The software you run your coaching business on is not a small decision. It shapes how professional you look to clients, how much time you waste on admin, and how much money you keep at the end of the month. This guide is written for trainers choosing business software, not for clients choosing a workout app. We looked hard at eleven leading platforms and we are honest about all of them, including our own.

What personal trainer software must do in 2026

Client expectations have climbed. Emailing a PDF and checking in over WhatsApp no longer cuts it. Clients now expect an app where they see their training, log their nutrition, track progress, and message you in real time. At a minimum, your software should cover:

• Client management in one place, no spreadsheets.
• A workout builder with a video exercise library.
• Nutrition plans and macro tracking, because nutrition drives results.
• In-app messaging with your clients.
• Progress tracking through weight, measurements, photos and stats.
• Payments that match how you actually charge.

In 2026 there is one more line item many trainers underrate: client acquisition. The best tools do not just help you keep clients, they help you find new ones.

It is worth drawing a clear line here that many buyers blur: trainer software is not the same thing as a workout app for end users. A workout app solves the problem of one person who wants to train. Trainer business software solves the problem of running a coaching business, with every client, payment, plan and conversation in one place. This article is strictly about the second kind. If you are choosing the tool you will run your business on, read on.

How we compared: the scoring framework

To keep this fair, we judged all eleven platforms against the same six criteria.

1. Price transparency

Is the advertised price what you actually pay, or does the real cost assemble itself only once you add the modules you need? On some platforms the base plan looks cheap, then nutrition, payments and video coaching are billed separately.

2. What is included vs add-ons

An all-inclusive plan means you know your exact monthly cost. A modular model means a low entry price but a climbing monthly bill as you switch features on.

3. Client app quality

You may love your dashboard, but your client lives in their app. If it crashes or loses data, that comes back to you as a complaint. We looked at App Store and Google Play ratings.

4. Languages and localization

If you serve a non-English market, this is decisive. A client who does not speak English will not adopt an English-only app. Local language is a requirement, not a luxury.

5. Payment flexibility

Can you charge by card but also record cash and bank transfers? In many markets cash and invoices still matter a great deal.

6. Client acquisition

Does the platform give you a public page and visibility that new clients can find you through, or is finding clients entirely on you? Most tools only work inside the closed loop of clients you already have. A marketplace or a public page that Google can index can be the difference between a full and a half-empty schedule.

Beyond these six, it is worth thinking about where the company is registered and what the cancellation terms are, because that affects how locked in you are if you change your mind. One of these platforms has a cancellation window and legal terms worth knowing up front, which we cover below.

Quick comparison of all eleven platforms

Pricing and data accurate as of June 2026.

Trainera

Trainera (trainera.fit) is built region-first for the Balkans, with a web app plus iOS and Android apps. It covers client management, a workout builder with a video library, nutrition plans with macro tracking, AI food photo analysis, real-time chat, progress tracking, group training, and a gym management module.

AI plan, workout and nutrition generation is included in paid plans, with no add-ons at all. Payments support Stripe, PayPal, bank transfer and cash tracking, which matches how a lot of trainers actually get paid. Every trainer gets a public web page (custom domain on higher tiers) plus a listing in the trainera.fit marketplace, so client acquisition is built in. Health integrations include Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, Polar and Huawei Health. The interface is available in 21 languages, including Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian, with local-language support.

Pricing is local: in Bosnia from 19.99 KM/mo (Starter, 10 clients), Pro 44.99 KM (30), Business 84.99 KM (100). HR and ME are in euros, RS in dinars, and the US tier is in dollars ($19.99 / $49.99 / $99). A free plan exists. Importantly, everything is included in the plan price, with no hidden add-ons, so the number you see at signup stays the same once you start using nutrition, payments or AI plan generation.

For someone running a business in a local language and charging through a mix of card and cash, this combination of local pricing, local language and flexible payments is rarely found among global platforms built primarily for the US and UK markets.

Pros: local languages and support, local pricing, everything included with no add-ons, multiple payment methods including cash, a built-in marketplace for new clients, and AI features included.

