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Mindbody vs Walla (2025 Surprise Winner!)

Mindbody vs Walla (2025 Surprise Winner!)

Posted by Tyler Spraul, Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistĀ® (CSCSĀ®) on January 26, 2025 ā€” Updated on January 26, 2025

Mindbody specializes in client management for wellness studios, while Walla offers newer, tech-forward solutions for class and appointment bookings, but Exercise.com remains the top choice for comprehensive business management.

Mindbody vs Walla

Mindbody and Walla are fitness management software platforms that cater to different aspects of the fitness industry. Mindbody is a widely used business management platform designed for boutique fitness studios, yoga studios, and wellness centers, offering tools for scheduling, payment processing, and marketing. Walla, on the other hand, is a more recent platform focused on simplifying operations for boutique studios with user-friendly tools and sleek designs. For fitness businesses seeking an all-in-one, fully customizable solution, the best Mindbody alternative for fitness, Exercise.com, provides advanced tools, flexibility, and scalability for all types of fitness operations.

FeatureMindbodyWallaExercise.com
Target MarketBoutique fitness, yoga, wellness businessesBoutique studios and fitness professionalsGyms, yoga, martial arts, personal training, and more
SchedulingClasses, appointments, staffClasses and appointmentsAdvanced scheduling for classes, appointments, and resources
Membership ManagementBasic toolsMembership tools with automated processesFully integrated and customizable membership tools
Payment ProcessingIntegrated with StripeIntegrated with StripeFully integrated with Stripe, customizable workflows
Marketing ToolsAutomated campaigns and promotionsSimplified email marketing toolsComprehensive engagement and marketing solutions
CustomizationLimited branding and workflowsModerate customizationFully customizable
ScalabilityBest for small to medium businessesBest for boutique studiosHighly scalable for businesses of all sizes

When comparing Mindbody vs Walla, the key differences lie in their target markets and approach to user experience. Mindbody is a long-established platform for boutique fitness studios and wellness centers, offering tools for scheduling, payment processing, and marketing. Walla, on the other hand, is a newer platform specifically designed for boutique fitness studios, emphasizing simplicity, user-friendliness, and modern design. While both platforms cater to the needs of boutique studios, neither matches the comprehensive, customizable capabilities of Exercise.com, which provides an all-in-one solution for fitness businesses of any size or type.

#1 Ranked Fitness Business Software: Exercise.com

For businesses seeking tools like custom-branded apps, workout delivery, performance tracking, scheduling, and marketing automation, Exercise.com is the superior choice. Recognized as the best gym software, best personal training software, and best boutique fitness software, it combines the strengths of both platforms while offering advanced features for scalability and growth.

FeatureMindbodyWallaExercise.com
BookingYesYesYes
Mobile AppsYesYesYes (custom-branded)
Custom BrandedLimitedLimitedYes
PaymentsYesYesYes
WorkoutsNoNoYes
WaiversYesNoYes
InvoicingYesYesYes
AssessmentsNoNoYes
MessagingYesYesYes
MarketingBasicLimitedAdvanced
AutomationsYesLimitedYes
ReportsYesBasicYes (customizable)
User InterfaceBasicModernAdvanced
Hybrid FunctionalityLimitedLimitedYes

Strengths and Weaknesses of Mindbody

Mindbody is a trusted platform for boutique fitness studios, offering tools for scheduling, payments, and basic marketing. However, its interface can feel outdated, and it lacks advanced features like workout delivery, performance tracking, and custom branding, which are essential for fitness businesses seeking to offer hybrid or online services.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Walla

Wallaā€™s strength lies in its simplicity and modern design, providing a user-friendly experience for boutique fitness studios. However, its limited features for workout delivery, performance tracking, and marketing automation make it less versatile for fitness businesses that want to scale their operations or serve clients with more advanced needs.

Why Exercise.com is the Best Choice

Exercise.com stands out as the ultimate platform for fitness businesses of all sizes, combining the best aspects of both Mindbody and Walla while offering far more advanced functionality. With custom-branded mobile apps, advanced workout delivery, performance tracking, and tools for scheduling, invoicing, and marketing automation, Exercise.com empowers fitness professionals to provide exceptional client experiences while growing their businesses efficiently. Its scalability ensures that it works for boutique studios, gyms, and hybrid business models.

When comparing Mindbody vs Walla (or Walla vs Mindbody), itā€™s clear that both platforms cater to specific needs but lack the all-in-one functionality of Exercise.com. For fitness professionals looking for a versatile, feature-rich platform to enhance client engagement, streamline operations, and scale their businesses, Exercise.com is the ultimate solution.

