You have narrowed down your search to Mindbody vs. Glofox and need expert insight into making the right choice. I regularly help studios consider the pros and cons and assist them in making informed choices for their studio.
I am the founder of StudioGrowth and have used both Mindbody and Glofox as a paid customer. Additionally, I get regular feedback from users of these systems.
In this guide, you will find real-world insight, and I will also introduce you to StudioGrowth, which could be a viable option based on your needs. If you want to see how StudioGrowth compares directly to Mindbody at a product level, you can review my Mindbody alternative page.
Quick Recommendation
Mindbody
Large and franchise wellness businesses. Multiple locations and complex workflows.
Glofox
Mid-sized fitness studios and gyms. Focus on fitness businesses.
Read the detailed comparison below
Best Fit Target Audience
Mindbody Vs Glofox: Comparison Table
| Metric | Mindbody | Glofox |
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If you are comparing Mindbody across multiple options, you may also want to see how it stacks up against other leading platforms. I have written detailed comparisons such as Mindbody vs Vagaro, Mindbody vs WellnessLiving, and Momence vs Mindbody, each covering different strengths and weaknesses to help you narrow your decision.
If you want a wider industry level comparison, we’ve put together a complete comparison of the leading Mindbody competitors covering pricing, contracts, and best fit by business type.
Pricing & Value Comparison
Enterprise
Fitness-Focused
Transparent
Mindbody and Glofox: Origins & Current Status
Mindbody
Mindbody is the undisputed leader in the online scheduling and member management space. The company was founded in the early 2000s and has withstood the test of time.
Over the years, Mindbody has evolved to serve a wide range of businesses in the health and wellness space. It has weathered numerous leadership changes, gone public, and been acquired by private ownership. Most recently, it has indicated that it will go public again.
All this should indicate to you that Mindbody is a true enterprise-scale company. It is the go-to name in the wellness software space, with a battle-tested software system and a robust support and services infrastructure to support customers.
Glofox
Glofox has its origins in building mobile apps for fitness businesses. In 2017, the company started providing scheduling and member management systems to fitness businesses. The biggest innovation Glofox brought to the industry was access to sleek, user-friendly mobile apps. With Glofox, every fitness studio can now have its own mobile app.
This innovation fueled the growth of Glofox, and over the years, the company has expanded to serve thousands of fitness businesses globally.
In 2022, Glofox was acquired by ABC Fitness Solutions, making it ABC Glofox. Following the acquisition, Glofox has evolved into a business of enterprise scale.
Why do the origins and current status matter to you as someone comparing Mindbody vs Glofox? Your class & member management system is the backbone of your business operations. You will need to rely heavily on their support and reliability. In this comparison, both Mindbody and Glofox are enterprise-level corporations, with Glofox having recently transitioned from a founder-led startup to an enterprise-level corporation after its acquisition.
| Aspect | Enterprise Big Corp | Founder-led / Startup Vendors |
|---|---|---|
| Target Market | Bigger businesses, franchises, and multi-location chains | Small and mid-sized businesses |
| Customer Support | Personalized support mainly for highest-paying customers | Personalized support is a key differentiator |
| Pricing | Premium, above market; regular price increases (often tied to inflation) | More affordable for similar features |
| Innovation | Slower, focused on stability | Constant innovation to stay competitive |
| Customer Priority | Smaller businesses may not be a top priority | Strong focus on customer satisfaction and retention |
| Business Focus | Heavy emphasis on investor returns | Emphasis on customer success and long-term growth |
Mindbody vs Glofox: What Glofox Says vs What's Real
Glofox has provided a useful comparison against Mindbody on its website. The areas where it highlights the differences are:
Ease of use
Having used both Mindbody and Glofox, I agree that Glofox is much simpler to use and easier to navigate. The mobile app is also simpler to use compared to the Mindbody app.
Focus on the fitness industry
Glofox specifically caters to the fitness industry, making it a better option for fitness businesses than Mindbody, which serves a broader range of wellness businesses. I agree that this focus gives Glofox a competitive edge in the fitness business sector. If you operate a fitness business, Glofox should be a stronger choice.
Global payment processing
Glofox uses Stripe as the payment processor. Recently, Mindbody has also migrated to Stripe for payment processing. Faster payouts and global reach are no longer differentiators as both providers use the same payment processor - Stripe
Mindbody is for enterprises, not mid-sized businesses
There is truth to this claim; however, Glofox itself has made strong moves to serve enterprise businesses. This is reflected in their pricing, which is unaffordable for small businesses (a detailed price breakdown is provided later in this guide). I would say that both Mindbody and Glofox are built for enterprises, rather than small to mid-sized businesses.
Superior support
The support offered is often the deciding factor for most businesses. Hence, both Mindbody and Glofox tout their support as being superior. I have experienced the support of both Mindbody and Glofox and have had similar experiences. According to Trustpilot and Capterra reviews, Mindbody appears to offer a more satisfactory support experience.
