If you’re a Canadian organization using iClassPro, you may be questioning whether it still meets today’s expectations around data privacy, parent experience, and operational efficiency. A modern class management software should be intuitive, built with both organizations and clients in mind, and scalable as your business grows.
In this article, we explore why Activity Messenger is a Canadian alternative to iClassPro, built specifically for organizations that need local data hosting, bilingual communication, and a modern, mobile-friendly experience for families.
DISCLAIMER: Activity Messenger is our software. We created it after experiencing the various shortcomings of existing class management software for years.
iClassPro is a well-known class management platform and an early leader in the space. However, many Canadian organizations begin looking for alternatives as their needs evolve.
Common reasons include:
For organizations looking to simplify operations while keeping data in Canada, a Canadian alternative can be a practical next step.
| Feature | Activity Messenger | iClassPro |
|---|---|---|
| Data Hosting Location | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Online Registration & Payments | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Mobile-First Parent Experience | ✅ Mobile-first design | ⚠️ Limited optimization |
| Built-in Form & Waiver Builder | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Limited/external tools |
| Email & SMS Messaging | ✅ Integrated | ⚠️ Primarily email |
| Attendance Tracking | ✅ Automated from registrations | ✅ Available |
| Memberships & Subscriptions | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Facility & Rental Management | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited |
| Bilingual Support (EN/FR) | ✅ Platform & support | ❌ Not available |
| Canadian Customer Support | ✅ Local team | ❌ U.S.-based |
💬 What our customers say:
“Activity Messenger has seamlessly integrated with our existing registration software and has plugged the existing holes we had with personalized communication as well as form and waiver management. The team is quick to implement fixes and is always available for support.” — Cj P., Gym Director, Sports & Rec
“Very easy to navigate and use. The ability to create and duplicate templates, schedule messaging to customers to ensure timely delivery and the amazing customer support provided have made Activity Messenger a HUGE time saver for me and taken our communication to customers to the next level! I don’t know how I managed without it.” — Evan A., Owner, Sports & Rec
💡Looking for more Canadian alternatives to US-based tools? Check out our comparison articles on alternatives to MailChimp, Google Forms, and SurveyMonkey to find Canadian platforms that suit your needs.
Activity Messenger, like iClassPro, makes registering and paying online easy. Its customizable registration process and drag-and-drop functionality allow you to customize the setup and improve your customers’ payment experience.
Activity Messenger makes managing memberships and renewals easy. It simplifies subscription management by providing a central hub for tracking member information, activity participation, and payments. Invoice automatically, send custom reminders, and manage discounts.
To track attendance, Activity Messenger automates the generation of attendance from online registrations. Employees can monitor attendance and maintain detailed logs.
An intuitive calendar and booking system makes booking facilities easy. This reduces the hassle of manual planning, and electronic contracts simplify the rental process. Confirmation and payment can be made easily from mobile devices.
Activity Messenger is designed specifically for Canadian organizations. From data hosting to support, the platform reflects the legal, linguistic, and operational realities of running programs in Canada.
iClassPro serves a global audience, which can make it harder to address Canadian-specific requirements, such as compliance with PIPEDA and Law 25.
Parents don’t want to “learn” software just to register their child.
Activity Messenger focuses on clarity and simplicity:
iClassPro’s interface reflects an earlier generation of software and can feel cluttered, especially on smartphones.
The Canva integration enables users to create stunning marketing materials and communications directly from within the platform. This makes it easy to design and distribute professional content.
Most enrollment platforms are limited to serving only your enrollment processes and the classes you offer. This means you still need paper, Google Forms, or even paid solutions like Jotform, Smartwaiver, or SurveyMonkey.
Activity Messenger takes a different approach. Included with every subscription is a drag-and-drop form generator that will allow you to replace 99% of the paper documents you currently use.
Here are a few examples using our form-building tool for daily operations:
Many organizations using iClassPro rely on additional tools for tasks beyond registration, such as email marketing, digital waivers, surveys, or event tickets.
This often leads to:
Activity Messenger was built to reduce that complexity.
Instead of stitching together multiple platforms, organizations can manage communications, forms, registrations, and follow-ups in a single system, where everything is connected to the same participant profile.
The result: less time managing tools, more time focusing on programs and families.
It’s easy to delegate time-consuming administrative tasks, such as collecting waiver signatures, handling membership renewals, distributing surveys, and sending meeting start reminders, to your software.
Activity Messenger serves as your virtual assistant, providing your team with an extra set of hands to enhance efficiency.
With just a few clicks, you can:
📌 Read More: Wondering what else we can do for your organization? Learn how we can simplify your staff hiring process and membership management for smoother operations.
Activity Messenger is one of the leading Canadian alternatives to iClassPro. It offers online registration, payments, attendance tracking, forms, waivers, and integrated email and SMS communication while storing all data in Canada. Other alternatives include Amilia and PerfectMind by Xplor Recreation.
Yes. Activity Messenger stores all user data on Canadian servers and is designed to align with Canadian privacy requirements, making it a strong option for organizations that need Canadian data residency.
Canadian dance studios often switch from iClassPro due to data residency concerns, limited mobile usability for parents, reliance on third-party tools for forms and communications, and the need for bilingual or Canadian-based support.
No. Activity Messenger is used by organizations of all sizes, from small studios to multi-program clubs, looking to streamline operations and communications.
For many organizations, yes. Activity Messenger can handle registrations, payments, attendance, memberships, forms, waivers, email marketing, and SMS notifications, eliminating the need for iClassPro and several third-party tools.
Yes. Many organizations use Activity Messenger to replace email marketing tools, form builders, survey platforms, digital waiver solutions, and more.
When comparing iClassPro alternatives in Canada, look for:
Switching from iClassPro is often easier than expected. Platforms like Activity Messenger provide tools to import data, recreate programs, and guide organizations through the transition. However, instead of stacking iClassPro integrations, you can enjoy multiple features in one program.
No. While commonly used by dance studios, gymnastics clubs, and swim schools, Activity Messenger is also used by camps, community organizations, and educational programs across North America.
iClassPro has played an important role in shaping class management software. However, Activity Messenger offers a modern, Canadian-built alternative that combines registration, communications, attendance, and compliance in one platform, with all data stored securely in Canada.
For studios, clubs, and schools looking to simplify operations, save administrative time, and deliver a better experience for families, Activity Messenger provides the tools your organization needs to run efficiently and confidently.
💡 Ready to switch to a Canadian iClassPro alternative that works for your team and your families? Book a demo with Activity Messenger to see how we can streamline your operations while keeping your data secure.
