Who Each Platform Serves Momence: Built for Experience-Based Businesses Consolidating Software Momence (formerly Ribbon) positions itself as an all-in-one platform for "experience-based businesses"—studios, gyms, spas, and schools that want to consolidate 3-5 separate software tools into one system. Founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco, Momence emphasizes automation, CRM capabilities, and comprehensive feature sets that reduce the need for multiple subscriptions.
The platform serves yoga studios, Pilates studios, dance schools, wellness centers, and fitness businesses globally (not limited to US/Canada). Momence particularly emphasizes hybrid businesses combining in-person classes, livestream, on-demand content, courses, and events.
Important Company Change: In January 2025, Momence was acquired by a private equity company that owns other fitness studio software platforms. Momence is no longer an independent company. This ownership change may impact future product direction, pricing, and support—a consideration for long-term commitments.
Key Philosophy: Momence aims to "put your backend admin on autopilot" by consolidating scheduling, payments, CRM, marketing, video hosting, and more into a single platform. The company emphasizes automation, AI-powered dashboards, and eliminating the need for external tools. Users describe switching from "3-5 different softwares" to Momence alone.
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. The platform aims to make daily tasks straightforward so you spend less time managing software and more time running your studio.
Key Difference: Momence serves businesses seeking to consolidate multiple software platforms into one comprehensive system with unlimited video storage and extensive automation, willing to navigate potentially inconsistent support. fitDEGREE serves cost-conscious independent operators seeking simple, predictable systems with dedicated support and transparent pricing. Momence's recent acquisition adds uncertainty about future direction.
Product Philosophy Momence: Comprehensive All-in-One Consolidation Momence operates on a "consolidate everything" philosophy where the platform replaces 3-5 separate tools:
Class and appointment scheduling Multi-location and multi-venue support Staff management and payroll preparation Electronic waiver management Automated waitlist management Unlimited video-on-demand storage On-demand library (LMS features) Course creation for teacher trainings Livestream integration (Zoom) Hybrid experiences (in-person + virtual) Digital content monetization Built-in CRM with custom fields Lead generation from Facebook ads Lead stage tracking and pipeline management Two-way SMS messaging Email marketing and newsletters Automated sequences and workflows Community feeds In-app messaging
Automation & Intelligence: AI-powered corporate dashboard (multi-location) Automated client communication Task management automation Review generation Membership and enrollment automation Embeddable widgets for websites Custom landing pages Free non-branded Momence app (booking only—no marketplace) Custom branded app options (pricing not disclosed) Momence's approach assumes businesses want everything in one platform, eliminating subscriptions to separate CRM, email marketing, video hosting, and other tools.
User Reports: Some users praise consolidation: "Amazing to think of how much money I save each month (minimum $200/mo in savings) plus how much time I have to create content." Others describe successful migrations: "The transition from Mindbody to Momence happened over 1 weekend transferring the data of over 20,000 customers."
Trade-offs: Comprehensive features come with complexity, significant user reports of customer support issues, and uncertainty following private equity acquisition. Multiple reviews cite "oversold and underdelivered," customer service declining ("no longer offer phone support"), and serious technical issues taking weeks to resolve.
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.
Class scheduling and booking Client management Payment processing Basic reporting Staff management Social features for community building 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: Less built-in comprehensiveness, no video storage, more dependencies on integrations for marketing automation.
Key Difference: Momence builds everything internally to eliminate other subscriptions but comes with complexity and support concerns post-acquisition. fitDEGREE builds focused features and integrates with specialists, prioritizing stability and dedicated support over all-in-one consolidation.
Daily User Experience Using Momence Momence's interface reflects its all-in-one positioning with comprehensive dashboards covering multiple business functions:
Scheduling Class and appointment creation, recurring schedules, multi-location management, staff scheduling
Marketing Email campaigns, SMS sequences, automated workflows, review generation
Reporting Dashboard analytics, revenue tracking, attendance, staff payroll accuracy
CRM Lead management, custom fields, communication history, client profiles, segmentation
Video Library Unlimited storage, course creation, on-demand content, livestream scheduling
Mobile Experience Momence offers the free Momence app for client bookings (non-marketplace, shows only your business). Custom branded app options available at undisclosed additional cost.
