GoCardless vs MAAT: What to Choose for BJJ & MMA Gyms?
Key Takeaways
GoCardless is a payment processor, not a gym management system
MAAT is an all-in-one software tailored to the needs of BJJ and MMA gyms
Gyms using MAAT report saving many hours per week and reducing no-shows
Introduction
Running a BJJ or MMA gym involves more than just collecting payments. From belt promotions to class attendance and community engagement, combat sports academies require tools built around their structure.
GoCardless is often the first step offering simple and effective billing, but when gyms grow so do the admin headaches.
MAAT offers a purpose-built solution designed for combat sports, providing the infrastructure needed to scale and engage students more effectively.
What is GoCardless?
GoCardless is a direct debit platform used to collect recurring payments. It is widely adopted across industries for subscription billing and automating member fees.
It automates monthly billing via SEPA/BACS, reduces late payments and it's easy to integrate with accounting software but it has no tools for scheduling or bookings, no student-facing app and cannot track belt progression or attendance.
For a BJJ or MMA gym, this might not be enough.
What is MAAT?
MAAT is a gym management App designed for BJJ and MMA academies. Built by practitioners, it offers tools that reflect the real operational needs of combat sports schools.
Key Features:
Belt and stripe tracking
Gamified attendance and leaderboards
Multilingual interface
Full member app with bookings, reminders, and rank progress
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
1. Belt & Progression Tracking
GoCardless: No built-in tracking; requires external spreadsheets.
MAAT: Fully integrated belt and stripe tracking with rank history.
When to choose: GoCardless suits fitness-style gyms without rank progression.
BJJ/MMA gyms should use MAAT to handle belt promotions and maintain clear student progress.
2. Payment Processing
GoCardless: Handles SEPA/BACS transactions reliably.
MAAT: Integrates with Stripe. It allows you to accept payments both by Debit/Credit Cards and SEPA/BACS
When to choose: GoCardless is solid for payment alone but accept only Direct Debits. MAAT is ideal if you also want to automate discounts, refunds, and invoicing, allowing you many types of payment, giving you and your students more flexibility.
3. Student App & Experience
GoCardless: No member-facing functionality.
MAAT: Branded student app for bookings, attendance, rank tracking, and notifications.
When to choose: If member experience is a priority, MAAT’s app boosts engagement and accountability.
"The way I was running things was mostly through a direct debit to the bank,
and you couldn't really keep track of attendance or progress"
says Wayne from Beyond Jiu Jitsu
4. Coach/Admin Usability
GoCardless: Limited to payment dashboards.
MAAT: Coach dashboard with real-time metrics, attendance logs, belt readiness, and communication tools.
When to choose: Use MAAT if you want centralized, actionable data for decision-making.
With MAAT I solved all my academy management problems. Highly recommended
Jacopo Madaro - Tribe Jiu Jitsu
5. Class Scheduling & Check-Ins
GoCardless: Not supported.
MAAT: Complete calendar, bookings, capacity limits, cancellations, and check-in logs.
When to choose: Any gym with a structured class timetable will benefit from MAAT’s automation.
6. Gamification & Engagement
GoCardless: None.
MAAT: Dynamic attendance based Leaderboard
When to choose: MAAT is the choice for community-building and boosting student retention.
7. Migration & Trial Experience
GoCardless: N/A (not a full system).
MAAT: Free onboarding and data import, live support via WhatsApp.
When to choose: The transition from any other system to MAAT is free, seamless and without any disruption for you and your students.
“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 BJJ.
8. Support Experience
GoCardless: Email and online helpdesk.
MAAT: Direct WhatsApp and E-mail support, onboarding guides, and hands-on assistance.
When to choose: GoCardless support is highly criticised online. Choose MAAT if you want responsive, real-time support on Whatsapp from people who understand BJJ.
"You're not dealing with some big faceless corporation... I'm literally on WhatsApp with the founders, getting tailored support."
says Darius from The Fighting Arts Academy
9. Pricing & Value
GoCardless: Transaction fee-based, low monthly cost.
MAAT: Clear pricing that includes all MAAT's features, based on monthly subscription + transaction fees
When to choose: If you're beyond 40+ students and spending hours on admin, MAAT delivers greater value long-term, even if at a higher price.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
For gyms that only need payment collection, GoCardless is a reliable starting point even if limited by only SEPA/BACS payments.
But if you’re running a BJJ or MMA academy, you need more than traditional billing.
MAAT replaces multiple tools and spreadsheets with one streamlined platform. It saves time, reduces no-shows, increases retention, and builds stronger student communities.
