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Online vs In-Person: What Do You Actually Need?
Here's something most "online personal trainer software" articles won't tell you: many trainers searching for this term aren't actually running pure online coaching businesses. They train clients face-to-face but search broadly for software options.
If that sounds like you - maybe you train clients at a gym but want to send them workouts between sessions, or you're considering adding online clients to your in-person roster - this guide is especially useful. We'll cover platforms for every scenario.
Quick Reality Check
Before you spend hours researching software, ask yourself:
- -Pure online coaching? You need program delivery, video libraries, and a client app. Look at Trainerize, TrueCoach, or Everfit.
- -Mostly in-person with some online? You might be paying for features you rarely use. Consider simpler tools for your primary workflow.
- -100% in-person training? You probably don't need "online" software at all. You need quick client reference and session logging.
With that context, let's look at what features actually matter for different training styles.
Key Features to Look For in PT Software
Different training styles require different feature sets. Here's what matters most depending on how you work:
Online Coaches Need:
- Program delivery to client app
- Video exercise library
- Progress tracking & check-ins
- In-app messaging
- Nutrition/meal planning (often)
In-Person Trainers Need:
- Fast client info access
- Restriction/injury tracking
- Quick session logging
- Offline mode (gym basements)
- Simple, fast interface
Hybrid Trainers (In-Person + Some Online):
This is where it gets tricky. Most software is designed for one model or the other. If you train clients in person 80% of the time but occasionally send them workouts, you have two options:
- 1.Use full-featured online software (Trainerize, TrueCoach) and accept you're paying for features you rarely use
- 2.Use simple in-person software and send occasional workouts via PDF, video, or basic templates
Most trainers overthink this. Pick software that matches your primary workflow, not your occasional edge cases.
Quick Comparison Table
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the best online personal trainer software options in 2025:
* Prices as of December 2025. Check official websites for current pricing.
1. Trainerize
Best for Pure Online Coaching
Trainerize (now ABC Trainerize after acquisition) is the industry standard for online personal training. It's the most feature-complete platform for coaches who deliver programs remotely and need a polished client experience.
Pros
- - Industry-leading exercise video library
- - Excellent client-facing app
- - Integrates with wearables (Apple Watch, Fitbit)
- - Built-in payment processing
- - White-label app option (higher tiers)
Cons
- - Add-on pricing gets expensive fast
- - Steep learning curve
- - Interface can feel overwhelming
- - Overkill if you train in-person
- - Support quality varies
Bottom line: Trainerize is the gold standard for online coaching but comes with complexity and cost. If you're building a serious remote coaching business, it's worth the investment. If you mostly train in person, you'll find yourself paying for features you never touch.
2. TrueCoach
Simplest Program Delivery
TrueCoach is the cleaner, simpler alternative to Trainerize. It focuses on doing one thing well: delivering workout programs to clients. If you want online coaching without the bloat, TrueCoach is refreshing.
Pros
- - Clean, intuitive interface
- - Easy workout builder
- - Clients use it for free
- - Responsive customer support
- - Solid mobile experience
Cons
- - No built-in nutrition tracking
- - Price jumps at 20+ clients ($99/mo)
- - Limited automation features
- - No white-label on lower tiers
- - Still online-focused
Bottom line: TrueCoach is perfect if you want a straightforward way to send workouts to online clients without drowning in features. The pricing is reasonable for smaller client rosters.
3. Everfit
Best for Automation & Scale
Everfit is the newer player that's been gaining ground with a modern interface and strong automation features. They offer a free tier for up to 5 clients, making it accessible for trainers just starting with online coaching.
Pros
- - Free tier for 5 clients
- - Modern, polished interface
- - Strong automation features
- - On-demand video integration
- - Good client engagement tools
Cons
- - Add-ons increase cost quickly
- - Some features require upgrades
- - Can be overwhelming with all options
- - Still building out some features
- - Best for online, not in-person
Bottom line: Everfit is excellent if you want modern features and plan to scale your online coaching business. The free tier is genuinely useful for testing, and the automation saves time as you grow.
4. My PT Hub
Best Budget All-in-One
My PT Hub tries to be everything: workout programming, nutrition, scheduling, payments, and client management. At $14.40/month with unlimited clients, it offers remarkable value - if you can handle the learning curve.
Pros
- - Incredibly affordable ($14.40/mo)
- - Unlimited clients included
- - Comprehensive feature set
- - No per-client fees ever
- - Long-standing platform (reliable)
Cons
- - Interface feels cluttered
- - Jack of all trades, master of none
- - Mobile app can be slow
- - Takes time to set up properly
- - Design feels dated
Bottom line: If budget is your top priority and you need an all-in-one platform, My PT Hub can't be beat on value. Just expect to invest time learning the system and accept a less polished experience.
