Gym Assistant vs Gymdesk (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Gym Assistant if

• Fits if you run one gym on a Windows PC and want to buy once
• Works for gyms with simple memberships and no class timetable

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use a Mac, as it needs Parallels
• Skip it if you need class or appointment booking, as there isn't any
• Watch out: updates and support stop after year one unless you pay $190 a year
• Watch out: MemberConnect needs a merchant account, a support plan and version 2.6.0
• Skip it if you want cloud access, as it isn't cloud based

Pick Gymdesk if

• Fits if you run a gym of under 250 members and want every feature at every tier
• Works for gym owners who can use Gymdesk Payments in the US or Canada

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you grow: $150 at 101 to 150 members and $200 up to 250
• Watch out: the lower prices need Gymdesk Payments, available in the US and Canada, and your own processor costs $25 more
• Watch out: each extra location costs $50 a month with Gymdesk Payments, or $100 otherwise
• Skip it if you have over 250 members, since that is sized with the vendor

Gym Assistant

• It runs on Windows only and is not cloud based; on a Mac it needs Parallels Desktop.
• Software is for memberships; there is no class or appointment booking, and retail needs the separate ProShop add-on.
• Support and updates are free for one year, after which a paid support plan is needed to keep receiving them.
• MemberConnect needs a merchant services account, an active support plan and software version 2.6.0, and online payments work in the US and Canada only.

Gymdesk

• The lower prices apply when processing payments with Gymdesk Payments or an approved partner, which is available in the US and Canada; elsewhere the partner route needs approval.
• Each extra location costs $50 a month with Gymdesk Payments or a preferred partner, or $100 with your own processor.
• A branded member app is $100 a month with the first month free, and door access is $100 a month for up to 3 doors plus $29 per extra door and a one-time hardware cost.
• Plans above 250 active members have no published price.

Gym Assistant

Member records and check-in

Each member screen holds payments, visit history, notes, measurements and waivers, and members can be checked in by barcode key tag in the background.

Recurring billing

Runs recurring membership billing with integrated card and ACH/EFT payment processing, set up through a merchant services account.

Door access control

Optional access control hardware opens doors on a schedule, by membership type, using digital keys, barcode tags, proximity cards or fobs.

Reports

Financial, journal, visit, insurance and membership reports are built in.

MemberConnect add-on

A cloud member portal for online sign-ups and payments, with paid tiers that add two-way SMS, a member mobile app and mobile door check-in.

Retail and time clock add-ons

ProShop software adds retail point of sale, and TimeClock software tracks staff hours, each sold separately.

Gymdesk

Memberships and billing

Recurring memberships with automated billing, a point of sale and payment processing through Gymdesk Payments, Stripe, Square or Authorize.net.

Class booking and attendance

Members book classes and staff track attendance, with a member app for iOS and Android.

Lead management and marketing

Lead capture, landing pages, email and SMS, automations, referrals and review requests.

Gym website

Every plan includes a responsive gym website.

Reporting

Dashboard, attendance analytics, revenue forecasting and member insights.

Facility access

Door access control is listed as a beta add-on, priced per month for up to three doors.

Gym Assistant

• Gym Assistant Software$780

  one-time, up to $3,510 by database capacity

  Eight capacity editions, all with every feature. Includes one year of support, updates and automatic backup.

• Network License$195

  one-time, up to $585

  Add-on that lets 2 to 10 computers share the same Gym Assistant data.

• Silver Support$190

  per year

  Annual support plan, and a requirement for MemberConnect. A Gold level costs $370 per year.

• MemberConnect Plus$15

  per month ($100 per year)

  Member portal messaging and SMS. The Base plan is free; the Elite plan adds a member app for $30 per month.

Gymdesk

• Micro Gym$75

  per month for up to 50 members, with Gymdesk Payments ($100 without)

  Full platform with unlimited staff accounts and a gym website; billed month to month.

• Small Gym$100

  per month for 51-100 members, with Gymdesk Payments ($125 without)

  Same features as every tier; the price follows the active member count.

• Medium Gym$150

  per month for 101-150 members, with Gymdesk Payments ($175 without)

  Same features as every tier; $150 a month at 120 active members is the page's own example.

• Large Gym$200

  per month for 151-250 members, with Gymdesk Payments ($240 without)

  Same features as every tier, for gyms up to 250 active members.

• EnterpriseCustom

  For 251 or more active members; sized with the vendor.