6 Best Online Registration Software Platforms (In-Depth Comparison)

Olivier Rousseau

30 May 2025 Alternatives 2 min read

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably looking for, or at least considering switching to a new online registration software.

You might feel like your current solution has somehow let you down.

Or that they can’t seem to evolve with your organization’s changing needs.

We’ve curated a list of the best tools for online registration for Dance, Gymnastics, Cheer, Camps and Swim in the market.

Activity Messenger
JackRabbit
IClassPro
Amilia
DanceStudioPro
Uplifter

Software	Best For	Key Features	What Makes It Unique
Activity Messenger	Gymnastics, Swim, Dance Small studios Sports federations	✅ Custom registration forms ✅ Email & SMS marketing ✅ Online payments ✅ Digital waivers ✅ Surveys & forms	🔹 Combines registration, marketing & waivers 🔹 Forms embed directly on your website 🔹 SMS both parents
JackRabbit	Dance and gymnastics studios	✅ Class scheduling ✅ Online registration ✅ Payment processing	🔹 Deep experience in dance & gymnastics 🔹 Trusted by many legacy studios
iClassPro	Gymnastics and cheer programs	✅ Class scheduling ✅ Attendance tracking ✅ Payment processing	🔹 Tools tailored for gymnastics & cheer 🔹 Built-in parent portal
Amilia	Parks & rec departments Community orgs	✅ Online registration ✅ Membership management ✅ Payment processing	🔹 Recreation-first platform 🔹 Integrates with many tools
DanceStudio-Pro	Dance studios	✅ Class management ✅ Attendance tracking ✅ Payment processing	🔹 Made exclusively for dance 🔹 Easy to learn for studio owners
Uplifter	Sports federations Event-based clubs	✅ Online registration ✅ Event & competition tools ✅ Payment processing	🔹 Great for skating, gymnastics & federated sports 🔹 Manages events + competitions

DISCLAIMER: Activity Messenger is our product. We created it because we struggled for years with the shortcomings of existing online registration software and believe that class management software is broken.

Below you’ll find several class management and online registration tools you may be considering for your dance studio, swim school, gymnastics club or sports federation.

For your convenience, we’ve provided a quick demo video, links to their homepages, pricing details, and key features, as well as a link to their Capterra reviews.

1. Activity Messenger

Online registration software for sports and leisure

Activity Messenger is online registration software designed for class-based businesses, such as dance studios, swim schools, gymnastics clubs, and sports federations.

It offers a simple, scalable solution that combines online registrations, digital waivers, email and SMS marketing, attendance tracking, surveys, and payments. Its biggest strength? Flexibility. You can use Activity Messenger to replace Google Forms, Mailchimp, Smartwaiver, and SurveyMonkey.

Activity Messenger Drawbacks

Although Activity Messenger is powerful, it does require some initial setup to fully tailor the platform to your workflow. Because it’s highly customizable, it may feel overwhelming at first. But don’t worry, an onboarding specialist will help you set up the platform and customize it to your needs. Once configured, Activity Messenger can automate more tasks than most of its competitors.

Activity Messenger is the Only Platform Built to Simplify Complex Workflows

That’s where Activity Messenger shines.

We aim to translate your business rules into scalable workflows. No more workarounds.

So, while other tools may cover the basics, Activity Messenger goes the extra mile to streamline your entire operation, without forcing you to juggle multiple add-on tools.

2. Jackrabbit

Jackrabbit dance alternative

Jackrabbit Classes was a pioneer in class management software, especially in the niche of gymnastics and dance studios. Its strength lies in its comprehensive features, ranging from attendance tracking to online registration and billing.

Pricing & plans
Features
Reviews on Capterra (4.6 out of 5 stars)

Jackrabbit Drawbacks

However, where it excels in functionality, it sometimes lags in usability. The interface can feel a bit dated, and the system requires some training to master. Many users have noted that it is not very user-friendly on mobile.

2. IClassPro

IClassPro

iClassPro has long been the solution of choice for many gymnastics clubs, dance studios, and swim schools. Known for its robust feature set, the platform aims to be an all-in-one system that covers everything from class scheduling and online registration to billing and reporting.

Pricing & plans
Features
Reviews on Capterra (4.5 out of 5 stars)

IClassPro Drawbacks

But while its breadth of functionality is its greatest strength, it can also be its most intimidating aspect, especially for smaller organizations that may find the interface overwhelming. Pricing can also be a limiting factor for smaller organizations.

3. Amilia

SmartRec

Amilia has an easy-to-use interface and customizable features that suit a wide range of organizations, from sports clubs to parks and Rec. Amilia offers a smooth online registration process and a dashboard that simplifies administrative tasks such as billing, scheduling, and member tracking. One of the platform’s most notable features is its integrated e-commerce capabilities, allowing organizations to sell merchandise or other services alongside class registrations.