5. PT Distinction
Best for White-Label Branding
PT Distinction focuses heavily on white-labeling. You can have your own branded iOS and Android app, complete website integration, and custom branding throughout. If you're building a premium coaching brand, this is worth considering.
Pros
- - Best white-label options available
- - Custom branded app included (Pro)
- - Full website integration
- - Unlimited trainers on team plans
- - Comprehensive coaching tools
Cons
- - Lower tiers limited (3-25 clients)
- - Per-client fees above 50 ($1.60 each)
- - Interface not as modern
- - Setup time required
- - Focused on online coaching
Bottom line: PT Distinction is the choice if branding matters to you. Having your own app and fully branded experience justifies the price for coaches positioning themselves as premium.
6. TrainHeroic
Best for Strength & Athletic Coaches
TrainHeroic is purpose-built for strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, and sports performance professionals. If you work with athletes, this speaks your language in ways general PT software doesn't.
Pros
- - Built for strength training
- - Marketplace to sell programs
- - Free athlete app
- - Team management features
- - Sport-specific programming tools
Cons
- - Team pricing gets expensive ($75+)
- - Per-coach fees add up
- - Overkill for general fitness
- - Complex pricing structure
- - No nutrition features
Bottom line: If you're a strength coach working with athletes or teams, TrainHeroic is the specialist tool that understands your workflow. General fitness trainers should look elsewhere.
7. FitSW (VIP.Coach)
Budget Alternative
FitSW has been around since the early days of personal training software. Recently acquired and rebranded as VIP.Coach, it offers solid functionality at a lower price point for budget-conscious trainers.
Pros
- - Affordable starting price ($19/mo)
- - Established platform (20,000+ trainers)
- - Available in 6+ languages
- - Comprehensive for the price
- - Mobile apps for trainer and client
Cons
- - Interface feels dated
- - Recent rebrand may confuse
- - Pricing scales with clients
- - Less polished than newer options
- - Support can be slow
Bottom line: FitSW is a reliable budget option if you're just starting with online coaching and don't need the polish of newer platforms. Just be aware it's not winning any design awards.
8. ClientSnap
Best for In-Person / Hybrid Trainers
ClientSnap takes a completely different approach. Instead of trying to compete with online coaching platforms, it focuses on what in-person trainers actually need: instant access to client information during face-to-face sessions.
If you searched for "online personal trainer software" but actually train most of your clients in person, ClientSnap might be exactly what you need - even though it's not an online coaching platform.
Pros
- - 2-second client info access
- - Restrictions highlighted prominently
- - Flat $25/month, unlimited clients
- - Works offline (gym basements)
- - Dead simple to use
- - Mobile-first design
Cons
- - No program builder or delivery
- - No nutrition tracking
- - No client-facing app
- - No payment processing
- - Not for pure online coaching
- - No video exercise library
Bottom line: ClientSnap is intentionally simple. It won't help you run an online coaching business, but if your main pain point is fumbling through notes while your client stands there waiting, it solves that specific problem better than the bloated alternatives.
Who should NOT use ClientSnap: Pure online coaches, trainers who need to send programs to clients, anyone who needs nutrition tracking or a client-facing app.
Who SHOULD use ClientSnap: In-person trainers tired of overcomplicated software, hybrid trainers who want something simple for their in-person workflow, anyone who values speed and simplicity over features.
Try ClientSnap free for 14 daysHow to Choose the Right Software
With so many options, here's a decision framework based on your primary training style:
If you run a pure online coaching business...
Go with Trainerize (industry standard) or TrueCoach (simpler alternative). Both are built specifically for remote coaching.
If you want to scale and automate...
Everfit has the best automation features. The free tier lets you test before committing.
If budget is your top priority...
My PT Hub at $14.40/month with unlimited clients is hard to beat. Accept the dated interface for the savings.
If you want your own branded app...
PT Distinction offers the best white-label value without enterprise pricing.
If you're a strength or athletic coach...
TrainHeroic is purpose-built for your needs with sport-specific features.
If you train clients in-person and searched "online software" broadly...
ClientSnap focuses on what in-person trainers actually need - fast client info access, not program delivery features you'll never use.
Conclusion
The "best" online personal trainer software depends entirely on how you actually train clients. A pure online coach needs different tools than someone who trains clients face-to-face five days a week.
Here's what we recommend:
- Pure online coaching: Trainerize or TrueCoach
- Scaling with automation: Everfit
- Tight budget: My PT Hub
- Own branded app: PT Distinction
- Strength/athletic coaching: TrainHeroic
- In-person training: ClientSnap
Most platforms offer free trials. Use them. Spend a week actually using the software with real clients before committing. The "best" software is whichever one you'll actually use consistently.
Mostly train clients in person?
ClientSnap gives you instant access to client restrictions, goals, and session history - without the complexity of online coaching platforms you don't need.
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