Simple & reliable reporting
I agree that the reporting offered by Glofox is simpler. You receive valuable insights in clean, easy-to-use dashboards and reports. However, Mindbody provides comprehensive reports, and you can pull most reports you can think of. This configurability in reporting is ideal for enterprise businesses, whereas simpler reporting provided by Glofox would be suitable for small and mid-sized businesses, but would struggle to scale at an enterprise level.
Better engagement tools
Mindbody is seamlessly integrated with engagement tools like LoopSpark and has also built its own suite of engagement tools. While Glofox would have had a better marketing/engagement suite a few years ago, today Mindbody also has a fairly competitive engagement suite. I would not count this as a strong differentiator for Glofox.
Mindbody vs Glofox: What Mindbody Says vs What's Real
Similarly, Mindbody has provided a useful comparison against Glofox on its website. These are the key areas of differentiation that it highlights:
True all-in-one system
Mindbody positions itself as the true all-in-one system, as it has every feature and module you will ever need. This is definitely true, but I also understand Glofox's argument that most of these features/modules have been acquired through the integration of various software products that Mindbody has acquired over the years. As an end user, the experience across features and modules can feel janky.
Superior support with 250+ agents
My experience of Mindbody support has been similar to my experience of Glofox's support. Mindbody reps have responded a bit quicker and in more detail. Based on user reviews on Trustpilot and Capterra, I agree that Mindbody offers superior support.
Better payment processing
This is an unusual one, as both Mindbody and Glofox use Stripe as their payment processor, and both claim to offer better and faster processing. There is no difference since both use the same underlying payment processor.
2M+ customer network
The Mindbody network boasts an unmatched network of end consumers. With the acquisition of ClassPass, Mindbody gained access to millions of consumers seeking wellness services. This is a clear and strong differentiator of Mindbody. With Mindbody, your business can get exposure to its huge network of wellness consumers.
Feature & Quality Comparison Chart
| Feature Category | Mindbody | Glofox | StudioGrowth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ★★☆☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
| Customer Support | ★★★★☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
| Pricing Transparency | ★★☆☆☆ |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
| Feature Depth | ★★★★★ |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
| Integrations | ★★★★★ |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
| Mobile App Quality | ★★★★☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
| Reporting & Analytics | ★★★★★ |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★☆ |
| Scalability | ★★★★★ |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ = Excellent – Best-in-class performance, highly recommended
★★★★☆ = Very Good – Strong performance with minor limitations
★★★☆☆ = Good – Adequate performance, suitable for most needs
★★☆☆☆ = Fair – Notable limitations, requires workarounds
★☆☆☆☆ = Poor – Significant limitations, not recommended
Deep-Dive Comparison Analysis
Pricing & Transparency
Mindbody
Mindbody pricing starts at $129/month at the low end but can scale quickly. The basic tier would not be functional for a typical studio, and you will need to upgrade, as most features will be locked. At the high end, Mindbody can cost upwards of $500/month.
In terms of price transparency, Mindbody does not display pricing on its website and requires a demo. Reviews cite regular and significant price increases. Most recently, Mindbody has moved to Stripe as its payment processor. You can find the base Stripe fees here and compare against the processing fees charged by Mindbody.
The pricing of Mindbody is more affordable at the low end compared to that of Glofox.
Review Insight: One reviewer stated, "Mindbody's price and complexity make it feel like a burden for a small studio." (Capterra)
Glofox
Glofox does not display its pricing on its website, and therefore, the pricing varies based on the level of negotiation. At the low end, pricing can be as low as $100/month and scales up to $600 per month.
Recently, Glofox has been tying customers into long-term contracts. The limited price visibility upfront and long-term contract lock-ins make Glofox a riskier option for new businesses.
Review Insight: A user mentioned, "The interface is great, but the hidden costs caught me off guard." (Trustpilot)
Features & Usability
Mindbody
Mindbody is the clear choice in terms of depth of features. No other platform can match Mindbody in terms of its feature set. Mindbody has had over 20 years to evolve its platform. During that period, it has made several acquisitions and offers in-depth features. Mindbody offers everything you will need to operate your business: scheduling, class bookings, billing, member management, and several marketing and automation features.
The biggest drawback of Mindbody is the usability aspect for end users. Although the system has been revamped and its design modernized, the underlying booking and billing flow remains unchanged. The persistent complaint seen in user reviews is related to usability and ease of use.
However, Mindbody outshines Glofox in terms of usability in the mobile app. Mindbody offers a straightforward way to add students to classes and manage billing and sales directly within the app. The process for managing these operations is slightly more complex in the Glofox mobile app.
Glofox
Glofox offers just the right amount of features without overwhelming you. However, several crucial features lack depth. For example, managing and updating recurring memberships is challenging. Similarly, it's not easy to create, add, and update discount codes. On the surface, Glofox may seem to have all the features you need, but the moment you go deeper into the workflow, you realise that some of the crucial features are not well-executed.
