Zen Planner - Avis

Excellent product with futures that are practical, easy to use, and visually appealing

Commentaires : Endless , independence and function. Being a small business owner it allows me to run and automate many things such as financial reports, workouts, attendance. Reservation, automations of emails for customer retention , sales funnel , customer support, technically forward thingkong woth use of apps for iPad and iPhone to allow me to function on the run , away from the office, in the field, and manage coaches.

Avantages :

I love zenplanner. They started out with few features and no apps but they promised to improve regularly and they deliver. In the short 4 years I have been using they have incorporated a staff app for the iPhone, a users app to reserve, keep track of workouts , PRs, billing and much more. an app for the front desk to use as checking in, reserving, adding new clients at ease. On each of these products they improve and incorporated new needed features faster than any software I have ever used. Their customer service is truly second to none. Helping you not only in the set up stage but anytime you need help and they work to resolve your problem immediately. The software not only is packed full of great functions for financial, workout writing and publishing, emailing automation, reports of attendance, finances , and mass email intervention but it does it with a sleek appearance that is not only visually appealing but with an easy of use that it's simple and powerful.

Inconvénients :

Software is still growing and some features , not many anymore, can be improved. This is truly the worse thing I can think off as I have tried many many others do never been so satisfied and impressed with them delivering a great product and on a regular bases truly adding features to improve it without making it more complicated for the user.

Zen Planner the Winner

Commentaires : Ive been really enjoying my experience with the platform. I like the customer service. They are always very helpful and respond immediately. I really like the pricing. Its affordable and better than the competition.

Avantages :

I love the functiality of the platform. I also enjoy the reports for financial reasons. I like the automated portion as well. The emails, and automatic responses.

Inconvénients :

I would like a real app for trainers. One with exercises and videos of excersis that can show clients how to perform the designated weight training program that the trainer makes for them.

Avoid Zen Planner - Glitchy software and unethical business practices

Commentaires : Using Zen Planner became a highly negative experience as I was forced to face daily reminders of how ineffective it was. It cost me time, money, and lots of stress as a business owner. With the amount of negative reviews detailing similar experiences in recent years, I'm shocked they get any new customers at all. For now, they try to get every penny they can put of their longtime customers who are fleeing the platform by charging multiple different fees when you try to close your account.

Avantages :

I liked Zen Planner when we started using it to manage our martial arts school in 2018. It was relatively low barrier to set up and simple enough to use at that time.

Inconvénients :

Zen Planner constantly develops new bugs and glitches in the software. The system is slow, crashes often, and critical components (like online registration) are constantly breaking down. They have terrible customer service and unethical charges when you finally try to leave.

Alternatives envisagées : Mindbody

Pourquoi passer à Zen Planner : It seemed to be the leading option at the time (2018)

Wanted to Like it more than I actually did

Commentaires : I was excited to use the program while touring and testing it, but the program performed just under expectations on some features, and mediocre on the rest. I'm sure there have been updates to some of the program since we used it but friends of mine continued on it until this year and always complained about its limitations, so maybe not updated enough (?).

Avantages :

Integrated a nice workout planner/calendar and timer for public display directly through the app. Good member profile management

Inconvénients :

We run both fitness and martial arts classes. We had to choose between the standard (martial arts) and the fitness-centered beta version but could not have both. This meant we could either have the cool features of the beta or rank management for the different martial arts programs

Alternatives envisagées : RainMaker

Pourquoi choisir Zen Planner : more affordable and more user-friendly, geared more for martial arts too

Logiciel antérieur : Mindbody

Pourquoi passer à Zen Planner : more user friendly interface, less clicks to complete transactions and enrollments, and offered a new workout planner feature

Zen Planner Review

Commentaires : We've used it for almost ten years now and it has been very helpful for tracking membership data. It's not very intuitive and training new volunteers how to use it takes a while, but its working for what we need it to do.

Avantages :

We can document the important most data from our membership.

