lunacal

Best Gym Class Booking Software - Free

Based on my personal experience with over 30 products, interviews with more than 50 gym owners, and analysis of hundreds of reviews.

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28 December 2024

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8 min read

Table of Contents

Introduction

Juggling gym schedules shouldn't feel like a never-ending battle.


I found myself overwhelmed and frustrated by the chaos.


Have you ever felt the same way?


This article is grounded in my extensive experience—trying out over 30 different tools, speaking with 50+ gym owners, and delving into hundreds of reviews.

3 scheduling software part of this study

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Lunacal

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10to8

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Appointy

Top Scheduling software comparison guide

Detailed ComprisonLunacal10to8Appointy
Scheduling Page
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Customization
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3rd party integrations
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Calendar sync
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Features your scheduling tool should have

  • 1. Online Booking In my experience, one of the biggest hassles is phone tags. With online booking, members can schedule appointments at any time. This flexibility helps. Have you ever missed a potential client because you couldn't answer the phone?

  • 2. Class Management Managing classes shouldn't require a degree. Good scheduling software for gyms allows easy setup and changes. Imagine adding a new yoga session without breaking a sweat. Wouldn’t that be nice?

  • 3. Calendar Syncing I've found that syncing calendars is a lifesaver. Whether it's Google Calendar or Outlook, your entire schedule in one place. Missed appointments? A thing of the past. How do you keep track right now?

  • 4. Member Notifications Notifications are a godsend. When I used them, no-shows dropped significantly. Imagine reminders nudging your clients to show up. It's like having a personal assistant without the extra cost.

  • 5. Payment Processing Let’s talk money. Integrating payment options saves headaches. Members can book and pay in one go. Isn't that way better than chasing payments or dealing with cash?

  • 6. Waitlist Management Ever had a class fully booked but a dropout last-minute? Waitlist features solve this. They auto-fill openings. It’s like magic. I’ve seen an increase in attendance just by using this.

  • 7. Reporting and Analytics Data is your friend. With reporting tools, you get insights on attendance and peak hours. When I used this, I found the best times to schedule new classes. Do you know your gym’s peak times?

  • 8. Staff Scheduling Scheduling isn’t just for clients. It’s for your team, too. Managing trainer availability and shifts shouldn’t be hard. In my story, this saved me countless hours. How do you manage your team's time?

Lunacal

Lunacal changes the way calendar scheduling works, turning a plain booking page into a personalized brand touchpoint. In my experience, using Lunacal feels like showcasing a personal portfolio, ideal for freelancers, small businesses, and anyone looking to make every booking interaction more meaningful. It's a scheduling tool that puts your brand front and center, not just your calendar.

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Features of Lunacal

  • 1. Customizable Scheduling Pages Lunacal lets you build a branded scheduling experience. Add bios, images, videos, and client testimonials directly to your page. Clients get to know you before booking, building trust.

  • 2. Client Testimonials Integration Display testimonials on your scheduling page for instant credibility. This isn’t just decorative—it actively boosts conversions. When I used this, clients felt reassured by seeing positive feedback.

  • 3. Free Forever Plan Try Lunacal for free with access to basic features. No time limit, perfect for testing its capabilities and seeing if it fits your needs.

  • 4. Calendar Sync Sync with Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars easily. Keeps all your bookings in one place without confusion.

  • 5. Automated Reminders Set up personalized email and SMS reminders. It reduces no-shows and keeps clients engaged. A simple yet effective feature.

  • 6. Buffer Times Manage your time by setting buffers before and after appointments. It provides breathing room between meetings.

  • 7. Team Collaboration Tools Schedule for teams efficiently with round-robin and lead routing features, ensuring even distribution of bookings.

Pricing Details

Lunacal offers a free plan with basic features that never expires. Paid plans start at $10/month per user, unlocking advanced features like custom branding and team scheduling. If you need more functionality, higher-tier options are available.

Lets compare the Pros and Cons..

Pros of Lunacal
    • Deep personalization options for a branded scheduling page.
    • Accessible free plan with essential features.
    • Seamless calendar integration with major platforms.
    • Automated email reminders to reduce no-shows.
    • Effective team management with lead routing and round-robin scheduling.
Cons of Lunacal
    • Lacks native integrations with complex CRM tools like Salesforce.
    • Might not be complex enough for large enterprises.

