Who Each Platform Serves Walla: Built for Design-Conscious Boutique Fitness Studios Walla positions itself as "the Apple of booking software"—a modern, beautifully designed platform for boutique fitness studios that prioritize aesthetics and user experience. Founded in 2020 by former MINDBODY executives and fitness industry professionals, Walla serves yoga studios, Pilates studios, barre studios, and boutique fitness businesses in the United States.
The platform emphasizes a sleek, intuitive interface that makes both studio owners and clients happy. Walla was built by a team with extensive experience "behind the front desk and behind the scenes of global wellness tech platforms," giving them insight into what boutique studio owners actually need versus what enterprise platforms offer.
Key Philosophy: Walla aims to be more than software—they position themselves as business partners who understand small studio challenges. The company emphasizes personalization, AI-powered retention tools, and eliminating the "clunkiness" that characterizes legacy platforms. Many users describe feeling a "personal connection" with the founding team and appreciating that account representatives understand studio operations firsthand.
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: Walla serves design-focused boutique studios seeking a premium, modern interface with AI-powered business intelligence and willing to pay for that polished experience. fitDEGREE serves cost-conscious independent operators seeking simple, predictable, transparent systems.
Product Philosophy Walla: Premium Design + AI-Powered Business Intelligence Walla operates on a "beautiful simplicity meets smart automation" philosophy where the platform provides sophisticated tools wrapped in an exceptionally intuitive interface:
Intuitive class scheduling with real-time updates Advanced waitlist management Custom offers and membership plans Hybrid memberships (in-person + virtual) Gift cards and promo codes Electronic waiver management Staff management and payroll preparation Advanced pay rates and scheduling
AI-Powered Intelligence (WallaPredict): Predictive churn analysis Automated client re-engagement Class utilization optimization Strategic profitability insights Behavioral psychology-based member personalization Habit-building personality quiz for clients Real-time dashboard with key metrics Modern, sleek booking interface Mobile app for iOS and Android (branded app available as add-on) Guest pass/buddy pass features In-app announcements Custom website widgets Seamless integration with studio branding Automated marketing campaigns (add-on) Newsletter capabilities (add-on) SMS texting (add-on) Skillpower retention tools Review and referral automation Client touchpoint optimization Video Capabilities: 60GB video-on-demand storage included Multiple Zoom account connections Livestream class management Virtual course functionality Walla's approach assumes boutique studio owners value beautiful design, want automated business intelligence, and are willing to invest in premium software that reflects their brand positioning.
Trade-off: Premium design and AI features come with premium pricing. According to competitor analysis and user reports, Walla's base plan ($390/month) plus essential add-ons like branded app ($279/month), newsletters ($100/month), and texting ($100/month) can total $700-$869/month—significantly higher than simpler 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.
Intuitive class scheduling with real-time updates Social features for community building Simple waitlist management Custom offers and membership plans Gift cards and promo codes Electronic waiver management Staff management and payroll preparation 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 rather than comprehensive built-in features. Studio owners describe the platform as predictable and unintimidating.
Trade-off: Less built-in sophistication, less AI-powered intelligence, simpler interface design, more dependencies on integrations.
Key Difference: Walla builds premium features with AI-powered intelligence and beautiful design internally, justifying higher pricing. fitDEGREE builds focused features and integrates with specialists, prioritizing cost predictability over design sophistication.
Daily User Experience Using Walla Walla's interface reflects its "Apple of booking software" positioning with exceptionally clean, modern design:
Scheduling Intuitive class creation, real-time updates, flexible pricing, hybrid membership support
Reporting Instant dashboard metrics (replacing "hours of manual compilation"), in-page statistics, WallaPredict AI insights
Staff App Mobile-friendly interface for on-the-go management
Client Management Easy profile access, client touchpoint tracking, behavioral insights, wellness guides
Marketing Automated campaigns (add-on), retention automation, guest pass features, in-app announcements
Mobile Experience Walla offers responsive mobile management without requiring separate app downloads for staff. Client mobile app praised for ease of use. Branded client app available as $279/month add-on.
