OLM

Overview

OLM is management software for martial arts academies, covering disciplines such as BJJ, judo, muay thai, MMA, karate and kickboxing. It is best suited to schools that want attendance, rank records and member payments in one martial-arts-focused system.

Its breadth is compelling for a free platform, but transaction charges and a one-time setup fee deserve close attention before a gym commits.

Key features

Attendance, ranks and retention

Students can check in by kiosk or QR code, with activity flowing into a live attendance feed. That gives staff visibility into participation across check-in methods. AI Monitor flags members whose attendance is declining roughly 14 days before they stop coming and provides growth and retention summaries, making it useful for gyms that want an early prompt to follow up.

OLM tracks attendance and belt progression, and lets members keep separate rank records for multiple disciplines. Belt lineage can travel with a member between OLM gyms, a meaningful fit for multi-art academies and students who change schools. The records are more specialized than a basic attendance roster, though their value depends on a gym’s need to manage martial-arts ranks.

Billing, member app and waivers

With Stripe Connect Standard, each gym connects its own Stripe account and receives member payments directly. Stripe processing fees are charged separately by Stripe, and OLM says it cannot see card data. This arrangement keeps payment processing tied to the gym’s account, while OLM’s separate invoice fees still affect the cost of using the platform.

The white-labeled iOS and Android member app supports check-in, schedules, waiver signing and subscription self-service. Those tools let members handle routine tasks without relying on staff for each one. OLM says signed waiver PDFs are SHA-256 hashed, IP-verified and audit-locked, providing a clear recordkeeping focus.

OLM lists Stripe, Resend, SendGrid, S3 and Clerk among its integrations. The pricing page includes priority support; the founder reads messages and usually replies the same business day.

Pricing

Platform access: free. The plan is billed at $0/month and includes unlimited members and check-ins, all features and integrations. The trade-off is usage-based charges: 2% per membership invoice, with a $2 minimum; 3% on seminars, merchandise and drop-ins; and $0 on in-gym POS. Stripe processing fees are separate. This suits a gym that prefers no monthly platform bill and can account for transaction charges, but the free label does not mean every payment is free of OLM fees.

One-time setup: $499, paid once. Billed $499 once, ever, this done-for-you setup covers roster import, Stripe Connect setup, app branding and a founder onboarding call. The fee is waived if the gym is not live within 14 days of the onboarding call. It may be worthwhile for a school seeking help with launch tasks; gyms comfortable handling those tasks should weigh the upfront charge against that support.

Platforms

OLM is available on Android, iOS and the web. Its white-labeled member app is available on iOS and Android, while web access gives staff another platform for gym management.

Who it's for

OLM is a strong fit for martial arts schools that need multiple-discipline rank records, attendance tracking, membership billing and a member app. Its own guidance points yoga and pilates studios toward Mindbody or Glofox, so those businesses should look to studio-focused options instead.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Unlimited members and check-ins on the free platform plan avoid a member-count ceiling.
• Pros: Separate rank records and portable belt lineage address needs specific to martial arts schools.
• Pros: The member app combines check-in, schedules, waivers and subscription self-service.
• Cons: Membership invoices carry a 2% fee with a $2 minimum, and seminars, merchandise and drop-ins carry a 3% fee.
• Cons: Setup costs $499 once unless the gym is not live within 14 days of the onboarding call.

Alternatives

Clubworx is worth considering for a school that wants a free plan capped at 20 active members, with online booking, payments, email and SMS, self-check-in kiosk and attendance; it also offers a free trial.

Gym Admin is a closer alternative for schools that want a free plan capped at 50 active students with billing, attendance, rank tracking and student app access, or prefer a $59.00 USD Pro Plan. It supports macOS as well as Android, iOS and web.

DojoStack may suit a new or small school with fewer than 75 students: its free Launch plan includes student management, attendance, belt and rank tracking, a parent portal and basic reporting. Its Pro plan is $149 a month.

Kozaru is an option for a web-only school seeking a free plan after a 30-day trial, capped at 20 active students. The free plan has no AI helper, and texts require a card.

Spoteca offers a web-only free plan billed forever for up to 10 billable enrollments, with all features and no credit card; its Growth plan is $1 a month per billable enrollment.

Kombat Evolve is a paid alternative with Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows support; its Starter plan costs €59 a month for up to 100 active members, with VAT excluded.

GymMaster is a paid option with Android, iOS, API and web support. Its Foundation plan is $89 a month for 100 current members, with a 10% subscription discount for annual payment; prices exclude tax.

Zen Planner is another paid alternative, with Android, iOS, API and web support.

For broader comparisons, see Martial Arts School Software and Gym Waiver Software.

Verdict

Choose OLM if you run a martial arts academy and value cross-discipline rank records, attendance tools and a branded member app without a monthly platform charge. Its main drawback is the combination of transaction fees and a $499 setup charge; gyms that want predictable software costs or do not need martial-arts-specific records should compare alternatives before signing up.