Inconvénients :

It is not very flexible and report writing is very clumsy. There is a very bad bug with testing records that overwrites previous data with blanks if you not careful. This has lead to numerous problems and repeat data entry.

Good software; Horrible back office customer service!

Commentaires : ZP's back office customer service is horrible. In fact, "customer service is a misnomer; it is actually customer disservice. ZP's tech support is, from time to time, difficult to access by phone, but the tech support staff is excellent. Additionally, the software is highly evolved, fairly intuitive and reliable.

Avantages :

Zen Planner has nearly all features we require to run our school of traditional Japanese karate, including payment processing, rank tracking, online store, class and event management.

Inconvénients :

We started with ZP in late 2023 and had fully migrated by March 2024. In December 2023, we decided to change banks and asked ZP and its payment processor, Gains, to do so. For four months, we've been waiting for them to resolve this issue, but they don't answer our emails and refuse to telephone us to make this simple back-office change. We are mystified and disappointed. So, we've let them know we'll leave ZP if they don't resolve this matter by May 1, 2024.

Easy to Navigate Interface but has occasional major crashing. No useful Tech Support

Commentaires : From an employee's perspective, it seems to do what is needed with minimal issues. When issues do arise, you are basically on your own to troubleshoot or just have to wait until whatever network malfunctions subside.

Avantages :

Zen Planner's interface was very easy to navigate. The network had minimal lag when it was functioning properly.

Inconvénients :

Sometimes the website would crash during critical processes such as signing up new members. I tried to contact support when the system was completely malfunctioning, and they were completely unhelpful and rushing to get me off the phone.

Terrible Customer Service / Worst Features and Updates

Commentaires : Awful experience, please save your business and stay away from Zen Planner.

Avantages :

Nothing, they caused us incredible stress whilst using this platform.

Inconvénients :

Terrible customer service, no loyalty, charged after cancelling subscription, deceitful about updates, not functional.

ZenPlanner Review

Commentaires : Not the best. I have looked into other apps and am reviewing a change with the [sensitive content hidden].

Avantages :

Downloadable info into spreadsheets. Being able to customize search queries.

Inconvénients :

App freezes and is inconsistent on a lot of features. Sometimes it works well, others it does not.

7 year user

Commentaires : I've been using it for over 7 years because I haven't had a need to find something "better".

Avantages :

The simplicity to have everything for my management in 1 place.

Inconvénients :

Occasional network problems. But, when there is a network problem it's usually resolved pretty quickly.

Zen Planner is the best gym software I have found.

Commentaires : We have had it for over 5 years now and have always been well supported.

Avantages :

Easy to use and questions are answered quickly and follow up is appreciated.

Inconvénients :

I struggle with retail, combining retail with other charges.

Fluidity and Success

Commentaires : From start to finish my days are so easy and organized.

Avantages :

I love the fluidity of the system in general. Its so easy to lean and use. Thank you guys.

Inconvénients :

Although I love they system I tend to get pretty upset when the system crashes.

Good for very simple gym businesses, bad for everything else.

Avantages :

ZP lets us schedule and bill clients in one place. It spits out reasonably useful accounting summaries and can handle some email automations.

Inconvénients :

This software is the worst part of my job. Do not be fooled by their slick sales staff: this cannot perform most of the functions advertised. It can, but only in a perfect world where you gym runs exactly as ZP imagines it. In this imaginary perfect world, you'd need a team of administrators working full-time to keep your database up-to-date and functioning. Our gym runs about 250 sessions per week. That's either classes or PT. They're all different. ZP's workout builder does not work for this. We were spending ~3 hours per day inputting workouts. It could not scale. So now we do not track workouts in the software. We see 100 leads per week and run free trials to get them into the gym. ZP's various 'prospect' systems cannot handle this. They are not manipulatable enough to handle the different types of trials we'd like to offer. Doing so, again, would take a team of administrators. We now use a separate sales software for everyone on trial. ZP goes down most days for 1-2 hours. 5-6 days per week. Just no software to run the gym. No attendance tracked, no bills processed, no member questions answered. ZP's calendar never works on the first try. Literally. When I click on a staff member's calender I wait 15sec for the software to reload the full gym calendar with no changes. Then I click the staff member a second time, wait another 15sec, and only then am I rewarded with his/her calendar. With 28 staff this is not working.