Common Feedback (Capterra, SoftwareAdvice, GetApp): Positive: "Walla is like the Apple of booking software" "We didn't know how to use Mindbody after 13 years, but after 13 minutes, we know how to use Walla" "Intuitive and simple, yet incredibly powerful" "Clients rarely have issues logging in or creating accounts" "Reporting is unbelievably amazing—what took HOURS is now INSTANT" "Customer service goes above and beyond every time" "They act more like a business partner than software provider" "CEO takes time to meet with owners through monthly webinars" Critical: "I wish it was more affordable for smaller businesses like mine" "Missing some features compared to biggest competitors" "Some features not available yet—you don't realize until you need them" "Mail platform hasn't been as easy as hoped" "ClassPass integration was rough" "Hard to keep up on new hidden features" Learning Curve: Very low. Most users report staff comfortable within minutes to days. Platform praised as "one of the most intuitive software systems I've ever worked with."
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 platforms with more built-in tools" Key Difference: Walla offers premium design aesthetics, AI-powered business intelligence, and instant reporting praised as "unbelievably amazing." fitDEGREE offers focused, simple features without AI sophistication or design polish but at significantly lower cost ($250 vs $390-$869).
Pricing StructureWalla Pricing (2026) Walla uses straightforward base pricing with optional add-ons:
Base Platform Annual billing: $320/month ($3,840/year) Monthly billing: $390/month Additional locations: $150/month per location
Included in Base Price All core scheduling and booking features 60GB video-on-demand storage Classes & workshops/enrollments Custom website widgets Advanced pay rates & scheduling Payroll preparation Gift cards & promo codes Electronic waiver management Skillpower retention tools Walla mobile app for clients (non-branded) Point of sale functionality Basic reporting and dashboards
Optional Add-Ons (pricing from competitor analysis and user reports): Branded mobile app (iOS + Android): $279/month Newsletter capabilities: ~$100/month SMS texting features: ~$100/month Advanced marketing automation: Variable pricing
Total Cost Examples Basic Setup (single location):
Annual: $320/month Monthly: $390/month Full-Featured Setup (single location with branded app, newsletters, texting):
Base: $390/month (monthly billing) Branded app: $279/month Newsletters: $100/month Texting: $100/month Total: $869/month According to StudioGrowth competitor analysis: "Walla's base plan ($390) plus essential add-ons like branded app ($279), texting ($100), and newsletters ($100) totals $869/month."
Contract Terms Annual contract preferred (saves $70/month vs monthly billing) Monthly billing available at higher rate Free data migration included Credit card migration handled automatically Total Cost Predictability: Base price clear, but add-on costs vary and can significantly increase monthly expenses. Users report features "not available yet until you need them," requiring additional purchases.
Value Proposition: Premium positioning means higher costs but beautiful design, AI-powered intelligence, and exceptional user experience. Multiple users state "you get what you pay for" and consider it worth the investment.
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 Total Cost Predictability: Complete. You know the exact monthly cost before signing up. No surprise add-ons or feature charges.
Cost Comparison Example (Single-Location Studio):
Basic functionality Walla (annual): $320/month fitDEGREE: $250/month Difference: fitDEGREE saves $70/month ($840/year)
With branded mobile app Walla: $390/month base + $279/month app = $669/month fitDEGREE: $250 + $150 = $400/month Difference: fitDEGREE saves $269/month ($3,228/year)
Full-featured with marketing tools Walla: $869/month (base + app + newsletters + texting) fitDEGREE: $600/month (includes all features; and assumed $200/mo for external marketing via integrations) Difference: fitDEGREE saves $269/month ($3,228/year)Payment ProcessingWalla Payment Processing Walla processes payments through Stripe integration:
Credit cards: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (standard Stripe rate) Stripe terminal (in-person): 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction No additional platform fees or hidden charges Contactless payments supported (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) Automatic credit card migration from previous platforms Clients can save payment methods for recurring billing Transparency: Walla explicitly states: "At Walla, it's all about transparency. We charge the standard Stripe payment processing fees with no additional (or hidden) charges: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction and 2.7% + 5 cents per transaction with the Stripe terminal."
