One of the greatest applications of tech in the climbing industry has been modern routesetting software. Since the first climbing gyms opened, managers have wanted to provide their customers with a “guidebook” of the gym, and many methods have been invented and implemented over the decades. The first digital solutions were released about 20 years ago and they have slowly improved. Over the last few years they have really been perfected, bringing to life the dreams of a generation of climbing gym operators.
Routesetting management software today is so much more than just a “guidebook” but at the core level it serves two primary purposes:
- Productivity for routesetting teams – backend management and analytics
- Digital interaction for customers – route tracking
By combining these core functions for both customers and routesetters, a variety of data is collected and can be shared in ways that provide many benefits including:
- Route-level foot traffic helps a facility understand their customer’s behaviors, and can drive decisions about grade distribution and even climb style.
- Coaches, trainers, and individual climbers gain insights into their progress, which can help to create training plans and increase skills further.
- Routesetters understand what grades and walls get traffic, helping their day-to-day planning as well as competitions and leagues.
- Managers can tailor specific programs and events.
- Climbers can watch activity from home, extending the gym’s community virtually.
We’ve assembled the information below to assist gym managers understand the current options available in late 2022. Development in this space is fast-paced with new features being released constantly.
Common Functionality Across Options
Before we break out the differences and unique abilities of each software option below, there are a number of common functions they all share. Fundamentally, all of these allow users to log their attempted and completed climbs, and track them over time even after the routes have been stripped off the walls. In addition, all the options below include functionality for:
- Wall Signage – Printing grade cards or QR codes to mount alongside starting holds informs every climber and enables easy logging via app.
- Push Notifications – Managers can send messages to all users about facility news or to promote events and programs.
- Analytics – Admins see traffic per climb and grade distribution, users see personal progress. Each software option offers varied deeper analytic reporting.
- Multiple Grading Systems – Traditional bouldering and roped grades are both included with all software options, some allow additional custom grading systems.
Admin Functionality (For Setters, Managers, and Other Gym Staff)
Each software option listed below has a unique mix of features designed to provide facility managers, routesetters and coaches with tools and data to do their jobs better. Through our research we identified these key differentiators:
- Route Profiles – Additional attributes per route can help refine a manager’s understanding of the product, and can help users filter and search for appropriate routes to climb. (ALL options include: setter name, date it was set, grade, color, location, route description.)
- Task Assignments – Organize the work day from routesetting to other chores like wall stripping and hold cleaning, as well as tracking individual productivity. (ALL options allow multiple setters to add routes, not just admins.)
- Import & Export Data CSVs – Allow external planning, customized analysis and historical tracking.
- Price – Varied pricing models include one-time fees, ongoing subscriptions, and required marketing partnerships instead of fees.
User Functionality (For Climbers)
Each software option listed below has a unique mix of features designed to provide climbers and members with tools and data to enrich their experience in your facility. Through our research we identified these key differentiators:
- User Interaction – The ways users can interact varies widely, providing useful information to both managers and other users, as well as feedback loops. Commenting, quality ratings, proposing grades, beta video uploads, and more are possible with current software options. (ALL options log attempts and completions through the screen, some also via scanning QR codes.)
- Route Searching – Filtering and searching for climbs varies, based mostly on Route Profile details. Some software options offer topo-style gym maps.
- Comps & Leagues – Support for competitions, leagues, challenges and other events varies, however most software options offer related functionality. Live comp scoreboards are available.
- Direct Bookings – Some software options allow registration and payment for non-app events and programs.
- Languages – All of the software options here use English, with varied additional language support.