Cons: it is the newest of the four and was built region-first. The integration ecosystem is solid, but if you are an English-only coach in the US who lives deep in the Garmin ecosystem, Trainerize may simply fit you better. We would rather say that plainly than oversell.

Best for: trainers in the Balkans who want a professional all-in-one tool in their own language, with local pricing and built-in client acquisition. Start free or browse the trainer marketplace.

Trainerize

Trainerize (trainerize.com, owned by ABC Fitness) is a mature, well-known platform. Pricing is USD only: Free (1 client), Grow $10/mo (2 clients), Pro 5 at $25, Pro 30 at $79, Pro 50 at $135, Studio Plus $275/mo.

The thing to understand is that the base price is not the full price. Nutrition is an add-on ($20 to $45/mo), enabling Stripe payments is an add-on ($10/mo), and video coaching is another add-on ($10/mo). A realistic full solo setup lands around $175 to $200/mo. Trainerize also raised prices twice in 20 months (July 2024 and March 2026), which is worth keeping in mind if you are planning for the long term.

This modular model has its logic: if you genuinely do not need nutrition or video, you do not pay for them. But in practice most trainers who work seriously with clients end up turning on exactly those modules, so it is fair to budget the full figure rather than the entry price. When you compare costs, always add up the add-ons you actually use, not just the base plan.

Pros: the most mature workout builder, the best wearable integrations (Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, Zapier), scales up to studios, and an AI workout builder is included.

Cons: reviewers report recurring bugs and a sometimes clunky UI (on Reddit and on GetApp, at 4.6 from 694 reviews, users cite crashes and sync issues). The nutrition module is weaker and is also a paid extra. There is a learning curve, and on Trustpilot reviewers report billing and support frustrations. No Balkan languages.

Best for: English-speaking trainers, especially those deep in the Garmin or Fitbit ecosystem, who do not mind add-ons and want a platform that scales to a studio.

Kahunas

Kahunas (kahunas.io, Kahunas FZE, UAE) builds its pitch around the branded app. Pricing is USD only: Essentials $35/mo (25 clients), Growth $69 (50 clients), Ultimate $99 (unlimited clients, plus a branded iOS and Android app included). Annual billing is 25 percent off. The branded app on Ultimate is the cheapest on the market.

Pros: outstanding branded-app value, a strong check-in and accountability workflow, lead funnels for marketing, and coach support that is well praised (Trustpilot 4.8 from 400+ reviews, Capterra 4.9 from 60).

Cons: the client app is rated around 3 stars (App Store UK 3.2 from 137, Google Play around 3.0 from 210), with reviewers reporting crashes and data loss. The nutrition module is the weakest of the four (no MyFitnessPal or Cronometer integration). The workout builder is simple (limited tempo, RIR, supersets). There is no session booking. Cancellation requires 48 hours notice before renewal or the full next term is owed, under UAE law and Dubai courts. No Balkan languages.

Best for: trainers whose top priority is a cheap branded app and a strong accountability loop, and who do not depend on an advanced nutrition module. If the idea of having your own app with your name and logo in the app stores appeals to you, and you offer clients mainly structure and check-ins, Kahunas gives the most for the money here, as long as you go in aware of the client app limitations and the cancellation terms.

Hubfit

Hubfit (hubfit.com, London, founded around 2022, a small founder-led team) offers an all-inclusive model. Pricing is USD only: Standard $39/mo (50 clients), Premium $69 (100 clients), Ultimate $119 (team features), up to Ultimate 500 at $419. Annual billing gives two months free. Every feature is on every plan, with no add-ons.

Pros: a modern UI, a barcode food scanner, check-ins, challenges, and integrations (Apple Health, Garmin, Whoop, Oura, Cronometer). The client app is well rated (App Store 4.8 from 384, Play 4.6 from 350) and support is praised as fast.