Example: $100 membership sale
Processing fee: $3.20 Studio receives: $96.80 fitDEGREE Payment Processing fitDEGREE uses transparent market-rate processing:
Credit cards: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction ACH bank transfers: $1 studio fee, $0 client fee Studio choice: Absorb or pass fees to clients ACH Advantage:
Real Cost Impact: Scenario: Studio with 100 monthly members paying $100/month
If all pay by credit card: Processing costs: $320/month Annual processing: $3,840 If 50% adopt ACH: Credit card costs (50 members): $160/month ACH costs (50 members): $50/month Total: $210/month Annual processing: $2,520 Annual savings: $1,320 Many fitDEGREE studios report 40-60% ACH adoption within 3-6 months.
Additional Fees: Chargeback/retrieval: $20 flat Failed payment: $0 Monthly minimums: None PCI compliance: None Annual fees: None Key Difference: Both use identical Stripe credit card rates (2.9% + $0.30) with full transparency and no platform fees. fitDEGREE's ACH option provides significant savings opportunity not available with Walla.
Onboarding & SupportWalla Onboarding Timeline: Days to weeks (faster than most platforms)
Process: Rapid response after inquiry (often within minutes) Personal demo and consultation Simple integration process Free data migration handled by Walla team Credit card migration automated in most cases Weekly check-ins after going live User Experience (from reviews): Positive: "Onboarding process was extremely simple" "Onboarding experience was a complete breeze—team made everything so easy and transparent" "Within minutes of filling out contact form, team was responsive" "Made the switch less daunting and pacified anxiety" "After we were rolling they email weekly to make sure things are ok" "Personal connection I felt with the CEO and onboarding team" Critical: "Some features not available until you need them" (discovered post-onboarding) Data Migration: Walla handles migration from previous platforms including MINDBODY, WellnessLiving, and others. Process described as seamless by most users.
Walla Ongoing Support Support Model: Team-based responsive support with personal touch
How It Works: Monthly webinars with CEO for studio owners
Weekly check-ins after launch
Responsive to feature requests
New features added regularly
User Experience: Positive (consistent theme across reviews): "Customer service goes above and beyond every time" "They act more like a business partner than software provider" "In the few months we've been using Walla, they've implemented many of our requests" "I feel supported, respected, and championed by the team" "High level of customer support and engagement" "CEO takes time to meet with owners through monthly webinars" "Customer support team is responsive" "Extremely receptive to feature requests" Critical (Significant Theme Across Reviews): "Customer service quality declined as company scaled" "It started out great, but by the end it was horrible" "Response times vary—sometimes quick, sometimes weeks" "If customer service was better and recurring tech issues fixed quickly, I would've stayed" "Long wait times or generic solutions" "Slow responses and inconsistent follow-through" "To make matters worse, when we reached out for urgent support the day before reopening, we were told by our assigned Studio Success Manager that she was at a family event and unavailable" Common Pattern: Many reviews note that early experience with Arketa was excellent, but service quality declined as the company grew and scaled.
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: Small, consistent support team with studio context
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: Arketa provides built-in support resources and community, but users report declining service quality as company scaled, with inconsistent response times and unresolved bugs persisting for months. fitDEGREE provides dedicated support representatives who know your studio, with consistent quality but limited to business hours.
