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COMPARISON

StudioFly vs Arketa for studios in the US

Last verified: 26 September 2026

Arketa and StudioFly both run studios built on classes, appointments and memberships. This page compares them for a studio in the US: what you pay and how it’s quoted, transaction fees, member payments, text messages, the class workflow, apps and support.

Every Arketa fact comes from Arketa’s own pages, with a numbered source and the date it was checked, 25 or 26 September 2026. The pages were read from India, so US visitors may see different prices. We make StudioFly, and the page sets out where Arketa is the better choice.

Arketa is a trademark of its owner. StudioFly is not affiliated with or endorsed by Arketa. Other product names on this page belong to their owners.

Choose StudioFly if

  • You want every plan’s price and what it includes published in US dollars before a demo, with no setup fee
  • You want WhatsApp reminders, receipts and campaigns from your own number (Enterprise; add-on on Growth and Pro)
  • You want leads and CRM, classes, and products and inventory in one workspace, with every location in one login
  • Members can pay online through PayPal on your own PayPal business account (Pro and Enterprise)

Choose Arketa if

  • You teach solo and want a published self-serve plan with a free trial
  • Clients should pay by ACH, or by card in person, through Stripe
  • You text clients and want SMS credits included each month
  • Clients choose a spot on a room map, or families share packages and memberships
  • You want a branded app in the app stores, or ClassPass bookings synced into your roster
PRICING

What each one publishes.

Arketa

  • Viewed from India on 26 Sep 2026, Individual is $49/mo, “Billed annually (save 17%)”, plus a 3% transaction fee and Stripe fees, with a Start Free Trial button. The Individual price on monthly billing is not listed as of 26 Sep 2026.1
  • Studio Core, Studio Growth and Studio Suite each show Custom, “Request a demo for pricing”. Their transaction fee shows “Let’s talk”, and Studio partners discuss options with their Account Executive.1
  • Transaction fees: the help center’s taxes-and-fees article lists Arketa Starter at 9%, Arketa Individual at 3% and Arketa Studios at 0–3%, each on top of Stripe’s fee. The pricing page names Individual and the three Studio plans.2,1
  • Stripe’s card fee depends on the country; the pricing FAQ gives 2.9% + $0.30 in the US. By default, fees are passed on to the client at checkout, except on subscription purchases.1,2
  • Messaging: every account includes 10,000 marketing emails and 2,500 SMS credits a month; optional overages are $0.0005 per email and $0.015 per SMS credit.3
  • Not listed on https://www.arketa.com/pricing as of 26 Sep 2026: a price in pounds sterling. No UK pricing page was found.1
  • Contract: the pricing FAQ says there is no commitment and plans renew month to month unless an annual plan is chosen. Plan changes take effect at the next billing cycle, pausing or canceling needs Arketa support, and the refund policy says no refunds after a trial ends. The terms of service (Sutra Fitness, Inc., California law) say a user may end the account by discontinuing use.1,3,13,14
  • Funding: an Arketa post dated June 9, 2025 announces a $15 million Series A led by Inspired Capital, and a post dated April 10, 2024 on the page announces $7.6M raised from First Round Capital, Amity Ventures, Fitt Capital, Y Combinator and others.15,16

StudioFly (US dollars)

  • Growth: $99 a month, or $999 a year
  • Pro: $149 a month, or $1,499 a year
  • Enterprise: $199 a month, or $1,999 a year
  • Prices are in US dollars and exclude applicable taxes. Every plan includes one location and unlimited members, with a 14-day free trial. See pricing
SIDE BY SIDE

StudioFly and Arketa, feature by feature.

StudioFly cells show the plan that includes each feature. Arketa facts are sourced below and were checked on 25 or 26 September 2026.

