Gym Website Builder vs Gym Software vs Custom Site
By MarketingToolsProHub Editorial Team | Last updated: | 4 min read
Should a gym use a website builder, its gym software's website or a custom site?
Check your gym software first: Mindbody's Starter plan says a customised website is included, and most software embeds its timetable on any site. A builder such as Wix suits a new gym on a budget. A custom site fits gyms that want stronger local search, trial sign-ups and design.
- Builders: Wix from $17 and Squarespace from $19 a month billed annually (US); you build it yourself.
- Gym software websites: included in Mindbody's Starter plan; PushPress sells landing pages in its Grow plan from $329 a month.
- Timetables and sign-ups embed on any site: Glofox, for example, uses an iFrame.
- Custom: a one-off build designed around trial sign-ups and local search, with your software embedded.
- Whatever you choose, keep the domain in your name so you can change software later.
How do the three options compare for a gym?
| Compared | Website builder | Gym software's website | Custom website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | Wix, Squarespace | Mindbody (included in Starter), PushPress Grow | Designed and built for your gym |
| Price | From $17–$19 a month | Part of the software plan, or an add-on | From $5,000 one-off, plus hosting |
| Timetable and sign-up | Embedded from your gym software | Built in | Embedded, or built into the site |
| Design control | Templates you customise | Limited to the software's templates | Full |
| If you change software | Swap the embedded widgets | The website usually goes with it | Swap the widgets; the site stays |
| Who builds it | You | You or the vendor | Us, to a fixed written quote |
These are approximate figures based on published pricing and industry reports at the time of writing. Your actual cost depends on your scope and will be confirmed after a free discovery call with us.
For gym sites we build, see our gym website design page.
Is a website builder good enough for a gym?
For a new gym or a single studio, often yes. Wix's US plans are $17, $29, $39 and $159 a month and Squarespace's are $19, $29, $49 and $99, billed annually. Both let you embed your gym software's timetable and sign-up widgets.
The subscription doesn't do the work that decides whether visitors join: a clear trial offer, prices, real photos and a sign-up that takes seconds on a phone. Our gym website checklist lists what the finished site needs.
Should you use the website that comes with your gym software?
It's the quickest route if it's included. Mindbody says its Starter plan includes a customised website, along with branded website booking widgets; PushPress lists lead capture forms and landing pages in its separate Grow product, from $329 a month.
The trade-offs are design limits and lock-in: if you change software, the website usually changes too. Our guide to Mindbody website integration explains widgets versus the API, and our guide to gym website costs lists published software prices.
When does a custom gym website make sense?
- You want to rank for your area and services ("gym near me", "HIIT classes in [town]"), with pages for each.
- Trial sign-ups matter more than anything, and you want to design that path end to end.
- You run several locations, or plan to change gym software without losing the site.
- Your brand needs real photos, coaches and programmes presented properly, not in a template.
With us, a custom gym website with your software's timetable embedded starts at $5,000 (Custom Business Website), or $7,500 with a booking flow built into the site, with a fixed written quote after a free discovery call. You own the website, code and domain once paid.
Hosting for a small business website typically costs about $5–$50 a month: roughly $3–$15 for shared hosting and $15–$50 for managed hosting. Introductory prices are often much lower than renewal prices. We'll recommend the right option for your site in the discovery call.
How do you choose the right option for your gym?
- Check your software plan: does it include a website or landing pages?
- Test the trial sign-up on a phone in each option, start to finish.
- Count your team's time: a builder is cheap only if someone keeps it current.
- Think about switching: could you change software in two years without rebuilding?
- Compare over three years, including the time you'll spend on it.
Our guide to hiring a gym website designer helps if you go custom. See it in action: our demo gym website (a demo, not a client project) shows a timetable and trial booking on a phone. Check your current site with our free gym website grader.
Frequently asked questions
Summary
Check your gym software first: Mindbody includes a customised website in Starter, and most software embeds its timetable on any site. Builders from $17 a month suit new gyms on a budget; a custom site suits gyms that want design control, local search pages and freedom to change software.
Check your current site with our free gym website grader.
Sources checked
Information checked on . Prices, fees and policies change, so confirm details with the source before relying on them. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- Website Builder Expert: Wix pricing (US, updated 15 September 2026)
- Website Builder Expert: Squarespace pricing (US, updated 28 August 2026)
- Mindbody: business pricing
- PushPress: pricing
- Glofox Support: adding Glofox to your Squarespace website
- Prestige Technologies: website hosting cost for small business (2026)
- Hostinger: how much does website hosting cost (updated 9 September 2026)