Best BJJ Academy Management Software in 2026: 10 Platforms Compared

Running a BJJ academy means juggling a lot: teaching classes, tracking attendance, managing payments, and keeping students engaged. Spreadsheets and paper sign-in sheets worked in the past, but they eat up hours of your week that could be spent on the mats.

The right management software can transform how you run your academy. But with so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Generic gym software often misses what makes BJJ unique: belt progressions, curriculum tracking, and the specific needs of martial arts academies.

In this guide, we compare the 10 best BJJ academy management platforms available in 2026, with verified pricing, third-party ratings, and screenshots for each one. We evaluated each tool based on BJJ-specific features, ease of use, total cost, and real user feedback.

If you want to evaluate MatGoat before reading the full comparison, the BJJ management software page shows its belt tracking, attendance, payments, communication, and video tools in one place.

Top picks at a glance

• Best overall for BJJ academies: MatGoat, purpose-built, $40/month, free check-in tablet.
• Best for curriculum management: BJJLink, unlimited students on both plans.
• Best third-party reviews: Kicksite and Gymdesk, both 4.8 stars on Capterra.
• Best free option: PushPress, a real free plan funded by high processing fees.
• Best for European academies: Kombat Evolve, SEPA payments and retention alerts.

Quick Comparison

All prices are the advertised entry plan, billed monthly, verified on official pricing pages in July 2026. Ratings are Capterra averages at the same date.

*Wodify’s $79 is a July 2026 promotion; the regular Essentials price is $179/month.

**PushPress’s free plan is not free to run: it charges 4.99% plus $0.30 on every card payment and 2.89% plus $0.30 on ACH transfers, the highest processing rates in this comparison.

The subscription is only part of the cost. BJJLink takes 1% of payments on its entry plan, MAAT adds 1%, and PushPress’s free plan charges 4.99% plus 30 cents per card payment. An academy collecting $8,000 per month pays $80 extra on a 1% fee, which can double the effective cost of a cheap plan.

1. MatGoat

Best for: BJJ academies wanting an intuitive, purpose-built solution that grows with them.

MatGoat was built by a BJJ practitioner who got tired of wrestling with spreadsheets at his own academy. The result is software designed specifically for how BJJ academies actually operate.

Key Features

• Attendance tablet option. Students check in with one tap instead of using paper lists.
• Video technique library. Organize technique videos by category and belt level for student access.
• Automated payment management. Track monthly fees, send automatic reminders, and integrate with Stripe, PayPal, or bank transfers.
• Student progress tracking. Monitor attendance patterns, identify at-risk students, and track belt progression.
• Participant/observer mode. Mark injured students as observers so they still count as attending without training.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: the Basic plan costs $40/month for up to 50 students, and the Professional plan at $60/month adds unlimited students and payment management. Both include a 30-day free trial without a card, a 10% discount on annual billing, and no commission on your payments beyond standard Stripe rates. See MatGoat’s pricing page for live terms.

Reviews

MatGoat is a newer platform and has no Capterra reviews yet. The 30-day trial exists precisely so you can judge it with your own classes instead.

Pros

• Purpose-built for BJJ by someone who trains.
• Lowest paid entry price in this comparison at $40/month.
• Free tablet removes the barrier to digital check-in.
• Intuitive interface you can set up in minutes, not days.

Cons

• Newer platform compared to established competitors.
• No third-party review track record yet.

Verdict

MatGoat stands out for its focus on what BJJ academy owners actually need. The free tablet is a significant differentiator, since most competitors charge extra for hardware. The intuitive interface means you can get set up in minutes, and at $40/month it undercuts every paid rival here. Whether you’re just getting started or already managing a full schedule of classes, MatGoat delivers exactly what you need without unnecessary complexity.

See MatGoat’s BJJ management software →

2. BJJLink

Best for: Academies that want curriculum management built into their platform.

BJJLink positions itself as software built specifically for the Jiu-Jitsu community. Its standout feature is the curriculum builder, which lets you plan lessons and attach technique videos.

Screenshot: bjjlink.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Student management with belt and stripe tracking.
• Class scheduling with automated reminders.
• Curriculum builder with video library integration.
• Billing and payment automation.
• Staff scheduling and payroll tools.
• Mobile apps for students and tablet kiosk mode.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: two flat plans, both with unlimited students. BLACK costs $49/month plus a 1% service fee on payments you process, and CORAL costs $149/month with no service fee. The break-even sits around $10,000 per month in processed payments, so do that math before choosing a plan. The trial runs 30 days without a card. See BJJLink’s pricing page.