Some of the standout features of Glofox include its lead engagement, marketing automation, and lead management pipeline. The mobile app was great a few years ago, but today it pales in comparison to more modern alternatives.
In terms of usability, Glofox is a simpler software to use. The consumer interface is slick, and you do have branding options.
Customer Support
Mindbody
Mindbody has a well-developed support organization. The online help documents and knowledge base are extensive, and you can find answers to most of your questions there.
The AI chat help is, as you'd expect, helpful, but it can get time-consuming when you are trying to resolve your issue immediately.
Mindbody has over 250 support agents; however, when you first connect with support, you are met with Tier 1 support agents who are not experts and can only help with basic issues.
The highest level of support and response times is reserved for enterprise customers, and the support provided is tiered based on the pricing tier.
Compared to Glofox, Mindbody has a more extensive support infrastructure. However, the support is still lacking when compared to the support offered by other smaller companies in the space.
Glofox
As Glofox has grown, the support it provides appears to have taken a hit, based on online reviews. They used to offer personalised onboarding, but new customers are left to onboard themselves. Hands-on onboarding goes a long way in helping new customers get accustomed to the software.
My personal experience with Glofox support has been average. The support function is not the reason I would choose Glofox.
Target Audience & Market Fit
Mindbody
If you operate a mid-sized or large wellness business with complex workflows and unique requirements, then Mindbody is the perfect choice. It is also the best option for franchises, and the support it offers enterprise customers is unmatched. However, if you are a small to mid-sized studio or wellness business, you may find other options that better align with your needs.
Glofox
It is a good option for mid-sized fitness studios and gyms. However, if you are a large gym or franchise chain, then Mindbody would be a better fit.
If you are a small, single-location fitness studio, you can easily find other options that better align with your needs. So choose Glofox if you operate a mid-sized fitness facility or gym.
Gaps
Both platforms deliver robust functionality but have notable gaps:
Mindbody's Gaps:
- High ongoing cost
- Steep learning curve
- Rigid contract terms
Glofox's Gaps:
- Lack of price and fee transparency
- Long-term contract lock-ins
- Inconsistent support
StudioGrowth: A Mindbody & Glofox Alternative
If you are still undecided between Mindbody and Glofox, I would encourage you to see a demo of StudioGrowth.
StudioGrowth provides all the features you will need to start and grow your business. We primarily cater to small and mid-sized boutique fitness, yoga, and Pilates studios.
The key differentiation of StudioGrowth compared to Mindbody and Glofox is:
Personalised 1:1 support
We offer hands-on onboarding, with support provided by the founders and engineers who build the software. We have found that highly personalized support is the key element that helps businesses meet their goals. We offer unlimited Zoom calls, and the people assisting you have in-depth knowledge to resolve your issues in a timely manner.
Transparent pricing
Our pricing is clearly displayed on our website, and we do not have any hidden charges or processing fees. Trust is a crucial element in our operations, and this extends to our price commitment.
Founder-led
StudioGrowth is a self-funded, founder-led company. The focus is on customer satisfaction rather than on investor returns.
Modern and intuitive platform
Several customers who have migrated to us from Mindbody and Glofox comment on the ease of use of our system. Our mobile app is modern with unique features such as a custom feed and in-app messaging.
If you would like to compare Mindbody, Glofox and StudioGrowth to the other providers on the market, please review my detailed comparison of the top fitness scheduling systems on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which system is better for boutique fitness studios, Mindbody or Glofox?
It really depends on your studio. If you're running a larger boutique operation with multiple locations or even franchises, Mindbody may be a fit. If you're mid-sized and don't require as much scale, Glofox could be a suitable option.
That said, StudioGrowth was built specifically for boutique fitness studios. As a founder, my focus has always been on the needs of community-driven studios rather than big-box chains, so everything in the platform is designed with that in mind.
How do hidden fees affect Mindbody and Glofox?
Mindbody's model often comes with add-ons you'll need to pay for—things like branded apps or advanced marketing tools. Glofox users sometimes mention price increases or unexpected costs. With StudioGrowth, we keep it simple: one flat monthly fee with no hidden extras.
Which platform has a steeper learning curve, Mindbody or Glofox?
Mindbody has a reputation for being powerful yet complex—it can take time to learn due to the sheer number of features. Glofox tends to feel more modern and easier to use, though some users mention experiencing glitches. StudioGrowth was designed to be straightforward, allowing most studios to get up and running quickly with minimal training required.
How important is customer support when comparing Mindbody and Glofox?
Very. With software that your business depends on every day, support matters as much as features. Mindbody's support experience often varies depending on the plan you're on, while Glofox support has mixed feedback after setup. At StudioGrowth, we make support personal—every studio gets direct, consistent help from people who know the product inside out.
Why consider StudioGrowth as an alternative?
Because it's simple and purpose-built. We combine transparent pricing, an intuitive interface, and the essential features studios actually use, without hidden fees or long contracts. The goal has always been to give boutique fitness owners software that helps them grow—without becoming another headache to manage.
Book A Demo With StudioGrowth
