BJJChat Attendance System vs PATO

BJJChat Attendance System provides class scheduling, member check-in, and attendance tracking for Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies. Members can check in by QR code or optional hands-free face recognition; a tablet kiosk also supports manual member search, live attendee counts, and roster updates. Admins can create recurring or one-time classes, set capacity limits, and assign coaches. Attendance reporting includes daily, weekly, and monthly views, student streaks, multi-location management, coach-hour tracking, and a real-time occupancy dashboard. The free plan is listed at free, billed forever, with no tiers or per-member fees and unlimited coaches and students. It also includes over 20 training tools, curriculum and belt progression, AI coaching, scheduling and check-in, and a technique library with over 1000 techniques. With permission, the iOS app can write verified check-ins to Apple Health and add classes to iOS Calendar; Android can write exercise sessions to Health Connect. Billing, CRM, and SMS are on the roadmap rather than current features.

PATO is an AI-first gym management system for owners and members, available on Android, iOS, and web. Members can use its AI to log meals, build training and meal plans, book classes, and ask billing questions. Food entries can be made by photo, text, voice, or label scan, with estimates matched against a catalogue of 11K+ verified foods. Coaching tools include 2.9K+ movements and a plan builder for programs from 2 to 24 weeks. PATO detects at-risk members and supports automated or drafted outreach, recording each send. Gyms connect their own Stripe or GoCardless account for card and direct debit payments; PATO says it takes no percentage of member payments, while gyms pay the processor directly. Access provides QR check-in, and Access Pro can control compatible smart locks, keypads, and card readers. Classes, Access, Access Pro, Shop, and Custom Gamification are add-ons rather than base-plan features. PATO says gym data is isolated at the database level and staff access is role-based. It stores customer data in Australia under New Zealand privacy obligations; its AI does not give medical advice and routes injury, pain, and medical questions to gym coaches.