Picing & plans
Features
Reviews on Capterra (4.4 out of 5 stars)

Amilia reviews and alternatives

Amilia drawbacks

Although it offers a wide range of functionalities, Amilia lacks depth in the ability to personalize communications, send SMS, and its marketing tools are very limited. Amilia is also known to be one of the most expensive options on the market. The software’s customization options are limited, which can be a significant drawback for companies with specific or unique operational needs.

4. Uplifter

Uplifter alternatives

Uplifter is class management software tailored for sports organizations, ranging from figure skating clubs to soccer academies. What sets it apart is its focus on skill development tracking, a feature that allows coaches and parents to monitor athlete progress in real time. The platform is robust, offering automated invoicing, online registration, and even built-in website creation tools for organizations without an existing web presence.

Uplifter Drawbacks

Uplifter is not without its drawbacks. For one, its interface can be a bit overwhelming for first-time users. This could potentially slow down the onboarding process for non-technical employees. The look and feel of the registration process is seen by many users as clunky on mobile.

5. Dance Studio Pro

Dance Studio Pro

DanceStudioPro stands out as a specialized solution designed specifically for the unique needs of dance studios. From student registration to performance scheduling, it aims to simplify studio operations. It offers intuitive class scheduling, integrated payment processing, and even marketing tools to help studios grow their client base.

Picing & plans
Features
Reviews on Capterra (4.4 out of 5 stars)

DanceStudioPro Drawbacks

But it also has its shortcomings. First and foremost, the user interface can appear dated, which not only affects the aesthetic experience but can also make navigation less intuitive for both administrators and clients. Customization is another area where DanceStudioPro could improve; while it offers various templates and settings, the flexibility to tailor the platform to meet unique needs is somewhat limited.

NOTE: Though the above are our top picks for class management software platforms. You may also choose to look at Jumbula, Class Juggler, Wellness Living, MindBody, Class Manager and TheStudioDirector

A New Approach to Online Registrations

Activity Messenger is not just another online registration software. While it offers all of the same features as other online registration software, it also fully integrates all of your favourite tools like Canva, ChatGPT, Zoom and Stripe.

And because we’re still operating a kids sports activity business , we know how it feels to need other tools like SurveyMonkey, MailChimp, JotForm, EventBrite and SmartWaiver,

So we built tools to replace all of them and provide a complete solution for all your needs.

The idea is simple: Automate manual tasks nobody has time for. And create workflows instead of workarounds

For a detailed overview of Activity Messenger, book a demo.

Activity Messenger's 3 Key Differentiating Features

Three key features differentiate Activity Messenger from other Class Management and online registration software.

1. Personalized Registration Path (easier than ordering with UberEats)
2. Powerful marketing tools (Canva integration in addition to replacing Mailchimp)
3. Automated tasks (it’s like having an extra employee)

Differentiator #1. Fully Personalized Client Registration Path

What It Is: Activity Messenger personalizes the registration experience for each customer. Once a participant selects an option from the form, the next option appears based on the initial selection. Your customer is guided to the right course in no time.

Why It Matters: Most software programs show all your course options to every visitor. Without even considering the needs of each individual. Activity Messenger simplifies the process and reduces confusion by presenting only relevant choices based on each individual’s answers.

Extra Perks: Nobody likes having to create a new account on a new platform. By eliminating account creation for the customer, Activity Messenger offers a much faster online registration process with less friction. And don’t worry, your customers do have an account and will be able to log in. You can also embed the entire registration process on your website, so customers never have to leave your site to go to another software.

📌 Pro tip: When my team and I made the leap to Activity Messenger, designing a simple form with no customer account helped us increase our conversion rate for free trials and events where it makes little sense for leads to create an account and need to fill out so much information.

Differentiator 2. Powerful marketing tools (Canva integration in addition to replacing Mailchimp)

What It Is: Imagine no longer having to switch from one tool to another for your various marketing tasks. In addition to online registration, Activity Messenger allows you to send newsletters (alternative to Mailchimp), mass SMS, online ticketing, marketing automations, and even end-of-session surveys.

Why It Matters: Think about your newsletter. Right now, you have to manually export your participants from your registration software to a newsletter platform such as MailChimp or ConstantContact. The process is laborious and can easily lead to errors (as well as having to pay for an extra tool).

Extra Perks: Our seamless integration with Canva lets you create email marketing campaigns without ever leaving Activity Messenger for your designs. What’s more, an analytics table gives you an overview of your marketing efforts and their impact.

📌 Pro tip: Switching to Activity Messenger has saved us an enormous amount of money on our newsletter mailings. Not only are the newsletter-sending features included, but the number of subscribers doesn’t influence pricing like MailChimp or ConstantContac.