Best Fit StudiosChoose Arketa If You: Want comprehensive built-in digital content capabilities Unlimited on-demand video library is a core need Plan to monetize courses, programs, and livestream classes Want to expand beyond traditional in-person studio model Need robust content management with custom collections Prioritize built-in marketing automation Want email and SMS campaigns in primary platform Need automated workflows and triggers without integrations Value AI-powered email builder Want lead generation and pipeline management built-in Value modern, branded digital presence Custom-branded website important (Suite plan) Custom-branded mobile app important (Suite plan) Apple TV and Roku display capabilities valuable Modern, polished interface is priority Comfortable with newer, growing platform Willing to work through occasional bugs and technical issues Can manage workarounds while solutions are built Value being part of growing fitness community Don't need enterprise-level stability Budget fits individual or can negotiate studio pricing Individual instructor: $49-$124/month fits budget Small studio: Can afford negotiated custom pricing Processing fees (3% + Stripe for individuals) acceptable Transaction volume makes percentage fees workable Operate globally (not limited to US/Canada) Arketa serves international businesses Need multi-currency capabilities Want global accessibility fitDEGREE Makes Sense For: Own traditional in-person boutique fitness studio Primary business model is in-person classes Not focused on building digital content library Yoga, Pilates, barre, group fitness classes 1-5 locations in United States or Canada only Prioritize platform stability and predictability Need software that works reliably day-to-day Can't afford frequent bugs impacting operations Want proven, mature platform Value predictable, calm operations Value dedicated support relationship Want consistent support contact who knows your business Prefer personal relationship over ticket queues Need responsive support during business hours Value quick resolution times Want completely transparent, flat pricing Need to know exact monthly costs upfront Want no transaction fees beyond standard processing Prefer flat $250/month over tiered + percentage model ACH savings opportunity valuable on tight margins Comfortable with integration strategy Willing to use LoopSpark or LenzVU for marketing automation Comfortable connecting specialized external tools Don't need everything built into primary platform Value best-of-breed approach Need month-to-month flexibility Don't want annual commitments Want ability to cancel without penalty Prefer no long-term contracts Simpler daily operations priority Staff needs to feel comfortable quickly (days, not weeks) Want clean, unintimidating interface Don't need comprehensive video library management Core scheduling, payments, reporting sufficient Not a Good Fit For Arketa Isn't Right If You: Need proven platform stability Can't afford recurring bugs impacting daily operations Business depends on reliable software performance Don't have time for workarounds while fixes are built Multiple reviews cite "many bug issues with new Arketa" Require consistently high-quality support Need guaranteed response times Can't tolerate support declining as company scales Multiple urgent issues requiring immediate attention Critical concerns: several reviews specifically cite declining customer service and slow/inconsistent responses Want transparent pricing upfront (for studios) Need to know costs before sales conversations Uncomfortable with custom quote pricing model Want to compare pricing across platforms easily Sensitive to processing fees on tight margins 3% Arketa fee + Stripe fees (5.9% total for individuals) too high High transaction volume makes percentage fees expensive Need lowest possible processing costs Uncomfortable with newer company risks Need established platform with long track record Risk-averse regarding platform changes Multiple reviews note Arketa "may not be as stable as established companies like Mindbody" Primarily traditional in-person studio (not digital focus) Don't need sophisticated video library management Not monetizing digital content Don't need livestream or on-demand capabilities Comprehensive digital features feel like overkill fitDEGREE Isn't Right If You: Located outside United States/Canada fitDEGREE currently serves only US/Canada studios International businesses need alternatives Need comprehensive built-in video content management Unlimited on-demand library is core business model Building courses and programs primary revenue stream Need sophisticated content management and organization fitDEGREE doesn't provide video library features Want all marketing built into primary platform Uncomfortable managing multiple integrated tools Prefer email/SMS campaigns built directly in Don't want to connect LoopSpark, LenzVU, or similar Need AI-powered email builders and automation natively Operate 6+ locations or plan significant expansion fitDEGREE designed for 1-5 locations Enterprise multi-location operations need different scale Franchise operations outgrow fitDEGREE's capacity Need appointment-heavy business features Personal training studio with primarily 1-on-1 sessions Wellness center with treatment appointments fitDEGREE focuses on class-based group fitness Budget requires under $100/month fitDEGREE base is $250/month Arketa Individual Basic at $49/month more affordable Very tight startup budgets may find fitDEGREE expensive Need custom-branded app at lowest total cost Arketa includes app in Suite plan ($124 for individuals) fitDEGREE charges $150/month add-on for branded app Total fitDEGREE with app: $400/month vs. Arketa $124/month (individuals) Frequently Asked QuestionsGeneral Comparison Questions Q: Which platform is easier to use day-to-day? A: fitDEGREE receives more consistent feedback about simplicity and ease of use, with users reporting staff comfortable within days. Arketa receives praise for intuitive interface but also reports of settings that "aren't as straightforward as they could be" and a learning curve for full feature utilization.
