IE
Your Guide to the Best Art Class Software of 2026
1. ClassForKids
Taking the top spot on our list of the best art class software in 2026, ClassForKids offers everything arts and crafts studios need to simplify bookings, payments, communications and compliance. With more than 10 years of experience and the UK’s only ISO-certified platform built for children’s activity providers, it’s a trusted tool for creative clubs ready to grow.
Capterra rating as of June 2026: 4.8 (based on 99 reviews)
Free trial: Yes
Best for: Arts and crafts class providers who want to scale with confidence, offer a great experience for customers and stay fully covered when it comes to safeguarding and GDPR.
Support and onboarding:
- Online chat with an award-winning team boasting a 98% satisfaction rating
- Personalised onboarding to help you get started stress-free 24/7
- Help Centre filled with clear walkthroughs and guides
- Automated replies for any queries outside working hours
Business growth support:
- Competitions with up to £10K in prizes to grow your business
- Networking events and training sessions with industry experts
- A free class listing platform to help you reach more parents
- Tailored growth support for larger art studios
- Free expert advice and practical tips on the ClassForKids Podcast and Academy
Pricing: One simple monthly fee gives you unlimited access to all features and the freedom to grow without paying more to manage more kids, venues or art teachers. Learn more about ClassForKids Pricing.
2. Baluu
Baluu caters to a broad range of businesses, including event, class, rental and appointment-based providers. While it may not be designed specifically for children's class providers or arts and crafts studios, it remains a popular option and is often listed among the best booking software for art classes.
Capterra rating as of June 2026: 4.9 (based on 13 reviews)
Free trial: Free plan available
Best for: Like ClassForKids, Baluu allows unlimited bookings and users. While it may lack some child-specific software aspects including built-in child safeguarding features, it works well for a wide range of setups from small studios to larger art clubs.
Support and onboarding:
- Email and chatbot support for customers
- One-to-one onboarding calls included on paid plans
Business growth support: Baluu doesn’t offer growth support through partnerships, events or learning opportunities focused on marketing and business growth. However, customers can list their services on Obby and receive SEO support directly from Baluu.
Pricing: Baluu offers 3 plans, with a basic free option, a paid "Pro" option and a higher tier "Growth" option. All allow unlimited bookings and admin users. The main difference between plans is that payment fees decrease with each upgrade, with the free plan carrying the highest payment fee. One-to-one onboarding is available on paid plans and with higher tier users also having a dedicated account manager.
3. Ubindi
Taking third spot on our list of the best booking software for art classes, Ubindi describes itself as “a lightweight booking and admin system for independent instructors or small studios,” and lets you manage up to 50 students for free, though users on the free plan still pay a platform fee for each online payment.
Capterra rating as of June 2026: 4.7 (based on 65 reviews)
Free trial: Free plan available
Best for: Freelance art teachers and small art studio owners looking for a simple, no-frills solution to manage class bookings and payments.
Support and onboarding:
- Support available via email and live chat
- Access to an online Help Centre with how-to articles
Business growth support: Ubindi’s creators offer a paid course on Udemy for teachers, but there’s no access to a free class listing platform, networking events or competitions that support business marketing and growth.
Pricing: Ubindi offers 3 plans: free, essential and pro. The main difference is that paid plans allow you to manage unlimited students, with platform fees decreasing as you move up the tiers.
4. Simplybook.me
SimplyBook.me supports a broad mix of businesses, from art clubs to wellness centres. What sets it apart are its WhatsApp notifications, social media and advertising tools that let you schedule and publish posts across channels and payment integrations, which are available on the premium plan.
Capterra rating as of June 2026: 4.6 (based on 1283 reviews)
Free trial: Free plan available
Best for: A good fit for smaller to mid-sized art clubs and studios looking for a professional, feature-rich art class booking platform. But with booking caps in place, it might not suit businesses with bigger growth plans.
Support and onboarding:
- Help Centre and video tutorials
- Email and live chat customer support
- Paid setup help with website design and system tutorial
Business growth support: SimplyBook.me users can list their services on Booking.page, but the platform doesn’t currently offer growth-focused events, competitions or wider marketing resources.
Pricing: Simplybook.me has 5 pricing tiers, including a free plan, but none allow unlimited bookings or providers. You’ll need to buy extra booking credits as demand grows, so it’s worth checking how this fits with your short and long-term plans before choosing the best art class software for your studio.
5. Bookiphy
Launched in 2025, Bookiphy is the newest name on our list of the best booking software for art classes and with a free plan that covers the basics, it’s ideal for smaller arts and crafts studios running on tighter budgets and happy to cap class sizes at 5 students.
Capterra rating as of June 2026: 5 (based on 3 reviews)
Free trial: Free version available
Best for: Small and medium-sized arts and crafts clubs looking for a straightforward, budget-friendly platform to manage registrations and payments.
Support and onboarding:
- Email and chatbot support for customers
- Access to how-to guides
Business growth support: Bookiphy doesn’t currently provide dedicated marketing support, a free class listing platform or events and competitions, so you may need to use other tools to promote and scale your art studio.