FeatureStudioFlyArketa
Prices published in US dollarsYes. Growth, Pro and Enterprise in US dollars, excluding applicable taxesEvery planViewed from India on 26 Sep 2026: Individual $49/mo, “Billed annually (save 17%)”; Studio Core, Studio Growth and Studio Suite show Custom, “Request a demo for pricing”. Not listed on https://www.arketa.com/pricing as of 26 Sep 2026: the Individual price on monthly billing.1
Plan prices and features publishedYes: every plan’s price and what it includes, in US dollars outside India; no setup feeEvery planIndividual’s price and each plan’s feature list are published; the Studio plans need a demo for pricing, and their transaction fee shows “Let’s talk”.1
Self-serve free trial14-day free trial, no card neededEvery planIndividual shows a Start Free Trial button; the Studio plans ask for a demo for pricing. The refund policy says no refunds are issued after a trial ends.1,13
What you pay forA plan with one location included; extra locations are add-ons; unlimited membersEvery planIndividual pays its subscription plus a 3% transaction fee and Stripe fees on client payments. The help center’s fee table lists Arketa Starter at 9%, Arketa Individual at 3% and Arketa Studios at 0–3%, each plus Stripe fees.1,2
Online member paymentsYes: members pay online through PayPal, on your own PayPal business account, in your studio’s currencyPro and EnterpriseStripe handles payments, on Stripe Connect Custom accounts managed inside Arketa. Arketa says it supports all countries where Stripe operates and any currency Stripe supports, including USD and GBP.6,4,7
Auto-renewing membershipsYes: auto-renewing memberships as PayPal subscriptions on your PayPal account, for 30, 90, 180 or 365-day plansPro and EnterpriseAuto-renewing memberships with unlimited or credit-based access (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).32
Card processing, ACH and card terminalsNot offered: Stripe isn’t available, so there’s no ACH bank debit or card terminal through StudioFly; members pay online through PayPalCards and wallets work online, on invoices and in person. The pricing FAQ gives Stripe’s US card fee as 2.9% + $0.30. ACH works in the US when the studio’s Stripe account is US-based with ACH enabled; the Stripe overview says ACH has a different fee structure and does not state the rate.6,1,5,4
Sales tax and VAT on member invoicesOne tax rate on member invoices, set by you: the invoice is titled a Sales Tax invoice in the US or a VAT invoice in the UK. No per-state or per-item ratesEvery planNamed taxes are set globally, per location or per item, with optional tax-inclusive pricing; Arketa says it does not withhold or remit taxes. Not listed on https://help.arketa.com/settings/business/taxes as of 26 Sep 2026: VAT numbers on invoices or automatic sales-tax rate lookup.8
Text messages (SMS)Not offered: StudioFly doesn’t send text messages (SMS); member messages go by WhatsApp and emailSMS notifications and reminders are listed on every plan. Each account includes 2,500 SMS credits a month for marketing messages; a segment costs 1 credit from a US number and 5 from a UK number, and optional overages are $0.015 per credit.1,3
Email and text marketingEmail campaigns with Email Marketing Premium, and WhatsApp campaigns to opted-in members; no text-message campaignsEnterprise; add-ons on Growth and ProStudio Growth adds email and text campaigns, automated workflows and an AI-powered email builder. The billing article says every account includes 10,000 marketing emails a month, with optional overages at $0.0005 per email.1,3
Class scheduling and capacityRecurring classes with a participant limit on eachEvery planRecurring group classes, appointments and events, with service-type templates for format, location, duration and capacity (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).17
Choosing a particular spot or machineNot offered: a spot is a place in the class, not a particular machineWith spot booking on, clients choose a spot from a room map at checkout, and staff can assign or change spots (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).18
WaitlistsYes: turn on a waitlist for any class; members join it themselves when the class is full, and the first person is moved in automatically when a place frees upEvery planClients join a full class through Join Waitlist, with automatic or manual filling. Automatic waitlisting needs package-and-subscription payment only, a connected pricing option and a valid payment method or credit (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).19,20
Private and duo sessionsPrivate-session packages, including duo packages where two clients train together; members book trainers’ open slotsEvery planPrivate sessions use an availability-based calendar for clients to book instructors or staff. The pricing page lists privates and semi-privates on both plan groups, without describing a two-client booking flow.21,1
