Mindbody alternatives in 2026: options for the independent studio
An honest look at Mindbody alternatives for independent studios in 2026 — Mariana Tek, Glofox, WellnessLiving, Vagaro, and KADRE, compared on cut, channel, and cost.
If you run one boutique studio and you're looking past Mindbody, the shortlist worth knowing in 2026 is Mariana Tek, Glofox, WellnessLiving, Vagaro, and KADRE. They differ most on three things that actually change your economics: whether the platform takes a cut of your sales, whether you sell on your own branded channel or a shared marketplace, and how the monthly price scales as you grow. This guide walks each one honestly so you can match the tool to a single-location studio rather than an enterprise chain.
Why studios look past Mindbody
Mindbody is a capable, mature platform, and for many operators it works fine. The reasons independent owners shop around tend to be consistent: the total cost as you add features, and the fact that Mindbody owns ClassPass — a consumer marketplace it acquired in 2021. On network-sourced bookings that come through ClassPass, that marketplace can take a cut. Direct bookings on your own Mindbody site are a different path, but the presence of a marketplace the platform also profits from is a structural tension for a studio trying to own its member relationship.
That's the lens for this comparison: for a small, independent studio, does the tool help you keep your members and your margin, or does it route them through someone else's directory?
The alternatives, honestly
Mariana Tek
An enterprise-oriented platform, owned by Xplor (backed by Advent). It is not connected to ClassPass. It's typically sold to larger, multi-location or franchised operators through an implementation process, and it's strong at that scale. For a single studio setting things up itself the same week, it's usually more platform than the job needs.
Glofox
Fitness-gym-focused software, generally sold on tiered plans. A reasonable fit for gyms and larger fitness businesses; pricing scales by plan and feature set.
WellnessLiving
A broad, feature-rich Mindbody alternative covering many wellness verticals. Wide capability set; evaluate the total monthly cost as you turn features on.
Vagaro
Popular in salon, spa, and fitness, with marketplace-adjacent discovery. Good for appointment-based businesses; check how discovery and any marketplace features affect your channel.
KADRE
Built specifically for the independent, single-location boutique studio to set itself up the same day. KADRE takes a 0% platform cut of your sales — you are the merchant of record, so payments go directly 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, not a shared marketplace. Pricing is free up to 50 active members, then $1 per active member per month, hard-capped at $99/month; optional add-ons (AI Coach, SMS, branded app, custom domain) are off by default.
Comparison at a glance
| Platform | Best fit | Platform cut of your sales | Sales channel | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mindbody | Studios wanting a marketplace | 0% on direct bookings; a cut is possible on ClassPass network-sourced bookings (Mindbody owns ClassPass) | Own site and ClassPass marketplace | Subscription (tiers) |
| Mariana Tek | Enterprise / multi-location | Not marketplace-cut based | Own branded channel | Enterprise / implementation |
| Glofox | Fitness gyms | Not marketplace-cut based | Own channel | Tiered plans |
| WellnessLiving | Broad wellness | Not marketplace-cut based | Own channel | Subscription (feature tiers) |
| Vagaro | Salon / spa / fitness | Not marketplace-cut based | Own channel + discovery | Subscription + add-ons |
| 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 |
We don't publish competitor prices we can't verify from a primary source, and we don't cite ratings or review counts without one. Confirm current pricing on each vendor's own site before you decide.
How to choose for one location
- You want to own the member relationship end to end → favor an own-channel platform over one that routes bookings through a shared marketplace it also profits from.
- You're price-sensitive and small → look hard at how the monthly cost scales. A capped, per-active-member model (like KADRE's $1/member up to $99) is predictable; feature-tier models can climb as you switch things on.
- You're a large or franchised operator → an enterprise platform like Mariana Tek may genuinely fit better.
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 is no one-click importer from Mindbody today; the honest picture is that you keep your data portable and set up fast, not that a migration button does it all for you.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best Mindbody alternative for a single independent studio?
- It depends on what you optimize for. If you want your own branded channel with no platform cut of your sales and predictable pricing, KADRE is built for exactly that case. If you're a larger, multi-location operator, an enterprise platform like Mariana Tek may fit better.
- Does Mindbody take a cut of my sales?
- On your own direct bookings, no. Mindbody owns ClassPass, and on bookings sourced through that consumer marketplace, a cut can apply. Your direct Mindbody bookings are a separate path.
- Is Mariana Tek the same as ClassPass?
- No. Mariana Tek is owned by Xplor (Advent-backed) and is not connected to ClassPass. ClassPass is owned by Mindbody.
- Can I move my data off these platforms?
- 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. Optional add-ons are off by default.
See also: KADRE vs Mindbody · KADRE vs Mariana Tek · KADRE pricing · Do booking platforms take a cut? · How much does studio management software cost?
Questions about your studio? Email support@kadre.fit.