Common Feedback (Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice, Trustpilot): Positive: "Consolidates 3-5 softwares into one platform" "Unlimited video storage is game-changing" "Admin is mostly on autopilot now" "Easy class registration and improved client engagement" "Data migration was seamless—over 1 weekend for 20,000 customers" "Marketing suite has tons of templates" "When it works, it's great" Critical (significant theme across reviews): Customer support concerns (most common complaint):"Customer service is beyond a joke—refuse to solve urgent issues" "No longer offer phone support—must email co-founder who gives brief non-answers" "They can take months to respond—2 months with no follow-up even after escalation" "When issues arise, they are SERIOUS and Momence does not respond in a timely manner" "Support is entirely lacking—dealing with Momence is small business owner's worst nightmare" "Customer service declined significantly" "Dashboard migration caused lots of bugs—classes appearing twice, disappearing, added without consent" "Clients report glitches in payment processing—ongoing issue taking up to 5 days to resolve" "Every time I open the app, there's a bug causing loading screen for updates" "Embeddable widget is clunky and non-customizable—not mobile friendly" "Force you to give them backlink from your website to improve their SEO" "Review generation sucks—can't customize messaging or sequences" "CRM doesn't allow custom fields in email or SMS even though you can create custom fields for FB ads" "Lead management forces small batches—no CSV export (probably to make leaving difficult)" "Setting up recurring classes takes forever—must set up each day separately" Learning Curve: Mixed. Some users report "very straightforward and easy to navigate." Others describe complexity: "It took a bit to retrain my senior members." The all-in-one nature means more features to learn compared to focused platforms.
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" "Some features basic compared to all-in-one platforms" Key Difference: Momence offers comprehensive all-in-one features with unlimited video storage and extensive automation but suffers from significant customer support complaints, technical issues post-migration, and acquisition uncertainty. fitDEGREE offers focused, stable features with dedicated support and predictable service at significantly lower, transparent cost ($250 vs $149-$300+).
Pricing StructureMomence Pricing (2026) Momence uses tiered pricing with limited public transparency:
Free Tier ("Light"): Basic scheduling and payment features Standard payment processing fees (see below) No add-ons No phone support, inbox, retail products, reporting/insights, staff members, or locations Suitable only for solopreneurs with very simple needs
Paid Tiers (Basic/Pro/Custom): Pricing not fully disclosed on website Requires demo/sales call for accurate quote Industry estimates: ~$149-$300+/month depending on features and studio size One review mentions: "$79/month for core features; mid-tier and advanced plans offer additional tools" Another mentions: "around $200/month" as starting point for full features Competitor analysis states: "starts at $149/month—but costs can add up once you start adding more users and features"
Payment Processing Fees (Built Into Platform): Online card payments: 3.9% + $0.30In-person card payments: 3.7% + $0.05ACH/Direct Debit: 1.8%
Additional Costs: Custom branded app: Pricing not disclosed (available but requires quote) Advanced features: Variable pricing depending on tier
Contract Terms: Month-to-month available Free trial offered Data migration included Total Cost Predictability: Poor. Public pricing limited, requires sales calls, hidden client service fees reported, recent acquisition adds uncertainty about future pricing changes.
Total Cost Example (Per Competitor Analysis): Studio with $5,000/month revenue:
Platform fees: ~$260/month (if 4% service fee model accurate) Processing on $5,000: ~$195 (3.9% + $0.30) Total: ~$455/month Note: Momence disputes some competitor characterizations but has not provided transparent, public pricing to verify.
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 client service fees No setup fees No cancellation penalties No per-feature charges No annual contract Total Cost Predictability: Complete. You know the exact monthly cost before signing up. No surprise fees or percentage-of-revenue charges.
