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Best coaching apps: tools for coaches in 2024

Updated on:
August 19, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The coaching industry is worth billions and billions of dollars, and for good reason. Business coaching has the potential to revolutionize businesses and changes lives for the better.

No one said being a coach is easy, however; in fact, it's one of the most demanding jobs you can have. You've got a list of clients to coach, track progress, and deliver results. That's why the best coaching apps have become invaluable tools for coaches to use in order to maximize their time and performance.

In this article, we'll explore the top three coaching apps of 2023 that will help you get the most out of your business as a coach. Whether you're just starting out or an experienced professional, these apps will give you all the support you need to be successful.

What Are Coaching Apps?

Coaching apps are digital media tools designed to help coaches and their clients increase productivity, reach goals, track progress, and build relationships. These apps provide data-driven insights into what's working for you as a coach and where there is room for improvement.

The best coaching apps offer features like goal setting and tracking, performance analysis, client management, time management capabilities, and more. They also enable coaches to collaborate with other professionals in the industry such as mentors or team members who can assist in achieving desired results.


While coaching tools undoubtedly require an investment of your time and money, they more than pay for themselves in terms of time saved, improved client relationships, and increased productivity.

Types of Coaching Apps Available

What are your pain points as a coach? Perhaps you get bogged down by administrative tasks or struggle to keep track of client progress. Maybe you struggle to maintain a to-do list or need a better way to keep track of sessions.

Fortunately, we humans are excellent at coming up with innovative solutions to our problems. There are several types of coaching apps available to help you manage your tasks and get the most out of your business.

Here are some popular categories:

  • Goal-setting and tracking apps provide coaches with an easy-to-use interface for setting and managing goals for their clients. They also enable coaches to track progress towards those goals over time, allowing them to measure success on an ongoing basis.
  • Client management apps allow coaches to store client profiles, contact information, session notes, and other important data in one secure place. This makes it much easier to stay organized and keep track of key performance metrics.
  • Performance analysis apps provide coaches with data-driven insights into how their coaching is performing, giving them the ability to tweak their approach if needed. The best performance analysis apps also allow for integration with other tools, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software or analytics platforms.
  • Time management apps give coaches the ability to plan out their day in advance and set reminders for important tasks and deadlines. Remain focused on the most important things first while still leaving room for spontaneity when needed.
  • Collaboration apps enable coaches to work with mentors, team members, or other professionals in the industry on specific projects.

Why waste time arranging your files when a tool could do the trick, or lose focus when you could use an app to stay on track? Let’s take a look at some of the best coaching apps currently available.

Top Coaching Apps in 2023

The '20s is an exciting time to use workflow apps. Why? Because more tools than ever are being powered by artificial intelligence. Machine learning algorithms are enabling coaches to get predictive insights into their clients' performance and keep track of progress more easily.

There are so many tools available to make your coaching business smooth sailing; it's difficult to split the cream from the crop. We've made it easier by compiling some of the top coaching apps in 2023.

Bonsai

Here at Bonsai, we went on a mission to create the ideal all-around work management tool. Our product spans all facets of business: client management, project management, and finances. It's a comprehensive platform where you can keep track of all your coaching-related tasks in one place.

Key Features

“I love using Bonsai for my coaching business. It’s a great hub for my brand, and it's simple to use. I would really recommend it for anyone who is after an easy-to-use CRM system without the hassle of complicated setups.” - Laura, Creative Coach at Ebb, Flow & Grow

Bonsai has features that cater to every aspect of coaching:

  • Packages and billing. Want to set up different packages for your clients? Bonsai makes it easy to manage, track, and invoice clients.
  • Client CRM. Manage client profiles, contact information, and session schedules with ease.
  • Session notes. Keep track of the progress you make with each client by taking notes during each session.
  • Contracts. Get your legal affairs in order with professionally reviewed contract templates.
  • Coaching Tools. Get access to coaching exercises to go over with your clients like vision board worksheet templates, wheel of life, and action matrix worksheets

With Bonsai, you gain access to a number of templates for contracts, invoices, quotes, proposals, and more – saving you a significant amount of time and effort.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and set up
  • A comprehensive suite of features for all aspects of coaching
  • Central dashboard with intuitive UI

Cons:

  • Some payment options will have geographical limitations
  • Only available in English thus far

Pricing

Our pricing at Bonsai is split into three simple tiers. After a 7-day free trial, choose between:

  • Starter ($25/month). Ideal for freelancers, this plan includes unlimited clients and projects, all features outlined above, and expense tracking.
  • Professional ($39/month). A growing independent business can choose this plan to get custom branding, unlimited scheduling events, workflow automation, integrations with other workflow apps, and a client portal.
  • Business ($79/month). The final package adds enterprise features like subcontractor management and onboarding, accountant access, a talent pool, and more.

It's easy to change your plan at any stage and as the need arises. If you feel as though none of the above plans suit you, customize your own by paying for add-on collaborators, partners, and assistants.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is a comprehensive platform for small business owners to manage their client relationships, contracts, payments, and paperwork. It's a great choice for coaches, as it offers a range of features to make running your business smoother.

Key Features

HoneyBook offers the following features for those running a small business:

  • Proposals. Book clients seamlessly by sending them professional-looking proposals in minutes.
  • Automation. Streamline your workflow with automated emails, reminders, and follow-ups.
  • Online payments. Collect payments quickly and securely by setting up online payment options for clients to choose from.
  • Contracts & invoicing. Create legally binding contracts and send out invoices at the click of a button.
  • Smart files. Send out interactive documents for more intuitive client communication.

