Academy software comparison
Spark Membership packages martial-arts CRM, billing, attendance, rank tracking, marketing, and funnels. BJJChat is the free BJJ-native alternative built around training, curriculum, and discovery.
BJJChat is a better fit for
BJJ academies that want a free curriculum and training platform with public school discovery.
Spark Membership is a better fit for
Martial-arts businesses that want sales funnels, automated marketing, billing, and retention workflows in one paid system.
Published capabilities can change. Check the linked vendor sources before making a purchase decision.
The published entry cost for an academy.
BJJChat
Every current feature, with no per-member or staff fee.
Spark Membership
A low-cost trial is promoted, while ongoing plan pricing is not itemized on the reviewed page.
Progression built around jiu-jitsu.
BJJChat
Curriculum builders, BJJ belts, stripes, and technique study are built in.
Spark Membership
Belt, rank, and student progress tracking are listed for martial-arts schools.
Drill plans, lesson plans, and coaching help.
BJJChat
AI drill plans, lesson plans, and a position-aware coaching assistant.
Spark Membership
The reviewed product page does not list a BJJ coaching assistant.
A discoverable academy page and member discussion.
BJJChat
Public school pages, a searchable directory, and gym forums.
Spark Membership
Lead-generation pages are offered, but no public cross-gym directory is listed.
Class schedules and attendance.
BJJChat
Class schedules, attendance check-in, streaks, and member activity.
Spark Membership
Online scheduling, attendance, and member management are listed.
Payments, leads, and messaging.
BJJChat
Billing, lead CRM, and SMS are on the near-term product roadmap.
Spark Membership
CRM, billing, email, SMS, automations, and funnels are core selling points.
iOS and Android access for members.
BJJChat
The iOS app is in beta, Android is in progress, and the web app works today.
Spark Membership
A member app is promoted for both iOS and Android.
| Feature | BJJChat | Spark Membership |
|---|---|---|
| PriceThe published entry cost for an academy. | Free forever Every current feature, with no per-member or staff fee. | Contact for ongoing price A low-cost trial is promoted, while ongoing plan pricing is not itemized on the reviewed page. |
| BJJ curriculum and beltsProgression built around jiu-jitsu. | BJJ-native Curriculum builders, BJJ belts, stripes, and technique study are built in. | Rank progress Belt, rank, and student progress tracking are listed for martial-arts schools. |
| AI coachingDrill plans, lesson plans, and coaching help. | Included AI drill plans, lesson plans, and a position-aware coaching assistant. | No comparable tool listed The reviewed product page does not list a BJJ coaching assistant. |
| Public directory and communityA discoverable academy page and member discussion. | Included Public school pages, a searchable directory, and gym forums. | Landing pages and funnels Lead-generation pages are offered, but no public cross-gym directory is listed. |
| Scheduling and check-inClass schedules and attendance. | Included Class schedules, attendance check-in, streaks, and member activity. | Included Online scheduling, attendance, and member management are listed. |
| Billing, CRM, and SMSPayments, leads, and messaging. | Shipping this quarter Billing, lead CRM, and SMS are on the near-term product roadmap. | Available today CRM, billing, email, SMS, automations, and funnels are core selling points. |
| Native mobile appsiOS and Android access for members. | iOS beta The iOS app is in beta, Android is in progress, and the web app works today. | iOS and Android A member app is promoted for both iOS and Android. |
Reviewed against publicly available vendor pages in July 2026. Prices may exclude payment processing, onboarding, or optional products. Spark Membership is a trademark of its respective owner and is not affiliated with BJJChat.
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