Differentiator #3. Automated tasks (it’s like having an extra employee)

What It Is: Automation in Activity Messenger is not just a buzzword; it’s a functional reality. From sending reminders for unsigned waivers to marketing automation for children’s parties, our system covers a wide range of automations, such as

Session start reminders
Monthly tuition billing
End of session reminder
Free trial reminder
Post-event survey
SMS to people who have not opened an email
SMS to parents who have not signed waivers
Party marketing email
Welcome email
Birthday email

Why It Matters: Say you run a swim school. Automated reminders for unsigned waivers ensure that no child dives in without all safety protocols in place. Such targeted, specific automation not only improves efficiency, but also adds an extra layer of safety and reliability to your operations.

Extra Perks: Automations work hand in hand with the platform’s mailmerge options. You can create your session start reminder email before you receive a single registration and know that it will be sent at the right time, to the right people, with the right personalized mailmerge options.

Discover our kids party booking & Marketing workflow

📌 Pro tip: Automating our welcome email allowed us to share relevant information with new customers. This saved us time but to our surprise we also saw a dramatic reduction in questions from parents following the purchase. This now saves us hours of work and the parent gets the information immediately.

Activity Messenger is more than just class management software; it’s an all-in-one tool designed to streamline your operations, boost your marketing, and provide an unparalleled, personalized experience for your customers. Book a demo today

Other core features that make Activity Messenger stand out

Activity Messenger also offers the other features considered standard in a registration platform.

But we’ve reinvented them to better equip you. Here’s how

1- Brand Consistency (Canva Integration)

You’ve created the perfect Instagram post. People click and visit your beautiful website.
Only to be redirected to a sign-up platform with completely different branding (that usually doesn’t look great).

Activity Messenger does things differently.

You’re in complete control of your brand, from the social media post to the confirmation email.

Plus, everything stays on your site and customers are never redirected to another platform to sign up.

2- Sell Event Tickets

With Activity Messenger, you can say goodbye to learning how to use eventbrite or tututix. Plus, you’ll save money with lower transaction fees. Attendees can purchase tickets and receive branded electronic tickets with a QR code.

This QR code can be scanned with a smartphone at the event entrance for easy access control. And you can automate an SMS reminder 24 hours before the event and an automated survey to be emailed after the event.

3- Advanced Communication Tools

All platforms allow you to send bulk emails and SMS. But very few track open rates for you. So you have no way of knowing who received and opened that important email you sent last week.

That’s where our open rate comes in, and the ability to resend to those who didn’t open your email. Best of all, when you re-send a message, you can do it via SMS with a link to the email to make sure everyone gets the message.

📌 Pro tip: Being able to send marketing and non-marketing emails depending on the type of communication allowed us to create well-defined lists and better communicate with parents. This assures us that people get important communications but can unsubscribe form marketing outreach too.

Discover how we also replace Mailchimp, SurveyMoney & Eventbrite for gymnastics clubs, danse studio and swim schools

Top 3 use cases + case studies

Almost every company or organization needs online forms, a newsletter, surveys and SMS communication. In this sense, the possible uses for Activity Messenger are broad and touch every industry.

That being said, there are three types of use cases that benefit the most from Activity Messenger. They are:

1) Large sports club that offer swimming lessons, gymnastics, dance or cheer programs that are looking for a more complete and modern class management solution.
Activity Messenger is an alternative to: JackRabbit, IclassPro, Amilia, DanseStudioPro, TheStudioDirector

2) Small club or studio with only 1-2 full time staff looking to have everything in one place without the complexity of most class management software.
Activity Messenger is an alternative to: Pen & Paper, JotForm, Google Forms, Wufoo

3) Sports Federations & Franchisors that are looking to better communicate with members, streamline registration, manage training and events and collect injury reports.
Activity Messenger is an alternative to: Uplifter, Interpodia, Trackie

Use Case #1: Large Sports club

Before Activity Messenger, Sportball Laval’s small administrative team struggled with the monumental task of serving over 5,000 families each year. They faced multiple challenges: how to keep parents informed, ensure classes ran smoothly, and automate repetitive tasks – all without getting overwhelmed.

Their communication toolkit was fragmented, relying on multiple platforms for different functions such as email, SMS, and waivers. They had reached a ceiling in terms of efficient customer communication and were missing the opportunity to improve their services based on customer feedback.

Here is what Olivier says now that he has implemented Activity Messenger:

“Activity Messenger has changed the way we work. Our mission is all about customer satisfaction, and now we’ve got the tools to do it. The impact has been immediate – not just in time and cost savings, but in parent satisfaction and retention.

One parent summed it up perfectly: “The service at Sportball is exceptional, from registration, to communication before and during the session, to coaching on the field. Plus, the built-in automation has allowed our team to focus more on what really matters: delivering exceptional sports programs to young athletes.

