Who Each Platform Serves Glofox: Built for Global Boutique Fitness with Premium Branding Glofox (now ABC Glofox after acquisition) was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 2014 by former professional rugby player Conor O'Loughlin and colleagues Finn Hegarty and Anthony Kelly. The platform gained early recognition for delivering exceptionally beautiful, custom-branded mobile apps for boutique fitness studios—a differentiator when most platforms offered generic booking systems.
In August 2022, Glofox was acquired by ABC Fitness Solutions (owned by private equity firm Thoma Bravo) for approximately €200 million. The acquisition combined Glofox's boutique studio focus with ABC's 40+ years of fitness industry experience, creating one of the largest global fitness technology companies serving 31 million members across 24,000+ locations in 116 countries.
Glofox serves boutique fitness studios globally—yoga, Pilates, HIIT, boxing, cycling, personal training studios, and more—in 80+ countries with support for 17 languages. The platform emphasizes scalability, helping studios grow from single locations to multi-location operations while maintaining brand consistency.
Key Philosophy: Glofox believes boutique fitness studios deserve software that reflects the premium nature of their brand. The platform emphasizes member experience through beautiful, intuitive branded apps, class-first scheduling design, and engagement tools like "Sweat Story" achievement recaps. Glofox positions itself as a "holistic partner" for growth, not just booking software.
Company Status: Operating as a business unit within ABC Fitness Solutions (Thoma Bravo portfolio company). Original founders remain as leaders. The acquisition brought additional resources for innovation but also introduced enterprise-level pricing structures and private equity ownership dynamics.
fitDEGREE: Purpose-Built for Independent Boutique Studios fitDEGREE was created specifically for independent boutique fitness studio owners in the United States and Canada. The platform focuses exclusively on yoga, Pilates, barre, and group fitness businesses with one to five locations.
If you're an owner-operator who teaches classes, manages a small team, and handles business decisions yourself, fitDEGREE's design reflects that operational reality. Over 50% of fitDEGREE clients switched from MINDBODY, citing simplicity and client experience as primary reasons.
Key Philosophy: fitDEGREE emphasizes predictable operations and transparent pricing over feature comprehensiveness or global scale. The platform aims to make daily tasks straightforward so you spend less time managing software and more time running your studio.
Company Status: Independent company, not owned by private equity. Focuses exclusively on US/Canada boutique studios with 1-5 locations.
Key Philosophy: Glofox believes boutique fitness studios deserve software that reflects the premium nature of their brand. The platform emphasizes member experience through beautiful, intuitive branded apps, class-first scheduling design, and engagement tools like "Sweat Story" achievement recaps. Glofox positions itself as a "holistic partner" for growth, not just booking software.
Product Philosophy Glofox: Premium Member Experience + AI-Powered Growth Glofox operates on a "member experience first" philosophy where beautiful design, seamless booking, and engagement tools drive retention and growth:
Core Class Management: Class-first scheduling optimized for boutique studios Multi-location and multi-venue management Staff scheduling and payroll preparation Capacity limits and automated waitlists Recurring class templates Drop-in and membership booking Late cancel and no-show automation Branded Mobile App (Key Differentiator): Custom-branded iOS and Android apps (included in pricing tiers) Not a marketplace—members only see your studio Seamless booking and contactless payments Push notifications for reminders and announcements Member profiles with progress tracking Sales & Marketing Automation: Lead capture from website and social media Automated nurture campaigns (email/SMS) Pipeline management AI-powered churn prediction (identifies at-risk members) Automated renewal prompts and reminders Referral tracking Member engagement analytics Business Intelligence & Reporting: Dashboard with key metrics (revenue, attendance, retention) Membership and performance reports AI-enhanced analytics Staff activity tracking Financial reporting Class utilization trends Custom reports Member Features: Self-service booking and profile management Multiple payment methods (cards, digital wallets) Membership freeze/hold capabilities Guest pass features In-app communication E-signature waivers Website booking widgets Integration & Payments: Stripe and GoCardless for global payment processing Mailchimp integration Website integrations (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, custom) Zapier automation Door access control systems Email marketing tools Glofox's approach assumes studios value premium branding, want scalable systems for multi-location growth, and need sophisticated member engagement beyond basic scheduling.