Cost Comparison Example (Single-Location Studio with $5,000/month revenue):
Basic functionality: Momence: ~$260/month (estimated with service fees) fitDEGREE: $250/month Difference: Roughly comparable
With branded mobile app: Momence: Unknown (requires quote; estimate ~$350-$450/month) fitDEGREE: $400/month ($250 + $150 app) Difference: Depends on Momence branded app cost
Processing cost difference matters significantly: Studio processing $5,000/month in credit cards:
Momence: 3.9% + $0.30 = ~$195 in fees fitDEGREE: 2.9% + $0.30 = ~$145 in fees Monthly processing savings with fitDEGREE: ~$50 Annual processing savings: ~$600
If 50% of members adopt ACH with fitDEGREE: Credit card costs (50%): ~$72.50 ACH costs (50%): ~$25 Total: ~$97.50/month Monthly processing savings vs Momence: ~$97.50 Annual processing savings: ~$1,170 Payment ProcessingMomence Payment Processing Momence processes payments through Stripe with built-in pricing:
Online card payments: 3.9% + $0.30 (1% higher than standard Stripe)In-person card payments: 3.7% + $0.05ACH/Direct Debit: 1.8%Additional reported concern: 4% client service fees charged on purchases (disputed by company but reported by multiple sources)Example: $100 membership sale
Processing fee: $4.20 Studio receives: $95.80 Transparency Concern: Payment processing rates are disclosed. However, multiple competitor sources and reviews claim hidden client-facing service fees. Momence disputes these claims but hasn't provided clear public documentation to verify.
fitDEGREE Payment Processing fitDEGREE uses transparent market-rate processing:
Credit cards: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (standard Stripe rate) ACH bank transfers: $1 studio fee, $0 client fee Studio choice: Absorb or pass fees to clients ACH Advantage: For $100 membership, ACH costs $1 vs. $4.20 Momence credit card—significant savings when members adopt ACH.
Real Cost Impact: Scenario: Studio with 100 monthly members paying $100/month ($10,000 revenue)
Momence (all credit card): Processing costs: $390/month + $30 = $420/month Annual processing: $5,040 fitDEGREE (all credit card): Processing costs: $290/month + $30 = $320/month Annual processing: $3,840 Annual savings: $1,200 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 vs Momence: $2,520 Additional Fees: Chargeback/retrieval: $20 flat Failed payment: $0 Monthly minimums: None PCI compliance: None Annual fees: None Key Difference: Momence charges 3.9% + $0.30 (1% higher than standard) plus reported 4% client service fees. fitDEGREE uses standard 2.9% + $0.30 with $1 ACH option providing major savings opportunity. For $10,000 monthly revenue studio, fitDEGREE saves $1,200-$2,520 annually in processing costs alone.
Onboarding & SupportMomence Onboarding Timeline: "Over 1 weekend" for data migration reported by some users; varies by complexity
Process: Demo and consultation Data migration handled by Momence One user reported: "The transition from Mindbody to Momence happened over 1 weekend transferring the data of over 20,000 customers. I was very impressed." User Experience (from reviews): Positive: "Seamless migration" "Data transfer was impressive" "Quick setup process" Critical: "Data migration approach needs significant improvement" (from wellness provider) "Misled during sales call about core integration" Limited detail on hands-on onboarding support Momence Ongoing Support Support Model: Chat and phone support (though phone support availability disputed in reviews)
How It Works: Online chat support (24-hour availability mentioned by some)
Phone support (availability unclear; multiple reviews claim "no longer offer phone support")
Knowledge base documentation
User Experience (HIGHLY MIXED—most polarized reviews): Positive (some users): "Customer support is excellent—always able to quickly help resolve issues" "Fast customer service—love having 24-hour chat" "Support is super responsive and techs all seem really knowledgeable" "Bruno was a HUGE HELP—took care of all my issues" "Everyone I worked with was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and kind" Critical (significant number of users): "Customer service is beyond a joke—refuse to solve urgent issues marked over a week ago" "No longer offer phone support—must email co-founder who gives brief non-answers" "They can take months to respond—2 months with no follow-up even after escalation" "Support is entirely lacking—small business owner's worst nightmare" "Keep closing tickets saying 'issue should be fixed' then tell me to fix it myself" "My legal documents signed by customers have been lost—not taking me seriously" "Clearly only cares about expanding and getting new customers vs helping loyal long-term customers" "Customer service was slow—sometimes over one week to resolve" "Occasionally given false information resulting in sales loss" "When issues arise, they are SERIOUS and don't respond in timely manner" "If expecting competent support from people who know their product, you will be disappointed" "Chat support from overseas by people still learning English" Support Quality Assessment: Extremely inconsistent. Some users describe excellent support; many others describe serious, prolonged support failures causing business disruption. The pattern suggests support quality has declined significantly, possibly related to scaling issues and/or private equity acquisition.
