The G2 on Zen Planner

Zen Planner Pros and Cons: Top 5 Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users highlight the ease of use of Zen Planner, making management and implementation straightforward for everyone. (3 mentions)

Users value the easy-to-use scheduling features of Zen Planner, enhancing organization and client engagement for gyms. (2 mentions)

Users love the booking ease of Zen Planner, facilitating seamless class reservations directly from their website. (1 mentions)

Users praise the exceptional customer support, highlighting quick responses and effective assistance during implementation. (1 mentions)

Users laud the management efficiency of Zen Planner, simplifying billing, scheduling, and payroll tasks seamlessly. (1 mentions)

Users face significant payment issues with Zen Planner, reporting delays and poor communication during processor transitions. (2 mentions)

Users express frustration with poor customer support, citing ignored refund requests and lack of effective communication. (2 mentions)

Users find Zen Planner too expensive, facing high bills without satisfactory support or efficient features integration. (1 mentions)

Users express frustration with limited customization, highlighting difficulties in using outdated features and poor communication. (1 mentions)

Users find it challenging to manage customer credits in Zen Planner, complicating their overall membership management experience. (1 mentions)

5 Pros or Advantages of Zen Planner

1. Ease of Use

Users highlight the ease of use of Zen Planner, making management and implementation straightforward for everyone.

See 3 mentions

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Kieran E.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Zero Support & Ongoing Billing Issues"

What do you like about Zen Planner?

The Zen Planner platform was ok to use from the start and did the basics of what we needed but it all went downhill after that

Stacy B.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Easy to use and navigate system"

What do you like about Zen Planner?

Ease of implementation & customer support

2. Scheduling

Users value the easy-to-use scheduling features of Zen Planner, enhancing organization and client engagement for gyms.

See 2 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you like about Zen Planner?

It is a basic gym management software that allows for billing, class scheduling and payroll management.

Michael R.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Not simply an App but a partner"

What do you like about Zen Planner?

The fact that this system is so easy to use and it incorporates platforms like Zoom. The best feature is the Zenplanners calendar can be embedded on

3. Booking Ease

Users love the booking ease of Zen Planner, facilitating seamless class reservations directly from their website.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Michael R.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Not simply an App but a partner"

What do you like about Zen Planner?

The fact that this system is so easy to use and it incorporates platforms like Zoom. The best feature is the Zenplanners calendar can be embedded on

4. Customer Support

Users praise the exceptional customer support, highlighting quick responses and effective assistance during implementation.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Stacy B.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Easy to use and navigate system"

What do you like about Zen Planner?

Ease of implementation & customer support

5. Management Efficiency

Users laud the management efficiency of Zen Planner, simplifying billing, scheduling, and payroll tasks seamlessly.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you like about Zen Planner?

It is a basic gym management software that allows for billing, class scheduling and payroll management.

5 Cons or Disadvantages of Zen Planner

1. Payment Issues

Users face significant payment issues with Zen Planner, reporting delays and poor communication during processor transitions.

See 2 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

So many of the features are outdated and the communication with the company is absysmal. Even their newly upgraded email system is basic and hard to u

Kieran E.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Zero Support & Ongoing Billing Issues"

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Customer service is nonexistent, refund requests are ignored, and their blatant disregard for the countless emails we’ve sent is unacceptable.

2. Poor Customer Support

Users express frustration with poor customer support, citing ignored refund requests and lack of effective communication.

See 2 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

So many of the features are outdated and the communication with the company is absysmal. Even their newly upgraded email system is basic and hard to u

Kieran E.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Zero Support & Ongoing Billing Issues"

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Customer service is nonexistent, refund requests are ignored, and their blatant disregard for the countless emails we’ve sent is unacceptable.

3. Expensive

Users find Zen Planner too expensive, facing high bills without satisfactory support or efficient features integration.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

So many of the features are outdated and the communication with the company is absysmal. Even their newly upgraded email system is basic and hard to u

4. Limited Customization

Users express frustration with limited customization, highlighting difficulties in using outdated features and poor communication.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Scott D.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

0.0/5

"Outdated and Uncommunicative."