APEC
Exercise.com is simply the best. We were using three or four different apps or softwares to do what we can now do all in one with the Exercise.com platform.
Brandon Stroupe
Founder and President, APEC Sports Performance

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Mindbody Overview

Mindbody

Strengths

Mindbody is one of the most recognized platforms in the fitness industry, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for boutique businesses. Key strengths include:

  • Scheduling: Manage class bookings, private sessions, and staff schedules efficiently.
  • Payment Processing: Accept payments for memberships, classes, and retail items via Stripe integration.
  • Marketing Tools: Automate email campaigns, reminders, and promotions.
  • Client Management: Track attendance, purchases, and engagement metrics.

Mindbody is ideal for businesses that need a robust operational toolset but may feel overly complex for smaller studios or new businesses.

Limitations

  • High Costs: Pricing starts at $129 per month and can increase significantly with additional features.
  • Steep Learning Curve: Advanced features can feel overwhelming for some users.
  • Limited Boutique Focus: Not specifically designed to address the nuanced needs of smaller boutique studios.

For studios needing a platform tailored for simplicity and flexibility, the best gym management software is a better option.

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Walla Overview

Walla

Strengths

Walla is designed specifically for boutique fitness studios, focusing on ease of use and a streamlined user experience. Key strengths include:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies scheduling, payment processing, and client interactions.
  • Boutique Studio Focus: Tools built specifically for small fitness studios, yoga centers, and similar businesses.
  • Marketing Simplification: Intuitive email marketing and client engagement tools.
  • Client Experience: Prioritizes a smooth, easy-to-navigate experience for clients booking classes or sessions.

Walla excels at simplifying operations for boutique studios and providing tools that are easy for both staff and clients to use.

Limitations

  • Limited Advanced Features: Lacks some of the robust reporting and customization options offered by larger platforms.
  • Scalability Constraints: Best suited for small studios and may not scale effectively for larger businesses.
  • Relatively New Platform: As a newer entrant, it has fewer integrations and advanced tools compared to more established platforms.

For fitness businesses seeking a blend of advanced tools and ease of use, Exercise.com is the best Mindbody alternative for fitness.

Key Differences Between Mindbody and Walla

Target Market

Mindbody serves a wide range of boutique fitness and wellness businesses, while Walla is specifically designed for smaller boutique studios. Exercise.com caters to all fitness business types, from small studios to large, multi-location gyms.

Features

Walla emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, while Mindbody offers more robust tools that may feel complex for smaller businesses. Exercise.com combines user-friendly features with advanced capabilities in one platform.

Pricing

Mindbodyā€™s pricing starts at $129 per month, while Wallaā€™s pricing is generally more affordable for boutique studios. Exercise.com provides scalable pricing with tools for businesses of all sizes.

Why Exercise.com Is the Best Alternative to Mindbody and Walla

For fitness businesses seeking an all-in-one, customizable platform, Exercise.com is the best Mindbody alternative for fitness. It combines the strengths of both platforms while addressing their limitations.

Comprehensive Features

Exercise.com provides tools for managing all aspects of your fitness business:

  • Advanced Scheduling: Manage classes, appointments, and facility bookings seamlessly.
  • Membership Management: Handle complex membership structures, recurring billing, and renewals.
  • Client Engagement: Automate personalized communications, reminders, and progress updates.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Gain actionable insights into client behavior, revenue trends, and operational performance.
  • Workout Programming and Tracking: Deliver custom workout programs with advanced performance tracking.
  • Payment Processing: Fully integrated with Stripe, offering secure and customizable workflows.

Full Customization

Unlike Mindbody and Walla, Exercise.com offers full customization:

  • Branded Mobile Apps: Deliver a seamless, branded experience for your members.
  • Custom Workflows: Adapt the platform to meet your specific business needs.
  • Scalability: Designed to grow with your business, whether single-location or multi-location.

Transparent Pricing

Exercise.com offers competitive pricing with no hidden fees, making it an excellent value for fitness businesses of all sizes.

Make the Right Choice for Your Fitness Business

Mindbody and Walla each have strengths, but their limitations in customization and scalability may not suit every business. For an all-in-one solution that combines advanced features, flexibility, and affordability, Exercise.com is the best gym management software for fitness professionals. Schedule a demo today to see how Exercise.com can help you grow and manage your fitness business effectively!

Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.
Julie Ledbetter
Owner, Ledbetter Fitness

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Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistĀ® (CSCSĀ®). He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life.
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