HoneyBook was designed to be an all-in-one solution for entrepreneurs. Thanks to its user-friendly interface and top-notch customer support, it's an ideal choice for those just starting out in business.

Pros:

  • A comprehensive suite of features for all aspects of coaching
  • Automation tools save time and effort
  • Great user interface and customer support

Cons:

  • Not tailored to specific businesses
  • Poor customer service

Pricing

After a week-long trial, users can choose between:

  • Unlimited monthly ($39/month). This grants access to all features with no transaction limits and no cap on team members.
  • Unlimited yearly ($390/year). Same as above, but discounted for the yearly plan.

The convenience of these plans is that you have full access to all features; however, some users may prefer a more affordable option that scales down to suit their needs.

Paperbell

A relatively new tool, Paperbell is unique in that it was designed specifically for coaches. It works by integrating with all the tools most coaches already use – like Google Calendar, Zapier, Stripe, and PayPal – to deliver an all-in-one solution.

Features

Paperbell offers a well-rounded list of features, including:

  • Scheduling. Instead of using Calendly or Acuity, you can use the Paperbell scheduling feature to set availability, create schedules, allow for buffer, and limit last-minute bookings.
  • Payments and billing. Create and sell packages based on how your coaching sessions are structured. Generate coupon codes and sell group packages.
  • Contracts. Securely upload and store your legal documents. Use HelloSign to securely manage e-signatures.
  • Client management. Keep organized files of all your clients’ information and documents.

You can view the full list of features on the Paperbell website.

Pros:

  • Tailored to coaches specifically, so all features are relevant
  • Integrates with popular coaching tools for an all-in-one solution
  • Flexible pricing plans available for different needs and budgets

Cons:

  • Less intuitive design than other more prominent tools
  • Limited customer support
  • Limited pricing options

Pricing

Paperbell offers a free trial, then one pricing option that can be paid yearly or monthly. The yearly fee is $47.50 per month, while the monthly fee goes up to $57. The plan is all-inclusive, granting full access to all features.

Comparing the Top 3 Coaching Tools

Bonsai, HoneyBook, and Paperbell are all excellent choices for coaches, but there are a few key differences to consider.

Bonsai is the most feature-rich of the three and includes many features for invoicing and contracts. It’s also very user-friendly with an intuitive design. You won't need to switch between different tools because Bonsai covers most of the features you’ll need as a coach.

HoneyBook is great for those who want to keep their workflows simple and organized. It offers robust features, like client management and task tracking, that make it easy to stay on top of all your coaching activities. The downside is that its pricing scheme is more expensive compared to the other two; many of the features offered in the Unlimited deal are unnecessary for smaller-scale businesses.

Paperbell offers a good selection of features that are specifically relevant to coaches. It integrates with many popular tools for an all-in-one solution, so you won’t have to switch between different apps. Its design isn't as intuitive compared to Bonsai or HoneyBook, however, and it also has an inflexible pricing scheme.

How To Choose the Best Coaching App For You

While searching for the best coaching apps, it's imperative to consider their project management features. Our review of iOS project management apps can provide further insights. Choosing an app with solid project management capabilities can significantly enhance your coaching experience.

Still torn over which of these tools is the best for you? Here are some key points to consider when choosing the right coaching app.

Personal Goals

Most business owners have some specific goals relating to their business, even if those goals haven't been written out yet. Take some time to consider what you want to achieve as a coach, and make sure the app you choose can help you reach those goals.

For instance, are you trying to make your client onboarding process more efficient? A tool with a heavy CRM focus would be the best choice in that case. Or maybe you're looking for a better way to handle finances? Bonsai and HoneyBook both have excellent invoicing features.

Budget

Your budget is also important to consider when making a decision. You will be saving time in the long run by investing in a tool that meets your needs, but it’s not worth overspending on features you don't need. Choose a tool with a pricing scheme that fits your budget and one that provides features you actually need.

Support Resources

Many coaching apps offer great customer support resources, like FAQ pages and tutorials. Some even have dedicated customer support teams available to help with any questions or issues you may have. Evaluate the different options before making a decision to ensure that the tool has the right level of customer support for your needs.

Reviews and Testimonials

Does the tool you are considering have plenty of client reviews and testimonials? If not, that's your cue to move on to the next option. Reading reviews and testimonials from other users can provide valuable insight into how well the tool works in practice, so it's an important step in making your decision.

Pay attention to specific pain points in customer reviews. Did they struggle to get a support person on the phone? Does the tool have an unintuitive design? Are there better solutions available for a lower cost? These are all important points to consider.

Certifications and Credentials

Finally, make sure that the tool you choose is certified and compliant with industry standards. Many coaching apps have certifications from organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Make sure to look for these credentials when researching your options.

Make the Most of Free Trials

Beyond research, the best way to choose which tool is best for you is to get hands-on experience. Most of the top coaching apps offer free trials, which are a great way to test out different features and see how they work in practice.

Try out Bonsai today for free with our seven-day all-inclusive trial. We want you to feel right at home and have all the tools you need to succeed as a coach – so make sure you test out the different features and see which one works best for you.

Summary

We hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision on the best coaching app for your needs. With so many tools available, it can be difficult to know where to start – but by taking the time to research and test out different options, you’ll be sure to find the perfect tool that fits your business just right.

Sources

Bonsai - https://www.hellobonsai.com/

HoneyBook - https://www.honeybook.com/

Paperbell - https://paperbell.com/

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