Late cancellations and no-showsAutomatic class-credit deduction within a cancellation window; no money feeEvery planLate-cancel and no-show fees can be manual or automated, and a late cancellation doesn’t return a credit by default (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).22
Online classes and PT on ZoomYes: Zoom meetings are created automatically for online classes and PT sessionsPro and Enterprise; add-on on GrowthThe Zoom integration creates a password-protected link for each class and can upload recordings to the on-demand library (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).23
Trainer payCommissions are created automatically for every PT session, and class commissions are worked out from each teacher’s classes under your commission policyEvery planPay rate templates bundle compensation structures to assign to instructors, with individual changes allowed (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).24
Selling on your own websiteClass booking, membership and pack purchase, and product sales with stock levels per branch, on your own website through the Full Website APIEnterprise; add-on on ProWidgets embed booking, memberships and videos on an existing website, one Arketa embed per page (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).25
Consumer marketplaceNot offeredA ClassPass integration for studios with a physical location pushes the schedule out and syncs bookings back; ClassPass settles payments separately (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).26
Branded mobile app in the app storesNot yet: StudioFly’s mobile apps are coming soon; members use the member portal in any browserEvery planStudio Suite lists a custom branded iOS and Android app, and the branded app is also a separate add-on arranged through support. Not listed on https://www.arketa.com/features/branded-app as of 26 Sep 2026: a price for the branded app. Clients find it in the App Store or Google Play under the studio’s name.1,10,11,12
Family accountsNo. Each child is their own member, with a parent or guardian’s contact on the profileFamily sharing lets family members share packages and memberships, and parents book and sign waivers for their children (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).27
AI assistantAI Business Pack: AI insights, a business assistant and a WhatsApp AI agent on your own numberEnterprise; add-on on Growth and ProAn in-dashboard Assistant is in beta, and Reporting MCP connects an external AI tool; both are read-only. MCP is an opt-in research preview, free now and planned as a paid add-on (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).28
More than one locationBranch switcher, staff limited to their branch; extra locations are a paid add-onEvery planThe multi-location page describes one login, with each location’s own schedules, pricing and offerings.29
Leads and CRMLead capture, follow-ups and a CRM in the same workspace as members, classes and billingEvery planIndividual and Studio Core include a client CRM; Studio Growth adds lead generation and pipeline management, which tracks prospects through sales stages and automates follow-up.1,30
Products and inventoryProduct sales with stock by location, purchase invoices and low-stock alertsEvery planRetail variants have their own inventory count and SKU, and sold-out variants drop out of checkout when tracking is on. Not listed on https://help.arketa.com/retail/products/variants-inventory as of 25 Sep 2026: automatic low-stock alerts.31
Every location in one viewOne login for every location: an All Locations view, and a Location Performance table comparing revenue, growth, members, attendance, retention and dues by branch; staff stay limited to their branchEvery plan; extra locations are an add-onThe multi-location page describes reports from every studio in one view, side-by-side location comparisons and drill-down into one location.29
SupportEmail, ticket and phone support on every plan. Tickets get an AI reply around the clock, and a person replies within 2 business hours. Enterprise adds a dedicated customer success manager for onboarding, training and handholding.Every plan / EnterpriseStudio plans: live chat Mon–Thu 24 hours, Fri 12am–7pm EST and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm EST, email typically the same day, phone callbacks Mon–Fri 9am–5pm EST requested through chat, and office hours with an account manager. Individual: chat or email in business hours, answered within 24 hours. Not listed on https://help.arketa.com/getting-started/contact-support as of 26 Sep 2026: an inbound phone number or UK-time hours.9
IN FAIRNESS

