For a full breakdown across disciplines, read our guide to Gymdesk alternatives for martial arts schools.
1club vs. GymDesk
1club vs Gymdesk: Which Martial Arts Software Is Right for Your School?
How 1club and Gymdesk compare on the features martial arts schools actually use, updated for 2026.
Quick answer
For most small and mid-sized martial arts schools in 2026, 1club is the strongest pick: AI-native tools, belt and rank tracking, family billing, and a free plan for up to 100 members with a free mobile app. Gymdesk is a solid, martial-arts-native option with deep BJJ roots, better suited to large, established academies.
Both are built for academies, but they take different approaches. Here's how 1club's martial arts software compares to Gymdesk in 2026.
There’s a better way to run your gym
Where 1club pulls ahead
A modern, AI-native interface
1club is fast, clean, and AI-native. Gymdesk has no AI, no matter the price. No insights, no automation, no intelligent setup.
A free plan and a free mobile app
Start free for up to 100 members, with a free mobile app for booking, check-in, and payments. No bill until you grow.
A modern, mobile-first website
Launch a fast, mobile-first website in minutes. Your online presence looks as current as your academy.
Works in any language
Run 1club and your member app in any language, not just English. Ideal for international academies and multilingual student bases.
1club was very easy to set up and easy to use - members and staff love it. The communication tools are great - group messages, automated reminders, it all works. We are way more organized than before. I'd recommend it to any martial arts gym owner.
Quick Comparison: 1club vs Gymdesk
This side-by-side comparison highlights the key differences that impact your daily operations, member experience, and bottom line.
| Feature | 1club | Gymdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Modern User Interface | 1club has Modern User InterfaceModern, consistent design with smooth navigation across all features and user flows | Gymdesk does not have Modern User InterfaceInconsistent UI with challenged design flow; screens flash between windows |
| Belt and rank tracking | 1club has Belt and rank trackingYes | Gymdesk has Belt and rank trackingYes |
| Family and multi-student accounts | 1club has Family and multi-student accountsYes | Gymdesk has Family and multi-student accountsYes |
| Digital waivers and forms | 1club has Digital waivers and formsYes | Gymdesk has Digital waivers and formsYes |
| AI Capabilities | 1club has AI CapabilitiesConnect your school data to your favourite AI with 1club AI connect, and learn and do anything with chat | Gymdesk does not have AI CapabilitiesNo AI capabilities |
| Attendance and check-in | 1club has Attendance and check-inYes | Gymdesk has Attendance and check-inYes |
| Kids and youth program management | 1club has Kids and youth program managementYes | Gymdesk has Kids and youth program managementYes |
| Multi-discipline support (BJJ, karate, Muay Thai, TKD) | 1club has Multi-discipline support (BJJ, karate, Muay Thai, TKD)Yes | Gymdesk has Multi-discipline support (BJJ, karate, Muay Thai, TKD)Yes |
| AI assistant and AI-native tools | 1club has AI assistant and AI-native toolsYes | Gymdesk does not have AI assistant and AI-native toolsNot offered as of 2026 |
| Seemless Onboarding | 1club has Seemless OnboardingAI-guided onboarding makes setup fast and intuitive | Gymdesk does not have Seemless OnboardingManual setup with clunky workflows |
| Membership Management | 1club has Membership ManagementComprehensive membership management with AI insights | Gymdesk has Membership ManagementFlexible membership builder with various membership types |
| Class scheduling | 1club has Class schedulingAdvanced scheduling with capacity control, waiting lists, and dynamic pricing rules | Gymdesk has Class schedulingClass and appointment scheduling with capacity control |
| Free plan | 1club has Free planYes - includes core features for up to 100 members | Gymdesk does not have Free planNo free plan available |
| Starting paid price | 1club has Starting paid priceFree up to 100 students, then $99/mo up to 200 students (billed yearly) | Gymdesk has Starting paid price$75/mo for up to 50 students |
How they compare on what martial arts schools actually need
Belt and rank tracking. Both handle belt and stripe progressions, promotion history, and requirements by discipline. Gymdesk built this early because of its BJJ roots, and it is solid. 1club covers the same ground with a more modern interface, and lets you run rank tracking alongside AI-assisted admin in one place.