Reviews

BJJLink has a Capterra listing but no reviews yet, so plan on judging it through the trial and demo.

Pros

• Curriculum builder is unique among competitors.
• Unlimited students on both plans.
• Designed exclusively for BJJ, not generic gym software.

Cons

• The 1% service fee on the entry plan grows with your revenue.
• No third-party review track record yet.

Verdict

If curriculum management is a priority for your academy, BJJLink offers features other platforms lack. The curriculum builder helps ensure consistent teaching across instructors. Best suited for academies that take structured lesson planning seriously and understand the fee structure.

3. Kicksite

Best for: Established martial arts schools wanting a proven, mature platform.

Kicksite has been building martial arts school software for two decades, with features tailored to various disciplines, including BJJ.

Screenshot: kicksite.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Attendance and belt tracking.
• Billing with automated recurring payments.
• Unlimited one-way texting for student communication.
• Lead capture forms and landing pages.
• Member portal and mobile web app.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: tiers scale with student count, from $49/month for up to 25 students, $99 for 26 to 50, $149 for 51 to 100, and $199 above 100 students. Every tier includes all features, and the first 30 days are free. Check Kicksite’s pricing page for current terms.

Reviews

Kicksite holds a 4.8 on Capterra across 126 reviews, one of the two best scores in this comparison.

“We were able to sign up several students before we even opened.”

Wesley C., Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, in a GetApp review.

Pros

• Two decades of martial arts specific development.
• 4.8 on Capterra with strong support scores.
• Transparent, tiered pricing with all features at every tier.

Cons

• Price scales quickly with student count: 101 students cost $199/month.
• Web app rather than native mobile apps.

Verdict

Kicksite’s longevity and review record make it the safest established choice. Confirm current tiers and test whether its workflows fit your academy, because the per-student pricing gets expensive as you grow.

4. Kombat Evolve

Best for: European academies focused on student retention.

Kombat Evolve was created by a BJJ black belt and focuses heavily on retention analytics to help identify students whose attendance is declining.

Screenshot: kombatevolve.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Membership and payment automation (Stripe, SEPA, Klarna).
• QR code attendance check-in.
• Belt and stripe progress tracking.
• Early dropout alert system.
• Competition calendar management.
• Retention-focused analytics.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: Starter costs €59/month for up to 100 active members, Growth €79 for 101 to 200, Pro €119 for 201 to 400, and Elite €169 above that. Annual billing saves 20%, every tier includes all features, and the platform takes 0% on payments beyond Stripe’s own rates. The trial runs 14 days without a card.

Reviews

Kombat Evolve has no Capterra or G2 presence yet, which is normal for a young European platform. Evaluate it through the trial.

Pros

• Built by a BJJ black belt who understands the sport.
• Strong focus on retention and dropout prevention.
• European-first design with GDPR compliance, SEPA, and Klarna.
• No platform fees on payments.

Cons

• Primarily targets the European market.
• Newer platform with a smaller user base and no review record.

Verdict

If retention is your biggest challenge, Kombat Evolve’s analytics might be worth the investment. The dropout alert system helps you intervene before students disappear. Well-suited for European academies needing local payment method support.

5. MAAT

Best for: Multi-discipline combat sports gyms (BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai).

MAAT targets the broader combat sports market, making it a fit if your gym offers more than just BJJ. The platform handles BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Judo, and Boxing under one system.

Screenshot: maatapp.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Financial management with analytics dashboard.
• Attendance tracking with belt/stripe promotion notifications.
• Customizable class scheduling and booking.
• Student progress monitoring for kids and adults.
• Mobile app for member bookings.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: one unlimited plan at $59/month billed monthly or $49/month billed annually, with unlimited members and all features included. MAAT adds a 1% transaction fee on top of Stripe’s rates, and the free trial runs 7 days. See MAAT’s pricing page.

Reviews

MAAT has no Capterra reviews yet; its iOS app holds a 4.5 on the App Store across a small number of ratings.

Pros

• Designed for multi-discipline combat sports.
• Simple single-plan pricing with unlimited members.
• Clean, modern interface.

Cons

• The 1% transaction fee adds up for high-volume academies.
• Short 7-day trial compared to 30 days elsewhere.
• Less BJJ-specific than specialized alternatives.

Verdict

If you run a gym with multiple combat sports programs, MAAT provides a unified platform for all of them at a simple flat price. Model the 1% fee against your monthly billing volume before comparing it with flat-fee rivals.

6. Gymdesk

Best for: Schools that want high-touch customer support.

Gymdesk emphasizes human support and dedicated onboarding assistance, and its review scores suggest customers notice.