User reports: Studios consistently praise the beautiful app: "Our members are very happy with the app; it's super smooth. We don't have to educate anyone." Another stated: "I think Glofox speaks to lots of different fitness businesses. Without it the business wouldn't be scaleable."
Trade-offs: The beautiful apps come at a steep and unpredictable cost. Multiple verified users report serious pricing problems: "Hidden fees throughout," "billing jumped 70% mid-contract," "lack of transparency regarding costs," "price increases that don't align with improved functionality," and "I was shocked when my monthly bill jumped by 70% without warning." The marketing promise of "one low monthly price, no hidden fees" appears to be misleading based on extensive user feedback. Post-acquisition by private equity, users report the company prioritizes revenue extraction over customer partnerships. One user stated: "I was shocked when my monthly bill jumped by 70% without warning"—this is not an isolated incident but a pattern reported across multiple review platforms.
fitDEGREE: Focused Simplicity + Integration Strategy fitDEGREE takes a "focused excellence" approach: provide stable, reliable core studio management and integrate with specialized external platforms for advanced functions.
Core focus areas: Class, appointment, event, and series scheduling and booking Client management Payment processing (including ACH advantage) Dashboard with key metrics (revenue, attendance, retention) Staff management with Payroll Preparation Social features for community building Integration strategy: LoopSpark (CRM automation) LenzVU (CRM automation) GoHighLevel (CRM automation) Perkville (loyalty programs) Mailchimp (email marketing) ClassPass (marketplace exposure) Zapier (workflow automation) This "best-of-breed" approach means using specialized tools for specialized tasks. Studio owners describe the platform as predictable and unintimidating.
Trade-off: No branded mobile app included at base price ($150/month add-on). Less global reach. No AI-powered churn prediction. Simpler reporting. Not designed for large-scale multi-location growth.
Key Difference: Glofox builds premium member experience with beautiful branded apps, AI analytics, and global infrastructure, justifying higher (but reportedly inconsistent) pricing. fitDEGREE builds focused features with transparent, predictable pricing and dedicated support, prioritizing cost certainty over premium branding.
Daily User Experience Using Glofox Glofox's interface reflects its "member experience first" positioning with clean, modern design and class-focused workflows:
Scheduling Intuitive class creation with templates, recurring schedules, capacity management, automated waitlists
Mobile App (Member-Facing) Beautiful branded experience, seamless booking, contactless payments, push notifications, achievement tracking
Marketing Lead pipeline, automated campaigns, SMS/email nurture, referral tracking
Member Management Comprehensive profiles, booking history, payment tracking, engagement metrics, churn risk indicators
Reporting Dashboard analytics, AI churn prediction, financial reports, class utilization, staff performance
Common Feedback (Capterra, Trustpilot, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice): Positive: "Our members are very happy with the app—it's super smooth, we don't have to educate anyone" "User interface is very easy to use, important when onboarding new staff" "At PowerWatts Geneva & Nyon, Glofox has greatly improved our team's experience—app is intuitive" "The dashboard, graphics, and user experience are top-of-the-market" "Glofox helped me and my team cut down admin time and made clients more satisfied" "Members love being able to book themselves and cancel within the timeframe" "Account managers are keen on feedback—constantly releasing new updates" "Branded app is professional and easy to use" "Fast and responsive support" "Seamless booking, managing classes, payments" Critical (significant theme—pricing transparency): "Hidden fees throughout—cost not including VAT, costs with Amplify and so on" "I was shocked when my monthly bill jumped by 70% without warning" (Capterra) "Canceled service and they continued to charge $1,300 after cancelation" "Lack of transparency regarding costs and hidden fees is significant drawback" "Price increases that don't align with improved functionality" "Dissatisfaction with pricing structure—quarterly billing" "I feel like costs and features aren't well explained to get extra add-ons purchased" "Pricing packages range $80-$140/month but can exceed $600+ with add-ons" (user reports) "I don't like quarterly-only billing, and it's pricey for what you get" "More expensive as-well compared to other ones" "App constantly crashes, kicks people out, changes event times on its own—MEGA EXPENSIVE" Technical issues (less frequent but notable):
"App constantly crashes, kicks people out, sometimes people can book sometimes can't" "Generally it's a nightmare—works probably 35% of the time" "Lead-client functionality doesn't capture our business model well enough" "Can't hold/pause membership from mobile app" "If there's 2 studios using Glofox, clients have to keep signing in/out" Support experience (mostly positive): "Support team extremely friendly, understanding, always eager to find solution" "Very quick to help and answer questions" "Customer care team very diligent and fast to act on queries" "Great customer service with quick response and helpful information" Learning Curve: Low. Users consistently praise ease of use for both staff and members. "Setup was easy and intuitive." Platform designed for intuitive adoption.
