choose the Right Software for Your Academy

Choose Kombat Evolve if:

• You're starting a new academy or under 50 students

• You accept cash payments (track with zero fees)

• You want to keep 100% of your money (no transaction fees)

• You manage a competition team

• You want BJJ-specific features without paying enterprise prices

• You value software built by someone who actually rolls

• You need flexibility (no contracts)

• You're tired of losing 1-3% to payment processors

• Your students prefer paying cash or bank transfer over cards

Choose MAAT if:

• Your academy is based in Europe

• You want student engagement through leaderboards

• You value WhatsApp-based support

• You're part of a large affiliation (Checkmat discount)

• You prefer founder-led, community-focused companies

Choose BJJLINK if:

• You teach only BJJ (no other martial arts)

• You have 100+ students (flat rate becomes valuable)

• You want monetization tools (Admin+ Black)

• You prefer pure simplicity with no bloat

Choose Gymdesk if:

• You run multiple martial arts programs

• Student experience and UX matter to you

• You have 50-100 students

• You want reliable, beautiful software

Choose Kicksite if:

• Marketing and growth are your #1 priority

• You send lots of texts to students

• You're actively trying to double your membership

• You're under 100 students

Choose Zen Planner if:

• You have 100+ students and growing

• You need extensive reporting and analytics

• You're opening multiple locations

• Budget isn't a primary concern

Choose Mindbody if:

• You operate 3+ locations

• You have 300+ students

• You need marketplace exposure

• You have dedicated admin staff

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing Based on Feature Count Alone

More features ≠ better software. Most academies use 20% of the features in enterprise platforms. Focus on the features you'll actually use daily.

2. Ignoring Your Current Size

Don't buy enterprise software for a 30-person academy. Start simple and scale up when you actually need advanced features.

3. Forgetting About Payment Processing Fees

This is where most academies lose money without realizing it.

Example: 50-student academy, €100/month per student = €5,000 monthly revenue

• Platform with 1% fee + Stripe (2.9% + €0.30): €195-245/month in fees

• Platform with Stripe only (2.9% + €0.30): €145-160/month in fees

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4. Not Testing the Mobile App

Your students will interact with the mobile app more than you do. Test it yourself before committing.

5. Overlooking Support Quality

When payment issues happen at 9 PM on Friday, you need responsive support. Founder-led companies (Kombat Evolve, MAAT) often respond faster than enterprise ticket systems.

6. Ignoring Competition Management

If you run a competition team, not having tournament tracking will waste hours every month. Only Kombat Evolve has this built-in.

My Personal Recommendation

As a black belt who teaches classes and works with gym owners daily, here's my honest take:

For most BJJ academies : Start with Kombat Evolve. At €29-59/month with ZERO transaction fees and no contracts, you get BJJ-specific features (including competition management), cash payment tracking, clean interfaces, and you're supporting software built by someone who actually understands the mats.

The zero-fee model alone saves most academies €100-200 monthly compared to competitors. The competition tracking saves hours monthly if you have competitors. And cash payment tracking means you're not forced into expensive payment processors for every transaction.

Do the math: If you're currently paying 1-3% in transaction fees, Kombat Evolve pays for itself 3-5x over every single month.

For European academies focused on retention: MAAT is excellent. The leaderboard gamification genuinely increases attendance, and WhatsApp support is clutch for quick questions.

For academies in growth mode (30-80 students): Kicksite if marketing is your weakness. The lead capture and automated SMS will help you grow.

For established operations (100+ students, multiple locations): Zen Planner or stick with what you have. At this point, migration costs are real, so only switch if your current system is truly failing.

Not recommended for most: Mindbody (unless you're a large franchise) and generic CRM tools not built for martial arts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I switch software later if I don't like my choice? A: Yes, most platforms offer data migration. However, switching is disruptive (2-4 weeks typically), so choose carefully upfront.

Q: What about payment processing fees? A: This is where costs add up fast. Most platforms charge 1-3% + per-transaction fees on top of Stripe/Square fees. Kombat Evolve cyou can track cash, bank transfers, and card payments all in the app without losing a percentage. For a €5,000/month academy, that's €50-150 saved monthly vs competitors.

If you use Stripe for automated billing (optional), you only pay standard Stripe rates (2.9% + €0.30) with no markup. Most competitors add 1%+ on top of that.

Q: Do I need different software for kids vs. adult classes? A: No. All platforms mentioned handle separate kid/adult programs with different belt systems.

Q: Can students access their account on mobile? A: Yes, all platforms offer mobile apps for students to view schedule, check attendance, and see progress.

Q: How long does setup take? A: Simple platforms (Kombat Evolve, MAAT, BJJLINK): 1-3 days Mid-tier (Gymdesk, Kicksite): 1-2 weeks Enterprise (Zen Planner, Mindbody): 3-6 weeks with onboarding

Q: Can I try before buying? A: Most offer free trials:

• Gymdesk: 30 days

• MAAT: Free to start

• Kombat Evolve: 14 days free

• Kicksite: Demo available

• Zen Planner: Demo + onboarding

• Mindbody: Demo required

Q: What if I have 150 students? A: At that size, BJJLINK's flat rate ($49) becomes very attractive, or step up to Zen Planner if you need enterprise features.

Final Thoughts

The right software won't make you a better coach, but it will give you more time to be oneand keep more money in your pocket.

After researching every major platform, testing interfaces, and comparing true costs (subscription + transaction fees), Kombat Evolve stands out as the best all-around value for most BJJ academies in 2025.

Built by a black belt who understands exactly what BJJ academies need (and nothing they don't), priced aggressively for startups, includes unique features like competition management and zero-fee payment tracking that competitors simply don't have it's the smart choice.

The zero-fee model is the real game-changer. While competitors take 1-3% of every transaction, Kombat Evolve lets you track cash and bank payments with zero fees. For most academies, this single feature saves more money than the software costs—making it essentially free.

That said, every academy is different. Use the comparison above to find your best fit.

Now get back on the mats. Oss.