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

So many of the features are outdated and the communication with the company is absysmal. Even their newly upgraded email system is basic and hard to u

5. Membership Management

Users find it challenging to manage customer credits in Zen Planner, complicating their overall membership management experience.

See 1 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Stacy B.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Easy to use and navigate system"

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Sometimes the system is difficult in managing customer credits

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Adam P.

Professional Realtor

Real Estate

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

12/9/2016

"Zenplanner review "

3.5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

Availability to respond to questions is a plus. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Complexity of simple tasks, inability to create specific items for our business. Having to receive an automated email every time you contact support. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

If you are running a huge business with multiple classes/options this might be the best plan for you. If you are running a small to mid level martial art program with only 2 membership options (full and part time) it might be a bit overkill in some areas and not helpful in others. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

Membership management/billing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Catherine T.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

11/30/2016

"Awesome"

3.5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

The people and customer service. They aren't so helpful with the onboard calls it makes it Ann easier process Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Just that there's so much to learn but it's good it means it offers so many options Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Jenny W.

Owner/Instructor

Performing Arts

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/19/2016

"ZenPlanner Has the Best Customer Support Team"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

I really appreciate that their preferred merchant services providers are so well priced! Saved us a great deal of money by switching to PaySimple (preferred provider through ZenPlanner). The API was really easy to get configured and connected. I think what stood out most, is that we pay for what we need - so it scales as we do. ZenPlanner's monthly subscription rates are fantastic, coupled with good rates for merchant processing we are in good shape! I was a MindBody Online customer for a while, but the functionality was definitely not as intuitive as ZenPlanner, and their customer support team was non-existent. I have not had many issues while using ZenPlanner, but if the occasion arises, I can expect a prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable response. Overall, switching to them and obtaining their service was the best decision we have made when it comes to tracking and streamlining our processes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

That the "studio" is not an app available for our instructors. The kiosk app is wonderful for students to use at the reception desk, however, our instructors work with many students individually and having the studio available as an actual mobile application would be super helpful instead of just the mobile-responsive site. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

Be okay with the studio not having an application, but they make things so much easier - from storing and signing waivers and gym rules, to actually migrating your database data from other providers, their service is top notch. Truly cannot sing their praises loud enough. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

We solved the bleeding that was happening with merchant processing from TransFirst. The ability to reach a human being on the support team is in and of itself highly valuable. All in all, it meets our needs and then some. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Tiffany Houkom of Zen Planner

edit

Jenny, thank you for the great feedback, we really appreciate it! We will be releasing a Staff App in the very near future. Stay tuned to our blog for information about its release: https://zenplanner.com/blog/. - Tiffany Houkom, SEM Specialist

Lynne Archambault M.

President/Owner

Newspapers

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/19/2016

"User friendly!"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

They aim to please and really walk you through any questions and offer solutions and ideas for best ways to accomplish something. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Haven't come across anything I would say that I dislike, honestly, but, then again, I don't really have anything to compare it to. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

If you can't figure out how to do something, ask! Lots of times they'll help you figure it out and if it's not something they can do, frequently they'll say "You bring up a good point and we'll put that forward for consideration in the next upgrade". Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

Growing an existing business that really fell by the wayside. The previous owner took her eye off the ball and lost instructors and customers. I don't think she used ZP to it's full potential either. I feel that I really benefit from the ability to activate emails based on certain customer actions and keep track of attendance, membership, reschedule classes, and emails, etc. etc. etc. It's really a Godsend. I run another fitness business which is a franchise operation, so the data base is not my choice. I wish we could use ZP for our business needs there b/c it would really make like so much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Lee P.

The Guy Who Does Everything But Teach Dance

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/18/2016

"Zen Planner is amazing!"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

In short, all of the functionality of our CRM is tied directly to payments and attendance for customers. It is very easy to use. They take our suggestions for changes and actually make them. The team behind the product is wonderful as well. Even if we have the rare issue and it happens to be on a weekend, we still get an immediate response. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

There are a few things that are duplicative and certain areas that aren't exactly what we would like for our vertical. Each time we think of an area of improvement, the ZP team is able to assist us to make it awesome in a future release. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

We looked at every product on the market and Zen Planner easily fits our needs including price. It was a no brainer to incorporate the ZP team in to our world. We will be clients for life. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

Zen Planner saves us at least 8-10 hours of employee time per week. That alone is enough to keep us a customers for life. The cost savings on this alone is brilliant not to mention the integration and ability to have the entire staff on one platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Chris E.

