Walla vs. Mindbody

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Studio

The Smart Studio’s Choice: Walla vs Arketa

The right platform is essential for fitness and wellness studios to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. While Arketa markets itself as a simple solution, that simplicity often comes at the cost of functionality and scalability. On the other hand, Walla offers the simplicity you need to start, combined with the advanced tools to grow—making it the clear choice for studios looking to scale smarter and faster.This in-depth comparison breaks down how Walla and Arketa stack up across core features, advanced capabilities, and overall usability.

Both Walla and Mindbody are robust platforms built to help fitness and wellness businesses run smoothly—from scheduling and payments to marketing and reporting. But their approach to user experience, automation, and platform control differs in ways that matter.
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⚠️ Recent Platform Update: Mindbody & Client Login Changes

As of July 2025, Mindbody no longer allows studios to edit client email addresses or reset passwords. This update is part of a shift toward centralized login, where client account access is managed by the platform.

This limits a studio’s ability to directly support clients with basic account needs.

Walla takes a different approach—studio teams retain full control over client records and profiles, including contact updates and password resets.

Head-to-Head Features: Walla vs. Mindbody

Feature

Walla

Mindbody

Scheduling



Easy-to-use scheduling for classes, appointments, and events. Built-in reminders reduce no-shows.



Comprehensive scheduling tools for classes and staff. Some setup complexity.

Membership Management



Automated billing, renewals, and upgrades with client self-service options.



Supports flexible memberships with manual configuration options.

Payment Processing



Fully integrated with Stripe. Supports discounts, gift cards, and retail inventory.



Stripe integration and POS tools. Setup may require additional configuration.

Waivers & Contracts



Digital document hosting, e-signature support, and centralized client records.



E-signatures supported. Document management is available but less streamlined.

Staff Management



Permissions, sub management, and scheduling built into the platform.



Includes payroll and reporting, often through integrations.

Reporting



Real-time performance insights and AI-powered client retention forecasting.



Standard reporting for attendance, revenue, and staff performance.

Advanced Functionalities

Feature

Walla

Mindbody

Automation



Automates bookings, cancellations, renewals, and reminders via email or SMS.



Offers automation, but advanced workflows require configuration and maintenance.

Marketing



Native tools for email campaigns, newsletters, push notifications, and promo messages—plus AI content generation.



Built-in campaign tools available. May require third-party platforms for advanced use.

AI Features



Includes WallaPredict: AI-powered retention insights and email personalization.



Limited AI functionality. Reporting and marketing tools are primarily manual.

Client Engagement



Clean, modern booking experience with personalized communications and reminders.



Includes follow-ups and surveys. Client experience depends on custom setup.

Integrations & Flexibility

Feature

Walla

Mindbody

Third-Party Integrations



Connects with Google, Meta, and other key tools. Core platform is built to minimize reliance on external software.



Broad integration library, including CRMs and marketing platforms. Adds complexity and cost.

Marketing Integrations



Built-in marketing tools—no external email service required.



Often paired with Mailchimp or Constant Contact for email marketing.

Payment Processing



Stripe-based system supports flexible billing and plan types.



Stripe + POS integration available.

User Experience

Feature

Walla

Mindbody

Interface Design



Modern, intuitive interface designed for ease of use.



Feature-rich, but interface is dated and can feel complex.

Mobile Apps



Clean, easy-to-navigate apps for both staff and clients.



Standard apps for clients and staff. Customization is limited.

Custom Branding



Studio-branded experiences available on mobile and web.



Branding options are limited; platform emphasizes Mindbody’s identity.

Client Portal



Streamlined for bookings, schedule management, and payments.



Functional portal with advanced features. User experience may vary by setup.

Scalability & Pricing

Feature

Walla

Mindbody

Best Fit



Designed for fitness and wellness businesses of all sizes—single location to franchise.



Suited for studios, wellness centers, and growing multi-site operations.

Scalability



Scales easily with tools for multi-location and franchise support.



Supports larger and more complex businesses well.

Pricing



Starts at $199/month. No surprise fees for core features.



Starts at $129/month. Advanced features often come with additional fees.

Why Walla Delivers More Than Legacy

Walla simplifies operations without the clunky workflows.

Client Record Control: Studios can update client emails and reset passwords—without waiting on the platform.
Streamlined Scheduling & Memberships: Easy setup for classes, appointments, and automated renewals. No hidden menus or outdated processes.
Modern, Intuitive Design: Staff and clients navigate easily without training or extra clicks.

Mindbody’s legacy system comes with layers of setup, platform-controlled logins, and dated design that slow teams down. Walla gives you simplicity that works the way studios do today.

Walla equips you with tools that actually help you keep members and boost revenue.

WallaPredict (AI-Powered Retention)
Identifies at-risk clients and recommends proactive next steps.
Built-In Marketing Suite
Send newsletters, push notifications, and behavior-based automations without third-party add-ons.
Real-Time Reporting Dashboards
Spot attendance trends and revenue shifts instantly.

Mindbody’s reporting and marketing tools often require manual setup or outside platforms. Walla gives you growth-focused features built right in.

Studios grow without surprises when they choose Walla.

Multi-Location Dashboards
Manage revenue, staff, and schedules across all studios in one view.
Flexible Staff Permissions
Customize roles and access at every level.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees for automations, SMS, or essential features.

Mindbody’s pricing starts low but often scales with extra fees for core functionality—making growth costlier than expected.

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Why Mindbody Falls Short

Your Clients. Out Of Your Control

Mindbody decides how your clients log in, update information, and manage their accounts—leaving you powerless. Instead of solving problems in-house, you’re forced to send frustrated clients back to Mindbody, putting distance between you and your own community.

Operations Stuck in the Past

Mindbody’s legacy design means every change—whether it’s scheduling, memberships, or reporting—requires extra training, integrations, and workarounds. The platform dictates how your business runs, not you.

Hidden Costs, Rising Fees

What looks affordable at first quickly becomes expensive as you scale. Essential features like automations, marketing, and SMS come with hidden fees, so the more successful your studio becomes, the less control you have over your bottom line.

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Key Differences at a Glance: Why studios choose Walla



Control Stays With You

Unlike legacy platforms, Walla puts ownership back in your hands. You decide how clients access, engage, and experience your studio—no restrictions, no middleman.



A True Growth Partner

Walla isn’t just software—it’s a growth engine, with AI-powered insights and automation built to fuel and support your success.



Experience Clients Love

With a sleek easy to navigate design and studio-branded apps, Walla makes every interaction seamless. Happier clients stay longer, book more often, and fuel your success.

Thinking of Switching? Here’s What to Expect

Switching platforms doesn’t have to be hard. Walla offers white-glove onboarding to help migrate:

Client records and membership
Schedules and staff settings
Contracts and waivers
Reporting and data insights

You don’t lose momentum—you gain flexibility.

Which platform is right for you?

Choose Walla if you want a platform that:

Simplifies day-to-day operations
Delivers AI-powered insights you can act on
Keeps full control of client data and experience in your hands
Fuels growth without surprise fees

Choose Mindbody if you prioritize:

Deep third-party integrations
A long-established platform with broad functionality
Tools designed for complex, enterprise-style businesses—even if the experience feels dated