A Trainerize alternative with billing built in
Colossus is an all-in-one coaching platform priced in rand, with Paystack billing, a sales CRM, and client communities included, from R499 a month.
Most coaches who go looking for a Trainerize alternative are not unhappy with the idea of coaching software. They are unhappy with a bill that arrives in a foreign currency, with the number of extra tools it takes to actually run the business, or with the feeling of having outgrown what their current platform does well.
Colossus takes a different position: one platform that covers programming, nutrition, check-ins, messaging, billing, sales, and community. It is priced in South African rand, the athlete app is free for your clients, and every tier carries a 30-day money-back guarantee while you decide.
What Colossus includes on every account
The core coaching workflow is the foundation of every tier: a program builder with per-set RPE, RIR, tempo, and intensity, periodization templates, nutrition targets against a 2.5-million-item food database, structured check-ins with progress photos, and real-time messaging with voice notes.
- Cycle-based strength plans with per-set RPE, RIR, and tempo
- Periodization templates: linear, DUP, block, and 5-3-1
- Nutrition targets and logging against a 2.5M-item food database
- Progress photos with before-and-after comparison
- 1:1 messaging with voice notes
- Coaching packages and recurring client billing through Paystack
- A free mobile app for every athlete on iOS and Android
Billing in rand, not a currency conversion
Colossus subscriptions run from R499 to R1,999 per month across four tiers, and annual billing takes 20% off. Client payments are processed through Paystack, so your clients pay with South African cards or EFT and your revenue settles in rand.
The platform fee on client revenue is tiered: 6% on Basic, 4% on Pro, and 2% on Colossal and Studio. Card processing (Paystack, 3.5% + R1 per client charge) is passed through at cost and shown as a separate line on every payout. There is no separate payment gateway to configure and no invoicing tool to subscribe to on the side.
The business layer most stacks leave to other tools
Delivering programs is table stakes. Growing a coaching business also takes lead capture, follow-up, and retention, and that is where coaching stacks usually sprawl into form builders, community apps, and spreadsheet CRMs.
From the Pro tier, Colossus ships lead-gen forms, a prospect CRM, a public storefront, and discovery-call booking. Communities add coach-led channels, posts, reactions, and moderation on top of group chat. Workflow automations handle welcome flows, reminders, and follow-ups while you coach.
Switching without losing your history
Moving platforms feels risky because of what you might lose: client records, program libraries, and momentum. Colossus includes a guided data import with field mapping and a 24-hour undo, and the 7-Day Coach Migration Sprint walks you through clients, packages, programs, storefront, and payments one focused step at a time.
If it is not a clear upgrade after a month of real coaching, the 30-day money-back guarantee applies. Your data stays yours and stays exportable either way.
Colossus vs Trainerize at a glance
| Feature | Colossus | Trainerize |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing currency | Rand, from R499 per month | Typically priced in USD |
| Client payments | Built in via Paystack: cards, EFT, rand settlement | Typically configured through third-party payment tools |
| Platform fee on client revenue | 2-6% by tier, processing passed through at cost | Depends on plan and payment setup |
| Sales CRM and storefront | Lead forms, prospect CRM, and storefront from Pro (R999) | Typically requires separate funnel and form tools |
| Client communities | Channels, posts, reactions, and moderation from Pro | Typically a separate community product |
| Languages | 8 languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans | Typically English-first |
| Athlete app | Free for athletes on iOS and Android | Varies by plan |
| Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee on every tier | Varies by provider |
Colossus claims reflect the platform as of publication. Third-party offerings change; verify current details with the provider.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import my clients from Trainerize?
Yes. Export your client list from your current platform and the guided importer maps the fields for you, with a 24-hour undo if anything looks wrong. Most coaches complete the full move inside the 7-Day Migration Sprint.
How much does Colossus cost?
Four tiers: Basic at R499, Pro at R999, Colossal at R1,499, and Studio at R1,999 per month, with 20% off on annual billing. Every tier carries a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do my clients have to pay for the app?
No. The Colossus app is free for athletes on iOS and Android. Coaching fees only apply when an athlete hires a coach.
Does Colossus handle South African payments?
Yes. Client billing runs through Paystack, so clients pay by card or EFT and your revenue settles in rand. Processing is passed through at cost and itemised on every payout.
Keep reading
See if Colossus fits your coaching
Start risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee, or book a demo and we will map your migration with you.