Punchpass, the higher-rated alternative to Studio Bookings
Dealing with an unreliable app, server crashes, or reporting that doesn't help you plan? You're not alone. Here's why studios are upgrading to Punchpass.
Punchpass vs Studio Bookings at a Glance
Punchpass
- ✓ 4.8/5 overall on Capterra with 177 reviews
- ✓ Reliable platform — no server crash complaints
- ✓ Deep integrations: Zoom, Mailchimp, MailerLite
- ✓ Fully customizable embeddable schedule
- ✓ Regular product updates and new features
- ✓ Bootstrapped, profitable, and independently owned
Studio Bookings
- ✕ 4.1/5 on Capterra with only 16 reviews
- ✕ iOS app rated 2.3/5 — "infuriating to use"
- ✕ Server crashes and booking outages reported
- ✕ Basic, limited integrations — Zoom and embeds lack flexibility
- ✕ No visible product updates or development activity
- ✕ Very small team with no public-facing presence
Ratings from Capterra
Eight Reasons Studios Choose Punchpass Over Studio Bookings
Far higher ratings across the board
On Capterra, Punchpass scores 4.8/5 across 177 reviews — compared to Studio Bookings' 4.1/5 across just 16 reviews. That gap is consistent across every sub-score: Ease of Use (4.8 vs 4.2), Customer Service (4.9 vs 4.3), Features (4.6 vs 3.4), and Value for Money (4.8 vs 3.9).
A platform you can rely on
Studio Bookings users report server crashes and an app that frequently stops working — one reviewer noted their members couldn't book for six weeks straight, requiring manual workarounds that "almost require a full-time employee." Punchpass is built for reliability, so your clients can book without hassle.
A mobile experience that actually works
Studio Bookings' iOS app is rated just 2.3 out of 5 stars, with reviews calling it "infuriating to use" and "ugly, not user friendly." Your clients deserve a smooth booking experience on their phones — and with Punchpass, that's exactly what they get.
More flexible, comprehensive integrations
Punchpass offers deep Zoom integration for virtual and hybrid classes, Mailchimp and MailerLite for email marketing, and fully customizable embeddable schedules for your website. Studio Bookings has basic versions of Zoom and schedule embedding, but users report they're limited and inflexible. And for email marketing, their only option is Mad Mimi — a far cry from modern tools like Mailchimp.
Reporting that actually helps you run your business
Studio Bookings' reporting has been described by its own users as "too bare bones to be useful for a business owner" with "no useful planning data." Punchpass gives you clear reports on active memberships, passes, revenue, and attendance — the numbers you actually need to make decisions.
A team that can actually support you
Studio Bookings appears to be a very small operation — there's no About Us page, no visible team, and the founder's LinkedIn suggests he also works at Bank of America. That raises real questions about long-term commitment and support capacity. Punchpass has a dedicated support team known for fast, personal, and genuinely helpful responses — rated 4.9/5 for Customer Service on Capterra.
A product that's constantly improving
Studio Bookings shows no sign of active product development — there are no product update announcements on their website and their app hasn't seen meaningful updates. Punchpass ships new features and improvements regularly, and you can see exactly what we've been building on our product updates page. When you invest in a platform, you want to know it's moving forward — not standing still.
We're bootstrapped and profitable — built for the long run
Punchpass is independently owned with no investors to please. We've been serving fitness studios for over 12 years. Our incentives are simple: build a great product and keep you happy. No surprise price hikes, no feature removals, no corporate acquisitions.
Pricing: Punchpass vs Studio Bookings
Studio Bookings is cheaper — there's no getting around it. But the price gap buys you significantly higher quality, reliability, and support.
| Punchpass | Studio Bookings | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59/mo | $25/mo (free for 1 instructor) |
| Top tier price | $149/mo | $115/mo |
| Added processing fees | None | None |
| Capterra rating | 4.8/5 (177 reviews) | 4.1/5 (16 reviews) |
| Virtual class support | Deep Zoom integration | Basic Zoom support |
| Email marketing integrations | Mailchimp, MailerLite | Mad Mimi only |
| Embeddable schedule | Fully customizable | Basic embed |
| Data migration support | Free | N/A |
"Every feature on all plans" — is that really a plus?
Studio Bookings promotes that all features are included on every plan, calling tiered features "feature gating." It sounds appealing — but there are real downsides to that approach:
- • Pricing tied to instructor count can surprise you. Add one or two subs and you could jump to the next tier — even if your actual usage hasn't changed.