Pricing: Bookiphy offers both a free and a paid plan. The free version is ideal for very small clubs, with a cap of 5 students. The standard paid plan removes this cap and lets you manage unlimited students and staff. Both plans include support, but upgrading unlocks additional features, so take time to weigh up what’s right for your club now and in the future.
A Quick Note on Comparing the Best Booking Software for Art Classes
If you’re wondering why we haven’t included a side-by-side feature comparison or detailed pricing for every option, here’s why.
Software features and pricing can change often and fast. While articles like “Top Baluu Alternatives” or “Why We Moved from Simplybook.me” might catch your eye, many are outdated or written without hands-on experience.
Instead of chasing details that might change tomorrow, we’ve focused on what really matters: real user reviews, who each platform is best suited for, whether they offer a free trial and how strong their support is. We also refresh this guide annually to make sure it stays helpful.
Now, let’s dive into 5 questions to help you choose the best booking software for art classes.
5 Questions to Help You Choose the Best Art Class Software
Great art class booking software isn’t just about easing today’s workload; it should also support your studio’s growth and help you plan for what’s next.
To make your decision easier, here are five key questions to ask before picking the platform that’s right for your creative business.
1. Will it make life easier for everyone?
The best art class software should make things simpler, not just for you, but for your team and the families you serve. When daily admin feels effortless, it frees up more of your time for teaching, creating and growing your business. And when the booking experience is smooth and straightforward, parents are more likely to return and spread the word about your art classes.
Make sure your software has:
- A clear online timetable with accurate class and venue details
- User-friendly admin tools that let you manage staff, classes and schedules without stress
- Flexible payment options, from cards and cash to subscriptions and childcare vouchers
- Customisable class registers with medical notes, emergency contacts and attendance
2. Will it help me get my time back?
Arts and crafts providers often describe life before ClassForKids the same way: start admin on a Monday and you might not get back to your classes until midweek. When admin eats up half your week, it’s time to rethink how things are done.
The best art and crafts class software should take the weight off your shoulders, giving you back hours to focus on your students, your craft and your goals.
Look for tools that save time:
- Automatically updated registers with real-time bookings, attendance and emergency contact details
- Quick-start term setup features, like ClassForKids’ “re-run and auto-enrol,” to set up your new terms in minutes
- Smart waiting lists that fill classes and show you where demand is growing
- Instant invoicing and clear financial reports that help you stay on top of your numbers
3. Will it help with business growth?
A recent survey** found that nearly 50% of small business owners regularly take their work home. If you’re spending your evenings catching up on admin instead of winding down with family, it might be time to reassess how you run your studio.
The best booking software for art classes should do more than help with day-to-day tasks; it should help you build a sustainable business and grow with confidence.
Look for features like:
- Time-saving tools like those that help many ClassForKids users reclaim 15+ hours each week
- Reporting tools that track revenue, reveal seasonal trends and guide smarter planning
- Scalability to manage multiple locations and larger teams with ease
- A website booking widget and free class listing platform to bring in new customers
- Growth-focused extras like business toolkits, expert-led events and high-value competitions
4. Can it support my business when it grows?
Your art studio might be small now, but if you’re aiming to expand, your software needs to keep up. The best art class software should give you room to grow, not slow you down with limits or hidden costs.
Ask yourself:
- Will the platform still work for you when your student numbers, staff or locations increase?
- Are essential features included upfront or will you need to pay more later to unlock what you need?
- Can it support multiple venues or even franchises if your business expands across sites?
5. Can I rely on the support?
You might not need help every day, but when you do, having real, reliable support makes all the difference. The best art class software should feel like having an extra team member you can count on.
When you’re comparing options, ask yourself:
- Will you be able to speak to a real person when something goes wrong or you have a question?
- Is there a hub of helpful guides and resources you can access anytime?
- What do current users say in their reviews? Honest feedback can tell you a lot about the kind of support you’ll receive.
Take Your Art Classes Further with the Best Art Class Software
Ready to spend less time on admin and more time inspiring creativity in your studio? ClassForKids is here to help you do just that.
With over 10 years of experience and an award-winning support team, it’s trusted by hundreds of art and craft providers across the UK and beyond to simplify bookings, payments, parent communication and more.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and reflects information accurate as of 29 June 2026. While we aim to review and update the content annually, we recommend using this guide as a starting point and exploring the official websites of any platforms that catch your eye for the most up-to-date details on features, pricing, and support.
*Bradford, J. (2025) 2025 outlook: The children's activity industry in the UK is growing up, Institute of Children's Activity Providers, 15 April. Available at: https://institutecap.co.uk/marketing/2025-outlook-the-childrens-activity-industry-in-the-uk-is-growing-up/ (Accessed: 10 June 2025).
**Brimble, L. (2023) Average business owner needs additional four hours in the day to complete admin tasks, study shows, The Independent, 16 August. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/business-owner-admin-tasks-hours-b2391474.html (Accessed: 10 June 2025).