Cons: it supports 10 languages but none of them are Balkan languages. There is no separate trainer app (you toggle roles within one app). According to a detailed Trustpilot review, the recipe library is small. The branded-app price is unpublished. The review footprint is small (1 Capterra review, 0 on G2; a Trustpilot score of 5.0 from 387 that is frozen on the old hubfit.io domain after a move). There is no marketplace for client acquisition, and payments are Stripe only.

Best for: English-speaking trainers who want a simple all-inclusive price and a high-quality client app, and who do not need a marketplace or local languages.

TrueCoach

TrueCoach (truecoach.co, owned by Xplor Technologies) is a mature workout-delivery platform, especially strong for strength and conditioning. Pricing is USD: Starter $29.98/mo (up to 5 clients), Standard $69.98 (up to 20), Pro $164.98 (up to 50). There is no free plan, only a 14-day trial. Its core strength is a drag-and-drop workout builder and a large exercise video library (3,000+), with a solid messaging and compliance-tracking workflow. Reviews are strong on Capterra (4.8 from 838).

Pros: an excellent workout builder, a large video library, wearable integrations, and strong client compliance tracking.

Cons: nutrition is shallow (MyFitnessPal visibility only, no food database or barcode scanner). Built-in payments charge 5% per transaction and are available only to coaches in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, so a Balkan trainer invoices outside the platform. The price jump at the 21st client is steep. Reviewers on Trustpilot report billing problems and slow support (a 2.4 score). The interface is English only, and there is no marketplace.

Best for: strength coaches in the US, UK, Australia and Canada with 5 to 50 clients whose service is programming and check-ins, and who handle nutrition in a separate tool. See our dedicated Trainera vs TrueCoach comparison.

Everfit

Everfit (everfit.io) is a modern online-coaching platform built around automation. It has a free Starter (up to 5 clients), and Pro starts at $19/mo (5 clients) and scales by client count. The client app is well praised and the UI is clean and polished (Capterra 4.8 from 378). Its signature feature is automation (Autoflows) that saves time when working with groups.

Pros: strong automation for working at scale, a modern and intuitive interface, AI tooling, and a high-quality client app.

Cons: automation, meal plans, on-demand content and payments are all paid add-ons, so the bill climbs quickly. Nutrition is shallow at the base level. Payments run through Stripe only and are not available in Bosnia or Serbia. The marketplace is in beta and limited to coaches in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. No Balkan languages.

Best for: online and hybrid coaches scaling from 20 to a few hundred clients who want group-coaching automation. See our dedicated Trainera vs Everfit comparison.

My PT Hub

My PT Hub (mypthub.net, UK, since 2015) is one of the oldest all-in-one platforms. Starter is around $25/mo (3 clients), and Premium is roughly $48 to $55/mo with unlimited clients, which is its core advantage: a flat fee with no per-client scaling. A free plan exists after the trial. Branding is cheap: a custom app is a one-time $95. Reviews are solid (Capterra 4.6 from 3,000+).

Pros: unlimited clients at a flat price, the cheapest entry into a branded app, a broad feature set, and a large user base.

Cons: reviewers consistently report bugs, lag and a clunky interface (Capterra reviews and the App Store). Support is mostly email only. Nutrition is shallow. Payments run through Stripe only, which is not available in Bosnia or Serbia. The interface is English only, and there is no client-acquisition marketplace.

Best for: English-speaking solo trainers with large rosters who value a flat unlimited-client price above all and can tolerate occasional bugs.

PT Distinction

PT Distinction (ptdistinction.com) is a platform for experienced online coaches that stands out for customization depth and assessments. Pricing is USD and monthly only: Basic $19.90/mo (3 clients), Pro $59.90 (25 clients, branded iOS and Android apps), Master $89.90 (50 clients). Extra trainers are free, and the trial is one month. The branded app on Pro is among the cheapest on the market. Reviews are excellent (Capterra 4.9 from 445), and support is the most praised item.

Pros: the strongest movement and body assessments, deep customization, a cheap branded app, excellent support, and an AI program generator.

Cons: a steep learning curve due to feature density. The mobile app lags behind the web portal. Native payments are via PayPal, with Stripe only through Zapier. There is no annual billing. The interface is English only, and there is no marketplace.

