The verdict in three sentences
For a chain of 8 clubs and 6,000 members, market software such as Resamania or Deciplus (EUR 150 to 400 per club per month) remains the rational choice as long as your membership model is standard. Custom software (EUR 50,000 to 100,000 excl. VAT, 5 months) becomes profitable when member experience, multi-club data and churn reduction become your competitive edge. The real financial lever is not the licence: it is 2 points of churn less on 6,000 members.
What multi-club software must handle in 2026
A multi-club chain adds constraints a single club never faces: membership valid everywhere or tied to one club, member transfers, consolidated reporting, different prices per city and centralised handling of failed payments.
| Function | Multi-club requirement | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Access control (badge, QR code, app) | Network or single-club access depending on plan | Check-ins per hour per club |
| SEPA direct debits | One mandate, possibly several legal entities | Rejection rate under 3% |
| Failed payment handling | Automatic reminders D+2, D+7, access block D+15 | Arrears recovered within 60 days |
| Group class booking | Schedule per club, waiting list, no-show penalty | Class fill rate |
| Member app | Booking, workout tracking, referrals | Monthly active users |
| Churn risk alert | Detects members absent for 21 days | Monthly churn |
| Consolidated reporting | Revenue, MRR, churn by club and network | Weekly dashboard |
Resamania, Deciplus or custom: the numbers
2026 orders of magnitude for an 8-club chain, excluding access control hardware (turnstiles, readers, EUR 3,000 to 8,000 per club).
| Criterion | Market software (Resamania, Deciplus) | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | EUR 2,000 to 6,000 setup | EUR 50,000 to 100,000 excl. VAT |
| Recurring cost | EUR 150 to 400 per club per month, i.e. EUR 14,400 to 38,400 a year | Hosting and maintenance EUR 8,000 to 15,000 a year |
| Payment commission | Often 0.5 to 1.5% depending on provider | SEPA bank fees only, EUR 0.20 to 0.40 per debit |
| Deployment timeline | 1 to 2 months | 5 months |
| App under your brand | Optional, often shared branding | Included |
| Raw data access | Limited export | Full |
| 5-year cost | EUR 74,000 to 198,000 | EUR 90,000 to 175,000 |
Over 5 years, both options converge. The difference lies in retention, brand and the ability to launch new offers (family, corporate, premium club memberships) without waiting for a vendor's roadmap.
Reducing churn: the real ROI
A budget or mid-market gym chain often loses 4 to 5% of its members per month. A tool that detects absence from day 21, triggers a message from a coach and offers a free session lowers that rate by 1 to 2 points. Combined with an online cancellation flow that complies with French law (three-click cancellation mandatory since 2023), it also lets you offer a membership pause instead of a departure.
Mini case study
Julien, founder of an 8-gym chain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, has 6,000 members paying EUR 34.90 a month on average. His monthly churn is 4.5%. Bringing it down to 2.5% keeps 120 more members every month. Over a year, with a longer average lifetime, the revenue effect is estimated at more than EUR 150,000. His current software costs EUR 300 per club, i.e. EUR 28,800 a year. A EUR 85,000 custom project plus EUR 12,000 of annual maintenance pays back in under 8 months if the churn drop holds.
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FAQ
How much does software for 8 gyms cost?
Market software costs EUR 150 to 400 per club per month, i.e. EUR 14,400 to 38,400 a year for 8 clubs. A custom tool costs EUR 50,000 to 100,000 excl. VAT, plus EUR 8,000 to 15,000 of annual maintenance.
Does custom software handle SEPA direct debits?
Yes, through a payment provider (GoCardless, Stripe, a bank) with electronic mandates. The cost drops to EUR 0.20 to 0.40 per debit.
Can we keep our current turnstiles?
In most cases yes, if the controller supports an API or Wiegand protocol. Otherwise, budget EUR 3,000 to 8,000 per club to replace readers.
How long does it take to migrate 6,000 members?
The full project takes 5 months, including 3 weeks of migration and direct debit testing. Cutover is done club by club to limit risk.
How do we cut churn by 2 points?
By detecting missed visits from day 21, nudging members through the app and offering a pause instead of cancellation. Equipped chains see 1 to 2 points less churn within 6 months.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of clubs, members and current software, and we will propose a scope, an indicative budget and a 5-month plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
