Price
The published entry cost for an academy.
BJJChat
Free forever
Every current feature, with no per-member or staff fee.
Zen Planner
From $99/mo
Studio starts at $99 per month; website, marketing, and branded app products cost extra.
Academy software comparison
BJJChat vs Zen Planner
Zen Planner offers a long-running studio management product with billing, scheduling, attendance, and belt tracking. BJJChat offers a free BJJ-first system with curriculum and AI coaching at its center.
BJJChat is a better fit for
BJJ academies that want training and curriculum depth without adding another monthly software bill.
Zen Planner is a better fit for
Studios that need established operations, billing, and staff apps, with optional paid website and marketing products.
Feature by feature
Published capabilities can change. Check the linked vendor sources before making a purchase decision.
BJJ curriculum and belts
Progression built around jiu-jitsu.
BJJChat
BJJ-native
Curriculum builders, BJJ belts, stripes, and technique study are built in.
Zen Planner
Belt and skill tracking
Belt and skill progression is included in the Studio product.
AI coaching
Drill plans, lesson plans, and coaching help.
BJJChat
Included
AI drill plans, lesson plans, and a position-aware coaching assistant.
Zen Planner
AI marketing tools
AI is promoted for marketing content, not as a BJJ lesson-planning assistant.
Public directory and community
A discoverable academy page and member discussion.
BJJChat
Included
Public school pages, a searchable directory, and gym forums.
Zen Planner
Website add-on
A gym website product is available, but no public cross-gym directory is listed.
Scheduling and check-in
Class schedules and attendance.
BJJChat
Included
Class schedules, attendance check-in, streaks, and member activity.
Zen Planner
Included
Scheduling, attendance, and member self-service are included.
Billing, CRM, and SMS
Payments, leads, and messaging.
BJJChat
Shipping this quarter
Billing, lead CRM, and SMS are on the near-term product roadmap.
Zen Planner
Core plus add-ons
Billing is in Studio; broader CRM and marketing are sold through Engage.
Native mobile apps
iOS and Android access for members.
BJJChat
iOS beta
The iOS app is in beta, Android is in progress, and the web app works today.
Zen Planner
Apps available
Member and staff apps are included; a branded app is a paid extension.
| Feature | BJJChat | Zen Planner |
|---|---|---|
| PriceThe published entry cost for an academy. | Free forever Every current feature, with no per-member or staff fee. | From $99/mo Studio starts at $99 per month; website, marketing, and branded app products cost extra. |
| BJJ curriculum and beltsProgression built around jiu-jitsu. | BJJ-native Curriculum builders, BJJ belts, stripes, and technique study are built in. | Belt and skill tracking Belt and skill progression is included in the Studio product. |
| AI coachingDrill plans, lesson plans, and coaching help. | Included AI drill plans, lesson plans, and a position-aware coaching assistant. | AI marketing tools AI is promoted for marketing content, not as a BJJ lesson-planning assistant. |
| Public directory and communityA discoverable academy page and member discussion. | Included Public school pages, a searchable directory, and gym forums. | Website add-on A gym website product is available, 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 Scheduling, attendance, and member self-service are included. |
| Billing, CRM, and SMSPayments, leads, and messaging. | Shipping this quarter Billing, lead CRM, and SMS are on the near-term product roadmap. | Core plus add-ons Billing is in Studio; broader CRM and marketing are sold through Engage. |
| 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. | Apps available Member and staff apps are included; a branded app is a paid extension. |
Reviewed against publicly available vendor pages in July 2026. Prices may exclude payment processing, onboarding, or optional products. Zen Planner is a trademark of its respective owner and is not affiliated with BJJChat.
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