What is the best software for a solo coach just starting out?

What we judged it on

These criteria are about your situation, not about product quality. If you disagree with them, the recommendation below does not apply to you, and you should stop reading here rather than trusting it.

1. Lowest possible fixed cost
2. Working within a week, not a quarter
3. Nothing you have to grow into

The pick

Someone else’s product

Paperbell

coaching admin tool · $57/mo (per coach)

Genuinely small, genuinely cheap, and covers the three things a new coach actually needs: booking, payment and a contract.

Paperbell — parts included4 of 11

1SchedulingIncluded
2Video sessionsBuy separately
3PaymentsIncluded
4ContractsIncluded
5ProgrammesPartial
6Habits and check-insBuy separately
7CoursesBuy separately
8CommunityBuy separately
9WebsiteBuy separately
10Email marketingBuy separately
11Client appBuy separately

Where this pick falls down

Do not buy an all-in-one for a practice with two clients. Buy the smallest thing that works and replace it when it hurts.

When to buy something else instead

The alternative

Coachful

coaching platform · from $29/mo

You already know you will need programmes, a website or community within the year and would rather not migrate.

Coachful — parts included11 of 11

1SchedulingIncluded
2Video sessionsIncluded
3PaymentsIncluded
4ContractsIncluded
5ProgrammesIncluded
6Habits and check-insIncluded
7CoursesIncluded
8CommunityIncluded
9WebsiteIncluded
10Email marketingIncluded
11Client appIncluded

Compare the two diagrams above. The difference between them is the set of parts you would be buying separately, which is usually a bigger cost than the difference in monthly price.

What is the best software for a solo coach just starting out?

What we judged it on

The pick

Where this pick falls down

When to buy something else instead

Other situations

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