fitDEGREE Onboarding Timeline: 3-4 weeks standard
Positive: Week 1-2 Initial setup call (45-60 minutes)
Onboarding specialist maps your business model They build your class structure in the system They configure pricing and packages They set up staff accounts with permissions You participate but don't do manual work Week 2-3 Follow-up and configuration call (45-60 minutes)
Review initial setup together Configure discounts and promotions Set up client account structure Walk through reporting and analytics Address questions from exploration Week 3-4 Launch strategy call (45 minutes)
Final system verification Client communication plan Go-live checklist Post-launch support overview Dedicated Data Support Specialist assigned They handle export from old platform They clean and format data They import into fitDEGREE You verify accuracy but don't do manual work User Experience (Trustpilot, G2, Capterra): "Switching software was less stressful than expected—they did most of the work" "Onboarding specialist understood studio operations, not just software features" "Didn't feel rushed or overwhelmed" "Operational faster than anticipated" "Data transfer happened without me manually moving information" fitDEGREE Ongoing Support Support Model: Dedicated customer care representative assigned to your studio
How It Works: You have a direct contact (real person, not ticket queue)
They know your They know your studio and previous interactionsstudio and history
Video call support for complex issues (screen sharing)
Response within hours during business hours
Resolution often happens same day
User Experience: "I email my rep and get response within hours" "They jump on Zoom calls to solve problems in real-time" "Never felt like I was starting from scratch explaining my issue" "Support treats us like partners, not ticket numbers" "Personal relationship makes asking questions comfortable" Trade-off: fitDEGREE support is business hours only (not 24/7). However, studio owners report that response quality and resolution speed during available hours compensate for limited hours.
Key Difference: Momence promises fast chat support and migration but has highly polarized reviews with many serious support failures reported. fitDEGREE provides dedicated individual reps with consistent quality. Momence onboarding is faster (weekend vs 3-4 weeks), but fitDEGREE's comprehensive hands-on approach prevents post-launch issues. Support quality is a major differentiator—fitDEGREE's dedicated model provides consistency; Momence's volume model shows serious quality control issues.
Best Fit StudiosChoose Momence If You: Want to consolidate multiple software subscriptions Currently paying for scheduling + CRM + email marketing + video hosting + courses Want single platform replacing 3-5 separate tools Potential savings outweigh platform cost and service fees Comfortable managing complex all-in-one system Need unlimited video-on-demand storage Building extensive on-demand library Offering online courses and teacher trainings Video content is core revenue stream Want course creation/LMS features included Run hybrid/digital-first business model Combination of in-person, livestream, and on-demand Sell digital content, courses, events Need flexibility across delivery methods Video monetization is priority Have in-house technical resources Can troubleshoot issues independently Comfortable with potential support delays Technical team can work around limitations Don't need hand-holding or immediate support Value comprehensive CRM/marketing automation Want lead tracking from Facebook ads Need automated email/SMS sequences Community feeds and in-app messaging valuable Marketing consolidation worth complexity Accept inconsistent support as trade-off Willing to work through potential serious support issues Can handle weeks-long resolution times Technical problems won't cause business disruption Have backup plans for critical functions Comfortable with recent acquisition uncertainty Private equity ownership doesn't concern you Willing to accept potential future changes Platform features matter more than stability Choose fitDEGREE If You: Prioritize consistent, reliable support Need dedicated rep who knows your business Want video call troubleshooting Can't afford weeks-long issue resolution Support quality is non-negotiable Value transparent, predictable pricing Need complete upfront cost certainty Can't accommodate hidden service fees or percentage-of-revenue charges Want simple flat monthly rate Budget requires $250-$400/month maximum Operate 1-5 locations in US/Canada Small multi-location operator Need centralized management Based