Pillar vs TrueCoach
Coach the whole client.
Not just the workout delivery.
TrueCoach is built around delivering workout programs. Pillar is built around outcomes — eight coaching dimensions that give you the full picture of every client, every day.
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Unlimited clients on every plan
Feature-by-feature comparison
See exactly what you get with each platform — no fine print.
| Feature | Pillar | TrueCoach |
|---|---|---|
| Holistic pillar tracking (8 dimensions) | ||
| Workout programming | ||
| Nutrition tracking (built-in) | Via MyFitnessPal | |
| Habit tracking | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Recovery & readiness | ||
| Hydration tracking | ||
| Steps / daily activity | ||
| Mood check-ins | ||
| In-app messaging | ||
| Smart scheduling (client self-booking) | ||
| Stripe payments (Growth+) | Growth plan | yes (5% fee) |
| AI pre-session briefings | Growth plan | |
| Client dashboard with trends | ||
| Content / exercise library | ||
| Group sessions | ||
| Drop-in classes | ||
| Branded client app (Pro plan) | Pro plan | Themed only |
| Unlimited clients on every plan | ||
| iOS + Android + Web |
Pricing that doesn't take 5% of your revenue
TrueCoach charges a 5% fee on every payment you collect — on top of your subscription. Pillar uses standard Stripe rates and doesn't take a cut of your earnings.
Why coaches switch from TrueCoach
TrueCoach is a solid workout delivery tool. Pillar is a coaching platform. Here's what that difference looks like in practice.
Built for holistic coaching, not just workout delivery
TrueCoach's core strength is delivering workout programs with video demos. But coaching is more than sets and reps. Pillar was designed from day one around eight coaching dimensions — fitness, nutrition, sleep, recovery, hydration, steps, mood, and habits — so you see the full client picture, not just training compliance.
No 5% tax on your revenue
TrueCoach charges a flat 5% fee on every payment you collect — not Stripe's standard rate, but their own surcharge on top. For a coach billing $5,000/month, that's $250 in processing fees alone. Pillar uses standard Stripe rates (2.9% + 30¢) and never takes a cut of what you earn.
Scheduling that actually exists
TrueCoach has no scheduling feature at all — no client self-booking, no calendar, no session management. Pillar has a built-in calendar with 1:1 and group sessions, client self-booking, recurring templates, and live calendar feeds to Apple, Google, and Outlook.
Real nutrition tracking, not a third-party dependency
TrueCoach relies entirely on MyFitnessPal for nutrition data — coaches can only see macros, not full food logs, and the integration breaks if clients don't use MFP. Pillar has built-in nutrition tracking with a USDA-backed food database, barcode scanning, and meal logging that lives inside the same app.
Unlimited clients from day one
TrueCoach caps clients per plan — 5 on Starter, 20 on Standard, 50 on Pro. Growing your roster means upgrading your plan. Pillar gives you unlimited clients on every paid plan, so your software cost stays flat as your practice grows.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions coaches ask when comparing Pillar and TrueCoach.
Pillar is a strong alternative to TrueCoach for coaches who want holistic client tracking, not just workout delivery. TrueCoach lacks scheduling entirely, charges a 5% fee on every payment, and relies on MyFitnessPal for nutrition. Pillar includes scheduling, built-in nutrition tracking, and standard Stripe rates with no revenue cut.
TrueCoach plans start at $26/mo for 5 clients, $58/mo for 20 clients, and $137/mo for 50 clients (annual billing). On top of the subscription, TrueCoach charges a 5% fee on every payment you collect — so a coach billing $5,000/mo pays an extra $250 in processing fees. Pillar starts at $29/mo with unlimited clients and standard Stripe processing.
TrueCoach has a stronger exercise video library (3,500+ demos) and simpler interface, while Trainerize has more integrations and scheduling features. Both focus primarily on workout delivery and cap clients per tier. Pillar takes a holistic approach with eight coaching dimensions, unlimited clients, and scheduling, nutrition, and payments included.
Not natively. TrueCoach relies on a MyFitnessPal integration for nutrition data — coaches can only see macros, not full food logs, and it only works if clients actively use MFP. Pillar has built-in nutrition tracking with a USDA-backed food database, barcode scanning, and full meal logging inside the same app.
No. TrueCoach has no scheduling, calendar, or client self-booking feature. Coaches need a separate tool for appointment management. Pillar includes a full scheduling system with 1:1 and group sessions, client self-booking, recurring templates, and live calendar feeds to Apple, Google, and Outlook.
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