Go elsewhere

Avantages :

At first the software fit most criteria's that our business needed. They had great integration to our existing merchant. Great membership customization, billing, customizable charts, and belt promotion system.

Inconvénients :

Software had a bland, early 2000's look to it UI. Very outdated. Our member's portal lacked tons a features and many of our members disliked having to go into their app to setup or alter anything. Signing up a new student or trial lesson through the tablet was a mess. It lacks customization and the overall UI would not work well with our tablets. We reverted back to having our student's sign up on paper and later be added manually to the system through an administrator. Completely eliminating our paperless needs. I can keep going on about their very weak waiver system, email templates, customer support and lack of any regular updates, however, the overall reason we had to let go of the software as a whole was that they no longer supported our existing merchant. At the start of it all they were fine with us keeping our existing merchant. They charged a small $20/monthly fee for "maintenance" which I guess we were fine with paying. However, after a year or so of using we received a noticed that they were completely removing the option of us keeping our existing merchant unless we wanted to pay more than double our existing overall monthly bill. Not only were we not satisfied with the software, we were being charged more than double to keep it. Overall we would not recommend this software. It seems as if the team behind it has lost heart for the program and isn't keeping up with the competition.

New Report

Commentaires : Overall, fairly positive experience.

Avantages :

Great for keeping track of students, Billing and tracking ranking for all students, contact info for all prospects, email to all in database with different filters

Inconvénients :

Difficulty of getting proper fields to be in a report. Difficulty working with different age group migration (student moves to new group, conflicts and mistakes happen) Pricing is getting a bit high, gone up 50% in 2 years with no major improvements or features, and during covid, limited and slow response time for customer service, but....higher prices...

8+ year user

Commentaires : Excellent.

Avantages :

The service. I don't call in often but if I need help it's always there.

Inconvénients :

Changing password info every 3 months is my biggest gripe.

Alternatives envisagées : Wodify

Pourquoi choisir Zen Planner : It was a much better fit and lower cost.

Logiciel antérieur : Mindbody

Pourquoi passer à Zen Planner : Better overall usability.

Awesome and they continue to work to add new and wanted fuctionality

Commentaires : One stop shop for managing my business. Automation. And the ability to do a lot with little or no staff.

Avantages :

Easy to use, easy to manage. It has a great modern look and they don't try to bundle everything in one app. They have different apps for sing in, staff use, and member. I love the reports, and the face check in. Easy to find athletes by their face. Great for when you have new staff. It truly is a great bundle for workout tracking, integration with current website, and integration with marketing emails. All things other companies charge extra for. I would and have recommended this software to other gym and martial art owners.

Inconvénients :

The apps are great for managing but missing some fuctionality such as being able to schedule privates on the app. They where missing staff clicks in, retail sales but they have recently added those. Hard to find much I dislike and what I do they don't seem to be standing still, adding new function all the time.

Solid Product for Crossfit Gyms

Commentaires : I do not use it for my business, but have used it as an avid fitness enthusiast for over 2 years. It is nice when gyms all over the country use this software. I can have multiple gym memberships under 1 zenplanner account and switch between them.

Avantages :

I have used this program at 3 crossfit facilities and have enjoyed it for viewing WODs, signing up for classes, and storing workout information and PRs. I enjoy the leaderboard feature and the support you can give your gym mates.

Inconvénients :

I wish you could add features like workout videos for various exercises that are scheduled. I find some gyms do not utilize all of the features correctly, and that can make the app rather pointless. If you are not using this app to sign up for classes, log workouts, not using the leader board feature, you really aren't getting your money's worth.

Zen Planner is great - PaySimple is shit - They really need to find a new way to take payments.