Filter by Functionality:
| APP NAME | LANGUAGES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/BETA-Climbing-1.png | BETA Climbing | https://www.sendmoregetbeta.com/ | English, French | Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Photos of route, Videos of route, Circuit(s) it's in | custom grading systems, route inventory export, route traffic export | Comments, Quality/star rating, Upload photo, Upload video, Track progress, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Register for non-app events in the gym, Notifications when new routes are set, Log climbs via QR code scan, Routes displayed in list |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Climb-Time-1.png | ClimbTime | https://climb-time.com | English | Name of route, Wall type/angle, Height of route | route inventory export, comp/league scores export, import list of routes, custom grading systems | Comments, Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Track progress, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Routes displayed on topo map, Partner finder |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Cling.png | Cling | https://www.cling-app.com | English | Date it will be stripped, Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Holds used on route, Height of route, Videos of route | Comments, Upload video, Track progress, Register for non-app events in the gym, Share/message other Users WITHIN the app, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Routes displayed in list, Partner finder | |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Griptonite.png | Griptonite | https://griptonite.io | English, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Polish | Date it will be stripped, Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Skills developed/needed for route, Holds used on route, Height of route, Photos of route, Videos of route, Circuit(s) it's in | comp/league scores export | Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Upload video, Track progress, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Log climbs via QR code scan, Routes displayed in list and topo map |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/MyClimb-1.png | MyClimb | https://www.myclimbgym.com/ | English | Date it will be stripped, Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Skills developed/needed for route, Holds used on route, Height of route, Photos of route, Videos of route, Circuit(s) it's in | import list of routes, custom grading systems, task assignments | Comments, Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Upload video, Track progress, Create training plans, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Register for non-app events in the gym, Share/message other Users WITHIN the app, Notifications when new routes are set, Log climbs via QR code scan, Routes displayed in list, Partner finder, Log outdoor climbs |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Pebble-2.png | Pebble | https://www.pebbleclimbing.com/gym-signup | English | Date it will be stripped, Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Skills developed/needed for route, Holds used on route, Height of route, Photos of route, Videos of route | comp/league scores export, custom grading systems, task assignments | Comments, Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Upload video, Track progress, Create training plans, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Register for non-app events in the gym, Share/message other Users WITHIN the app, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Routes displayed in list, Export history of sends/attempts, Partner finder, Log outdoor climbs |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Kaya.png | Plastick / KAYA | https://kayaclimb.com/forgyms | English | Name of route, Style of route, Skills developed/needed for route, Photos of route, Videos of route, Circuit(s) it's in | route inventory export, comp/league scores export, setter/team productivity export, custom grading systems, task assignments | Comments, Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Upload video, Track progress, Create training plans, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Register for non-app events in the gym, Share/message other Users WITHIN the app, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Log climbs via QR code scan, Routes displayed in list and topo map, Export history of sends/attempts, Log outdoor climbs |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Top-Logger.png | TopLogger | https://toplogger.nu/en-us/home | English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch | Date it will be stripped, Name of route, Circuit(s) it's in | custom grading systems, task assignments | Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Participate in a competition, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Notifications when new routes are set, Routes displayed in list and topo map |
| https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Vertical-Life.png | Vertical-Life | https://gym.vertical-life.info | English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese | Name of route, Wall type/angle, Style of route, Skills developed/needed for route, Holds used on route, Height of route, Photos of route, Videos of route, Circuit(s) it's in | import list of routes, import comp/league scores, route inventory export, route traffic export, username export, comp/league scores export, setter/team productivity export, custom grading systems, task assignments | Comments, Quality/star rating, Propose grades, Upload photo, Track progress, Create training plans, Participate in a competition, Participate in a league, Participate in other challenges, See current live results of comp/league/challenge, Register for non-app events in the gym, Share/message other Users WITHIN the app, Share/message others OUTSIDE the app (like on Inst, FB), Notifications when new routes are set, Routes displayed in list and topo map, Log outdoor climbs |
A Word About Spraywall Software
Spraywall tracking software is unique from everything listed above and below, and current options don’t overlap with the routesetting management software listed here. We’ve decided against including spraywall software in this article. However they are still worthwhile additions for many climbing facilities, so here are the options available today:
- Beta Direct
- Boulder Bot
- Boulder Challenge
- Climbo Bouldermaker
- Open Climb
- Retroflash
- Satellite
- Stōkt – winner of Favorite Homewall App in 2022 Grip List
BETA Climbing
BETA Climbing recently released its software which combines routesetting management with full gym check-in and POS system functionality. As owners and operators of a climbing gym, the developers brought first-hand experience and passion to the task. The interface is fresh, and they promise to continue adding to their already broad set of features.
BETA Climbing first launched its routesetting app in 2022 and is based in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: €1/taptag for Plus, 1.5% fee for Pro, free for users
More information: sendmoregetbeta.com
Climb Time
Climb Time takes pride in the social aspect of their app, namely the ability to find climbing partners as well as create and manage clubs. The developers focused on three main elements when building the app: community and member retention, being user-friendly, and not being too focused on social media. As such, there is no video posting in the app, but Climb Time does include news and feedback options to increase member engagement.