Lunacal: Our Verdict

Lunacal provides a personalized scheduling experience, making it an attractive alternative to tools like SavvyCal. It's particularly useful for freelancers and small businesses wanting their booking page to reflect their brand identity. In my experience, it was easy to set up and turned my scheduling page into a more engaging interaction point. For larger businesses, exploring paid plans or additional integrations might be necessary to meet more complex needs.

Overall Score: 9.2/10

Detailed score breakdown:

  • Scheduling Page : 3/3
  • Customization : 3/3
  • Teams : 2/3
  • Support : 3/3
  • Ease of use : 3/3
  • 3rd party integrations : 2/3
  • User interface : 3/3
  • Calendar sync : 3/3

10to8

10to8 simplifies gym scheduling with an intuitive interface and robust features. In my experience, it makes appointment booking painless. It’s great for managing client schedules and reducing no-shows, making it one of the best scheduling software for gyms. If you've had trouble juggling bookings, 10to8 can be a game-changer for you.

Features of 10to8

  • 1. Online Booking

  • Clients can schedule appointments anytime, reducing the need for constant phone calls.

  • 2. Automated Reminders

  • Send personalized email and SMS reminders to reduce no-shows and keep clients informed.

  • 3. Calendar Integration

  • Syncs with popular calendars like Google and Outlook, keeping everything in one place.

  • 4. Customizable Notifications

  • Tailor notifications to your branding for a consistent client experience.

  • 5. Two-Way Chat

  • Communicate directly with clients to answer questions and handle rescheduling on the go.

  • 6. Payment Processing

  • Accept payments at the time of booking, simplifying the process for both you and your clients.

Pricing Details

10to8 scheduling software offers flexible pricing plans, including a free version for small teams, with paid options starting at $9.60 per month for more advanced features and customization.

Lets compare the Pros and Cons..

Pros of 10to8
    • Easy-to-use interface
    • Reduces no-shows with automated reminders
    • Integrates well with popular calendars
    • Two-way chat feature helps with client communication
    • Payment processing at booking time
Cons of 10to8
    • Limited customization options in lower tiers
    • Can be pricey for small gyms
    • Integration with some CRM tools is lacking
    • Learning curve for advanced features

10to8: Our Verdict

10to8 offers solid features making it a strong option for gym scheduling. My experience with it was positive—it helps streamline appointment booking and reduces no-shows. For those with more complex needs, the advanced plans may be worth it. Overall, if you're seeking an effective way to manage gym schedules, 10to8 is definitely worth considering. Also check our article on 10to8 alternatives for more options.

Overall Score: 7.1/10

Detailed score breakdown:

  • Scheduling page : 2/3
  • Customization : 1/3
  • Teams : 3/3
  • Support : 2/3
  • Ease of use : 2/3
  • 3rd party integrations : 2/3
  • User interface : 2/3
  • Calendar sync : 3/3

Appointy

Appointy is a versatile tool that simplifies management for gym owners. When I used it, booking classes and personal training sessions became super easy. It’s aimed at reducing no-shows and improving client satisfaction, making it one of the best scheduling software for gyms. If juggling schedules has been a headache, Appointy might be your solution.

Features of Appointy

  • 1. Online Bookings Clients can book classes and sessions anytime, reducing back-and-forth communications.

  • 2. Automated Reminders Send automated email and SMS reminders to clients, reducing no-shows.

  • 3. Calendar Sync Easily syncs with popular calendars like Google and Outlook, centralizing your schedule.

  • 4. Reporting and Analytics Get insights into client behavior and appointment trends to optimize your offerings.

  • 5. Customizable Branding Tailor your booking page to fit your gym’s brand for a consistent client experience.

  • 6. Social Media Integration Allow clients to book directly from your social media pages like Facebook and Instagram.

Pricing Details

Appointy offers a free plan with basic features, but paid plans start at $19.99/month for more advanced options, including payments, reminders, and calendar sync.

Lets compare the Pros and Cons..

