10 Best BJJ Academy Management Software in 2026

Running a BJJ academy means juggling a lot: teaching classes, tracking attendance, managing payments, and keeping students engaged. Spreadsheets and paper sign-in sheets worked in the past, but they eat up hours of your week that could be spent on the mats.

The right management software can transform how you run your academy. But with so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Generic gym software often misses what makes BJJ unique: belt progressions, curriculum tracking, and the specific needs of martial arts academies.

In this guide, we compare the 10 best BJJ academy management platforms available in 2026. We evaluated each tool based on BJJ-specific features, ease of use, pricing transparency, and real user feedback.

Quick Comparison

1. MatGoat

Best for: BJJ academies wanting an intuitive, purpose-built solution that grows with them.

MatGoat was built by a BJJ practitioner who got tired of wrestling with spreadsheets at his own academy. The result is software designed specifically for how BJJ academies actually operate.

Key Features

• Free attendance tablet. Students check in with one tap. No more paper lists or manual tracking. The tablet is included free with a 12-month commitment.
• Video technique library. Upload unlimited technique videos organized by category and belt level. Students access them 24/7 to supplement their training.
• Automated payment management. Track monthly fees, send automatic reminders, and integrate with Stripe, PayPal, or bank transfers.
• Student progress tracking. Monitor attendance patterns, identify at-risk students, and track belt progression.
• Participant/observer mode. Mark injured students as observers so they still count as attending without training.

Pricing

• Starting at €35/month.
• Free 30-day trial (no credit card required).
• Free tablet with 12-month commitment.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

• Purpose-built for BJJ by someone who trains.
• Free tablet removes barrier to digital check-in.
• Intuitive interface you can set up in minutes, not days.
• Affordable pricing that scales as your academy grows.

Cons

• Newer platform compared to established competitors.
• Primarily focused on European market (though works globally).

Verdict

MatGoat stands out for its focus on what BJJ academy owners actually need. The free tablet is a significant differentiator—most competitors charge extra for hardware. The intuitive interface means you can get set up in minutes, not days, and the platform scales with you as your academy grows. Whether you’re just getting started or already managing a full schedule of classes, MatGoat delivers exactly what you need without unnecessary complexity.

Try MatGoat free for 30 days →

2. BJJLink

Best for: Academies that want curriculum management built into their platform.

BJJLink positions itself as software built specifically for the Jiu-Jitsu community. Their standout feature is the curriculum builder, which lets you plan lessons and attach technique videos.

Key Features

• Student management with belt and stripe tracking.
• Class scheduling with automated reminders.
• Curriculum builder with video library integration.
• Billing and payment automation.
• Staff scheduling and payroll tools.
• Mobile apps for students and tablet kiosk mode.

Pricing

BJJLink emphasizes transparent pricing but doesn’t publish rates publicly. You’ll need to contact them for a quote.

Pros

• Curriculum builder is unique among competitors.
• Designed exclusively for BJJ (not generic gym software).
• Comprehensive feature set.

Cons

• Pricing not transparent on website.
• May be more complex than smaller academies need.

Verdict

If curriculum management is a priority for your academy, BJJLink offers features other platforms lack. The curriculum builder helps ensure consistent teaching across instructors. Best suited for academies that take structured lesson planning seriously.

3. Kicksite

Best for: Established martial arts schools wanting a proven, mature platform.

Kicksite has been serving the martial arts community for nearly two decades. They offer a battle-tested platform with features tailored to various martial arts disciplines, including BJJ.

Key Features

• Attendance and belt tracking.
• Billing with automated recurring payments.
• Unlimited one-way texting for student communication.
• Lead capture forms and landing pages.
• Member portal and mobile web app.

Pricing

All tiers include full feature access.

Pros

• Nearly 20 years of martial arts industry experience.
• Transparent, tiered pricing.
• Strong customer testimonials from decorated athletes.
• All features available at every price tier.

Cons

• Price scales quickly with student count.
• Web app rather than native mobile apps.

Verdict

Kicksite’s longevity speaks to their reliability. If you want software backed by two decades of martial arts-specific development, Kicksite is a safe choice. The tiered pricing works well for growing academies since you only pay for what you need.

