3 BEST CHECK-IN APPS 2023

MindBody, Punchpass or OneTap?

Check-in apps can help you check in visitors 10x faster at your gym or fitness studio, save lots of paper sheets, and time in the process.

Most people search for check-in apps on Google Search, Apple App Store, or Google Play. The search results can be overwhelming. The list is very diverse, industry-specific, and varies in cost.

On one side, we have apps tailored for a specific industry like gyms, yoga studios, or schools.

On the other side, we have flexible apps and can fit into many different use-cases and customer segments.

In this article, we will examine the three best apps for gyms, yoga studios, and martial arts studios.

The contenders are (1) OneTap, (2) MindBody, and (3) Punchpass.

3 best check-in apps 2021 mindbody, punchpass or OneTap

TABLE OF CONTENT

SAVE TIME WITH CHECK-IN APPS

Why are check-in apps used?

The main purpose of a check-in app is to assist visitors with check-in. Visitors can be different people depending on the industry, e.g. students, guests, members, customers, employees, staff, attendees, etc.

Digital check-in apps can help you streamline your check-in process, save manual labor, and time for both staff and visitors during the process.

The leading check-in apps on the market are OneTap, Mindbody, and Punchpass.

Mindbody and Punchpass serve gyms and martial arts studios, and OneTap serves multiple industries, including gyms, martial arts studios, schools, universities, events, and more.

In this articel, we will do a comparison of:

Why are check-in apps used

In general, check-in apps allows you to:

  • Track time and location
  • Import data from Excel
  • Add visitor photos
  • Create list for attendance, or an event
  • Collaborate with your team
  • Export reports as Excel spreadsheets

The best check-in apps in the game, like OneTap, have features like:

  • iPad kiosk mode
  • Manage passes
  • Multiple device support
  • QR code check-in (touch-less & COVID safe)
  • Share public check-in links
  • Share public registration links
  • Analyze real-time data
  • Build surveys
  • Build a custom database
  • Recurring lists
  • Receive alerts
  • Integrate with 3rd party registration forms

Typically these businesses use check-in apps

  • Gyms
  • Fitness centers
  • Yoga studios, Martial arts studios
  • Sports clubs
  • Schools, Universities
  • Event businesses
  • After school programs, Summer camps
  • Real estate businesses
  • Churches

How much does a check-in app cost?

Check-in apps exist in the price range of $0 to several thousand dollars annually. The prices most often vary based on the number of users, visitors, and administrators.

We will dig deeper into this under our comparison.

What are the deciding factors?

  • Ease of use, simplicity!
  • Small business friendly - low cost and transparent pricing, flexible contracts, and good human support.
  • The best feature set.

MOST VALUE FOR MONEY

1. OneTap

OneTap is the most valuable app, considering its simplicity, ease of use, and cost.

OneTap makes it super easy to go from an excel file with a list of names, memberships, and other custom fields to a member or visitor database.

Once you have your database, you can create a list for different classes or a general-purpose sign-in sheet for all members/visitors.

What customers love the most about OneTap is the flexibility of the check-in process.

More than 18,000 customers trust OneTap for their check-in needs.

Key features

  • Simple check-in and check-out process, easy to upload Excel files.
  • Turn any iPad into a kiosk, customize with brand logo and colors.
  • Share individual QR passes & Apple Wallet passes with members, scan using the admin iOS app (COVID compliant).
  • Print public QR code for self-check-in, and share public check-in link (COVID compliant).
  • Create a visitor database, customize visitor properties.

Other features

Other notable points

  • Low cost pricing, it’s really attractive for small businesses.
  • Flexible contracts, cancel anytime, no setup or cancellation fees!
  • Transparent pricing, sales demo not required, you can try the whole product for free.
  • Great customer service, a human will help you with your account.

OUR NUMBER ONE PICK

OneTap Pricing

The plan is a great alternative for small businesses, events, and fitness studios.
OneTap is the only app with a free plan.

Simple & Transparent Pricing

Start with OneTap for free
No credit card required. Setup your account under 5 minutes.

