Head-to-head
PushPress vs Zen Planner: which one in 2026?
PushPress is a gym management platform with a free tier that earns from payment processing, and Zen Planner is a Daxko product for studios and martial arts schools priced by active members. The decision is mostly about where the money goes: processing fees and a flat plan, or a monthly base that grows with your headcount.
Verdict
PushPress is the stronger first choice for a young gym that wants to start at zero and move up as processing volume justifies Pro or Max. Zen Planner fits an established school where belt tracking and included apps matter more than a free tier. Model both against your real member count and monthly card volume, because Zen Planner's active-member pricing and PushPress's processing fees move in opposite ways.
PushPress and Zen Planner side by side
| PushPress | Zen Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | $0 on the Free plan | $99/mo for Studio |
| Cheapest way in | A Free plan at USD 0, with card processing at 4.99% + 0.30 and ACH at 2.89% + 0.30. | Studio from USD 99 per month, with no free plan on the pricing page and no trial length printed. |
| Higher tiers | Pro at USD 159 per month and Max at USD 229, lowering card rates to 2.89% and 2.75% plus 0.30. | Essentials from USD 198 adds a branded website and lead capture; Ultimate from USD 348 adds CRM and marketing automation. |
| What grows the bill | Leads, members, staff and admins are unlimited on every tier, so processing volume drives cost. | Pricing is based on active members, meaning anyone with a membership or event attendance in the past month; no rate is printed. |
| Contract terms | Monthly prices are listed; a Black Friday offer takes 30% off Pro and Max for six months, sign-up by December 11, 2026. | Month-to-month packages are the default, and an annual contract is available on request from Zen Planner. |
| AI features | AI support is on every tier, stated to resolve 60% of conversations at a 95% satisfaction score. AI Assistant and Member Intel are named without a tier. | AI-powered campaigns appear in Ultimate and in the separate Engage product from USD 249 per month. |
| Member app | A branded app is an add-on at USD 97 per month, listed in the FAQ rather than the pricing table. | Staff and member mobile apps are included; a Branded Mobile App add-on costs USD 39 per month. |
| Gym types it highlights | General membership billing, scheduling and lead capture, with no single discipline featured on the pages read. | Belt and skill tracking for martial arts and CrossFit gyms is a named feature on the homepage. |
| Data statements | The privacy policy does not mention AI or machine learning; no hosting location, retention period or certification is stated. | Daxko's privacy notice states no model training on member data; geolocation and internet data are kept up to one year. Hosting region is not stated. |
Where each one wins
PushPress wins on
- A real free plan with unlimited members and staff, so a new gym can launch without a monthly fee
- Processing rates fall to 2.75% on Max, and ACH drops to 0.79% + 0.30 from Pro upward
- AI support is included on every tier rather than reserved for a top plan
Zen Planner wins on
- Belt and skill tracking is built in for martial arts and CrossFit schools
- Staff and member mobile apps are part of the base Studio package, not an extra
- Backed by Daxko, a named US company, with a privacy notice stating retention terms
Which to pick
Pick PushPress if
You are opening or running a small gym, want unlimited members without a monthly platform fee, and can accept higher card fees until you upgrade.
Pick Zen Planner if
You run a martial arts or CrossFit school, want mobile apps included, and prefer a published monthly base with month-to-month terms.
Each tool in context: PushPress profile, Zen Planner profile, and the full Best AI Gym Management Software in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is PushPress really free?
The Free plan costs USD 0 as of November 2026 and includes unlimited leads, members, staff and admins. The trade-off is higher processing fees (4.99% + 0.30 on cards) and a 48-hour response time for human help. Pro and Max cut the rates and add live support.
How does Zen Planner price by active members?
Zen Planner counts an active member as anyone with a membership or event attendance in the past month. Plans start at USD 99, 198 and 348 per month, but the pages read print no per-member rate, so ask Zen Planner for a quote at your current size.
Which platform is better for a martial arts school?
Zen Planner names belt and skill tracking for martial arts and CrossFit gyms, which makes it the closer match on the pages read. PushPress covers billing, scheduling and leads for gyms in general, with no martial arts feature listed on its pricing page.
Do PushPress and Zen Planner use member data to train AI?
Neither statement says yes. PushPress's privacy policy does not mention AI or machine learning at all, and Daxko's notice for Zen Planner does not state any training on member data. Hosting region and certifications are not stated by either, so request them in writing.