Climb Time first launched its routesetting app in 2021 and is based in Lancaster, PA.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: $90-$130/month depending on the size of the gym
More information: climb-time.com
Cling
Cling is a community-focused routesetting app created with the fundamental goal of connecting climbers to other climbers. Users can get stats on climbs they’ve completed, while gyms are able to manage their walls with route tracking information and get feedback from climbers. The Cling app keeps it simple and does not include extra gym information, such as directions or hours of the facility.
Cling first launched its routesetting app in 2020 and is based in the USA.
Download: App Store not available on Android
Pricing: $100/month per gym, free for users
More information: cling-app.com
Griptonite
Griptonite is both a routesetting app and an events platform, enabling users to view a live competition leaderboard and climbing games, in addition to route info. The app has a variety of unique features including ability to play announcements and promos through live TV in the facility, parent mode for comps with multiple kids, printable topo maps, and a “dope or nope” feature allows users to easily rate climbs without comments.
Griptonite first launched its routesetting app in 2019 and is based in the United Kingdom.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: £500/year per gym
More information: griptonite.io
MyClimb
MyClimb is a long-running climbing app with functionality that extends beyond routesetting management. Users can find partners, video-based workouts and training plans created by professional climbers, set specific goals, and gyms can leverage direct marketing tools to engage and retain members, such as publishing gym content within the app. Other features include the ability to assess grade accuracy through member feedback, for setters, as well as a competition scoring feature with a live leaderboard and customizable scoring formats, for gyms organizing comps. The developers of the app chose not to include gym area maps.
MyClimb first launched its routesetting app in 2014 and is based in San Francisco, CA.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: Free
More information: myclimb.com
Pebble
Pebble is a routesetting app with both competition and user features. The app scores members based on sends, points in the gym, and top ten hardest climbs, with the goal of increasing member retention. Members can also receive badges for achievements and get automatically recommended climbs based on their recorded sends. As for setting teams, they can plan their schedules weeks in advance using the admin setting schedule function, mark days where they are unavailable, comment on the schedule, and more. There is also a “spinner” feature for climbers to use, alerting setters of potential hazards. Admins can set up many styles of competitions, while managers can receive weekly emailed reports that outline gym analytics.
Pebble first launched its routesetting app in 2021 and is based in Salt Lake City, UT.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: Free with 15% competition fees
More information: pebbleclimbing.com/gym-signup
Plastick / Kaya
Plastick and Kaya are apps for routesetters and climbers, respectively. Plastick gives setters the ability to develop custom reports based on past and current setting information to share with the rest of the setting team. Managers are able to schedule setting assignments for the team, which can be used on all types of internet devices. Kaya informs Plastick with data from the users, such as comments and certain demographic or feedback trends. In 2022, Plastick / Kaya won the inaugural routesetting app award in CBJ’s Grip List.
Kaya first launched its routesetting app in 2019 and is a remove company.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: Free with marketing partnership for gyms, free and paid subscriptions for users
More information: kayaclimb.com/forgyms
TopLogger
TopLogger helps routesetters plan when and where climbs are set, and assign setters accordingly. In the app, competitions can be set up for single days or ongoing over months, with live scoring and rankings. Notifications about new sets and gym news can be sent to users via email. Bulk logging of allows users to select multiple climbs or an entire circuit together.
TopLogger first launched its routesetting app in 2017 and is based in Sweden.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: Free for gyms with less than 35 users, $89.95/month for gyms with more than 35 users.
More information: toplogger.nu
Vertical-Life
Vertical-Life is a routesetting app with personalized training plans for users, routesetting management as well as staff tracking functionality, and an in-app headcount of climbers in the facility. Route cards can display two grading systems (like YDS and French grades). Other features in the app include new route notifications, monthly challenges, a training log, and competition management software. Users can register for competitions online and use a smartphone-enabled scorecard with live comp results.
Vertical Life first launched its routesetting app in 2018 and is based in Italy.
Download: App Store or Google Play
Pricing: $1080/year with a one-time initiation fee of $500
More information: vertical-life.info
Editor’s Note: BETA Climbing, Climb Time, and MyClimb are financial supporters of CBJ.
Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!
