Ashbourne Membership Management vs MAAT: Which One To Choose For BJJ and MMA Gyms?
Key Takeaways
Ashbourne is a UK-based billing and membership CRM system, not a full gym management platform.
MAAT is an all-in-one gym management app designed specifically for BJJ and MMA academies.
Coaches using MAAT instead of Ashbourne Membership Management report saving time, improving student progression visibility, and reducing no-shows.
Introduction
Managing a BJJ or MMA gym means more than collecting membership fees. Instructors juggle belt progressions, class schedules, attendance, and community engagement daily.
While Ashbourne Membership Management offers solid billing infrastructure for traditional gyms, it lacks the tools combat sports gyms rely on to grow, MAAT, built by BJJ practitioners, brings structure, visibility, and engagement into one platform.
What is Ashbourne Membership Management?
Ashbourne Membership Management is a UK-based service offering direct debit collection and CRM functions for gyms. It's widely used for automating payments, bookings, and simple communication.
While it has reliable direct debit billing (SEPA/BACS) and a basic member portal for bookings, it also has an outdated and buggy mobile app experience with limited customization options for gym needs, no native gym management tools, and many reported issues with cancellation handling and communication.
Also, being a direct debit collector and not a management software, it only supports SEPA/BACS payments, and this might be problematic for a BJJ or MMA gym.
What is MAAT?
MAAT is a complete gym management app built exclusively for BJJ and MMA gyms. Created by BJJ practitioners, MAAT focuses on solving real problems combat sport academies face.
Key Features:
Belt and stripe tracking with custom logic
Gamified attendance and leaderboards
SEPA, credit card, and flexible payment integration
Student mobile app with rank progress, bookings, and reminders
Multilingual interface for international academies
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
1. Belt & Progression Tracking
Ashbourne Membership Management: No progression tools; requires external spreadsheets.
MAAT: Fully integrated belt, stripe, and skills tracking.
When to choose: Choose Ashbourne if your gym doesn’t use a ranking system. Choose MAAT if belt promotions are integral to your student experience.
2. Payment Processing
Ashbourne Membership Management: Handles recurring billing through direct debit (SEPA/BACS only).
MAAT: Supports Stripe, SEPA, and cards, with flexible refunds and automated invoicing.
When to choose: Ashbourne is solid for SEPA/BACS billing in the UK. MAAT provides more payment flexibility and automation for growing academies.
3. Student App & Experience
Ashbourne Membership Management: Booking portal; no gamification or ranking.
MAAT: Full student-facing app with reminders, attendance, belt tracking, and engagement features.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management fits if your needs stop at bookings. MAAT offers a full mobile experience that keeps students engaged and accountable.
4. Coach/Admin Usability
Ashbourne Membership Management: Standard dashboard for billing and bookings.
MAAT: Combat-focused admin panel with real-time belt readiness, class stats, and communication tools.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management can manage simple admin needs. MAAT is ideal for coaches who need actionable insights and structure.
With MAAT I solved all my academy management problems. Highly recommended
Jacopo Madaro - Tribe Jiu Jitsu
5. Class Scheduling & Check-ins
Ashbourne Membership Management: Supports basic calendar and attendance.
MAAT: Structured timetable, cancellations, capacity limits, and attendance linked to progress.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management covers basics. MAAT adds smart scheduling that impacts progression and gamification.
6. Gamification & Engagement
Ashbourne Membership Management: None.
MAAT: Leaderboards and attendance-based incentives.
When to choose: Choose MAAT if student motivation and retention matter. Ashbourne Membership Managementdoesn’t offer any engagement tools.
7. Migration & Trial Experience
Ashbourne Membership Management: Quick setup, but lacks deeper data migration tools from other solutions.
MAAT: Free migration with dedicated onboarding and support.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management suits a basic start. MAAT ensures smooth transitions from existing systems.
“Don’t hesitate. Really, don’t worry about it. They helped me not only with the migration but with everything afterward too.”
says Aitana from Atenea Jiu Jitsu.
8. Language
Ashbourne Membership Management: English-only.
MAAT: Multi-language App (ENG, IT, ESP, PT, FR, DE)
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management fits English-only gyms while MAAT offers better adaptability for academies all around the world.
9. Support Experience
Ashbourne Membership Management: Higly criticized for late answers and poor cancellation processes.
MAAT: WhatsApp and email support, fast responses from people who understand BJJ.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management support may work for standard gyms. MAAT provides hands-on help for combat academies.
The support team at MAAT is amazing.
says Wayne from Beyond Academy
10. Pricing & Value
Ashbourne Membership Management: Charges per member and per direct debit.
MAAT: Clear pricing with all features included.
When to choose: Ashbourne Membership Management is okay for tight budgets with minimal needs. MAAT offers more long-term value with a full suite of tools.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Ashbourne Membership Management is a dependable choice if you run a general UK fitness club focused on membership billing but if you're running a BJJ or MMA gym, you need more than a billing partner.
Having a gym managment software for a BJJ or MMA gym it's crucial and MAAT offers a complete solution with belt tracking, class scheduling, student engagement, and payment automation, all in one.