Business Owner

Health, Wellness and Fitness

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

6/3/2016

"Every base covered"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

The data storage - it can record anything and everything, and then report on it for you.... and if it can't report it, you can extract to a worksheet for further detailed reporting.

Also the automation and email communication templates are great - so flexible. Plus it does all the 'must haves' too!! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Nothing really.... only that there are features that could be added that would improve it more, I.e. workout tracking that recorded two variables and a calculation, like run time and distance then calculate pace and track it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Gina G.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

12/3/2016

"My experience with Zen."

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

The Zen Planner staff is extremely professional and knowledgeable.

They are usually always available and if they are not they will call back promptly. They offer everything I could possibly need!! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

There's nothing I could think of right now. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

John H.

Head of Sales

Health, Wellness and Fitness

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/14/2016

"Best IN the Business"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

I've been using Zen Planner to manage Rocky Mountain Self Defense & Fitness since 2010. They are great! I've used a lot of other systems over the years and they are great from Tech support to adding features we request. The plat form is easy to use and our students love the member portal. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

There is really nothing I dislike. Maybe uploading photos to members profile, but that is partly a phone issue Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

It was a great move for us, We have grown so much since starting with Zen planner. It has made things a lot easier for us Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

Billing, Member tracking and retention, pro shop sales you name it they do it an we use it Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Doug O.

Business Owner

Health, Wellness and Fitness

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/14/2016

"Waited far too long to switch to Zen Planner!"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

Zen Planner is powerful, and yet very intuitive and easy to use. The on-boarding sessions and support are fantastic, but even just using the on-line support site is user-friendly. (The only set-up and data import issues encountered were because I did not follow the steps correctly, definitely not an issue with Zen Planner!) The interface is very clean and user-friendly. Everything just seems to work together, unlike some other competing products that seem more of a collection of separate parts that were "forced" together. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Haven't found anything yet. Implementation is still relatively recent. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

StacyRae M.

Owner

Telecommunications

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4/14/2016

"I LOVE Zen Planner!"

5/5

What do you like best about Zen Planner?

I have been a personal trainer for over 30 years now and have been using the old fashion pen and paper system for my studio. When I decided to expand and knew that I needed to become more organized & up to-date with my business on many levels I started to research different soft-ware companies that I thought would be a good fit. I started with one company ( not necessary to use the name), but discontinued it after being very over-whelmed and exhausted trying to figure it out. Then one day while I was on Face book I saw an ad for Zen planner and got very excited and called them. I started with a trial and then decided to give it a try. I then attended a personal training convention and they had a booth there and after speaking with one of the reps for Zen planner I knew I had made the right choice for my business. What I like most about Zen planner is the AMAZING customer service. They have the most well trained employees that take the time to explain everything to you to make sure your business is running smoothly with the software. They are patient, kind and never seem to get frustrated with me when I call with an issue. Then they follow up with a email explaining how to fix the problem if it should arise again. Since I started Zen planner my business runs smoother, is more organized and I am able to get all my clients on auto-pay. I still have yet to figure out all the in's and out's of the software but I know i made the right choice with choosing them for my business. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Zen Planner?

Not to much to say here....one suggestion I do have is to get the re-occurring clients feature to be working consistently. For example, if I have a client who trains every Tues/Thurs at 6 am and is a regular at that time slot then I shouldn't have to keep scheduling them every week or month if they are in a year membership. So clients are fine and for some reason some others are not. I have brought that to their attention and I believe they are working on it. I hope so!:-) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Zen Planner:

It is a great software system, easy to learn and a must for your business to be up-to date with what you need to do. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Zen Planner solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am solving scheduling issues as well as payment issues. I now have all my clients on auto-pay and so i get paid with most of my clients on the 1st of every month therefore I can forecast my income and plan better for my business.

I have benefited being more organized and also being able to run monthly reports. The software provides auto-mated emails for friendly reminders for workouts, events and up-dated credit card changes. That is very helpful and in some ways acts as a admin for me as well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.