4. Kombat Evolve

Best for: European academies focused on student retention.

Kombat Evolve was created by a BJJ black belt who understood a critical problem: 70% of students quit before reaching blue belt. Their platform focuses heavily on retention analytics to help you identify and save at-risk students.

Key Features

• Membership and payment automation (Stripe, SEPA, Klarna).
• QR code attendance check-in.
• Belt and stripe progress tracking.
• Early dropout alert system.
• Competition calendar management.
• Retention-focused analytics.

Pricing

Annual discounts available.

Pros

• Built by a BJJ black belt who understands the sport.
• Strong focus on retention and dropout prevention.
• European-first design with GDPR compliance.
• SEPA and Klarna payment support.

Cons

• Primarily targets European market.
• Newer platform with smaller user base.

Verdict

If retention is your biggest challenge, Kombat Evolve’s analytics might be worth the investment. The dropout alert system helps you intervene before students disappear. Well-suited for European academies needing local payment method support.

5. MAAT

Best for: Multi-discipline combat sports gyms (BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai).

MAAT targets the broader combat sports market, making it ideal if your gym offers more than just BJJ. The platform handles BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Judo, and Boxing under one system.

Key Features

• Financial management with analytics dashboard.
• Attendance tracking with belt/stripe promotion notifications.
• Customizable class scheduling and booking.
• Student progress monitoring for kids and adults.
• Mobile app for member bookings.

Pricing

Additional: 1% transaction fee plus Stripe processing fees.

Pros

• Designed for multi-discipline combat sports.
• Competitive pricing with annual discount.
• Clean, modern interface.

Cons

• Transaction fees add to cost.
• Less BJJ-specific than specialized alternatives.

Verdict

If you run a gym with multiple combat sports programs, MAAT provides a unified platform for all of them. The pricing is competitive, though the transaction fees can add up for high-volume academies.

6. Gymdesk

Best for: Schools that want high-touch customer support.

Gymdesk serves over 3,000 facilities across 20+ countries. They emphasize human support from day one, including dedicated onboarding assistance to get you set up properly.

Key Features

• Member management and attendance tracking.
• Rank/belt promotion tracking with automated notifications.
• Billing and recurring payments.
• Online booking and scheduling.
• Point-of-sale and retail management.
• Website builder.
• Facility access management.

Pricing

Starting at $75/month for up to 50 members. Scales with business growth.

Pros

• Dedicated human support from day one.
• Highly rated (4.8-4.9 stars on review platforms).
• Data migration support from competitors.
• Integrates with multiple payment processors.

Cons

• Higher starting price than some alternatives.
• May have more features than small academies need.

Verdict

If customer support is a priority, Gymdesk’s emphasis on human assistance sets them apart. The onboarding help can be valuable if you’re migrating from another system or are new to management software.

7. Martialytics

Best for: Schools drowning in administrative work.

Martialytics claims to reduce admin time from 20 hours per week to 2 hours. If paperwork is consuming your life, their automation-heavy approach might be the solution.

Key Features

• Automated student onboarding with digital waivers.
• Attendance tracking with automated reporting.
• Payment processing with failed payment retry.
• Student progress and grade tracking.
• Branded student app/portal.
• Multi-location management.

Pricing

Not published on website. 30-day free trial available (no credit card required).

Pros

• Claims 90% reduction in admin time.
• 97% customer retention rate.
• 24/7 global support.
• Direct access to founders for demos.

Cons

• Pricing not transparent.
• Smaller user base (1,295+ schools).

Verdict

If administrative tasks are eating into your teaching time, Martialytics’ automation focus could free up significant hours. The high customer retention rate suggests users find real value in the platform.

8. PushPress

Best for: Budget-conscious schools or those wanting AI-powered features.

PushPress serves over 5,000 gyms across 46 countries, processing $750M+ in annual billing. They offer a free tier and are investing heavily in AI features.

Key Features

• AI-powered member management.
• Class scheduling and booking.
• Belt rank tracking system.
• Student progress monitoring.
• Attendance insights.
• Branded mobile app.
• Automated growth tools.
• AI Assistant (launching Q4 2025).

