Glofox alternatives in 2026: options for the independent studio
An honest look at Glofox alternatives for independent studios in 2026 — branded apps, platform cut, and cost, with KADRE, Mindbody, Vagaro and more.
If you're a boutique studio weighing Glofox, the shortlist worth knowing in 2026 is KADRE, Mindbody, WellnessLiving, Vagaro, and Mariana Tek. They differ most on three things that change your economics: whether the platform takes a cut of your sales, whether members book on your own branded channel, and how the monthly price scales as you grow. Glofox's real strength is its branded member app; this guide compares it honestly for a single-location operator.
What Glofox is good at
Glofox (owned by ABC Fitness since 2022) is purpose-built for boutique fitness studios and gyms, and its standout feature is the branded member app — a member experience with your name, colors, and logo that feels like your own. If a native branded app is the thing you care about most, that's a genuine Glofox strength.
Pricing is quote-based (Glofox doesn't publish rates on its site), typically sold on tiered plans that scale by feature set, often with a branded-app tier and add-on modules. Per independent reviews as of 2026, users report payment-processing fees and annual contracts on top of the subscription; confirm your exact plan and rates directly with the vendor.
The honest trade-off for a solo studio: Glofox is a capable, boutique-focused platform, but the branded-app-and-tiers model can climb, and you're still on a class-first fitness toolset — worth weighing against leaner or more vertical-specific options.
The alternatives, honestly
KADRE
Built for the independent, single-location studio to go live the same day. KADRE takes a 0% platform cut of your sales — you are the merchant of record, so payments go straight to your own Stripe account and the only fee is Stripe's standard processing (paid to Stripe, not a KADRE markup). Members book on your own branded site, and a branded app / custom domain are optional add-ons. Pricing is free up to 50 active members, then $1 per active member per month, hard-capped at $99/month; add-ons are off by default.
Mindbody
The category default, with the deepest breadth and a consumer marketplace. Mindbody owns ClassPass — on bookings sourced through that marketplace, a cut can apply. Your direct bookings are a separate path. Sold on per-location tiers.
WellnessLiving
A broad Mindbody alternative sold on feature tiers, with strong loyalty/rewards. Wide capability set; check the total monthly cost as you enable features.
Vagaro
Popular across salon, spa, and fitness, sold on a base subscription plus per-staff-calendar and add-on fees, with marketplace-adjacent discovery (per Vagaro's published pricing, as of 2026). Strong if you also do appointment-based services.
Mariana Tek
An enterprise/franchise boutique platform (part of Xplor, Advent-backed, as of 2026), sold through implementation. Strong at multi-location scale; usually more platform than one studio needs.
Comparison at a glance
| Platform | Best fit | Platform cut of your sales | Sales channel | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glofox | Boutique gyms/studios wanting a branded app | Subscription-based | Own channel + branded app | Tiered plans (quote-based) |
| KADRE | Independent single-location studio | 0% platform cut (you're the merchant of record; only Stripe's standard processing applies) | Your own branded site | Free ≤50 members → $1/active member/mo, capped $99/mo; add-ons off by default |
| Mindbody | Studios wanting a marketplace | 0% on direct bookings; a cut can apply on ClassPass network-sourced bookings (Mindbody owns ClassPass) | Own site and ClassPass marketplace | Subscription (per-location tiers) |
| WellnessLiving | Broad wellness | Subscription-based | Own channel | Feature tiers |
| Vagaro | Salon / spa / fitness | Subscription-based | Own channel + discovery | Base + per-staff + add-ons |
| Mariana Tek | Enterprise / multi-location | Not a marketplace-cut platform | Own branded channel | Quote-based / implementation |
We don't publish competitor prices we can't verify from a primary source, and we don't cite ratings or review counts. Confirm current pricing on each vendor's own site.
How to choose for one location
- A native branded app is your top priority → Glofox is built around that, and so is a branded-app tier on several tools.
- You want to own the member relationship with no platform cut → favor an own-channel platform where you're the merchant of record.
- You're price-sensitive and small → look at how the monthly cost scales. A capped per-active-member model (like KADRE's $1/member up to $99) is predictable; branded-app tiers and add-ons can climb.
A practical detail: with KADRE you can export your own data (members, attendance, sales) as CSV anytime — no lock-in — and KADRE drafts a storefront from your existing website to get you live quickly. There's no one-click importer from Glofox today; the honest picture is portable data and fast setup.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best Glofox alternative for a single studio?
- If your priority is your own branded channel with no platform cut of your sales and predictable pricing, KADRE is built for that. If a native branded app is non-negotiable, compare Glofox against branded-app tiers on other tools.
- Does Glofox take a cut of my sales?
- Glofox is sold as a subscription rather than a marketplace-cut platform; per independent reviews as of 2026, users report payment-processing fees on top. Confirm your exact terms with the vendor.
- Is Glofox owned by a larger company?
- Yes — Glofox is owned by ABC Fitness (acquired in 2022).
- Can I move my data off Glofox?
- Portability varies by vendor. With KADRE you can export your members, attendance, and sales as CSV at any time — there's no lock-in.
- What does KADRE cost?
- Free up to 50 active members, then $1 per active member per month, hard-capped at $99/month, at a 0% platform cut. Add-ons are off by default.
See also: KADRE vs Mindbody · Mindbody alternatives in 2026 · KADRE pricing · Do booking platforms take a cut?
Questions about your studio? Email support@kadre.fit.