Using fitDEGREE fitDEGREE prioritizes intuitive daily operations where core tasks—checking clients in, processing payments, viewing schedules, pulling reports—are straightforward and quick.
Scheduling Simple class creation, capacity management, waitlist automation, multi-location support (1-5)
Reporting Focused KPIs (revenue, attendance, retention, class performance, instructor tracking)
Client Management Basic profiles, class history, purchase tracking, membership management
Social Features Members see who's attending, connect with each other, community building
Common Feedback (Trustpilot, G2, Capterra): Positive: "Simplest booking software in 11 years of studio ownership" "Clients love using the app" "Staff comfortable within days" "Dedicated support rep knows our studio" "Clean interface, not overwhelming" "Platform is stable and predictable" Critical: "Would like more built-in marketing automation" "Reporting straightforward but not as customizable" "Branded app is extra $150/month" Key Difference: MarianaTek offers sophisticated, comprehensive features with steeper learning curve. fitDEGREE offers focused, simGlofox offers beautiful branded apps, AI-powered churn prediction, and sophisticated member experience tools at higher (and reportedly unpredictable) cost. fitDEGREE offers focused, simple features with complete cost transparency at $250-$400/month flat.ple features with minimal training needed.
Pricing StructureGlofox Pricing (2026) Glofox uses custom pricing with reported lack of transparency:
Stated Approach: "One low, monthly price. No hidden fees or setup. No contracts." (from Glofox marketing)
Actual Pricing (from user reports and industry sources):
Entry-Level: ~$80-$110/month Basic scheduling and booking Essential features May exclude advanced features
Mid-Tier: ~$140-$200/month Enhanced features Marketing tools Branded app (may be included or additional)
Premium Tier: ~$300-$600+/month All features Advanced analytics and automation Multi-location support Full branded app packageq Priority support Critical Pricing Concerns from Verified Users: Hidden fees: "Hidden fees throughout—cost not including VAT, costs associated with Amplify" (Capterra verified user)
Unexpected increases: "I was shocked when my monthly bill jumped by 70% without warning" (Capterra verified user)
Unauthorized charges: "Canceled service and they continued to charge $1,300 after cancelation on CC they had on file" (Capterra verified user)
Quarterly billing: "I don't like that they only offer quarterly billing" (GetApp verified user)
Poor transparency: "Lack of transparency regarding costs and hidden fees is a significant drawback" (Capterra analysis of 344 reviews)
Add-on costs: "I feel like there are some costs and features that aren't well explained in order to possibly get extra add-ons purchased" (Capterra verified user, January 2025)
Comparison to marketing claims: Glofox markets "one low monthly price, no hidden fees" but users consistently report: surprise charges, price increases without notice, unclear cost structures, and quarterly-only billing requirements.
Payment Processing: Stripe and GoCardless integration Standard processing fees (not included in subscription) Billed separately from platform subscription Branded App: Included in upper tiers (exact tier unclear—requires quote) May be additional charge depending on package Pricing not publicly disclosed Total Cost Predictability: Poor. Custom quotes required, reports of hidden fees, unexpected price increases, quarterly billing requirements, unclear tier structures. Multiple verified users express surprise at final costs.
fitDEGREE Pricing (2026) fitDEGREE uses flat-rate transparent pricing:
Standard Plan: $250/month All features included (no tiers, no add-ons except branded app) Unlimited users and clients Complete scheduling, payments, client management All reporting and analytics Social features Integration capabilities Dedicated support rep No contract (month-to-month)
Branded App Add-On: $150/month (Optional) Custom-branded iOS app Custom-branded Android app fitDEGREE handles publication and updates Total with branded app: $400/month
New Studio Discount: $150/month (First 12 Months) Brand-new studios in first year Full feature access Total with branded app: $300/month first year No Hidden Fees: No platform transaction fees No setup fees No cancellation penalties No per-feature charges No annual contract No surprise price increases No quarterly billing requirements Total Cost Predictability: Complete. You know the exact monthly cost before signing up. No surprises.