Read the full success study

Use Case #2: Small studio

Before Activity Messenger, Selena was drowning in administrative tasks at Swim to Safety. Managing bookings, tracking digital signatures for waivers, and sending manual communications were all part of her daily grind. She worked hard, but found it difficult to keep up as the business scaled.

As Selena put it, she had “no real way to take registrations” and was “manually tracking every single part of the process. This chaos was affecting their ability to focus on what really mattered: teaching water safety skills to young children.

Here’s what Selena says now, after implementing Activity Messenger:

Activity Messenger became their lifebuoy, automating and streamlining everything from capturing digital signatures to communicating with parents. Selena estimates that the platform has cut her workload “at least in half if not more,” allowing her to be fully present for the children they serve.

Communications no longer fall through the cracks; parents now receive timely updates and reminders, resulting in fewer miscommunications and unfortunate incidents like showing up to an empty pool.

Read the full success study

Use Case #3: Sports Federations

Before Activity Messenger, Gymnastics BC faced a number of challenges. With over 50,000 members, including coaches, judges, athletes, and club owners, they desperately needed an online system that met Canadian legal standards, improved communication, and simplified administrative tasks.

Their small team was overwhelmed by the manual processes of transcribing handwritten injury reports, processing liability waivers, and struggling with ineffective communication systems.

Here is what Gymnastics BC is saying now that they have implemented Activity Messenger:

In Activity Messenger, we finally found a complete toolkit that immediately saved us time and money. Our injury reporting processes are much more streamlined, ensuring faster and more reliable data collection. As a result, compliance rates have increased significantly. With Activity Messenger’s analytics, we can now track the most common types of injuries and provide targeted educational initiatives.

The automated email/SMS notification system ensures that the right people are alerted as soon as an injury form is completed, eliminating the chance of delayed administrative processing that caused multiple problems in the past.

We’ve also replaced Mailchimp for our weekly outreach. Activity Messenger is much easier to use and fully integrated with Canva, making it easy for us to stay on brand for all communications with members and athletes.

Read the full success story

Would you like to try Activity Messenger?

Sign up for a free trial or book a 20-minute demo with Olivier; we’ll show you how Activity Messenger can help your club, studio or federation, demonstrate best practices, and answer any questions you may have.

Tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your sports and recreation organization?

In a short 20-minute demo, you’ll see why hundreds of clubs and associations rely on Activity Messenger to streamline everything from online registration to digital waivers to member communications.

Learn more: Improve your online registration process and increase conversions

2 critical things to consider before making your final decision

Before you finalize your choice of class management software, consider these two things:

1. How seamless is the registration experience (especially on mobile)

Navigating through countless class options on typical registration platforms can be overwhelming for customers, especially new ones. This often results in lost customers who abandon the cumbersome process. In contrast, it is now possible to replicate the guided, personalized experience of a phone call with modern class management software.

By incorporating key questions into an intuitive online workflow, organizations can help customers quickly and easily find the classes that best meet their needs, improving user experience and retention.

2. How many tools do you need to fill in the gaps

Activity Messenger embraces the simplicity, speed, and innovation with a clean, minimalist and customer-centric registration path. The platform also allows you to replace tools like Mailchimp, SurveyMonkey, Eventbrite, and SmartWaiver.

Sure, our clients love the cost savings, but they love having all their data and tools in one tool that gives them a 360 view of registrations, communications, waivers, and marketing.

NOTE: Most of the products we’ve mentioned offer either a free plan, 14-day trial, 30-day free trial, or a money-back guarantee, allowing you to take them for a spin.

FAQ

What is an Online Registration Software Platform?

Online registration software is a digital tool that enables organizations to easily manage registrations and payments for courses or events, providing a smooth and professional experience for managers and customers alike.

What online registration tools store their data in Canada?

In Canada, popular online registration tools include Activity Messenger, Amilia and Uplifter. These Canadian companies offer integrated solutions for registration, class management and customer communication and store all of their data in Canada.

Why use an online registration software?

Online registration software optimizes registration management, simplifies payments and enhances the customer experience, while providing accurate tracking and effective communication for sports and leisure organizations. You can get started with a simple registration form.

How does online registration software improve communication with clients?

Online registration software centralizes your members’ and participants’ information. This facilitates targeted communications, real-time follow-up and better interaction with your customers.

How does a registration platform simplify online registration?

A digital platform simplifies online registration by automating processes, offering an intuitive interface for users, and integrating secure payments, making the whole process faster compared to taking registrations over the phone or in person

Written by Olivier Rousseau Olivier is a kids sports programs owner who has been operating for over a decade with locations in Montreal, Quebec city & Ottawa. He also helps Gymnastics Club, Swim Schools and Dance Studios streamline their operations. He is the co-founder of Activity Messenger an online registration platform for the sports & leisure industry.