Q: Which platform is more stable and reliable? A: fitDEGREE is described as stable and predictable. Arketa users report recurring bugs and technical issues, particularly after the March 2024 dashboard migration. Multiple reviews specifically cite "many bug issues with the new Arketa" and instability compared to established companies.
Q: Which has better customer support? A: This is a significant differentiator. fitDEGREE provides dedicated support reps who know your studio, with consistent quality and quick response times during business hours. Arketa receives mixed support reviews, with a common theme of excellent early support that declined as the company scaled, resulting in slow responses and inconsistent quality.
Q: Can I switch from Arketa to fitDEGREE? A: Yes. fitDEGREE's onboarding team handles data transfer including client profiles, class history, and membership information. Note: One Arketa user reported difficulty exporting client billing information when leaving the platform, requiring manual collection from clients.
Q: Which has better client app experience? A: Both receive generally positive client app reviews. Arketa's custom-branded apps (included in Suite plans) are praised for one-click purchases and modern design. fitDEGREE's app (optional $150/month add-on) is praised for simplicity and social/community features.
Pricing & Cost Questions Q: Which is more affordable for a solo instructor? A: Arketa Individual Basic at $49/month is more affordable than fitDEGREE's $250/month, though you must factor in 3% transaction fees. For $5,000 monthly revenue, that's $150/month in Arketa platform fees plus Stripe fees. fitDEGREE has no platform transaction fees.
Cost breakdown for solo instructor with $5,000 monthly revenue:
Arketa Individual Basic: $49 software + $150 platform fees (3%) + $165 Stripe fees = $364/month total fitDEGREE: $250 software + $0 platform fees + $165 Stripe fees (or less with ACH) = $415/month total Q: Which is more affordable for an established studio? A: Depends on transaction volume and features needed:
Arketa: Custom studio pricing (not disclosed) with negotiable transaction fees fitDEGREE: Flat $250/month, no transaction fees, optional $150/month branded app For studio with branded app needs:
Arketa Suite: Custom quote, but app included fitDEGREE with app: $400/month ($250 + $150) Q: How much do processing fees really cost with each platform? A: Significant difference for individual Arketa users:
Arketa Individual Plans:
3% Arketa fee + 2.9% Stripe fee + $0.30 = 5.9% + $0.30 per transaction $100 sale: $6.20 in fees Arketa Studio Plans:
Negotiable transaction fees (not disclosed) Likely lower than individual rates fitDEGREE:
0% platform fee + 2.9% + $0.30 Stripe = 2.9% + $0.30 $100 sale: $3.20 in fees (or $1.00 with ACH) For studio with $50,000 monthly credit card revenue:
Arketa individuals: $2,950 in fees (5.9%) fitDEGREE: $1,600 in fees (3.2%), or ~$1,050 with 50% ACH adoption Q: Are there hidden fees with either platform? A: fitDEGREE: No hidden fees. All costs disclosed upfront.
Arketa:
Individual pricing is transparent on website Studio pricing requires custom quote (not disclosed publicly) Some users report processing fees not clearly communicated until setup began One reviewer noted: "This is a dishonest company. They knew they planned on adding additional costs to the processing company's fees. When brought up they agreed to waive them, but this would only be for 1 year." Q: Can I cancel either platform without penalties? A: fitDEGREE: Month-to-month, cancel anytime, no penalties.