Pricing

Free tier available. Paid plans not publicly listed.

Pros

• Free tier for starting out.
• Large platform with proven scale.
• AI features for proactive business monitoring.
• Staff includes current and former gym owners.

Cons

• Originally designed for CrossFit, adapted for martial arts.
• Full pricing not transparent.

Verdict

PushPress’s free tier makes it accessible for academies just starting out. The upcoming AI features could provide valuable business insights. Best for those who want to start free and scale up.

9. Wodify

Best for: Hybrid CrossFit/BJJ facilities.

Wodify built its reputation in CrossFit but has expanded to serve martial arts, yoga, and other fitness verticals. If you run a hybrid facility, their all-in-one approach might simplify operations.

Key Features

• Automated billing and payment processing.
• Class scheduling and appointment management.
• CRM with lead capture and nurturing.
• Member mobile app with progress tracking.
• Two-way SMS and email messaging.
• AI-powered at-risk member prediction.
• Multi-location management.
• Custom dashboards and reporting.

Pricing

Starting at $79/month. Premium add-ons available.

Pros

• True all-in-one platform.
• Strong mobile app for members.
• AI-powered retention predictions.
• Independently owned (not investor-driven).

Cons

• CrossFit heritage means BJJ is not the primary focus.
• May include features you don’t need.

Verdict

Wodify makes sense if you run a hybrid facility or want everything in one platform. The CrossFit DNA means BJJ-specific features may not be as refined as dedicated martial arts software.

10. Zen Planner

Best for: Large, multi-location academies.

Zen Planner targets the enterprise end of the market. If you run multiple locations or a large operation, their platform is built for scale.

Key Features

• Enterprise-grade member management.
• Multi-location support.
• Advanced reporting and analytics.
• Integrated website and marketing tools.
• Staff management and scheduling.

Pricing

Contact for quote. Enterprise-focused pricing.

Pros

• Built for scale and multiple locations.
• Comprehensive feature set.
• Established platform with years of development.

Cons

• Pricing not transparent.
• May be overkill for single-location academies.
• Less martial arts-specific than alternatives.

Verdict

Zen Planner suits large operations that have outgrown simpler solutions. If you’re running multiple locations or processing hundreds of members, enterprise features become necessary. Smaller academies should look elsewhere.

How We Evaluated

We assessed each platform on five criteria:

1. BJJ-specific features. Does it understand belt progressions, curriculum needs, and martial arts workflows?
2. Ease of use. Can you get started quickly, or does it require extensive training?
3. Pricing transparency. Can you understand costs upfront, or do you need to talk to sales?
4. Customer support. What help is available when things go wrong?
5. Integration options. Does it work with payment processors and other tools you use?

Choosing the Right Software

Before committing, ask yourself:

• What’s your academy size? Smaller academies need simpler tools. Enterprise features add cost and complexity.
• What’s your biggest pain point? Attendance tracking? Payments? Retention? Choose software that excels where you struggle most.
• What’s your budget? Some platforms start free, others require significant investment.
• Do you need multi-discipline support? Pure BJJ academies can use specialized tools. Multi-sport gyms need broader platforms.

Always take advantage of free trials. Most platforms offer 14-30 days to test before committing. Use that time to see if the software fits how your academy actually operates.

Conclusion

The best BJJ academy management software depends on your specific needs:

• Best overall for BJJ academies: MatGoat: purpose-built, intuitive, and includes free tablet.
• Best for curriculum management: BJJLink: unique lesson planning features.
• Best for established schools: Kicksite: 20 years of martial arts experience.
• Best for retention focus: Kombat Evolve: dropout prediction and analytics.
• Best for budget-conscious: PushPress: free tier available.
• Best for hybrid gyms: Wodify: all-in-one platform for multiple disciplines like CrossFit.

Stop wrestling with spreadsheets. Choose a platform that understands BJJ and gives you back the time to focus on teaching.

Ready to simplify your academy management? Try MatGoat free for 30 days—no credit card required, and you’ll get a free tablet when you’re ready to commit.