This guide is designed for fitness professionals actively evaluating their software options. That includes solo personal trainers transitioning to hybrid or online coaching, online coaches seeking better client management tools, small studio owners who need multi-client functionality without enterprise complexity, and trainers currently using Trainerize who are wondering whether alternatives might be a better fit.
If you're managing a large gym chain with hundreds of staff members, both platforms may be undersized for your needs, though Trainerize's integration with ABC Fitness offers more enterprise-grade pathways.
Trainerize has been a leading platform since 2012 and serves hundreds of thousands of fitness professionals. It's not a bad platform. But several factors prompt trainers to evaluate alternatives:
Pricing that scales unpredictably. Trainerize uses per-client pricing combined with add-on fees. Core features like advanced nutrition coaching ($5-$45/month), video calling ($10/month), and integrated payments ($10/month) each require separate subscriptions. A custom branded app adds a $169 one-time fee. For trainers scaling beyond 30 clients who need these features, costs add up quickly.
Missing check-in functionality. Despite years of user requests, Trainerize still lacks a dedicated client check-in system. Trainers who rely on regular progress photos, measurements, and feedback forms must use workarounds or external tools , a significant gap for online coaching workflows.
Post-acquisition changes. Since ABC Fitness acquired Trainerize, some users have reported more bugs, slower feature development, and a shift in product focus toward larger fitness facilities rather than independent coaches. App store reviews reflect mixed experiences with recent updates.
Interface complexity. Originally built for gyms and studios, Trainerize offers extensive features that can feel overwhelming for solo coaches who need simpler workflows. The depth that benefits large operations sometimes creates unnecessary friction for individual trainers.
That said, Trainerize has real strengths: a massive exercise library, solid integrations with tools like Mindbody and Zapier, and strong industry brand recognition. The question isn't whether it's capable, it's whether its structure matches how you actually coach.
Understanding the real cost of each platform requires looking beyond base subscription prices.
Trainerize offers a free plan for testing with a single client, then scales through several paid tiers:
Basic (Free): 1 client, mobile app, workouts, basic nutrition, messaging
Grow ($9/month): 2 clients, adds wearable sync, Zapier, automated delivery
Pro 5 ($19.80/month): 5 clients, adds live support, branded app eligibility
Pro 30 ($70/month): 30 clientsPro 200 (~$250/month): 200 clients
Studio Plus ($225/month): 500 clients, all add-ons included, multi-location support
The catch is that many features trainers consider essential require additional monthly fees:
For a trainer on Pro 30 who needs nutrition, video, and payments, the actual monthly cost is closer to $135 than the advertised $70.
FitBudd takes a different approach with higher base prices but more features bundled in:
Pro ($79/month): 20 clients, includes app theming, website builder, nutrition tracking, video calling, check-ins, and payment processing
Super Pro ($149/month): 20 clients, adds a fully white-labeled iOS/Android app, Apple Pay, Mailchimp integration ($75 one-time setup fee)
Studio Elite (Custom): Dedicated account manager, Mindbody/Zapier integration, multi-location, challenges ($100 setup fee)
Creator Elite (Custom): Video on demand, communities, social integrations, analytics ($100 setup fee)
Beyond plan limits, FitBudd charges $2 per additional client per month. Optional add-ons include Appointments ($50/month), Team logins ($50/month), On-Demand video ($50/month), and Smart Flow automation ($20/month).
*Assumes nutrition, payments, and video add-ons
The takeaway: Trainerize is cheaper at a very small scale, but FitBudd becomes more economical once you're beyond 10-15 clients and need core coaching features.
Trainerize has been in the market since 2012 and serves as the backbone for many fitness businesses. Its strengths lie in its maturity and integration ecosystem.
The platform offers a genuinely comprehensive feature set. Workout programming, nutrition tracking, habit coaching, in-app messaging, group features, and scheduling are all available, though not all are included in base plans. For trainers who want a single platform that can technically do everything, Trainerize provides that breadth.
The exercise library is one of the largest in the category, with extensive video demonstrations and the ability to add custom exercises through YouTube or Vimeo integration. If you've built a library elsewhere, you can bring it over.
Integration depth sets Trainerize apart from newer competitors. Native connections to Mindbody, Zapier, MyFitnessPal, and multiple wearable platforms (Apple Health, Garmin, Fitbit, Withings) mean less friction if you're already using these tools. For businesses embedded in the ABC Fitness ecosystem, the integration is seamless.
The add-on pricing model creates frustration. What appears to be affordable base pricing becomes significantly more expensive once you add the features most online coaches actually need. Nutrition coaching, video calling, and payment processing shouldn't feel like luxury extras in 2026.
The lack of a check-in system remains a notable gap. Online coaching workflows often center on regular client check-ins, progress photos, measurements, and weekly feedback. Trainerize forces workarounds that add friction to both the trainer's and the client's experience.
