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Scheduling · head to head

SimplyBook.me vs Zen Planner

SimplyBook.me logo

SimplyBook.me

Scheduling

Online booking system for service businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zen Planner logo

Zen Planner

Sports

Member management for fitness businesses

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SimplyBook.me has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SimplyBook.me pricing model includes many features locked behind custom add-ons; Zen Planner limited staff app features compared to desktop version
  • They diverge on capability: SimplyBook.me covers Booking website, Zen Planner covers Member management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SimplyBook.me and Zen Planner actually diverge.

Attributes where SimplyBook.me and Zen Planner differ
AttributeSimplyBook.meZen Planner
Starting priceFree$99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
CategorySchedulingSports
Founded20092006

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in SimplyBook.me

  • Booking website
  • Client management
  • Payment processing
  • Custom branding
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook
  • Zoom
  • PayPal

Only in Zen Planner

  • Member management
  • Automated billing
  • Class scheduling
  • Workout tracking
  • Mailchimp
  • SugarWOD
  • Wodify

Both cover

  • Marketing tools
  • Stripe
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

SimplyBook.me

  • Schedulingnot Zen Planner
  • Appointment bookingnot Zen Planner
  • Time trackingnot Zen Planner
  • Resource managementnot Zen Planner
  • Team coordinationnot Zen Planner

Zen Planner

  • Workout trackingnot SimplyBook.me
  • Nutrition managementnot SimplyBook.me
  • Health monitoringnot SimplyBook.me
  • Fitness coachingnot SimplyBook.me
  • Wellness improvementnot SimplyBook.me

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

SimplyBook.me

  • Pricing model includes many features locked behind custom add-ons
  • No built-in video conferencing, requiring third-party integration
  • Limited CRM capabilities compared to dedicated sales platforms
  • Free plan capped at 5 bookings per month, limiting small business use

Zen Planner

  • Limited staff app features compared to desktop version
  • System crashes and occasional bugs reported by users
  • Integration difficulties with certain third-party platforms
  • Customers report continued charges after completed cancellation

Pricing, plan by plan

SimplyBook.me

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 bookings/month
    • Booking website
    • Basic features
  • Basic$8.25/month
    • 100 bookings
    • Custom features
    • Payments
  • Standard$24.9/month
    • 500 bookings
    • All features
    • Multiple locations

Zen Planner

$99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Zen Planner review.

Which should you pick?

Choose SimplyBook.me if

  • You need booking website.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want client management.
SimplyBook.me review

Choose Zen Planner if

  • You need member management.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want automated billing.
Zen Planner review

Questions people ask

Is SimplyBook.me or Zen Planner better?
Neither clearly leads. SimplyBook.me starts at Free and Zen Planner at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SimplyBook.me or Zen Planner?
SimplyBook.me has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SimplyBook.me and $99/month for Zen Planner.
Does SimplyBook.me or Zen Planner run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use SimplyBook.me for free?
Yes. SimplyBook.me has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zen Planner starts at $99/month.
What is SimplyBook.me best used for?
SimplyBook.me is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Zen Planner is typically brought in for.
What can SimplyBook.me do that Zen Planner cannot?
SimplyBook.me covers Booking website, Client management, Payment processing, Custom branding. Zen Planner covers Member management, Automated billing, Class scheduling, Workout tracking. Both handle Marketing tools, Stripe, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SimplyBook.me: Does SimplyBook.me offer a free plan?

Yes, SimplyBook.me offers a free plan for small businesses, though advanced features and custom add-ons require paid plans.

Source
Zen Planner: Does Zen Planner have a free tier?

No, Zen Planner does not offer a free tier. Pricing starts at $99 per month with no free trial mentioned in their standard offerings.

Source
Zen Planner: Can Zen Planner integrate with ClassPass?

Yes. ClassPass seamlessly integrates with Zen Planner, allowing gyms to sync their schedule and avoid overbooking when offering ClassPass to members.

Source
Zen Planner: Does Zen Planner work with SugarWOD?

Yes. Zen Planner integrates with SugarWOD, making it a popular choice for CrossFit gym owners who want to manage both WOD tracking and gym operations in one system.

Source
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