Best Software for Small Martial Arts Schools
Belts, attendance requirements, and fee collection keep a dojo running. Here’s how to pick software that respects your size, tracks promotion readiness, and keeps dues flowing.
Unique needs of small martial arts schools
- Belt eligibility: attendance counts and instructor notes decide when a student can test.
- Multiple fee types: monthly dues, grading fees, uniforms/gear—all need tracking per family.
- Community communication: schedule changes and test-day info must reach every parent fast.
- Owner-operator friendly: no front-desk team means software has to be easy on day one.
Must-have features for dojos
Attendance & promotion tracking
Fast kiosk or instructor check-in tied to belt eligibility and testing requirements.
- Kiosk mode
- Eligibility counters
- Absence reasons
- Exportable logs
Belt tests & certificates
Track curriculum, mark skills complete, and issue certificates when students pass.
- Skill checklists
- Instructor notes
- Certificate templates
- Parent portal
Billing & fees
Recurring dues, testing fees, and gear charges handled in one ledger with reminders.
- Auto-dues
- One-off fees
- Reminders
- Family balances
Top software options for small martial arts schools
NNERB
Built for small rosters with automated dues, attendance kiosk, belt/skill tracking, and certificates—plus a free tier to get started.
- Strengths: quick setup, family accounts, multi-currency support, mobile check-in.
- Why it fits: keeps billing, attendance, and belt readiness together without enterprise pricing.
Kicksite
Focused on martial arts schools with belt tracking and payments. Pricing is paid from day one, generally higher than lean startups prefer.
- Pros: tailored curriculum tracking.
- Watch for: no free tier and fewer general class features than broader platforms.
Zen Planner / Mindbody
Well-known in fitness; plans typically start around $100–$129/month. Strong for larger studios but heavy for many small dojos.
- Pros: many integrations, branded app options.
- Watch for: steeper learning curve, higher base cost, features aimed at bigger gyms.
Why NNERB fits small dojos
- Belt-ready tracking: attendance + skills roll up to eligibility so you know who can test.
- Certificates in seconds: generate belt or stripe certificates without leaving the app.
- Dependable dues: recurring billing with reminders and flexible payment options.
- Local support: Caribbean-friendly currencies and gateways; responsive support for small schools.
- Zero-friction launch: import your roster and start collecting dues the same day.
Quick setup checklist for martial arts schools
- Load your belt curriculum and testing requirements into the platform.
- Turn on kiosk or instructor check-in; test a mock class to verify attendance flows.
- Set recurring dues plus testing fees; enable reminders before grading day.
- Create certificate templates for each belt/stripe and test-send one to yourself.
- Set up group messages for parents to announce grading dates, closures, or seminars.