Cost Comparison (estimates based on user reports): Basic functionality: Glofox: $80-$110/month (entry-level, limited features) fitDEGREE: $250/month (all features) Difference: Glofox appears cheaper initiallyFull-featured with branded app: Glofox: $300-$600+/month (user reports; custom quote) fitDEGREE: $400/month ($250 + $150 app) Difference: fitDEGREE potentially saves $0-$200+/month with complete transparencyCritical consideration: Glofox's reported hidden fees and unexpected 70% price increases make accurate comparison difficult. fitDEGREE's $250-$400 flat rate is guaranteed; Glofox's actual costs may exceed quoted amounts.
Payment ProcessingGlofox Payment Processing Glofox processes payments through Stripe and GoCardless:
Stripe integration for card payments (standard Stripe rates: 2.9% + $0.30) GoCardless for direct debit (varies by region) Payment fees billed separately from platform subscription Contactless payment support Multiple payment methods Automated billing and renewals Example: $100 membership sale
Processing fee: ~$3.20 (Stripe standard) Studio receives: ~$96.80 fitDEGREE Payment Processing fitDEGREE uses transparent market-rate processing:
Credit cards: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (standard Stripe)ACH bank transfers: $1 studio fee, $0 client feeStudio choice: Absorb or pass fees to clientsACH Advantage: For $100 membership, ACH costs $1 vs. $3.20 credit card—significant savings when members adopt ACH.
Real Cost Impact: Scenario: Studio with 100 monthly members paying $100/month ($10,000 revenue)
Both platforms (all credit card): Processing costs: ~$320/month Annual processing: ~$3,840 fitDEGREE (50% ACH adoption): Credit card costs (50 members): $160/month ACH costs (50 members): $50/month Total: $210/month Annual processing: $2,520 Annual savings: $1,320 Key Difference: Both use standard Stripe rates (2.9% + $0.30) for credit cards. fitDEGREE's ACH option at $1 flat provides significant savings opportunity not highlighted by Glofox. Annual savings: $1,200-$1,320 for studios encouraging ACH.
Onboarding & SupportGlofox Onboarding Timeline: ~2 weeks typical (faster than some platforms)
Process: Demo and consultation Dedicated onboarding manager assigned Data migration handled by Glofox team Setup and configuration support Training for staff Launch support User Experience (from reviews): Positive: "From sales to onboarding, I felt very supported with Glofox" (Capterra ) "Onboarding rep was fantastic—straight back to me if I had any difficulty" (Capterra ) "Setup was easy and intuitive. Working with [onboarding manager] was a pleasure" (Capterra ) "[Onboarding manager] made it easy and nice—supported me all the time even in her vacation" (Capterra ) "Great onboarding experience feeling supported throughout the entire process" (Capterra ) "Excellent experience. Efficient setup. Up and running in about 2 weeks" (Capterra ) "[Onboarding manager] was absolutely brilliant making setup stress-free but thorough" (Capterra ) Mixed/Critical: "Onboarding rep was not knowledgeable—frequently responded 'I'll find out' then never provided straight answer" (Capterra ) "Workload—I was led to believe migration would be done stress-free but was time consuming" (Capterra ) "People who build this app are in Ireland and time change provides difficulty getting answers timely" (Capterra ) Glofox Ongoing Support Support Model: Team-based support with account managers
How It Works: Email, phone, and chat support
Dedicated account manager for most customers
Knowledge base and documentation
Regular product updates and webinars
24/7 support mentioned by some users
User Experience (mostly positive with some concerns): Positive (dominant theme): "Customer support is excellent—always able to quickly help resolve issues" (Capterra ) "Support team extremely friendly, understanding, always eager to find solution" (Capterra ) "Very quick to help and answer questions" (Capterra ) "Customer care team very diligent and fast to act on queries" (Capterra ) "Great customer service with quick response and helpful information" (Capterra ) "Account managers keen on feedback—Glofox constantly releasing new updates" (Capterra ) "Fast and responsive support" (Capterra ) "If I ever have an issue, they respond within minutes to hours" (multiple reviews) Critical (less common but notable): "When I shared concerns, new rep apologized but did no better—offered excuses why answers are hard to come by" (Capterra ) "Unable to fix issue other than reopening account to everything being deleted" (Capterra ) "Continued to charge after cancelation—wouldn't authorize refund" (Capterra ) Support Quality Assessment: Generally praised. Most users describe responsive, helpful support with dedicated account managers. Post-acquisition (ABC Fitness 2022), support structure maintained with original Glofox team. Far fewer support complaints than Momence; more consistent than most platforms.
