ZanPlanner vs MAAT: Which one to choose for a BJJ gym?

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• ZenPlanner and MAAT are both gym management softwares, but they serve different needs.
• ZenPlanner is a general fitness and martial arts system with broad functionality but weak BJJ-specific gaps.
• MAAT is purpose-built for BJJ and combat sports gyms.

Introduction

Running a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy isn’t the same as managing a general fitness club. Combat sports gyms require tools that support belt and stripe progression, student engagement, family accounts, and localized payment options. In this article, we compare ZenPlanner and MAAT, two gym management platforms that frequently come up in conversations among BJJ and MMA gym owners.

This feature-by-feature comparison will help you determine which platform fits your academy's operational needs, budget, and student expectations.

What is ZenPlanner?

ZenPlanner is a gym and studio management software, catering to a broad spectrum of fitness and martial arts facilities.

It offers essential features such as billing, scheduling, attendance tracking, and belt/skill progression. While it provides a comprehensive toolset for general use, it lacks the finer customization needed for BJJ academies, such as stripe-level tracking and localized interfaces. The interface can be difficult to navigate, and mobile functionality is limited, making it less practical for modern, mobile-first gyms.

What is MAAT?

MAAT is a gym management software purpose-built for BJJ and combat sports gyms. MAAT is designed to align with the operational reality of BJJ and MMA academies. It includes native support for belt and stripe tracking, localized payment processing for EU markets, and a mobile-first user experience tailored to both students and coaches. MAAT stands out for its transparent pricing, simple onboarding, and WhatsApp-based customer support, which resonates well with gym owners seeking efficiency and clarity.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Belt & Progression Tracking

• ZenPlanner: Supports belts only. No stripe-level logic.
• MAAT: Tracks belts and stripes; can auto-flag students ready for promotion.
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When to choose: ZenPlanner may be sufficient if your rank system is simple. MAAT if stripe-level tracking is essential to your belt promotion workflow.

2. Payment Processing

• ZenPlanner: Mixed reviews with many issues reported.‍
• MAAT: Reliable Stripe-based billing supporting different currencies and payment methods.‍

When to choose: ZenPlanner may suffice in US-based contexts. MAAT is better suited for US, Australian and European gyms needing stable, localized payment flows.

3. Student Experience

• ZenPlanner: App is buggy, slow, and underwhelming with many owners reporting not using it at all
• MAAT: Smooth, mobile-first design praised by both students and staff.

‍When to choose: Choose ZenPlanner if mobile UX is secondary. Choose MAAT if a strong mobile experience is essential for your students.

My students love using MAAT

Samuel Hernandez - Mataró BJJ

4. Admin & Coach Usability

• ZenPlanner: Feature-rich but steep learning curve.
• MAAT: Intuitive dashboard built for martial arts operations.

When to choose: Choose ZenPlanner for teams with technical training. Choose MAAT for faster adoption among combat sports staff.

5. Class Scheduling & Check-Ins

• ZenPlanner: Offers robust tools for class bookings and attendance.
• MAAT: Supports rank-based scheduling, automated reminders, class caps with waitlists and penalties.

When to choose: Both offer a robust scheduling. ZenPlanner offers flexibility for complex schedules. MAAT focuses on a smoother UI and ease of setup for BJJ and MMA formats.

6. Language & Localization

• ZenPlanner: English only, limited support for EU setups.
• MAAT: Multilingual App and EU-localized payment flows.

When to choose: ZenPlanner may sufficies if operating in English-speaking regions. MAAT works best for European gyms or multicultural communities supporting many lenguages such as Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Spanish and English.

7. Support & Community

• ZenPlanner: Mixed reviews with many owners reporting some frustration.
• MAAT: WhatsApp-based, fast, and BJJ-savvy.
  

When to choose: Choose ZenPlanner if you prefer traditional support systems. Choose MAAT for faster, BJJ-aware assistance.

"You're not dealing with a faceless company.
You're dealing with people who train jiu jitsu, who understand Jiu Jitsu."

says David from Sakura Grappling

8. Migration & Trial Experience

• ZenPlanner:  Onboarding can be complex, especially without IT support.
• MAAT: Free migration, guided onboarding, and fast setup.
  

When to choose: Choose ZenPlanner for large gyms with IT staff. Choose MAAT for gyms wanting quick, no-hassle setup.

9. Pricing & Value

• ZenPlanner: Starts around $117/month, but many features are gated behind add-ons and custom pricing tiers.‍
• WodBuster: Starts at €59/month (or less with an annual plan), plus transaction fees. All core features are included.
  

When to choose: Choose ZenPlanner for gyms with budget flexibility and enterprise-level requirements. Choose MAAT for predictable, transparent pricing and full access from day one.