Individual

Free
one tap icon for profiles
20 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
1 Admin Device
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Basic

$9.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
100 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
3 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Standard

$24.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
250 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
7 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for alerts
Alerts
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Basic
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Pro

$49.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
500 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
10 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for alerts
Alerts
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Standard
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Enterprise

Let’s talk
one tap icon for profiles
Unlimited Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
Unlimited Admin Devices
one tap icon for api integration
API Integrations
one tap icon for dedicated support
Dedicated Support
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
Custom Barcodes/QR Codes
one tap icon for excel support
Custom Reports
Icon - custom check-in codes
Custom Check-in Codes
Icon - database
Credit / Points System
SSO (SAML) Authentication
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Pro
Contact Sales

Credit card not required for sign-up, flexible cancellations.

Do you work in Non Profit or Education? We offer 15% off all plans 🙂

Individual

Free
one tap icon for profiles
20 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
1 Admin Device
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Basic

$6.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
100 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
3 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Standard

$14.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
250 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
7 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for alerts
Alerts
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Basic
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Pro

$29.99/mo
one tap icon for profiles
500 Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
10 Admin Devices
one tap icon for recurring lists small
Recurring Lists (Classes)
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
QR Passes
one tap icon for alerts
Alerts
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Standard
one tap icon for collaboration
Collaborators
Get Started

Enterprise

Let’s talk
one tap icon for profiles
Unlimited Profiles
one tap icon for multiple devices
Unlimited Admin Devices
one tap icon for api integration
API Integrations
one tap icon for dedicated support
Dedicated Support
one tap icon for qr codes ver2
Custom Barcodes/QR Codes
one tap icon for excel support
Custom Reports
Icon - custom check-in codes
Custom Check-in Codes
Icon - database
Credit / Points System
SSO (SAML) Authentication
one tap icon for point right
Everything in Pro
Contact Sales
Do you work in Non Profit or Education? We offer 15% discount

No commitment required, cancel anytime 🙂

LONGEST IN THE GAME

2.MindBody

MindBody is a platform that delivers the whole package for fitness, salons, spa, and whatnot. You can clearly say that MindBody is a platform that has it all. MindBody is also a great platform for businesses that need the whole package in one system.

MindBody is quite similar to Punchpass.
We think MindBody is quite impressive, but some of the feedback from the users has been negative due to user experience. MindBody might be a little complicated for the businesses just starting, but for the people well known with technicalities - MindBody could be the right fit.

Some customers have been vocal about their MindBody customer service experience.

MindBody features

MindBody holds the whole list of features if you pay for it, so we can’t list all the features they hold.

But we can list what's in their starter package:

  • Schedule classes
  • Schedule appointments
  • Run clients and staff
  • Basic reports
  • Listed in their MindBody app

MOST EXPENSIVE

MindBody Pricing

Based on what we can find on their web page they don’t offer any free trial. They might do it if you book a demo and ask for it.

We would assume that MindBody uses a sales rep to prep if you are a relevant client or not, before granting you access. So be aware that the process of getting a free trial by MindBody might take a while.  

Their lowest offering starts at $1428 a year.

MindBody pricing and features for fitness

CHALLENGER ON ALL FEATURES

3.Punchpass

Puchpass is another check-in solution that has grown substantially during COVID. Puchpass also offers a bunch of different services in their application. Punchpass is well known in the yoga community as a check-in system.

Punchpass features

Punchpass is more similar to Mindbody than any other solution on the market. We would also rate Punchpass as a solid provider within a check-in system that needs one system that covers everything.

We will list some of the features in their Balsam package:

  • Access to Punchpass content library
  • Reservation and waitlist
  • Create class and series
  • Recurring memberships
  • collect online waivers

MID-RANGE

Punchpass Pricing

Punchpass starts at $768 annually which is a good start point for many businesses. Puchpass also offers a 14-day free trial which is great to test out the system.

If you want to unlock all the Punchpass features, you need to go for their banyan plan. Still, you could pay to get extra features in the system.

Punchpass pricing and features

Summary


Well, that sums up our comparison of OneTap, MindBody, and Punchpass.

If you want simple, easy to use, and low cost, then checkout OneTap.
If you want an app tailored for gyms, yoga studios and are willing to spend more, then consider Punchpass.
If you want an app that's been around the longest, owned by a big company, has a big and comprehensive feature set, and higher tier cost, then consider MindBody.

Thanks for reading.