Commentaires : As I said, Great but at the end of the day I can't handle the ridiculously overpriced dishonour fees that EziDebit charges and I am afraid I am already looking for a new software system. I dread the change but unless Zen Planner ditches EziDebit/PaySimple - I just can't support them anymore. I think I will move to Glofox.

Avantages :

I love the easy to use back end and the app is something that my students absolutely love - it is so easy for them to book into classes. Plus it is great being able to do pay reports for my teachers through the back end.

Inconvénients :

I am a big fan of Zen Planner but I have to say the payment platform with who they partner with is absolutely terrible. EasyDebit/PaySimple really let's Zen Planner down with exorbitant fees, delayed processing (then they charge a big dishonour fee to my customers) and an archaic user interface. I really think it's time that Zen Planner ditched EasyDebit and switched to Stripe or another payment gateway with more reasonable fees, immediate processing and an easy to use app that makes for easy refund of customer money if needed. Also can't make the reports as specific as I would like - e.g. see income per month for a specific income category which is frustrating.

Best Customer Service I ever experienced

Commentaires : I run all my programs, classes and appointments. I also use it to bill my customers and record all my expenses. It is a perfect solution for a gym of sport facility, we are a fencing club with over 100 active members.

Avantages :

It covers all my needs, but the best part of it is the Customer Service. They helped me for every step over the implementation and they have always been available over the 3 years I have used the SW to solve all my questions. It is not only about issues but also about functionality questions. They are super friendly and useful.

Inconvénients :

The SW is very good, sometimes I would have preferred a few things to be organized differently but it is not a good deal.

The best customer service crew on the planet!

Commentaires : Every (and I mean EVERY) time I contact customer support, I am astounded at not only the response speed, but in the quality and thoroughness of the help I get. Their support techs are incredibly helpful and friendly. I am always blown away at the level of service and support I get from them.

Avantages :

I like that it is very easy to set up and use. From the daily dashboard to the automated messages and prospect funnel, the system is set up to save time (and $$). The website integration is also very easy and I have yet to discover the limits of their robust reporting system.

Inconvénients :

That there is so much available that I probably only use a small percentage of its functionality.

Great Experience!

Commentaires : I absolutely love Zen Planner Help Desk. They are the most patient and helpful people EVER. Never have I called and hung up without a solution to my issue. I wish I could have them for my daily life!

Avantages :

It's simplicity. It's not overly complicated and buttons are easy to find.

Inconvénients :

Reports and the filters within it can be confusing; sometimes I'm not sure what terminology or keyword I need to use to produce a report I need - or if I'm supposed to use a whole number in a text box or spell it out...

Automizes your entire business

Commentaires : More time to work on my business instead of in it.

Avantages :

Price point, functionality (never had any down time in 5+ years), great customer support, options to customize the reports and functionalities specifically for how I choose to operate my business.

I used to use Zen Planner

Commentaires : Overall, it was great to have a place to run transactions, and keep track of member accounts, however the issues we had with zenplanner holding our money required that we switch to a different system.

Avantages :

I liked how wonderful, helpful and prompt the customer support was. I found them very easy to talk to and easy to get ahold of.

Inconvénients :

I was calling customer support daily, I took over the business from someone else who left a very messy zenplanner for me to sort out. That could be the reason I was constantly calling, but another reason is that some of the features that I thought could have been easier to use were not. I ended up switching to a different system because we were having a lot of issues with the money, one time zenplanner held our money for 2 months, when we finally found out why, the process to reclaim that money was ridiculous.

Customer Support

Commentaires : Customer support is why I'm writing this review. Everyone I have talked with has been so respectful, patient, professional and knowledgeable. Plus, quick to resolve any issue I was having.

Avantages :

The customer support that comes with the software is so essential. While there are many features, the customer support team helps to navigate through it all. One can tell this team is efficiently trained because they do not skip a beat when it comes to walking you through the system.

Inconvénients :

So many features can be overwhelming. The webinar offerings are a good idea to tackle that obstacle.