Screenshot: gymdesk.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Member management and attendance tracking.
• Rank/belt promotion tracking with automated notifications.
• Billing and recurring payments.
• Online booking and scheduling.
• Point-of-sale and retail management.
• Website builder.
• Facility access management.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: plans start at $75/month for up to 50 members, then $100 for 51 to 100, $150 for 101 to 200, and $200 for 201 to 400 members, with custom enterprise pricing above that. All plans include every feature, unlimited staff, and a free gym website. The trial runs 30 days without a card. See Gymdesk’s pricing page.

Reviews

Gymdesk holds a 4.8 on Capterra across 148 reviews and a 4.8 on G2, tied with Kicksite at the top of this comparison.

“Aside from the ability to customize this software to meet our school’s needs, the team is very responsive and always willing to answer any questions we have!”

Nick S., owner and head instructor, in a GetApp review.

Pros

• Dedicated human support from day one.
• 4.8 on both Capterra and G2.
• Data migration support from competitors.
• Integrates with multiple payment processors.

Cons

• Higher starting price than most BJJ-specific rivals.
• May have more features than small academies need.

Verdict

If customer support is a priority, Gymdesk’s emphasis on human assistance sets it apart, and its review scores back the claim. The onboarding help is valuable if you’re migrating from another system or are new to management software.

7. Martialytics

Best for: Schools drowning in administrative work.

Martialytics emphasizes administrative automation. If paperwork is consuming your teaching time, evaluate the workflow against your own baseline during a trial.

Screenshot: martialytics.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Automated student onboarding with digital waivers.
• Attendance tracking with automated reporting.
• Payment processing with failed payment retry.
• Student progress and grade tracking.
• Branded student app/portal.
• Multi-location management.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: $69/month for up to 50 students, $99 for 51 to 100, $129 for 101 to 200, and $199 above 200. Every plan includes all features with unlimited locations, users, and emails. Payments run at standard Stripe rates with no markup, and the 30-day trial requires no card. See Martialytics’ pricing page.

Reviews

Martialytics holds a 4.7 on Capterra, although across a small sample of 22 reviews, and a 4.8 on G2 with 42 reviews.

Pros

• Strong focus on administrative automation.
• No markup on payment processing.
• Unlimited locations at every tier.
• Direct access to founders for demos.

Cons

• Smaller review base than Kicksite or Gymdesk.
• No public enterprise tier for very large schools.

Verdict

If administrative tasks are eating into your teaching time, Martialytics’ automation focus can free up significant hours. Unlimited locations at every price point also makes it unusually friendly to academies opening a second location.

8. PushPress

Best for: Budget-conscious schools or those wanting AI-powered features.

PushPress targets fitness and martial arts facilities, serves more than a thousand martial arts schools, and is investing heavily in AI features.

Screenshot: pushpress.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• AI-powered member management.
• Class scheduling and booking.
• Belt rank tracking system.
• Student progress monitoring.
• Attendance insights.
• Branded mobile app.
• Automated growth tools.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: the Free plan costs $0 with unlimited members and staff, scheduling, waivers, and attendance. The catch is the processing rate: 4.99% plus 30 cents on every card payment and 2.89% plus 30 cents on ACH transfers, the highest rates in this comparison. Pro costs $159/month and cuts card processing to 2.89% plus 30 cents, and Max at $229/month brings it to 2.75%. An academy running $5,000/month through cards pays roughly $250 in fees on Free versus about $145 plus the subscription on Pro. See PushPress pricing.

Reviews

PushPress holds a 4.7 on Capterra across 184 reviews and a 4.8 on G2 with 169 reviews.

Pros

• Real free tier with unlimited members.
• Large platform with proven scale and strong reviews.
• AI features for proactive business monitoring.
• Staff includes current and former gym owners.

Cons

• Free plan processing fees get expensive as revenue grows.
• Originally designed for CrossFit, adapted for martial arts.
• Belt promotion workflows are less deep than BJJ-native tools.

Verdict

PushPress’s free tier makes it the obvious starting point for an academy with more time than budget. Run the processing-fee math as you grow, because at higher revenue the paid tiers or a flat-fee competitor become cheaper.

9. Wodify

Best for: Hybrid CrossFit/BJJ facilities.

Wodify built its reputation in CrossFit but has expanded to serve martial arts, yoga, and other fitness verticals. If you run a hybrid facility, its all-in-one approach might simplify operations.