fitDEGREE Onboarding Timeline: 3-4 weeks standard
Process: Week 1-2 Initial setup call (45-60 minutes)
Onboarding specialist maps your business model They build your class structure They configure pricing and packages They set up staff accounts You participate but don't do manual work Week 2-3 Follow-up call (45-60 minutes)
Review initial setup Configure discounts and promotions Walk through reporting Address questions Week 3-4 Launch strategy call (45 minutes)
Final verification Client communication plan Go-live checklist Dedicated specialist handles export/import You verify accuracy fitDEGREE Onboarding Support Model: Dedicated customer care representative assigned to your studio
How It Works: Direct contact (real person, not ticket queue)
They know your studio and history
Video call support for complex issues
Response within hours during business hours
Resolution often same day
Trade-off: Business hours only (not 24/7)
Key Difference: Both platforms receive strong support reviews. Glofox provides team-based support with account managers praised by most users. fitDEGREE provides dedicated individual reps. Glofox onboarding is faster (2 weeks vs. 3-4), but both are comprehensive. Major difference from Momence: Glofox support is consistently praised vs. Momence's serious issues.
Best Fit StudiosChoose Glofox If You: Value premium branded mobile apps enough to accept pricing risks Custom-branded iOS/Android apps are genuinely exceptional Beautiful app design is absolute top priority Willing to accept pricing uncertainty for app quality Can absorb potential 70% surprise billing increases Have contingency budget for hidden fees Have flexible budget and careful contract review Can accommodate $300-$600+/month with potential increases Will thoroughly document all pricing discussions Have legal review of contracts before signing Can afford to walk away if pricing becomes problematic Budget includes buffer for unexpected charges Operate internationally and need global reach Based outside US/Canada (fitDEGREE not available) Serve international clientele requiring multi-language support Need global payment processing 80+ country reach is essential Accept private equity ownership dynamics Comfortable with Thoma Bravo via ABC Fitness Understand PE-backed companies prioritize revenue extraction Not concerned about future pricing or direction changes Value resources more than independent company stability Will aggressively negotiate and monitor billing Can dedicate time to watch for unauthorized charges Comfortable pushing back on surprise fees Will escalate billing disputes promptly Can switch platforms if needed without major disruption Choose fitDEGREE If You: Require complete pricing transparency Need exact costs upfront before commitment Can't accept hidden fees or surprise increases Must have predictable monthly budget $250-$400/month flat rate is priority Value cost predictability over premium branding Functional branded app ($150/month add-on) sufficient Don't need AI churn prediction Simple reporting meets needs Cost certainty matters more than sophistication Operate 1-5 locations in US/Canada exclusively Based in United States or Canada Small multi-location operator No international expansion plans Regional focus sufficient Prioritize payment processing savings High recurring membership percentage Can encourage ACH adoption Processing fees significantly impact margins Want to save $1,200-$1,320 annually Want dedicated support representative Prefer one person who knows your business Value personal relationship Need video call troubleshooting Want consistent point of contact Need month-to-month flexibility Don't want quarterly billing requirements No annual commitments preferred Want to cancel without penalty Contract flexibility valuable Prefer independent company ownership Concerned about PE dynamics Want stable independent ownership Long-term predictability matters Not comfortable with acquisition history Not a Good Fit For Glofox Isn't Right If You: Need transparent, predictable pricing Can't accept custom quotes with undisclosed tiers Must avoid hidden fees and surprise increases Budget requires exact monthly costs Reports of 70% price increases unacceptable Quarterly billing requirements problematic Operate on very tight margins $300-$600+/month