in United States or Canada Prioritize payment processing savings High percentage of recurring memberships Can encourage ACH adoption Want to save 1-2% per transaction Need quick email responses Processing fees significantly impact margins Potential savings of $1,200-$2,520 annually Run in-person focused studio Don't need unlimited video storage In-person classes are primary revenue Video content is supplementary, not core Simple booking is priority Prefer integration strategy over all-in-one Comfortable using LoopSpark/LenzVU for marketing Happy with specialized external tools Don't need everything in single platform Integration management not burden Need month-to-month flexibility with stable company Don't want annual commitments Value ability to cancel without penalty Prefer independent company over PE-owned Long-term stability matters Not a Good Fit For Momence Isn't Right If You: Need consistent, reliable customer support Can't tolerate weeks-long issue resolution Business disrupted by technical problems Don't have in-house technical resources Support quality is mission-critical Critical concern: Multiple users report serious, prolonged support failures Want transparent, predictable pricing Need complete upfront cost disclosure Uncomfortable with percentage-of-revenue models Can't afford potential 4% client service fees Hidden costs unacceptable Concerned about company stability Recent private equity acquisition raises concerns Want independent company ownership Worried about future product/pricing changes Prefer proven long-term stability Need lower processing fees 3.9% + $0.30 is 1% higher than standard Stripe Processing costs significantly impact margins ACH option at $1 flat would save substantially Every percentage point matters Primarily run in-person studio Don't need unlimited video storage Course creation features not needed All-in-one complexity not worth it Simple scheduling sufficient Value simplicity over consolidation All-in-one platform feels overwhelming Prefer focused tools over comprehensive features Don't want to learn extensive system Integration with specialists preferred Located outside supported regions Need local payment processing Require country-specific integrations Local compliance requirements fitDEGREE Isn't Right If You: Need unlimited video-on-demand storage Building extensive on-demand library Video content is core revenue stream Course creation/LMS features essential Want all video hosting in platform Want everything in single platform Prefer all-in-one over best-of-breed Don't want to manage any integrations Comprehensive CRM/marketing built-in essential Consolidation philosophy matters Run digital-first/global business Primarily online courses and content Global customer base Digital product monetization focus Livestream/on-demand is primary Need advanced marketing automation built-in Want sophisticated automated sequences Lead scoring and pipeline management essential Don't want external CRM integration All marketing from single dashboard Already comfortable with current complex system Don't find MINDBODY/Momence complexity problematic Utilize advanced features extensively Team trained on comprehensive platform Simplicity not priority Located outside US/Canada fitDEGREE serves only US/Canada International studios need alternatives Operate 6+ locations or franchise Designed for 1-5 locations only Large multi-location operations outgrow capacity Enterprise scale required Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Which platform is more affordable? A: Cost comparison is complex due to Momence's non-transparent pricing:
Platform costs:
fitDEGREE: $250/month (clear and fixed) Momence: ~$149-$300+/month (estimates; requires quote) + potential 4% client service fees Processing costs matter significantly:
For studio processing $10,000/month:
Momence: 3.9% + $0.30 = ~$420/month fitDEGREE (credit card): 2.9% + $0.30 = ~$320/month (saves $1,200/year ) fitDEGREE (50% ACH): ~$210/month (saves $2,520/year ) Total estimated costs (single location, $10,000/month revenue):
Momence: $300 platform + $420 processing = ~$720/month fitDEGREE: $250 platform + $320 processing = $570/month (saves $1,800/year) fitDEGREE with ACH: $250 + $210 = $460/month (saves $3,120/year) Winner for transparent affordability: fitDEGREE, with additional $1,200-$2,520 annual processing savings.
Q: Which has better customer support? A: This is the MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENTIATOR:
fitDEGREE: Consistently praised for dedicated representative model with same-day responses and video call support. Users describe reliable, personal relationships.