Where Arketa is the better choice.

A published plan for solo instructors

Viewed from India on 26 Sep 2026, Individual is $49/mo billed annually, plus a 3% transaction fee and Stripe fees, with a Start Free Trial button.1

Client payments by ACH

US clients can pay by linking a bank account (ACH) when the studio’s Stripe account is US-based with ACH enabled. In StudioFly, Stripe isn’t available, so there’s no ACH bank debit or card terminal; members pay online through PayPal.5

Long chat hours and an account manager

Studio plans get live chat 24 hours Monday to Thursday, phone callbacks on weekdays and office hours with an account manager.9

Processing fees passed to clients

By default, Arketa passes fees on to the client at checkout, except on subscription purchases.2

Email and SMS allowances with published overage rates

Every account includes 10,000 marketing emails and 2,500 SMS credits a month, and opt-in overage rates are published. StudioFly doesn’t send text messages (SMS); member messages go by WhatsApp and email.3

Room maps and family sharing

Clients choose a spot from a room map at checkout, and family members share packages and memberships while parents book and sign waivers for their children. In StudioFly, a spot is a place in the class, not a particular machine, and each child is their own member.18,27

ClassPass sync and on-demand recordings

Schedules push to ClassPass and bookings sync back to the roster, and Zoom class recordings can upload to the on-demand library (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026).26,23

SWITCHING

Moving from Arketa to StudioFly.

A realistic plan, step by step. Nothing here needs to happen in a hurry.

  1. Export what you have

    Export your client list from Customers → Clients, and download booking and per-client attendance reports as CSV files from Analytics → Reports (help center, checked 25 Sep 2026). Reconcile active memberships, remaining credits and balances separately before you switch. Plan changes take effect at the start of the next billing cycle, and pausing or canceling an Arketa account needs Arketa support. (Sources 33, 34, 3, checked 25–26 Sep 2026.)

  2. Set up StudioFly

    Create your class types, recurring classes, membership plans, packs and staff roles, so the structure is ready before members arrive.

  3. Import your members

    Bring member records across with a spreadsheet (CSV or Excel) import, and check the imported records before you use them.

  4. Plan payments

    Saved cards and recurring payments usually can’t be moved between payment providers, so connect your PayPal business account and plan how members will pay their next fee through PayPal.

  5. Choose a switch date

    Pick a quiet week, tell members the date and what changes for them, and move bookings over on that day. How long it takes depends on your member count, your plans and how much history you move.

A LITTLE MORE CLARITY

Your questions, answered.

Want to talk through your own setup?

Let’s have a conversation
How much does Arketa cost?

Viewed from India on 26 Sep 2026, Individual is $49/mo, billed annually (save 17%), plus a 3% transaction fee and Stripe fees. Studio Core, Studio Growth and Studio Suite show Custom and need a demo for pricing. (Source 1, checked 26 Sep 2026.)

What transaction fees does Arketa charge?

The pricing page gives Individual 3% on top of Stripe’s fees and shows Studio fees as “Let’s talk”. The help center’s fee table lists Arketa Starter at 9%, Individual at 3% and Studios at 0–3%, each plus Stripe fees; Stripe’s US card fee is 2.9% + $0.30. By default, fees are passed on to the client at checkout, except on subscriptions. (Sources 1, 2, checked 26 Sep 2026.)

Can US clients pay by ACH with Arketa?

Yes, when the studio’s Stripe account is based in the US with ACH enabled. ACH payments settle over up to 10 business days, with access granted immediately, and the Stripe overview doesn’t state the ACH rate. In StudioFly, Stripe isn’t available, so there’s no ACH bank debit; members pay online through PayPal on your own PayPal business account (Pro and Enterprise). (Sources 5, 4, checked 26 Sep 2026.)

Does Arketa include text messages?

Every account includes 2,500 SMS credits a month for marketing messages; transactional messages such as confirmations and reminders don’t count. A segment costs 1 credit from a US number and 5 from a UK number, and optional overages are $0.015 per credit. StudioFly doesn’t send text messages (SMS); member messages go by WhatsApp and email. (Source 3, checked 26 Sep 2026.)