Arketa: Month-to-month renewal (unless annual plan selected for discount). However, one user reported difficulty exporting client billing information when canceling, requiring manual collection from all clients.
Feature & Functionality Questions Q: Which has better video/on-demand content capabilities? A: Arketa is significantly stronger for video content. Features include unlimited video storage, course creation, custom collections, pre-scheduled content releases, trailers, and video rentals. This is a core Arketa strength.
fitDEGREE does not provide native video library management, focusing instead on in-person class operations.
Q: Which has better built-in marketing automation? A: Arketa provides comprehensive built-in marketing including email campaigns, SMS marketing, automated workflows, AI email builder, lead pipelines, and 1:1 messaging. Available in Growth and Suite plans.
fitDEGREE integrates with external marketing platforms (LoopSpark, LenzVU, GoHighLevel) for advanced automation. Basic notifications and announcements built-in.
For studios wanting marketing automation in primary platform, Arketa is stronger. For studios comfortable with integrations, both approaches work.
Q: Can both handle multi-location studios? A: Arketa: Yes, designed for multiple rooms and locations. No disclosed location limit.
fitDEGREE: Yes, designed for 1-5 locations. Not built for large multi-location or franchise operations.
Q: Which has better reporting? A: Arketa offers more comprehensive reporting including revenue summaries, client analytics, staff performance, campaign metrics, and full data export capabilities.
fitDEGREE provides focused reporting on key studio metrics (revenue, attendance, retention, class performance, instructor tracking). Reports are straightforward but less customizable.
For data-driven studios needing sophisticated analytics, Arketa provides more depth.
Q: Which integrates better with other tools? A: Arketa integrates with: Mailchimp, Google Calendar, ClassPass, Zoom, Zapier, Stripe, Klaviyo, Flodesk, HubSpot CRM, Twilio.
fitDEGREE integrates with: LoopSpark, LenzVU, GoHighLevel, Perkville, Mailchimp, ClassPass, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom.
Both offer Zapier integration for custom workflows. Arketa has more built-in integrations; fitDEGREE emphasizes specific fitness industry partnerships.
Technical & Support Questions Q: What if I have a problem at 9 PM? A: Arketa: Live chat, email ticket submission available. Response time varies—some users report quick responses, others report waiting days or weeks for resolution.
fitDEGREE: Business hours support only. Email support with next-business-day response for after-hours issues. However, users report faster resolution during available hours due to dedicated rep model.
Neither offers true 24/7 live support with guaranteed immediate resolution.
Q: How hands-on is onboarding with each platform? A: fitDEGREE: Concierge-style. They do the implementation work including data migration, system configuration, and setup. You participate in 3-6 calls but don't handle manual work.
Arketa:
Individual plans: More self-service with support resources available Suite plans: Weekly Zoom sessions with dedicated onboarding support Generally requires more self-configuration than fitDEGREE Q: How long does it take to go live? A: fitDEGREE: 3-4 weeks from first call to launch.
Arketa: Varies. Some users report getting started quickly (1-2 weeks for basic setup), others mention 1-2 months for full optimization. Suite plans with custom apps take longer.
Decision-Making Questions Q: I'm a solo yoga instructor teaching virtual and in-person classes—which should I choose? A: Consider Arketa Individual if: Unlimited video library for on-demand content is essential, you need built-in marketing automation, and $49-$124/month pricing fits better than $250/month even with transaction fees.
Consider fitDEGREE if: You're primarily in-person classes without heavy video content focus, you want dedicated support relationship, you value platform stability, and you're located in US/Canada.
Q: I run an established Pilates studio switching from MINDBODY—which is better? A: Over 50% of fitDEGREE clients switched from MINDBODY, citing simplicity and client experience. fitDEGREE is explicitly designed for this transition.