Momence: Highly polarized. Some users report excellent support; many others report serious failures:
Weeks-long response times Issues unresolved for months Lost legal documents Declining support quality "No longer offer phone support" "Customer service is beyond a joke" "Small business owner's worst nightmare" Critical pattern: Multiple Momence users report that support was good initially but declined significantly, possibly related to scaling or acquisition. Some users describe support as "excellent"; others describe it as completely inadequate.
Winner: fitDEGREE significantly. Consistent quality vs. highly inconsistent Momence support is a major risk factor.
Q: Which has more features? A: Momence has significantly more built-in features:
Momence advantages:
Unlimited video-on-demand storage Course creation/LMS functionality Comprehensive built-in CRM Email and SMS marketing automation Community feeds and in-app messaging Lead generation from Facebook ads Digital content monetization More automation features fitDEGREE advantages:
Focused simplicity Social features for community Integration with best-of-breed specialists Dedicated support (quality vs. quantity) Winner for feature quantity: Momence, significantly. However, users question whether complexity and support issues outweigh feature advantages.
Q: Which has better video/on-demand capabilities? A: Momence wins decisively:
Unlimited video-on-demand storage included Course creation for teacher trainings LMS features built-in Livestream integration Digital content monetization Hybrid experience support fitDEGREE does not include video storage—focuses on in-person class operations.
If video content is core to your business model, Momence provides these capabilities (assuming you can work through support limitations).
Q: Can I get accurate pricing for Momence before sales call? A: No. Momence pricing is not fully disclosed publicly. You must:
Request demo Speak with sales team Get customized quote based on your needs Industry estimates suggest ~$149-$300+/month depending on features, but multiple sources report additional percentage-of-revenue service fees (4% client-facing charges disputed by company).
fitDEGREE displays complete pricing on website: $250/month base, $150/month branded app add-on.
Q: What's the impact of Momence's private equity acquisition? A: In January 2025, Momence was acquired by a private equity company owning other fitness studio software platforms. This means:
Potential concerns:
Future pricing changes typical after PE acquisition Product direction may shift Support quality changes (already reported declining) Integration with PE portfolio companies Focus on ROI vs. customer service Unknown factors:
Long-term product roadmap Pricing stability Support investment Feature development priorities For businesses making long-term software commitments, this ownership change introduces uncertainty that independent companies like fitDEGREE don't have.
Q: Which onboards faster? A: Momence onboards faster in some cases:
Some users report "over 1 weekend" data migration Can be operational very quickly Faster for simple setups fitDEGREE takes 3-4 weeks with comprehensive hands-on work where they do implementation.
Trade-off: Momence speed assumes you can configure everything yourself. fitDEGREE's longer timeframe includes comprehensive setup preventing post-launch issues. Given Momence's support concerns, the faster onboarding may create dependencies you can't easily resolve if problems arise.
Q: Which has better payment processing? A: fitDEGREE offers better processing rates:
Credit cards:
Momence: 3.9% + $0.30 (1% higher than standard) fitDEGREE: 2.9% + $0.30 (standard Stripe) fitDEGREE saves 1% on every transaction ACH/Direct Debit:
Momence: 1.8% fitDEGREE: $1 flat fee For transactions over ~$55, fitDEGREE ACH saves money Annual savings example ($10,000/month revenue, all credit cards):
Momence: $5,040 in processing fitDEGREE: $3,840 in processing fitDEGREE saves $1,200/year With 50% ACH adoption:
fitDEGREE saves $2,520/year Winner: fitDEGREE significantly, especially with ACH adoption.
Q: I'm opening a new yoga studio on a tight budget—which should I choose? A: Consider fitDEGREE:
New studio discount: $150/month first year Complete cost transparency Dedicated support during critical launch period No annual commitment Processing savings from day one ($1,200-$2,520/year) Predictable costs as you learn business Stable company ownership Momence may offer consolidation benefits, but:
Pricing uncertainty difficult when budget is tight Support issues could be catastrophic during launch Recent acquisition adds uncertainty Higher processing fees (1% extra) hurts on thin margins All-in-one complexity during learning phase Q: I want to build an extensive on-demand video library—which should I choose? A: Choose Momence if:
Video content is core revenue stream (not supplementary) Need unlimited storage included Want course creation/LMS features Digital content monetization is priority Have technical resources to handle potential support issues Momence is designed for this use case. fitDEGREE is designed for in-person studios where video is supplementary.