exceeds budget Can't absorb unexpected price increases Need cost certainty for financial planning Processing savings ($1,200+/year) significantly matter Concerned about private equity ownership Thoma Bravo via ABC Fitness ownership is concern Want independent company ownership Worried about future direction under PE Prefer founder-led independent companies Only need basic features Don't need AI churn prediction Beautiful branded app not priority Simple scheduling sufficient Premium features not worth premium cost Primarily US-based with local focus Don't need global capabilities 17-language support unnecessary International payment processing not needed US/Canada regional platform sufficient Want lower entry price point $80-$110/month entry tier too limited Need all features at lower price Can't afford mid-tier $200+/month Budget maxes at $250-$400/month fitDEGREE Isn't Right If You: Need AI-powered business intelligence AI churn prediction valuable Want sophisticated member analytics Engagement scoring important Advanced analytics essential Require beautiful premium branded apps included Custom-branded apps are priority Don't want $150/month add-on for apps Member app experience critical differentiator Brand sophistication matters significantly Plan multi-location scaling beyond 5 locations Designed for 1-5 locations only Growing to 10+ locations Franchise operations Large multi-location scale needed Operate internationally Based outside US/Canada fitDEGREE serves only US/Canada Need multi-language support Global payment processing required Want everything built into single platform Uncomfortable with external integrations Prefer all features in-house Don't want to manage LoopSpark/LenzVU separately All-in-one philosophy matters Need sophisticated member engagement tools Sweat Story-style achievement tracking Advanced member journey mapping Sophisticated push notification campaigns Premium engagement features essential Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Which platform is more affordable? A: Complex comparison due to Glofox's pricing opacity:
Entry-level:
Glofox: ~$80-$110/month (limited features) fitDEGREE: $250/month (all features) Glofox appears cheaper but with limited functionality Full-featured with branded app:
Glofox: $300-$600+/month (user reports; custom quote) fitDEGREE: $400/month ($250 + $150 app, guaranteed) fitDEGREE potentially saves $0-$200+/month with complete transparency Processing savings matter significantly:
Both: ~$3,840/year (all credit cards) fitDEGREE with ACH: $2,520/year (saves $1,320/year) Critical factor: Glofox users report: "billing jumped 70% without warning," "hidden fees throughout," "price increases that don't align with improved functionality." fitDEGREE's $250-$400 is guaranteed forever with month-to-month terms.
Winner: fitDEGREE for predictable affordability. Glofox's hidden fees and surprise increases create budget uncertainty.
Q: Which has better branded mobile apps? A: Glofox wins decisively.
Glofox:
Custom-branded iOS and Android apps included (in upper tiers) Exceptionally beautiful design ("top-of-the-market") Not a marketplace—members only see your studio Sweat Story achievement features Push notifications Seamless booking and payments Consistently praised: "Members are very happy with the app—super smooth" fitDEGREE:
Branded app available as $150/month add-on Functional but not emphasized as differentiator Community/social features Winner: Glofox significantly. Beautiful branded apps are Glofox's signature strength and worth premium for studios prioritizing member app experience.
Q: Which has better pricing transparency? A: fitDEGREE wins decisively.
fitDEGREE:
Complete pricing on website: $250/month, $150/month branded app No hidden fees No surprise increases Month-to-month terms Cancel anytime Glofox:
Custom quotes required Tiers not publicly disclosed Multiple verified users report: "billing jumped 70% without warning," "hidden fees throughout," "lack of transparency is significant drawback," "costs and features aren't well explained to get extra add-ons purchased" Marketing claims "no hidden fees" contradicted by user experiences Quarterly billing requirements reported Winner: fitDEGREE significantly. Complete transparency vs. reported hidden fees and surprise increases.