Arketa also serves studios switching from MINDBODY, with users praising modern interface and comprehensive features.
Decision factors:
Need video/digital content? → Arketa Prioritize stability and proven support? → fitDEGREE Want built-in marketing vs. integrations? → Arketa built-in vs. fitDEGREE integrations Processing fee sensitivity? → fitDEGREE (no platform fees) vs. Arketa (3% for individuals) Q: I'm opening a new studio—which should I start with? A: Consider Arketa if: You're building a digital-first or hybrid model from day one, need video content capabilities immediately, comfortable with growing platform, and want lowest entry price ($49/month).
Consider fitDEGREE if: You're opening traditional in-person studio, want dedicated support during stressful launch period, need proven platform stability, and first-year discount ($150/month) makes cost manageable.
Q: My current platform has terrible support—which has better support? A: This is a critical differentiator. fitDEGREE's dedicated support rep model receives consistently positive reviews with quick response times and personalized service.
Arketa receives mixed support reviews with a concerning pattern: excellent early support that declined as company scaled, with multiple users citing this as a primary reason for leaving the platform.
If support quality is your top priority, fitDEGREE's track record is stronger and more consistent.
Q: Which platform is less risky for my business? A: Risk assessment considerations: A: Risk assessment considerations:
Platform Stability:
fitDEGREE: Mature, stable platform with consistent performance Arketa: Newer company with reported recurring bugs, especially after March 2024 migration Support Reliability:
fitDEGREE: Consistent dedicated support model Arketa: Multiple reports of declining support quality as company scaled Pricing Predictability:
fitDEGREE: Flat transparent pricing, no surprises Arketa: Individual pricing transparent; studio pricing requires negotiation; some users report fee surprises Exit Concerns:
fitDEGREE: Month-to-month, no exit issues reported Arketa: One user reported difficulty exporting billing information when leaving For risk-averse studio owners, fitDEGREE presents fewer reported operational risks.
Making Your DecisionThe Core Difference Arketa believes modern wellness businesses need comprehensive digital-first platforms with built-in video content management, marketing automation, and branded digital experiences. This philosophy serves studios expanding beyond traditional in-person models into hybrid and digital offerings, particularly those building content libraries and online communities.
fitDEGREE believes independent boutique studios need simple, stable, predictable systems that handle core operations exceptionally well without overwhelming complexity. This philosophy serves traditional in-person studios that want software to stay out of the way, with specialized integrations for advanced needs.
Neither is universally "better"—they serve different operators with different priorities.
Final Self-Assessment Questions: Business Model: Am I building digital/hybrid model with video content, or primarily in-person classes? Do I need unlimited video storage and course management, or is that overkill? Platform Stability: Can I tolerate recurring bugs and workarounds, or do I need proven reliability? Am I comfortable with newer growing company, or do I need mature platform? Support Priority: Do I need dedicated support rep who knows my business? Can I manage with ticket-based support that varies in quality? Pricing Structure: Do I prefer lower monthly cost ($49-$124) with transaction fees (3% + Stripe)? Or flat cost ($250) with no platform transaction fees? What's my monthly transaction volume? (High volume makes percentage fees expensive) Feature Needs: Do I need marketing automation built-in, or am I comfortable with integrations? Is custom-branded app included in base price important? Geographic Location: Am I in US/Canada only (fitDEGREE), or do I need global availability (Arketa)? Risk Tolerance: How critical is platform stability to my daily operations? Can my business absorb support inconsistencies and bug-related disruptions? Processing Fees (Critical Cost Factor): For $20,000 monthly revenue with 100% credit card:
Arketa Individual: $1,180 in fees (5.9%) fitDEGREE: $640 in fees (3.2%), or ~$420 with 50% ACH Annual difference: ~$6,480 (Arketa) vs. $2,520 (fitDEGREE with ACH adoption) Answer these questions honestly, and you'll know which platform aligns with your studio's needs and risk tolerance.
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