Arketa vs Glofox for Boutique Fitness Studios (2026)
An honest 2026 breakdown of Arketa and Glofox for boutique fitness studios — pricing, features, and how Joya's AI Sales Agent layers on top of whichever you choose.
TL;DR
- Arketa — best for independent instructors and small boutiques that want simplicity and no lock-in
- Glofox — best for gyms and multi-format studios that need a branded app, but verify support quality post-acquisition
- Neither solves after-hours lead response — that's where Joya comes in
Quick comparison
Side-by-side comparison
Arketa
Lightweight, flexible software with no lock-in
Starting price
Custom / flexible
Best for
- •Independent instructors and solo operators
- •Small boutique studios under 100 members
Pros
- No long-term lock-in
- Simple, easy-to-learn interface
- Competitive transaction fees
Cons
- Less feature-rich than gym-focused platforms
- No built-in marketing automation
- Smaller ecosystem
Glofox
Established gym and studio platform — post-acquisition caution advised
Starting price
From $110/month
Best for
- •Mid-size gyms and multi-format fitness studios
- •CrossFit boxes and functional fitness operations
Pros
- Good branded member app for gyms and multi-format studios
- Covers scheduling, memberships, and payments in one platform
- Lower entry pricing than premium boutique platforms
Cons
- Acquired by ABC Fitness in 2022 — ongoing platform consolidation
- Support quality inconsistent post-acquisition
- Less polished UX than boutique-focused alternatives
Make your choice
Who should pick what
APick Arketa if...
Pick Arketa if you are a small studio or independent instructor who wants core scheduling and payments without long-term commitments or enterprise overhead.
GPick Glofox if...
Pick Glofox if you run a gym or multi-format studio and need solid scheduling and a branded app at accessible pricing — but factor in support quality changes since the 2022 ABC Fitness acquisition.
Deep dive
Detailed comparison
Feature comparison
| Feature | Arketa | Glofox |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Membership management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marketing tools | No | ✓ |
| Branded member app | No | ✓ |
| No lock-in contract | ✓ | No |
| Transaction fees | ~2.9% | ~2.9% |
| Mobile member app | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing comparison
| Pricing | Arketa | Glofox |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom / flexible | From $110/month |
| Transaction fees | ~2.9% | ~2.9% |
| Contract | No lock-in | Some long-term terms reported |
| Setup fees | Usually none | Varies |
Arketa
Lightweight, flexible software with no lock-in
Arketa is a lightweight, flexible studio management platform designed for boutique studios and independent instructors who want core scheduling and payments without enterprise complexity or long-term commitments.
Pros
- No long-term lock-in
- Simple, easy-to-learn interface
- Competitive transaction fees
- Fast to get started
Cons
- Less feature-rich than gym-focused platforms
- No built-in marketing automation
- Smaller ecosystem
- No branded member app
Pricing
Custom pricing with no long-term lock-in. Transaction fees from around 2.9%.
Best for
- •Independent instructors and solo operators
- •Small boutique studios under 100 members
- •Studios that want flexibility over features
Glofox
Established gym and studio platform — post-acquisition caution advised
Glofox is a well-established platform serving gyms, box-style studios, and multi-format fitness businesses. It covers scheduling, memberships, payments, and a branded member app. The 2022 acquisition by ABC Fitness has led to some consolidation and mixed support reviews — worth investigating if long-term stability matters for your decision.
Pros
- Good branded member app for gyms and multi-format studios
- Covers scheduling, memberships, and payments in one platform
- Lower entry pricing than premium boutique platforms
- Works well for CrossFit boxes and gym-style operations
Cons
- Acquired by ABC Fitness in 2022 — ongoing platform consolidation
- Support quality inconsistent post-acquisition
- Less polished UX than boutique-focused alternatives
- Some long-term contract terms reported
Pricing
From $110/month; transaction fees from ~2.9%.
Best for
- •Mid-size gyms and multi-format fitness studios
- •CrossFit boxes and functional fitness operations
- •Studios that prioritize accessible pricing over boutique polish
Grow with FitJoy
Whichever you pick, FitJoy.ai works on top
You don't need to switch CRMs to grow your studio. FitJoy layers on top of Arketa and Glofox.
Joya - AI Sales Agent by FitJoy.ai
Joya integrates with Arketa and Glofox. It handles new lead follow-up, win-back sequences, review funnels, and website chat - automatically, on the platform you already use.
FitJoy Done-For-You Services
Not ready to DIY? FitJoy's services team handles Local SEO, Review Management, and Website Development for boutique fitness studios - on top of whichever CRM you run.
Common questions
FAQ
Pick your CRM. Add FitJoy. Book a demo.
Joya AI Sales Agent and FitJoy's Done-For-You Services work on top of Arketa, Glofox, and most other fitness platforms.