Screenshot: wodify.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Automated billing and payment processing.
• Class scheduling and appointment management.
• CRM with lead capture and nurturing.
• Member mobile app with progress tracking.
• Two-way SMS and email messaging.
• AI-powered at-risk member prediction.
• Multi-location management.
• Custom dashboards and reporting.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: the Essentials plan is advertised at $79/month per location under a promotion running through July, with a regular price of $179/month. Accelerate and Ultimate tiers require a demo for a quote, an onboarding fee applies, and card processing starts around 2.6% plus 25 cents. See Wodify’s pricing page.

Reviews

Wodify holds a 4.5 on Capterra across 154 reviews and a 4.7 on G2.

Pros

• True all-in-one platform.
• Strong mobile app for members.
• AI-powered retention predictions.
• Independently owned.

Cons

• Regular pricing is among the highest in this comparison.
• Upper tiers and total cost require a sales conversation.
• CrossFit heritage means BJJ is not the primary focus.

Verdict

Wodify makes sense if you run a hybrid facility or want everything in one platform. The CrossFit DNA means BJJ-specific features may not be as refined as dedicated martial arts software, and the jump from promo to regular pricing deserves attention before you commit.

10. Zen Planner

Best for: Large, multi-location academies.

Zen Planner, now part of Daxko, targets the established end of the market. If you run multiple locations or a large operation, the platform is built for scale.

Screenshot: zenplanner.com, July 2026.

Key Features

• Enterprise-grade member management.
• Multi-location support.
• Advanced reporting and analytics.
• Integrated website and marketing tools.
• Staff management and scheduling.

Pricing

Verified July 2026: the Studio plan starts at $99/month, tiered by active member count, with the full feature set at every level. Extensions add up quickly: a website costs $99/month, the Engage marketing suite $249/month, and a branded app $39/month. See Zen Planner’s pricing page.

Reviews

Zen Planner holds a 4.3 on Capterra across 269 reviews, the largest review base in this comparison, and a 4.2 on G2.

Pros

• Built for scale and multiple locations.
• Largest review base in this comparison.
• Established platform with years of development.

Cons

• Lowest average rating among the reviewed platforms here.
• Add-ons push the real monthly cost well past the $99 base.
• Less martial arts specific than alternatives.

Verdict

Zen Planner suits large operations that have outgrown simpler solutions. If you’re running multiple locations or processing hundreds of members, enterprise features become necessary. Smaller academies will find better value and higher-rated support elsewhere.

How We Evaluated

We assessed each platform on five criteria:

1. BJJ-specific features. Does it understand belt progressions, curriculum needs, and martial arts workflows?
2. Ease of use. Can you get started quickly, or does it require extensive training?
3. Total cost transparency. Can you understand subscription plus transaction fees upfront, or do you need to talk to sales?
4. Customer support and reviews. What help is available, and what do verified customers say on Capterra and G2?
5. Integration options. Does it work with payment processors and other tools you use?

Pricing and ratings were verified on official vendor pages and review platforms in July 2026. Promotional prices are marked as such, and vendors change terms often, so confirm current numbers before signing.

Choosing the Right Software

Before committing, ask yourself:

• What’s your academy size? Smaller academies need simpler tools. Enterprise features add cost and complexity.
• What’s your biggest pain point? Attendance tracking? Payments? Retention? Choose software that excels where you struggle most.
• What’s your total budget? Add expected transaction fees to the subscription. A free plan with 4.99% processing can cost more than a $60 flat plan.
• Do you need multi-discipline support? Pure BJJ academies can use specialized tools. Multi-sport gyms need broader platforms.

If your gym also runs MMA, karate, or other programs, our comparison of the best martial arts management software covers multi-discipline platforms, plus three general fitness options (Mindbody, Spark Membership, WellnessLiving) that come up in searches but lack BJJ rank tracking.

When a vendor offers a trial or demo, use it to see whether the software fits how your academy actually operates. Confirm the live terms before committing.

Conclusion

The best BJJ academy management software depends on your specific needs:

• Best overall for BJJ academies: MatGoat: purpose-built, $40/month, includes free tablet.
• Best for curriculum management: BJJLink: unique lesson planning features.
• Best reviewed: Kicksite and Gymdesk: both 4.8 on Capterra.
• Best for retention focus: Kombat Evolve: dropout prediction and analytics.
• Best for budget-conscious: PushPress: real free tier, watch the processing fees.
• Best for hybrid gyms: Wodify: all-in-one platform for CrossFit/BJJ facilities.

Stop wrestling with spreadsheets. Choose a platform that understands BJJ and gives you back the time to focus on teaching.

Ready to simplify your academy management? See how MatGoat manages a BJJ academy.