Interface complexity is a recurring theme in user feedback. The platform was built for gyms first, then adapted for solo coaches. That history shows in an interface that can feel cluttered and overwhelming for trainers who just want to send workouts and track progress.
FitBudd launched in 2019 with a focus on independent trainers and fitness influencers rather than gym chains. That focus shapes both its strengths and limitations.
The bundled pricing model is the core differentiator. Nutrition tracking, video calling, check-ins, and payment processing are included in the Pro plan, with no add-on fees required. For trainers who need these features (most do), the predictable monthly cost simplifies budgeting.
The white-label app is more accessible than competitors. At $75 one-time setup (Super Pro) versus Trainerize's $169, getting your own branded app in the app stores costs less. For trainers building a personal brand, this matters.
Built-in check-ins address a gap that many platforms ignore. Progress photos, body measurements, and feedback forms are native features rather than workarounds. For online coaches whose workflows center on regular client accountability, this is significant.
The website builder inclusion means trainers can create landing pages and sell plans without external tools. It's not a replacement for a professional website, but it eliminates one more subscription for coaches getting started online.
The higher starting price creates a barrier. At $79/month, FitBudd requires a higher upfront commitment than Trainerize's $9 entry point. For trainers with only a few clients, you're paying for capacity you don't need.
Per-client scaling adds up at volume. The $2/client overage fee means a trainer with 100 clients pays $79 + $160 = $239/month on the Pro plan. Flat-rate alternatives like My PT Hub ($89/month unlimited) become more attractive at that scale.
Fewer integrations limit flexibility. Zapier and Mindbody connections are reserved for Elite plans. Trainers with established tech stacks may find gaps that Trainerize wouldn't create.
As a newer platform, FitBudd has less market history and a smaller user community. Some trainers prefer the stability and familiarity of longer-running platforms.
Trainerize and FitBudd represent opposite approaches. Trainerize offers low base prices with features sold separately. You pay only for what you use, but costs become unpredictable. FitBudd bundles features into higher base prices. You know what you'll pay, but you may overpay if you don't need everything included.
For trainers who genuinely only need workout delivery without nutrition, video, or payments, Trainerize's modular approach makes sense. For trainers running full online coaching services, FitBudd's bundled model typically costs less once you add what you need.
The check-in gap is the most significant functional difference. FitBudd treats check-ins as a core workflow with dedicated forms, progress photo organization, and measurement tracking. Trainerize doesn't offer this at all.
Follow-along workouts, where the app automatically guides clients through exercises, are included in FitBudd but require add-ons in Trainerize. For clients training independently, this affects engagement.
Interface complexity also differs. FitBudd's newer codebase and narrower focus produce a cleaner experience. Trainerize's breadth creates more screens and options that some clients find confusing.
Both platforms offer branded apps, but at different price points ($75 vs $169 setup). FitBudd includes a website builder; Trainerize doesn't. For trainers building their own brand rather than operating under a gym's umbrella, FitBudd provides more tools out of the box.
Trainerize's "Trainerize.me" marketplace can help trainers get discovered, but also means operating within Trainerize's ecosystem rather than fully independently.
Trainerize wins on integrations. Zapier, Mindbody, ABC Glofox, and deeper wearable support give it flexibility that FitBudd can't match on standard plans. For businesses with established tech stacks or gym management software, this matters.
FitBudd reserves Zapier and Mindbody for Elite plans, limiting automation options for most users.
When evaluating Trainerize and FitBudd, these alternatives often enter the conversation:
TrueCoach offers the fastest workout builder in the category with a drag-and-drop interface and 3,000+ exercise videos. It's designed for trainers who want straightforward workout delivery without extra complexity.
Pros: Fast setup, clean interface, excellent for hybrid coaching. Cons: No branded app option, basic nutrition, $129/month for 50 clients
My PT Hub's standout feature is simple: unlimited clients for $89/month flat. No per-client fees, no scaling costs. For high-volume trainers, this predictability is valuable.
Pros: Flat-rate unlimited clients, comprehensive features, 130,000+ trainers. Cons: Less polished interface, branded app costs extra, occasional app issues
Everfit offers a modern interface with strong automation and group coaching features, making it well-suited for multi-trainer operations rather than solo coaches.
Pros: Clean design, good automation, multi-trainer support. Cons: Branded app costs $500, per-client pricing, basic check-ins
You have 100+ clients and want flat pricing. My PT Hub's $89/month unlimited model becomes more economical than per-client fees.
You need the simplest possible workflow. TrueCoach strips away complexity to deliver pure workouts.
You're running a multi-trainer studio; Everfit's team features are designed for that use case.
You focus on strength and athletic performance. TrainHeroic offers deeper metrics for that niche.
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