Pros of Appointy
    • User-friendly interface
    • Reduces no-shows with automated reminders
    • Syncs well with popular calendars
    • Integrated reporting and analytics for insights
    • Allows bookings through social media
Cons of Appointy
    • Limited customization on lower-tier plans
    • Can be costly for smaller gyms
    • Some CRM integrations are lacking
    • The mobile app could be more intuitive

Appointy: Our Verdict

Appointy is a robust tool for gym scheduling, making it a solid choice for managing appointments efficiently. In my experience, it streamlined the booking process and reduced no-shows. For gyms at any scale, Appointy offers a blend of essential features and advanced options. Whether your scheduling needs are basic or complex, Appointy is worth considering for better operational management. If you want to explore more scheduling tools, then check out our article on best Appointy alternatives.

Overall Score: 7.5/10

Detailed score breakdown:

  • Scheduling page : 2/3
  • Customization : 2/3
  • Teams : 2/3
  • Support : 2/3
  • Ease of use : 2/3
  • 3rd party integrations : 2/3
  • User interface : 3/3
  • Calendar sync : 3/3

Factors you shouldn't miss

  • Customization - Evaluate how much you can customize the software to fit your gym's brand and unique needs. Flexibility can make a big difference.

  • Teams - Consider whether the software supports team scheduling with features like round-robin and lead routing. This is crucial for larger gyms.

  • Ease of Use - User-friendliness matters. If it’s too complex, both your staff and clients may get frustrated. Look for intuitive interfaces.

  • 3rd Party Integrations - Check the compatibility with other tools you already use, like CRM and payment gateways. Better integration means smoother operations.

  • Free Plan - Determine if the software offers a free plan to test its features before committing. This can save you money and help you choose more confidently.

What no one will tell you

Test Multiple Options - Don’t settle on the first tool you find. Take the time to try out a few different ones. Each has unique features that might better suit your gym’s specific needs, such as online personal training scheduling software for trainers who work with clients remotely.


Focus on Integrations - Be sure it works with what you're already using. Integration with your current CRM, payment processor, and email marketing tools will make life much easier.


Account for Scalability - Think about your gym's future. Choose a tool that can grow with you. It should handle more users, more classes, and more complex scheduling as your business expands, especially if you’re considering options like Pilates booking software for niche offerings.


Look Into Customer Support - When things go wrong, you'll need help fast. Test the customer service responsiveness before committing. Good support can save you hours of stress.


Analyze Pricing Tiers - Don’t just look at the base price. Dig into what features are in each pricing tier. Sometimes, the features you’ll need are only in the higher-priced plans, so factor that in beforehand.

Conclusion: Which is the best scheduling tool for Gyms?

In my experience, Lunacal is miles ahead of the competition. It makes scheduling feel personal and seamless. For large companies with over 500 users, consider demos of tools like Calendly and Acuity Scheduling. They offer deep integrations but can be difficult to use and sometimes unreasonably priced. Support might also be limited.


Lunacal, the fastest-growing calendar scheduling platform, is a breath of fresh air. It personalizes scheduling with bios, testimonials, images, and videos, strengthening your brand. With a user-friendly design, quick support, a free forever plan, and guided onboarding, Lunacal makes the setup hassle-free and instantly usable.

FAQs

  • 1. What features should I look for in the best scheduling software for gyms?

    Look for features like online booking, automated reminders, calendar integration, payment processing, and customizable branding. If your gym offers specialized sessions, using fitness class booking software or yoga class scheduling software ensures tailored solutions for different types of classes.

  • 2. Can scheduling software help reduce no-shows at my gym?

    Yes, automated email and SMS reminders are key features. They help reduce no-shows by reminding clients of upcoming appointments, ensuring better attendance rates.

  • 3. Is it necessary to have calendar integration in scheduling software?

    Absolutely. Calendar integration ensures all your bookings sync with your existing calendars like Google or Outlook, keeping everything organized and avoiding double-booking issues.

  • 4. Do I need a customizable scheduling page for my gym?

    Customizable scheduling pages allow you to personalize the booking experience. Adding bios, images, and videos can build trust and provide a seamless client interaction, aligning with your brand identity.