PATO vs GymMaster
Both of us run the business side well. Only one of us runs the member side — the app they open between visits, the coaching, the nudge when someone goes quiet. GymMaster have 28 years on us, and that’s further down the page.
Figures last checked All pricing NZDRe-verified quarterly (14d)
Three lines, then the detail
PATO does the admin, billing and door access GymMaster does — and adds the part gym software has historically ignored: an AI companion your members actually use, nutrition and workout tracking, gamification and rewards, and automation that spots someone drifting before they cancel.
The two clearest practical differences: their branded member app is $200/mo + $600 setupgymmaster.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab) and included with us. And their door hardware only works with GymMaster, where ours works with locks you may already own.
Where they win is time and track record — 28 years in New Zealand and the best review scores in the category. That’s set out at the bottom of this page, with the numbers behind it.
Where PATO is stronger
| Capability |  GymMaster |  PATO |
|---|---|---|
| What your members get | ||
| AI companion for members | No | Yes |
| AI assistant for staff | No | Yes |
| Nutrition tracking | No | Yes |
| Exercise library | No | Yes |
| Meal planning | No | Yes |
| Performance benchmarking | No | Yes |
| Points, badges, rewards | No | Yes |
| At-risk detection + automated outreach | No | Yes |
| What it costs you | ||
| Branded member app | $200/mo + $600 setup | Included |
| Cut taken from member payments | Via their processing | None |
| Hardware and scale | ||
| Door hardware | GymMaster’s own | The locks you already own |
| Members on one plan | 1,300 | 750, then a conversation |
| Years in the NZ market | 28 | We’re new |
The hardware question, properly
GymMaster’s door access needs GymMaster’s hardware: their Gatekeeper hub and their readers, professionally installed. It works, and if you’re starting with no access system it’s a tidy package.
Those readers work with GymMaster and nothing else. If you change software later, the hardware doesn’t come with you.
PATO’s Access Pro connects to locks you may already have — Salto, August, Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, Igloo, Nuki, TTLock and more, plus commercial access systems. Nothing to rip out, nothing that stops working if you leave us.
Which is cheaper depends entirely on where you’re starting. No hardware at all, and GymMaster’s bundle is competitive. Existing smart locks, and we’re substantially cheaper — because you keep them.
What it actually costs
| Platform | Subscription | Branded app | Total / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| GymMaster Advanced | $189To 400 members. | +$200/mo plus $600 setup | $389 |
| PATO Runner | $249To 300 members. | Included | $249 |
GymMaster’s figures come from their own pricing page (NZD, per sitegymmaster.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab)). Both totals exclude payment processing, which you pay your provider directly in each case. We take no percentage of member payments. First-year difference including their setup fee: $2,280.
Who should choose which
Choose GymMaster if
Choose PATO if
Switching from GymMaster
Your members come across
Export your list, upload it, and we map the columns, catch duplicates and show you exactly what’s going to happen before anything commits. We do it with you, and most gyms are running the same week.
Your payments need re-authorising
This is the part nobody mentions and the part that takes the time: direct debit mandates don’t transfer between providers, so members have to authorise the new arrangement. Most gyms run both systems for one billing cycle and move people across as they re-authorise. It’s not hard, but it isn’t instant, and you should plan for it.
Your door hardware, maybe
GymMaster’s own readers won’t carry across — they only ever worked with GymMaster. But if you’re running standard smart locks, we can usually connect straight to them and you keep the hardware. Tell us what’s on your doors and we’ll check before you commit to anything.
Your history stays there
Export payment records for your accountant before you close the account.
Where GymMaster is stronger
Four things, all of them checkable.
28 years in the New Zealand market
Founded in Christchurch in 1997, now in 75+ countries. That’s a depth of local knowledge and support relationships we don’t have yet, and it counts for something real.
The highest review scores in the category here
4.7/5 from 165 NZ reviews — that isn’t an accident.
One vendor for hardware and software
If you have no access system and want a single company to supply, install and support the whole thing, that’s genuinely simpler than sourcing locks separately.
A higher member ceiling on one plan
Their Professional plan covers 1,300 members on one plangymmaster.com(opens their pricing page in a new tab). Ours tops out at 750 before a conversation.
Questions gym owners ask
For most gyms, yes — once the member app is included. GymMaster Advanced with their branded member app is $389/month plus a $600 setup fee. PATO Runner is $249 with the app included. Neither of us takes a cut of your member payments.
If it's a standard smart lock — Salto, August, Yale, Schlage and others — very likely yes. GymMaster's own readers won't work with anything but GymMaster.
Not at the time of writing. Their strength is management and access control rather than member engagement.
Usually days. It's a CSV import with column mapping and a preview, and we run it with you rather than sending you a help article.
Built-in door hardware from a single vendor, 28 years of New Zealand track record, the highest review scores in the category, and a higher member ceiling on one plan.
You don’t have to take our word for it
Fourteen days with everything switched on, no card. Run it beside what you have now and see which one your members open.
14 days · No card · Cancel any time
PATOPass