Who makes Arketa?

Arketa’s terms of service name Sutra Fitness, Inc., under California law. Arketa’s blog announces a $15 million Series A led by Inspired Capital (June 9, 2025) and an earlier $7.6M raise (post dated April 10, 2024). (Sources 14, 15, 16, checked 26 Sep 2026.)

Is Arketa’s AI assistant ready to use?

An in-dashboard Assistant is in beta, and Reporting MCP, which connects an external AI tool, is an opt-in research preview; both are read-only. MCP is free during the preview and is planned as a paid add-on. (Source 28, checked 25 Sep 2026.)

Sources

Every source below was checked on 25 or 26 September 2026.

  1. Arketa pricing page: www.arketa.com/pricing
  2. Arketa help center: Taxes and fees: help.arketa.com/payments/billing/taxes-fees
  3. Arketa help center: Plan and billing: help.arketa.com/settings/account/plan-billing
  4. Arketa help center: Stripe overview: help.arketa.com/payments/payouts/stripe-overview
  5. Arketa help center: ACH and SEPA payments: help.arketa.com/payments/payouts/ach-sepa
  6. Arketa help center: Connect Stripe: help.arketa.com/getting-started/connect-stripe
  7. Arketa help center: Currency: help.arketa.com/payments/payouts/currency
  8. Arketa help center: Taxes: help.arketa.com/settings/business/taxes
  9. Arketa help center: Contact support: help.arketa.com/getting-started/contact-support
  10. Arketa help center: Branded app overview: help.arketa.com/website-app/app/overview
  11. Arketa branded app page: www.arketa.com/features/branded-app
  12. Arketa help center (for clients): Mobile app: help.arketa.com/for-clients/account/mobile-app
  13. Arketa help center: Refund policy: help.arketa.com/settings/account/refund-policy
  14. Arketa terms of service: www.arketa.com/legal/terms-of-service
  15. Arketa blog: Series A announcement (June 9, 2025): www.arketa.com/blog/series-a-fundraise
  16. Arketa blog: Arketa raises $7.6M (dated April 10, 2024 on the page): www.arketa.com/blog/arketa-raises-7-6m-to-help-studios-grow-beyond-classes
  17. Arketa help center: Schedule overview: help.arketa.com/schedule/overview
  18. Arketa help center: Book a spot: help.arketa.com/schedule/spot-booking/book-a-spot
  19. Arketa help center: Waitlist overview: help.arketa.com/schedule/waitlist/overview
  20. Arketa help center: Automatic waitlist: help.arketa.com/schedule/waitlist/automatic-waitlist
  21. Arketa help center: Appointments overview: help.arketa.com/appointments/overview
  22. Arketa help center: Late cancel and no-show: help.arketa.com/schedule/checkin/late-cancel-no-show
  23. Arketa help center: Livestream setup (Zoom): help.arketa.com/schedule/livestream/setup
  24. Arketa help center: Pay rates: help.arketa.com/team/payroll/pay-rates
  25. Arketa help center: Embed on your website: help.arketa.com/getting-started/embed-on-website
  26. Arketa help center: ClassPass integration: help.arketa.com/settings/integrations/classpass
  27. Arketa help center: Family sharing: help.arketa.com/clients/profiles/family-sharing
  28. Arketa help center: Reporting MCP and Assistant: help.arketa.com/reporting/claude-mcp
  29. Arketa multi-location page: www.arketa.com/business-type/multi-location
  30. Arketa help center: Lead management: help.arketa.com/marketing/segments/lead-management
  31. Arketa help center: Variants and inventory: help.arketa.com/retail/products/variants-inventory
  32. Arketa help center: Memberships: help.arketa.com/pricing/types/membership
  33. Arketa help center: Clients overview: help.arketa.com/clients/overview
  34. Arketa help center: Available reports: help.arketa.com/reporting/available-reports
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