An honest comparison of Google Sheets and TrueCoach for managing online coaching clients. Cost, flexibility, features, and which one actually helps you scale.
TrueCoach is one of the most popular coaching platforms on the market. It's clean, well-built, and purpose-designed for personal trainers. But at $27–137/month, it's also one of the most expensive ways to manage your clients.
The question is whether that polish is worth the ongoing cost — or whether a Google Sheets system does the job better for a fraction of the price.
The Quick Comparison
| Feature | Google Sheets + GSheetsPro | TrueCoach |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £199 one-time | $27–137/month ($324–1,644/year) |
| Recurring fees | None | Yes, forever |
| Client limit | Unlimited | 5, 20, or 50 depending on plan |
| Workout programming | Fully customisable | Drag-and-drop builder |
| Nutrition tracking | Build exactly what you need | MyFitnessPal integration |
| Check-in forms | Completely custom | Built-in (template-based) |
| Client app | Shared via link (mobile-friendly) | Dedicated iOS/Android app |
| Exercise library | Your own library | 3,000+ video demos |
| Automations | Google Apps Script + integrations | Limited built-in |
| Data ownership | 100% yours | On their servers |
Price: The Three-Year Reality Check
TrueCoach's pricing looks manageable on a monthly basis. The Starter plan is $27/month for 5 clients. But most working coaches need the Standard ($58/month for 20 clients) or Pro ($137/month for 50 clients).
Let's do the maths over three years:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrueCoach Starter (5 clients) | $27 | $324 | $972 |
| TrueCoach Standard (20 clients) | $58 | $696 | $2,088 |
| TrueCoach Pro (50 clients) | $137 | $1,644 | $4,932 |
| GSheetsPro | — | — | £199 total |
If you're on the Standard plan, you'll spend over $2,000 in three years. For software you don't own, can't fully customise, and that caps you at 20 clients before forcing an upgrade.
For the full breakdown of what coaching platforms really cost, including hidden fees, read the true cost of online coaching software.
Where TrueCoach Wins
Let's be fair. TrueCoach does some things very well:
The client app. TrueCoach has a genuinely good mobile app. Clients can view workouts, log results, upload videos, and message their coach — all from their phone. If your clients expect an "app experience," this is a real advantage.
Exercise video library. Over 3,000 exercise demonstrations pre-loaded. You can assign a movement and the client sees a video demo instantly. For coaches who work with beginners, this saves time.
Clean interface. The platform is well-designed and intuitive. Onboarding is quick, and the learning curve is low. If you want to sign up and start coaching within an hour, TrueCoach makes that easy.
Wearables integration. Direct integration with Apple Health, Garmin, OURA, and other wearables. If you programme around HRV or recovery data, this is useful.
Where Google Sheets + GSheetsPro Wins
Total customisation. TrueCoach gives you a set of features and a set of ways to use them. You can't add a custom metric to your check-in form that doesn't exist in their system. You can't change how your programme layout looks. With Sheets, you build exactly what your coaching needs — and modify it as those needs change.
No client limits. Scale from 5 to 500 clients without paying a penny more. TrueCoach forces you into higher tiers as you grow, so your costs scale with your revenue. With GSheetsPro, costs stay flat forever.
Data ownership. Your client data, programmes, and coaching history live in your Google Drive. If TrueCoach shuts down, raises prices, or changes their terms, your data goes with them. With Sheets, it's yours regardless.
Integrations. Google Apps Script, Zapier, and Make give you access to thousands of integrations. Automated client sheets can trigger emails, update dashboards, and sync with your CRM — all without paying for add-ons.
One-time cost. £199 once versus $696–1,644 every year. The savings alone justify the switch for most coaches.
The Client Experience Question
The biggest argument for TrueCoach is the client app. And it's a fair point — a dedicated app does feel more "professional."
But here's what most coaches discover: clients care about results, not software. A well-structured Google Sheet shared via a link works on any phone, any browser, with zero downloads required. Your clients can view their programme, log workouts, and fill in check-in forms from anywhere.
The coaches scaling past 30, 40, 50 clients aren't the ones with the fanciest app. They're the ones with the best systems.
Who Should Use TrueCoach
TrueCoach makes sense if:
- You coach fewer than 20 clients and the $58/month feels manageable
- Your clients specifically expect a branded app experience
- You rely heavily on exercise video demos
- You want zero setup and a ready-to-go platform
Who Should Use Google Sheets + GSheetsPro
GSheetsPro makes sense if:
- You want to pay once and own your system forever
- You coach (or plan to coach) more than 20 clients
- You want full control over your programming, nutrition, and check-in workflows
- You'd rather invest in your business than rent someone else's software
- You value data ownership and flexibility over a polished app
The Verdict
TrueCoach is a good product with a bad business model — for the coach. Monthly fees that scale with your client count mean TrueCoach profits as you grow. That's great for them. Less great for you.
GSheetsPro gives you a complete coaching system — client management, programming, nutrition tracking, check-ins, and business dashboards — for a one-time £199. No monthly fees, no client caps, no lock-in.