Family and kids accounts. Martial arts schools live on family plans and youth programs. Both platforms support linked family accounts, multiple students per payer, and consolidated billing, so a parent with three kids on the mat is one account, not three.
Waivers, attendance, and the front desk. Both cover digital waivers, self-check-in, and attendance tracking tied to memberships. This is table stakes for both, so it should not be the deciding factor.
The student app. This is a real difference. 1club includes a free member app in its plans. Gymdesk offers a branded app as a $100 per month add-on. For a school that wants students booking, checking in, and paying from a mobile app, that gap adds up over a year.
AI tools. 1club is built AI-native, with AI assistance across admin, member communication, and reporting. Gymdesk focuses on a stable, traditional toolset and does not offer AI features as of 2026. If AI-assisted workflows matter to you, this is the clearest divide.
Languages and international schools. 1club runs fully in any language, including the member-facing app, which suits academies outside the English-speaking world or with multilingual students and parents. Gymdesk is built primarily for English-speaking markets, so this matters most if you teach or communicate in more than one language.
Pricing compared
Pricing is where the two differ most for a growing school.
| Members | 1club (billed yearly) | Gymdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Free | $75/mo |
| Up to 100 | Free | $100/mo |
| 101–200 | $99/mo | $150/mo |
| 201–400 | $135/mo | $200/mo |
| Free mobile app | yes | +$100/mo |
| Extra location | See current plans | +$50/mo |
- 01
1club is about a third cheaper for a school of 101 to 200 students, and free up to 100
- 02
A school with 150 members pays $1,188/year with 1club (billed yearly) vs $1,800/year with Gymdesk, before Gymdesk's $100/month app add-on
- 03
Schools get a modern mobile app with 1club for free
- 04
1club comes with a modern website builder you can use with AI prompts
Which is the right choice
Where 1club is the better choice
1club fits schools that want modern, AI-assisted tools at a cost that stays low as they grow. Start free for up to 100 members, give students a free app for booking and payments, and launch a fast, mobile-first website, all in one platform that works in any language. It supports every discipline, not just grappling, so mixed BJJ, striking, and kids academies run everything in one place. Moving off spreadsheets or an older system, 1club is the stronger pick.
Where Gymdesk is the better choice
Gymdesk has a longer track record and deep martial arts credibility. It is used by major academies including Gracie Barra, Renzo Gracie, 10th Planet, and Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. If you run a large, established academy that values a long operating history and a proven install base among top BJJ brands, and AI features and app cost are not priorities, Gymdesk is a safe, capable choice.
Who should choose which
Choose Gymdesk if you run a large BJJ-focused academy, value the longest track record, and do not need AI features or a bundled app. Choose 1club if you want a free or lower-cost plan, a branded app included, AI-assisted admin, and support across every martial art you teach.
Switching from Gymdesk to 1club
Moving is straightforward. Gymdesk lets you export your member and billing data at any time, and 1club imports members, memberships, and family accounts during onboarding, so you keep your roster, billing history, and belt records. Most schools move within a week or two and can run a short overlap so no payment or class booking is missed.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. 1club tracks belts, stripes, promotion history, and rank requirements across disciplines, alongside attendance and family billing in one platform.
1club is free for up to 100 members, or a paid plan from $63 per month for more. Gymdesk is $100 per month at 100 members, plus $100 per month if you want the branded app.
Yes. Gymdesk allows full data export, and 1club imports members, memberships, family accounts, and billing during onboarding.
As of 2026, Gymdesk does not offer AI features. 1club is AI-native, with AI assistance across admin, communication, and reporting.
Support scales with your plan. Start (free) includes community forums. Grow adds email and chat support for direct help with setup and troubleshooting. Scale includes premium support with faster response times and a dedicated success manager.