Q: Which has better customer support? A: Both receive strong reviews, with different models:
Glofox:
"Support team extremely friendly, understanding, always eager to find solution" "Very quick to help and answer questions" "Customer care team very diligent and fast" Account manager model Some reports of issues ("not knowledgeable," "time zone challenges") Generally praised by most users fitDEGREE:
Dedicated rep who knows your studio Video call support Same-day responses Personal relationship Business hours only Verdict: Both solid. Glofox praised by most users with account manager model. fitDEGREE offers dedicated individual rep. Choose based on preference: team-based (Glofox) vs. dedicated individual (fitDEGREE).
Q: Can I trust Glofox's "no hidden fees" marketing claim? A: No. The evidence strongly suggests this claim is misleading.
Glofox Marketing: "One low, monthly price. No hidden fees or setup. No contracts."
Verified User Reality (Capterra, GetApp, Trustpilot, SoftwareAdvice):
"Hidden fees throughout—cost not including VAT, costs with Amplify" (Capterra verified) "I was shocked when my monthly bill jumped by 70% without warning" (Capterra verified) "Canceled service and they continued to charge $1,300 after cancelation" (Capterra verified) "Lack of transparency regarding costs and hidden fees is significant drawback" (Capterra analysis of 344 reviews) "I feel like costs and features aren't well explained to get extra add-ons purchased" (Capterra, January 2025) "Dissatisfaction with pricing structure—quarterly billing, price increases" (GetApp) "I don't like that they only offer quarterly billing" (verified user) "Price increases that don't align with improved functionality" (multiple sources) This is not a few isolated complaints—it's a documented pattern across multiple platforms from verified paying customers.
The marketing claim appears designed to get you in the door. The reality kicks in after you're committed.
What to do: If you proceed despite these warnings:
Get EVERYTHING in writing—do not trust verbal assurances Record sales calls (with consent in two-party states) Demand written price increase policy with caps Specify exact billing (monthly vs. quarterly) Document every fee, charge, and add-on Have legal review before signing Understand that many users report feeling deliberately misled Better approach: Choose a platform with proven pricing transparency like fitDEGREE ($250/month flat, period) where the marketing matches reality.
Q: How does ABC Fitness acquisition affect Glofox? A: Glofox was acquired by ABC Fitness Solutions (Thoma Bravo private equity) in August 2022 for ~€200 million.
Stated benefits:
Additional resources for innovation Global reach expansion Combined expertise (Glofox boutique + ABC enterprise) Faster product development Potential concerns:
Private equity ownership dynamics Pricing pressure (reports of increases post-acquisition) Enterprise-level pricing structures Long-term product direction under PE ownership Integration into larger ABC portfolio Status:
Consideration: PE ownership brings resources but also different priorities than independent companies. Price increase reports may correlate with acquisition timing.
Q: Which is better for a single-location yoga studio? A: Depends on priorities:
Choose Glofox if:
Beautiful branded app is priority Budget accommodates $300-$600+/month AI churn prediction valuable Want sophisticated member engagement Comfortable with pricing uncertainty Plan to scale multi-location Choose fitDEGREE if:
Need $250-$400/month predictable cost Want transparent flat-rate pricing Dedicated support rep is priority ACH processing savings matter ($1,320/year) Month-to-month flexibility important Simple branded app ($150 add-on) sufficient For new studio on tight budget: fitDEGREE ($150/month first year) provides cost predictability during critical launch phase.
Q: Which onboards faster? A: Glofox onboards faster:
Glofox: ~2 weeks typical fitDEGREE: 3-4 weeks Trade-off: Glofox's speed gets you operational quickly. fitDEGREE's longer timeframe includes comprehensive hands-on work where they do implementation.
Both receive praise for onboarding quality. Choose based on urgency vs. comprehensive setup preference.
Q: Do both platforms work outside the US? A: No—major difference:
Glofox: Global platform
80+ countries 17 languages International payment processing (Stripe + GoCardless) Multi-currency support fitDEGREE: US/Canada only
United States and Canada exclusively No international operations Regional focus If you're outside US/Canada: Glofox is an option; fitDEGREE is not.
