EFC vs. Spark Membership
The Complete Growth System vs. CRM Software
Spark Membership offers solid CRM and automation tools for martial arts schools. EFC delivers a complete growth ecosystem: high-converting websites, powerful CRM, automated billing with local ANZ support, business coaching, and a community of successful school owners—all working together in one platform.
Feature
EFC
Spark Membership
Website Included
Website Included
Conversion-optimised site included
Website Included
Not available
CRM & Lead Pipeline
CRM & Lead Pipeline
Full pipeline management
CRM & Lead Pipeline
Pipeline management
Automated Billing
Automated Billing
Recurring billing & recovery
Automated Billing
Recurring billing
Local ANZ Support
Local ANZ Support
Real human, never a bot
Local ANZ Support
US-based support only
Student Fee Follow-Up
Student Fee Follow-Up
Team chases overdue accounts
Student Fee Follow-Up
Not available
Class Scheduling
Class Scheduling
Advanced scheduling
Class Scheduling
Basic scheduling
Member Mobile App
Member Mobile App
FREE iOS & Android app
Member Mobile App
Mobile app
SMS & Email Marketing
SMS & Email Marketing
Unified communications
SMS & Email Marketing
Marketing automation
Business Coaching
Business Coaching
50+ strategies, templates
Business Coaching
Not available
Community Access
Community Access
Global network, 6 countries
Community Access
Private Facebook group
Live Events & Masterminds
Live Events & Masterminds
Regional Summit included
Live Events & Masterminds
US events only
Multi-Location Tools
Multi-Location Tools
Advanced roll-up reporting
Multi-Location Tools
Basic support
Industry Experience
Industry Experience
58 years in martial arts
Industry Experience
Founded by martial artists
Dance Schools
Dance Schools
Martial arts AND dance
Dance Schools
Martial arts only
System Type
System Type
Complete growth ecosystem
System Type
CRM software only
What Makes EFC Different From Spark Membership?
EFC
Spark Membership
Why it matters
Website Included (No Extra Cost)
EFC
Get a professionally designed, mobile-optimized website built specifically to convert visitors into enrolled students—included in your plan. Already have a website? EFC integrates seamlessly with your existing site through embedded forms and lead capture tools.
Spark Membership
Website is a paid add-on. Most schools need to build or maintain a separate website, then manually connect leads or pay for integration services.
Why It Matters
With EFC, every lead from your website flows directly into your CRM automatically. No manual data entry, no leads falling through cracks, no extra website fees.
Community & Ongoing Training Included
EFC
Access to EFC Circle Community, live events throughout the year, and monthly masterminds with successful martial arts school owners. Learn strategies that work from people who've built what you're building.
Spark Membership
Software-only focus with limited training resources. No community platform or live events included.
Why It Matters
Running a martial arts school means facing challenges with enrollment, retention, staff management, and growth. EFC members get answers from school owners who've been there—not just software support tickets.
58 Years of Martial Arts School Expertise
EFC
Since 1967, EFC has helped thousands of martial arts schools grow through changing markets, economic shifts, and industry evolution. Our platform is built on real-world results from nearly six decades of proven success.
Spark Membership
Newer entrant to the martial arts school management market with less industry-specific experience.
Why It Matters
You're not getting generic business software adapted for martial arts. You're getting a system built specifically for martial arts schools, refined over 58 years of helping schools like yours succeed.
Advanced Multi-Location Management
EFC
Organization-wide reporting, location-specific dashboards, team permission controls, and seamless switching between locations. See all your schools at once or drill into individual performance.
Spark Membership
Basic multi-location support without the depth needed for franchise or multi-school operators.
Why It Matters
If you're running multiple schools or planning to expand, EFC scales with you. Track performance across your entire organization without switching platforms as you grow.
How EFC's Complete System Works Together
This is what "complete growth system" means: Every piece connects. No manual data entry between platforms. No leads lost in transition. No logging into multiple tools to run your school.
Spark delivers strong CRM and automation capabilities for martial arts schools. EFC delivers the complete picture for martial arts AND dance schools—from the moment someone finds your school online to the day they earn their black belt or master their performance.
See the Complete System in Action
Leads
Trial & Enrolment
Retention
Black Belt
Who Should Choose EFC Over Spark?
EFC
Choose EFC if you want:
A conversion-optimized website included (or seamless integration with your existing site)
Real local support in Australia & New Zealand (not US-based)
Your team to handle student fee follow-up and overdue accounts
Access to structured business coaching and proven growth systems
Dance school support alongside martial arts
A complete growth ecosystem, not just CRM software
A partner with 58 years of global martial arts industry success
Regional events and masterclasses in your time zone
Spark Membership
Choose Spark if you:
Only need CRM and marketing automation
Are comfortable with US-based support
Want to chase payment collection yourself
Don't need website services
Run a martial arts school only (not dance)
Prefer a platform created by martial artists
Common Questions About EFC vs. Spark
Can I import all my data from Spark Membership?
Yes. Our onboarding team handles the complete migration of your student data, billing information, membership details, and class schedules from Spark to EFC. Nothing gets lost in the transition.
How long does it take to switch from Spark to EFC?
Most schools are fully transitioned within 2-4 weeks, depending on your student base size and the complexity of your setup. We work around your schedule to minimise any disruption.
Will switching disrupt my billing cycles?
No. We carefully time the transition so your members experience zero disruption in billing or membership access. Payments continue processing without interruption.
What happens to my automation and email campaigns?
EFC includes SMS, email marketing, and automation capabilities that match or exceed Spark's features. Your campaigns and sequences can be recreated in EFC, and our team helps with the setup.
What if I already have a website I like?
You have two options: Keep your existing website and integrate EFC through embedded forms and lead capture tools, or get a fresh conversion-optimised EFC Website at no additional cost. Either way, all leads flow directly into your CRM.
Is EFC more expensive than Spark?
When you factor in the cost of a professional website, fee follow-up service, business coaching, and local support that Spark doesn't include, EFC's complete system provides exceptional value. Contact us for pricing details.
Do I get the same automation features as Spark?
Yes. EFC includes automated follow-ups, SMS and email marketing, birthday messages, payment reminders, and custom automation rules. You won't lose functionality when switching.
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Compare EFC to Other Platforms
See EFC in Action
Schedule a personalized demo and see how EFC's complete growth system works for a school like yours.
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