Best for: experienced coaches with an established business who want deep programming control, custom assessments and a cheap branded app.

Hevy Coach

Hevy Coach (hevycoach.com, from Barcelona) is a simple strength-programming tool tied to the popular Hevy workout app. Pricing is USD and by client count only: $25/mo (up to 10 clients), $50 (up to 25), $90 (up to 50). There is no free plan, only a 30-day trial. Its big advantage is that clients use the real Hevy app (4.9 stars, millions of users) and get Hevy Pro free. Reviews are strong (Capterra 4.8), especially for simplicity.

Pros: the lowest price and simplest interface, clients already know the Hevy app, and a clean programming and workout-review flow.

Cons: a narrow scope. There is no nutrition, no client billing, no habit tracking, no check-in forms and no session scheduling. There is no branding. Chat is 1-on-1 only. The interface is English only, and there is no marketplace.

Best for: strength and hypertrophy coaches whose clients already use Hevy and who only need programming, workout review and chat at a low price.

FitBudd

FitBudd (fitbudd.com) builds its pitch around the branded app. Pricing is USD: Starter $15/mo (2 clients, no branding), Pro $79 (20 clients), Super Pro $149 plus a one-time $75 setup fee (a fully white-label iOS and Android app under the trainer's name). Appointments, team and automation are paid add-ons at $20 to $50/mo. Reviews are solid (Capterra 4.6 from 407), especially for ease of use and support.

Pros: a fully branded app at a mid-market price, no commission on payments (through your own Stripe or PayPal account), and an all-in-one toolset.

Cons: add-ons push the bill up quickly. All payments are non-refundable per the terms of use. Reviewers report slow support due to time zones and unclear upsell descriptions. The exercise library is limited. The interface has no Balkan languages, and there is no marketplace.

Best for: established solo trainers and small studios (20 to 100 clients) whose priority is their own app in the app stores at a mid-market price.

Exercise.com

Exercise.com (owned by Daxko since October 2025) is a heavyweight for gyms and studios: a full operating system with booking, membership management, multi-location support, POS and white-label apps. Pricing is not public and is quoted on request; third parties cite it from around $239/mo upward. There is no self-serve trial; a demo is required. Reviews are strong (Capterra 4.8 from 245), and support through success managers is especially valued.

Pros: the broadest set of operational features for gyms and studios, white-label apps, strong human support, and CRM and sales funnels.

Cons: it is the most expensive in this comparison and overkill for a solo trainer. Pricing is hidden behind a sales call. Reviewers report a steep learning curve, long setup and occasional reporting bugs. Reviews reference contract commitments. The interface is English only, and there is no client-acquisition marketplace.

Best for: established gyms, boutique studios and larger hybrid businesses that want their own app and operational features and can absorb the price and setup time.

Recommendation by use case

• Overall winner and best for the Balkans: Trainera (own language, local pricing, flexible payments and new clients).
• A US or English-speaking trainer deep in the Garmin ecosystem with a growing studio: Trainerize.
• Cheapest branded app: Kahunas or PT Distinction.
• An English-speaking trainer who wants a simple all-inclusive price and an excellent client app: Hubfit.
• A strength coach in the US, UK, Australia or Canada whose service is programming: TrueCoach.
• Group-coaching automation at scale: Everfit.
• Unlimited clients at a flat price: My PT Hub.
• Workout-tracking simplicity at a low price: Hevy Coach.
• Your own app in the app stores at a mid-market price: FitBudd.
• Gym and studio heavyweight with operational features: Exercise.com.

Conclusion

When everything is weighed, the overall winner of this comparison is Trainera: it is the only one of the four with everything included in the price, local languages and currencies, flexible payments and built-in client acquisition, and you can start free with no risk. If you work in English and your priority is wearable integrations or the cheapest branded app, Trainerize and Kahunas deserve a place on your shortlist. The smartest move is to use the free plans and trials, import a few clients, and see which platform truly matches how you work before you commit. If you are also weighing the bigger picture of building your business, read our guide on starting a career as a personal trainer.