Q: Which has better payment processing? A: Similar credit card rates; fitDEGREE offers ACH advantage:
Credit cards (both):
Standard Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 ACH:
Glofox: Not emphasized (GoCardless available) fitDEGREE: $1 flat fee Annual savings example ($10,000/month revenue, 50% ACH):
Both (all credit card): $3,840 fitDEGREE (50% ACH): $2,520 fitDEGREE saves $1,320/year Winner: fitDEGREE for studios encouraging ACH adoption. Saves $1,200-$1,320 annually.
Q: I'm switching from MINDBODY—which is better? A: Both platforms have strong MINDBODY switcher bases:
Consider Glofox if:
Want beautiful branded app (MINDBODY's is dated) Need global multi-location capabilities Value sophisticated member engagement Budget accommodates $300-$600+/month Comfortable with enterprise-backed platform Consider fitDEGREE if:
Frustrated with MINDBODY complexity AND cost Want simple alternative under $400/month Need transparent, predictable pricing Primarily US/Canada operations (1-5 locations) Value dedicated support rep Want ACH processing savings Over 50% of fitDEGREE clients switched from MINDBODY citing simplicity and cost.
Q: What if I experience unexpected price increases with Glofox? A: Based on user reports, this is a real concern:
Best practices:
Get complete pricing in writing before signing Specify all tiers, features, add-ons, and billing terms Request written price increase policy Ask about historical price changes Understand cancellation terms Document all pricing discussions Review contract carefully for quarterly billing requirements Clarify what "no hidden fees" means specifically If increases occur:
Reference written agreement Document unauthorized charges Work through account manager Escalate if necessary Consider alternatives if increases are unacceptable Multiple verified users report billing increases of 70% without notice. Get everything documented upfront.
Making Your DecisionThe Core Difference Glofox's apps are genuinely beautiful—best in class. But beautiful apps on a platform with documented pricing deception isn't a partnership, it's a trap.
fitDEGREE doesn't have AI churn prediction or the most sophisticated apps. But you know exactly what you'll pay ($250 or $400/month), forever. No surprises. No games. No 70% increases. No hidden fees that actually exist despite marketing claims to the contrary.
The real question isn't "Which has better features?"
It's "Can I trust this platform with my business finances?"
For Glofox: The evidence says no. Beautiful apps aren't worth budget chaos and feeling deceived.
For fitDEGREE: Transparent pricing, dedicated support, proven stability. Not the flashiest, but trustworthy.
Critical Assessment Glofox's beautiful branded apps are real—this strength is genuine and consistently praised. However, the pricing problems are severe and well-documented. The disconnect between marketing claims ("no hidden fees") and user reality ("billing jumped 70% without warning") suggests a business model built on getting customers in with attractive apps, then extracting revenue through surprise fees and increases.
Red flags include: Marketing promises "no hidden fees" while users consistently report hidden fees 70% price increases reported without notice or justification Quarterly billing requirements not disclosed upfront Costs "not well explained to get extra add-ons purchased" Unauthorized charges after cancelation ($1,300 reported) Pattern of aggressive upselling post-signup These aren't isolated complaints—they're verified reports across Capterra, GetApp, Trustpilot, and SoftwareAdvice from actual paying customers. The private equity acquisition (2022) appears to have intensified pricing aggression.
For studio owners: Beautiful apps aren't worth budget chaos. If you can't trust the pricing, you can't build a business on the platform. Many reviewers explicitly warn others: "explore more options before you get into this mess."
fitDEGREE's trade-off is less sophistication (no AI churn prediction, simpler apps, no global reach) but you get absolute cost certainty, genuine transparency, and a partner who won't surprise you with 70% billing increases.
Final Self-Assessment Questions: Premium apps: Do beautiful branded apps justify $300-$600+/month with pricing uncertainty?
Cost predictability: Can I accept custom quotes and potential surprise increases, or do I need $250-$400/month guaranteed?
Scale plans: Am I growing to 5+ locations or staying 1-5?
Geographic scope: Do I need global capabilities (80+ countries) or is US/Canada sufficient?
AI value: Is AI churn prediction worth premium cost?
Processing savings: Will $1,320/year ACH savings significantly impact margins?
Ownership preference: Am I comfortable with PE ownership (Thoma Bravo) or prefer independent company?
Budget flexibility: Can I absorb potential 70% price increases, or must costs stay fixed?
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