Austin’s fitness and wellness industry continues to thrive, with everything from yoga and pilates studios to strength gyms, cycling classes, and holistic centers drawing in residents eager to stay active. Known for its creative energy and collaborative spirit, the city attracts people looking for studio experiences that blend technology, convenience, and a welcoming community.
For studio owners, this growth is full of opportunity, but it also adds complexity. Handling class schedules, memberships, payments, and staff efficiently requires the right management tools. The software you choose can directly impact how smooth your operations are, how simple booking is for clients, and how quickly your business can scale.
In this guide, we compare four of today’s leading platforms, Mindbody, Momence, WellnessLiving, and Vibefam, to help Austin studio owners evaluate key factors like features, pricing, transaction fees, and flexibility.
| Feature | Mindbody | Momence | WellnessLiving | Vibefam |
| Custom-Branded Mobile App | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Member Profile | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Scheduling | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Admin Dashboard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No Migration Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No Lock-in Contract | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Local Support on WhatsApp | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Transaction Fees | From 3.4% | From 2.9% | From 2.9% | From 2.9% |
Let’s start with the platform many studio owners already know: Mindbody. As one of the most established names in studio management, Mindbody offers an impressive range of tools, including scheduling, membership management, marketing, and analytics. Its name recognition can be a plus for studios that want a platform familiar to clients.
However, this brand power comes with a higher price tag. Monthly costs typically begin around $200 and can exceed $1,000, with payment processing fees between 2.75% and 3.5% per transaction. For larger operations, the cost might make sense, but Austin’s boutique studios often focused on community and approachable pricing, may find Mindbody more complex and expensive than they need.
If Mindbody feels overwhelming or cost-prohibitive, Momence is often the next platform studios consider. This newer option has quickly gained traction among boutique wellness businesses for its flexible setup, offering tools for memberships, courses, and even virtual classes, an attractive feature for Austin’s outdoor-loving, hybrid-friendly market.
But that flexibility comes with considerations. While Momence offers a wide range of tools for memberships, courses, and virtual classes, studio owners should carefully evaluate whether its features align with their long-term goals and daily operational needs.
For those seeking a middle ground between Mindbody’s name recognition and Momence’s adaptability, WellnessLiving offers a balanced solution. It provides robust features like custom-branded apps, loyalty programs, and automated marketing, all at a more approachable starting price. Payment processing through ACH, Stripe, or PaySafe tends to be lower than Momence, making it appealing to growing Austin studios looking to keep costs in check without sacrificing functionality.
Its built-in client retention tools are especially valuable in a competitive market where members value convenience and personal connection.
Designed for independent studios, Vibefam focuses on streamlined scheduling, member management, and payments without long-term contracts. From yoga studios in East Austin to boutique gyms near Lady Bird Lake, its user-friendly setup and real-time support via WhatsApp or text appeal to owners who want efficient tools and a personal touch.
That focus on simplicity, however, means Vibefam may not satisfy every need. Studios requiring complex customizations, advanced analytics, or large-scale automations may lean toward platforms like Mindbody or WellnessLiving. Vibefam’s strength lies in offering Austin studios an approachable, cost-conscious solution that supports growth without unnecessary complexity.
Why This Matters for Austin Studios
Austin’s wellness market thrives on community, creativity, and smart growth. Whether you’re running a high-energy HIIT studio, a peaceful yoga space, or a neighborhood wellness center, your software should help you focus on what matters most: building relationships and delivering a great experience. Austinites are willing to invest in high-quality fitness, but they also value transparent pricing and flexible options that give them and you room to grow.
Final Thoughts
Austin’s creative, community-driven fitness scene calls for studio management software that keeps operations smooth without getting in the way of connection. Mindbody, Momence, WellnessLiving, and Vibefam each serve different priorities, from Mindbody’s name recognition to WellnessLiving’s all-in-one balance. Vibefam often resonates with independent Austin studios thanks to its ease of use and flexible approach, though larger franchises or studios needing advanced integrations may find more complex platforms a better match. Ultimately, the right choice depends on whether your studio values streamlined simplicity or a deeper set of enterprise-level tools as it grows within Austin’s dynamic wellness culture.
👉 Austin wellness owners are looking at Vibefam to make day-to-day operations smoother.
Book a free Vibefam demo to see why it’s gaining traction among Austin fitness and wellness studios.