PATO vs SessionHQ
PATO
pato.fitSessionHQ
sessionhq.orgSide by side
| Figure | PATO | SessionHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | 29 NZD/mo | A$99/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 15 | 2 |
| Spec score · Gym Check-In Software | 8.5 (#7) | 7.2 (#24) |
| Audience | PATO says it serves new gyms, boutique studios, 24/7 gyms, CrossFit and functional gyms, and coaches or PT studios. | SessionHQ describes itself as built for class-based businesses and names dance studios, martial arts schools, yoga and Pilates studios, climbing gyms, and group fitness businesses. |
| Payments integration | PATO connects to the gym’s own Stripe or GoCardless account for card and direct debit payments. | SessionHQ integrates with Square for payments, and says it does not add a surcharge to Square's standard processing rates. |
| Product | PATO describes itself as an AI-first gym management system for owners and members. | SessionHQ provides class booking, pass management, check-in, payments, and attendance reporting for studios, gyms, and schools. |
| Security | PATO says each gym’s data is isolated at the database level and staff access is role-based. | SessionHQ says data is encrypted in transit using TLS 1.2 or higher and at rest, with the primary database hosted in Sydney, Australia. |
| Support | PATO says customers who email receive help from a person who built the product. | Studio includes priority support; the homepage lists [email protected] for questions. |
Plans
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
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.