However, carefully evaluate:
Support concerns for business-critical platform Can you afford weeks-long issue resolution? Do you have technical backup resources? Recent acquisition impact on video features? Q: I'm switching from MINDBODY—which is better? A: Both platforms have MINDBODY switcher bases:
Consider Momence if:
Want all-in-one replacing multiple MINDBODY add-ons Need unlimited video storage Run hybrid/digital business model Have technical resources for support issues Willing to accept PE ownership uncertainty Consider fitDEGREE if:
Frustrated with MINDBODY complexity AND cost Want simple, predictable alternative under $400/month Primarily in-person studio operations Need consistent, reliable support Value stable independent company Want processing savings ($1,200-$2,520/year) Over 50% of fitDEGREE clients switched from MINDBODY citing simplicity, client experience, and cost predictability.
Q: What if I have support issues with Momence? A: This is a critical concern based on reviews:
Best practices if choosing Momence:
Document everything in writing Keep records of all support interactions Have technical backup plans for critical functions Don't rely on platform for business-critical docs Test thoroughly during free trial Have exit strategy if support fails Consider maintaining backup systems initially Red flags from reviews:
Tickets closed without resolution Weeks/months without follow-up Lost legal documents "Fix it yourself" responses to urgent issues Declining support after initial onboarding Many reviewers specifically warn: "Do yourself a favor and choose another option" due to support experiences.
Q: Can I migrate between platforms if I change my mind? A: Yes:
From Momence to fitDEGREE: fitDEGREE's data specialist team handles migration. Some Momence users report difficulty exporting data ("no CSV export feature—probably to make leaving difficult"), but migration is possible.
From fitDEGREE to Momence: Momence handles data migration, reportedly very quickly ("over 1 weekend for 20,000 customers").
Both platforms are month-to-month, providing flexibility. However:
Momence's reported data export limitations could complicate exit fitDEGREE's month-to-month with no penalty provides cleaner exit Consider ease of leaving when choosing, especially given Momence support concerns
Making Your DecisionThe Core Difference Momence believes studios benefit from consolidating everything into one platform—scheduling, CRM, marketing, video, courses—eliminating multiple subscriptions and creating automation across all functions. This comprehensive approach serves digital-first, hybrid businesses building extensive on-demand libraries and monetizing digital content.
However, this consolidation comes with significant trade-offs: inconsistent support quality (with many serious failures reported), 1% higher processing fees, non-transparent pricing, complexity requiring technical resources, and uncertainty following private equity acquisition.
fitDEGREE believes independent studio owners need focused, stable, predictable systems that handle core in-person operations exceptionally well with dedicated support and transparent costs. This focused approach serves owner-operators who want reliable software that stays out of the way.
Critical Assessment
Based on extensive review analysis, Momence's most significant concern is customer support consistency . While some users report excellent experiences, many others describe serious, prolonged support failures that caused business disruption. This pattern—combined with reports of declining support quality, recent PE acquisition, and non-transparent pricing—creates substantial risk.
fitDEGREE's trade-off is less comprehensive features (no video storage, simpler marketing). However, the platform provides stable, predictable service with consistent support quality and significant processing savings ($1,200-$2,520/year).
Final Self-Assessment Questions: Support priority: Can my business tolerate potential weeks-long support issue resolution, or is consistent support non-negotiable?
Video needs: Is unlimited video storage and course creation core to my business model, or is in-person focus sufficient?
Budget: Can I accept non-transparent pricing with potential percentage-of-revenue fees, or do I need $250/month flat certainty?
Processing costs: Will 1% higher credit card fees (costing $1,200-$2,520/year on $10,000/month revenue) significantly impact margins?
Complexity tolerance: Do I want comprehensive all-in-one (accepting complexity), or focused simplicity?
Technical resources: Do I have in-house technical support to handle potential platform issues independently?
Company stability: Does private equity ownership with uncertain future direction concern me?
Risk tolerance: Am I comfortable being dependent on platform with significant reported support issues, or do I need proven reliability?