- • It doesn't reflect real costs. Running more features costs more to deliver. Aligning plans with usage means the price you pay matches the value you're getting.
- • There's no incentive to build great features. When everything is already included, there's little motivation to invest in powerful new capabilities that help studios grow.
- • Quantity over quality. The focus shifts to a long feature checklist instead of building well-scoped, comprehensive tools that actually work well.
At Punchpass, we'd rather build fewer features that work exceptionally well — and let you choose the plan that fits how you actually run your studio.
Ready to upgrade?
Try Punchpass for 14 days, on us. No credit card required.
Is Punchpass right for your studio?
Punchpass is a great fit if you...
- ✓ Run a small to mid-size independent studio — yoga, Pilates, martial arts, dance, or fitness
- ✓ Want a platform that's reliable — no server crashes or app outages
- ✓ Need modern integrations like Zoom, Mailchimp, or an embeddable schedule
- ✓ Want reporting that actually helps you plan and grow your business
- ✓ Value responsive, personal support when you need help
Studio Bookings may be better if you...
- • Are a solo instructor looking for a free scheduling tool
- • Need the absolute lowest monthly cost above all else
- • Are happy with basic Zoom and schedule embedding and don't need email marketing integrations
Switching is easier than you think
We've helped many studios migrate from Studio Bookings. The process is quick, painless, and completely free.
Start a free trial
Try Punchpass for 14 days alongside Studio Bookings. No credit card, no obligation.
We migrate your data
Send us your Studio Bookings exports and we'll upload your customers, passes, and memberships — usually within 24 hours.
You're up and running
Many studios launch while still in their trial. It's that straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Both platforms serve small to medium fitness and wellness studios, but the quality gap is significant. Punchpass is rated 4.8/5 on Capterra (177 reviews) vs Studio Bookings' 4.1/5 (16 reviews). Both offer Zoom integration and embeddable schedules, but Punchpass's implementations are more flexible and comprehensive. Punchpass also integrates with Mailchimp and MailerLite, offers reliable performance, and provides exceptional support.
Studio Bookings is cheaper, but users frequently report reliability issues, a poor mobile app (2.3/5 on iOS), and bare-bones reporting. Punchpass is the better choice if you value quality and reliability alongside affordability.
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Studio Bookings' lower price comes with trade-offs: an iOS app rated 2.3/5 stars, server crashes that have left members unable to book for weeks, reporting described as 'too bare bones to be useful,' and a team of roughly 2 people supporting the entire platform.
Punchpass costs more, but you get a platform rated 4.8/5 with reliable performance, modern integrations, useful reporting, and a support team rated 4.9/5 for Customer Service. Studio Bookings appears to be a very small operation with no visible team page and a founder who seems to also hold another full-time role. For most studios, the difference in monthly cost is far less than the cost of a platform that doesn't work when your clients need it.
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Punchpass is month to month. No contracts, no commitments. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel anytime — and you won't be billed again once your current month ends.
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Absolutely. Start a free 14-day trial — no credit card required. You can run Punchpass alongside Studio Bookings to see how it works before making any changes.
Many studios get fully set up during the trial period. You can add classes, test customer bookings, and explore the reporting before you commit.
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We've helped many studios migrate and we make it as painless as possible. If you can export reports from Studio Bookings, we can upload your customer data for you — and we don't charge for data migration.
We'll help you transfer customer information and any active passes or memberships. Most studios are up and running quickly, often while still in the free trial.
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Yes. Punchpass has deep, native Zoom integration so you can run virtual or hybrid classes directly from your schedule. Studio Bookings offers basic Zoom support, but users find it limited compared to Punchpass's more flexible implementation.
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No. With Punchpass, you connect your own Stripe account and pay standard Stripe processing rates — we don't add any markup. Studio Bookings also doesn't add processing fees, so this is even ground between the two platforms.
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Yes. Punchpass offers fully customizable embeddable schedule widgets you can add to your website — and we don't charge extra for it. Studio Bookings has a basic embed option, but it's less flexible and harder to tailor to your site's design.
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Yes - many clients use Punchpass' extensive emailing capability to do their marketing. If you need more, Punchpass integrates with Mailchimp and MailerLite, so you can sync your customer data directly with your email marketing platform. Studio Bookings doesn't offer these integrations — their only email option is Mad Mimi, which has limited functionality compared to modern email tools.
See how Punchpass can work for your studio
