ProgresslyAI vs Zen Planner
Evaluate the operations you need beyond student records: membership collection, payroll, and marketing can determine fit. ProgresslyAI focuses on manually recorded skills, attendance, invoices, and reviewed AI reports.
Sources reviewed . Published by ProgresslyAI.
Competitor details below are descriptions from official pages, not results of a hands-on product test. Our assessment of fit depends on the workflows you need. Confirm current plan inclusions, regional availability, currency, and fees before purchasing.
Zen Planner
Zen Planner Studio lists member management, scheduling, billing, belt and skill tracking, attendance, and payroll. Official source
ProgresslyAI
Student records, staff-defined skill checklists, weekly classes, attendance, approved registration requests, verified family access, and manual invoices. Paid plans add staff-requested AI outputs.
Student card payments, recurring tuition, payroll, and specialist resource booking are not implemented.
Compare the workflows
These selected workflows help identify fit. A feature omitted here is not assumed absent from either product.
| Workflow | Zen Planner | ProgresslyAI |
|---|---|---|
| Student progress | Zen PlannerStudio lists belt and skill tracking. Official source | ProgresslyAIStaff create levels and skills and record assessments. One current curriculum per student; no supplied industry syllabus or prerequisite enforcement. |
| Student payments | Zen PlannerMembership billing and payment processing are listed; additional fees may apply. Official source | ProgresslyAIManual invoices, recorded external payments/refunds, credits, and browser print/PDF exports. No student card collection or recurring tuition. |
| Staff pay | Zen PlannerPayroll is listed in Studio. Official source | ProgresslyAIInstructor assignment and school membership roles. No payroll, timesheets, or tutor payout calculations. |
| Messages and leads | Zen PlannerThe separate Engage extension lists lead management, automated communication, and AI content generation. Official source | ProgresslyAIAccount and registration status emails. No customer lead pipeline, SMS campaigns, or automatic retention outreach. |
Pricing and total cost
Zen Planner
Studio starts at $99/month and scales by active members. The page separately lists Website, Engage, branded-app, and payment-hardware extensions; processing fees may apply. Official source
ProgresslyAI
Starter is free for 25 active students and 1 instructor seat. Pro is $49/month for 200 active students and 5 instructor seats, with AI report generation. Business is $99/month with no student or instructor-seat cap and additional AI suggestions and API access. Paid prices are USD per school. ProgresslyAI plans
These subscriptions do not buy identical capabilities. Include payment processing, messages, extra locations, apps, implementation, and the cost of any additional tools needed for missing workflows.
What to test before switching
- Ask for a written total covering active members and every required extension.
- Demonstrate belt assessments, family access, and staff permissions.
- Confirm the contract term and payment-processing requirements for the quoted package.
Use representative test records and keep your existing system available until the required workflows and exports are verified. General student notes or certificate dates do not establish regulatory compliance or replace specialist records.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move my existing school into ProgresslyAI?
Owners can preview and import a CSV student roster, with duplicate checks and plan limits. This does not import past payments, attendance, class schedules, curricula, or saved payment methods. Keep the old records and verify the roster before changing systems.
Does ProgresslyAI automatically charge students?
No. Owners issue invoices and record payments and refunds handled outside the app. Credits adjust charges and preserve history. Online student payments, recurring tuition, packages, and payment reminders are not implemented. The paid ProgresslyAI subscription is a separate school software charge.
Which AI features does ProgresslyAI include?
Pro and Business support report generation from recorded progress and attendance. Staff review and edit private drafts, then explicitly publish them to linked families. Business adds staff-requested readiness, retention, and schedule suggestions. AI does not certify students, change schedules, or automatically contact families.
Can I start without a paid subscription?
Yes. Signup creates a school on the free Starter plan with 25 active students and 1 instructor seat. No credit card is required. AI generation requires a paid plan and a configured provider; this is not a time-limited trial of every feature.
How were these comparisons checked?
Competitor descriptions come from the linked official pages reviewed on September 7, 2026; they are vendor descriptions, not a hands-on test. ProgresslyAI descriptions reflect its implemented workflows. Unlisted competitor features are not assumed absent. Confirm current availability, regional terms, plan inclusions, and fees directly before purchasing.
Try the school workflow on Starter
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