Best Sports Training Software 2026: For Skills Coaches & Training Facilities
We compared the top booking, scheduling, and client management platforms for hockey trainers, basketball coaches, soccer academies, and sports training facilities. Here's what each platform costs and which one actually fits your business.
If you're a hockey skills trainer, basketball coach, or run a sports training facility, you've probably noticed most software is built for either big fitness gyms or massive youth leagues—not for you.
You don't need Mindbody's yoga studio features. You don't need SportsEngine's league management for 500 teams. You need parents to find you online, book training sessions easily, and pay without hassle. You need to run camps and clinics. And you need to keep more of what you earn.
We evaluated the top platforms based on what matters for sports skills trainers:
- Total monthly cost (including hidden fees)
- Website included? (or do you pay extra/build your own)
- Platform/booking fees (the silent profit killer)
- Camp & clinic management (essential for sports training)
- Parent/client experience (will families actually use it?)
2026 Sports Training Software Comparison
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Website | Platform Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Facility Manager | $99/mo | ✓ Included | None | Skills trainers & small facilities |
| Upper Hand | $39-395/mo | ✗ Not included | None | Sports academies, larger facilities |
| CoachNow | $40-42/mo | ✗ Not included | None | Video analysis & remote coaching |
| SportsEngine | Free-$79+/mo | ⚠ Basic builder | 3.2-3.5% + $1-2 | Youth leagues & large organizations |
| TeamSnap | Free-$18/mo | ⚠ Clubs only ($599+/yr) | None | Team management, not training |
| iClassPro | $129/mo | ✗ Not included | None | Gymnastics, dance, swim schools |
| EZFacility | Custom ($$$$) | ✗ Not included | Varies | Large multi-sport facilities |
Key insight: Only AI Facility Manager includes a professional website with templates. Every other platform requires you to build your own site or pay for one separately ($50-200/month extra).
AI Facility Manager
Built specifically for sports skills trainers—hockey coaches, basketball trainers, soccer academies, and small training facilities. Everything you need in one place, without enterprise complexity or hidden fees.
What's Included ($99/mo)
- ✓Professional website with templates
- ✓Online booking & session scheduling
- ✓Camp & clinic registration
- ✓Package credits & memberships
- ✓Client management & CRM
- ✓Payment processing (your Stripe)
- ✓Automated email notifications
- ✓Digital waivers
Why Trainers Choose AIFM
- →Website included (competitors charge $100+/mo extra)
- →Zero platform fees on bookings
- →Built for sports training (not yoga studios)
- →Camp management included
- →Simple setup—live in days, not weeks
Upper Hand
Upper Hand is the most direct competitor for sports-specific training. They're focused exclusively on sports (not general fitness), which is refreshing. But the costs add up, and you'll need to build your own website.
Pros
- • Built specifically for sports training
- • Good scheduling and resource management
- • Mobile app included
- • No platform fees
- • Handles camps and memberships well
Cons
- • No website included—you need your own
- • Advanced plan ($395/mo) is expensive
- • Limited customization options
- • Some users report slow support
- • Interface can be confusing initially
Pricing
Basic: $39/mo • Upper Hand: $76/mo • Advanced: $395/mo (all billed annually)
Plus whatever you pay for a separate website ($50-200/mo). Total cost: $89-595/month.
Consider if: You already have a website and just need booking/scheduling software. The $76/mo plan is solid for mid-size training operations.
CoachNow
CoachNow is a video analysis and communication platform—not a booking system. It's great for remote coaching and technique feedback, but won't help you run your business or get found online.
Pros
- • Excellent video analysis tools
- • AI skeleton tracking for technique
- • Great for remote coaching
- • Side-by-side video comparisons
- • 4.9 star rating from users
Cons
- • Not a booking system
- • No website included
- • No payment processing
- • No camp/clinic registration
- • Expensive for large groups
Pricing
Analyze: $349/year • CoachNow+: ~$400/year • PRO: $499/year
Great add-on for video analysis, but you'll still need separate software for booking and payments.
Best used alongside: CoachNow pairs well with a booking platform like AI Facility Manager. Use AIFM for scheduling/payments, CoachNow for video feedback.
SportsEngine
SportsEngine (owned by NBC Sports) is built for youth sports leagues and large organizations—not individual trainers. If you're running a 500-player hockey league, it's great. For a skills training business, it's massive overkill.
Pros
- • Free tier available
- • Website builder included
- • Great for leagues & tournaments
- • Team management features
- • Background check integration
Cons
- • High processing fees (3.2-3.5% + $1-2)
- • Built for leagues, not training businesses
- • Complex setup process
- • Inconsistent customer support
- • Website builder is basic
Pricing
Free tier available • Express/Premium/Pro: $79+/month
Plus 3.2-3.5% + $1-2 per transaction. On a $100 training package, you lose $4-5.50 per sale.
Watch out: Those processing fees add up fast. If you process $5,000/month in bookings, you're losing $175-275/month just in fees—more than the cost of AI Facility Manager.
EZFacility
EZFacility is enterprise software for large multi-sport facilities—recreation centers with pools, ice rinks, fields, and leagues. If you're an independent trainer or small facility, this is like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame.
Pros
- • Handles complex facility operations
- • League and tournament management
- • Multi-resource scheduling
- • Ice rink/field management
- • Good for large operations
Cons
- • No public pricing (never good)
- • No website included
- • Complex, long implementation
- • Overkill for small operations
- • Dated interface
Pricing
Custom quotes only. Based on reviews, expect $200-500+/month for meaningful functionality, plus implementation fees.
The Verdict: Which Software Should You Choose?
If you're a hockey trainer, basketball coach, or sports skills instructor...
Choose AI Facility Manager. You get a professional website, booking system, camp registration, and client management for $99/month—with zero platform fees. It's built for sports trainers, not yoga studios or massive leagues.
If you already have a website and just need booking software...
Consider Upper Hand. Their $76/month plan is solid for sports-specific scheduling. Just factor in whatever you're paying for your website.
If you do a lot of video analysis and remote coaching...
Add CoachNow to your stack. Use AI Facility Manager for booking/payments, and CoachNow for video feedback. Together they cover everything.
If you run a large multi-sport facility or league...
EZFacility or SportsEngine might fit. But be prepared for higher costs, longer setup, and complexity you may not need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What software do hockey skills trainers use?
Hockey skills trainers typically use platforms like AI Facility Manager, Upper Hand, or EZFacility for booking and client management. AI Facility Manager is the most affordable option that includes a professional website, making it ideal for independent trainers and small facilities.
What's the best software for a sports training facility?
For small to mid-size training facilities, AI Facility Manager offers the best value at $99/month with website included and no platform fees. Larger multi-sport facilities with complex scheduling needs may consider Upper Hand ($395/mo) or EZFacility (custom pricing).
Do I need separate software for my website and booking?
Not anymore. AI Facility Manager includes professional website templates with integrated booking, camp registration, and payments. Most competitors either don't offer websites or charge $100+/month extra for basic site builders.
What are platform fees and why do they matter?
Platform fees are percentage charges on each booking—typically 2-5% plus fixed fees. On a $75 training session, you might lose $3-5 per booking. Process 200 sessions per month and you're losing $600-1,000 annually. AI Facility Manager charges zero platform fees.
Can I switch from Upper Hand or EZFacility to AI Facility Manager?
Yes. We offer migration assistance to help move your client data, packages, and schedule. Most trainers are fully switched over within a week, and many report saving hundreds per month compared to their previous platform.