FitManager Control vs PATO
FitManager Control
fitmanager.co
PATO
pato.fitSide by side
| Figure | FitManager Control | PATO |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $32.50/mo | 29 NZD/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 7 | 15 |
| Spec score · Gym Access Control Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Payment integrations | The platform lists Stripe, Halkbank, NLB and Casys for online card payments. | Billing connects a gym's own Stripe or GoCardless account for cards and direct debit, with PATO taking no payment percentage. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | No rating is displayed because the app has not received enough ratings or reviews. | No numeric rating is shown; Apple says the app has not received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview. |
| Rating on Google Play | 3.4 out of 5 from 21 reviews | No star rating or review count is displayed on the listing; it shows 1+ downloads. |
| Support | The documentation says support tickets receive replies by email and in the dashboard, usually within one working day. | PATO says customers who email receive help from a person who built the product. |
| What it does | FitManager Control reads member cards, validates memberships against the gym service and activates doors. | PATO is an AI-first gym operating system combining member engagement, coaching, bookings, access, billing, shop and rewards. |
Plans
FitManager Control
- FitManager ControlFree
- Starter$39 a month
- Pro$89 a month
- Enterprise$149 a month
- Starter$390 a year
- Pro$890 a year
- Enterprise$1,490 a year
PATO
- 14-day free trialFree
- Shop29 NZD a month
- Shop add-on29 NZD a month
- Access39 NZD a month
- Access add-on39 NZD a month
- Classes49 NZD a month
- Classes add-on49 NZD a month
- Custom Gamification49 NZD a month
- Custom Gamification add-on49 NZD a month
- Hatching99 NZD a month
In their own words
FitManager Control
FitManager Control is a Windows application that checks gym membership cards against the gym's records in real time and opens the door. If the internet connection drops, entrance control can use a local cache, and the app is listed as working offline. The application can run as a Windows service, restart after a crash and keep the reception PC from sleeping. For reception sales, it connects the dashboard POS to Synergy or David fiscal printers to print receipts. In kiosk setups, the kiosk app communicates with Control, which links the kiosk card terminal and printer to the reception PC. The stated setup requires one Windows PC per site, a Wiegand RFID reader with a Wiegand-to-USB converter, and a USB relay board per door. Installation needs the API address and bearer token from the gym dashboard. The maker says setup takes about ten minutes and updates are automatic after installation. The application is listed for Windows 10 and 11. New platform accounts receive a 14-day free trial without a credit card; subscription prices are available on request in the customer's currency.
PATO
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.