# Pottery Studio Management Software Compared (2026)

Cluster: For Studio Owners
URL: https://claybook.studio/blog/pottery-studio-management-software-compared/

# Pottery Studio Management Software Compared (2026)

If you run a community pottery studio, you have probably wondered whether software could take over the admin: who fired what, who owes a firing fee, who is on the class waitlist. The tools exist, and they differ a lot in scope and price.

This is a short, honest overview based on what each company says on its own pages. We offer studio tools ourselves, so we have tried to describe the others fairly. Features and prices change, so confirm everything with the vendor before you commit.

## What studios usually need

Before comparing tools, decide what job you want done.

* **Piece tracking.** Knowing where each member's work is, from greenware to pickup.
* **Firing fees.** Working out and collecting the charge for each load.
* **Memberships and billing.** Recurring plans, renewals and failed payments.
* **Classes.** Registration, waitlists and reminders.
* **Retail and supplies.** Selling clay and glaze.
* **Everything else.** Kiln logs, wheel booking, events, gift cards.

Most studios do not need all of it on day one.

## Tools you may find

### Kiln Fire

Described as pottery studio management software for member-based studios. According to its site and a 2023 announcement on Ceramics Now, it covers piece tracking and firing fees, memberships, class registration with waitlists, wheel and table reservations, private events, supply purchases and in-person payments. Pricing is described as custom and modular, so you pay for the parts you use. Stripe card fees are charged separately.

### MudBuddy

Listed as pottery and ceramics studio management software that tracks each piece from greenware to fired, with classes, memberships, retail inventory and weight-based firing charges, plus a dashboard for firing turnaround. It has separate apps for the studio and for its potters. A listing on Capterra shows a usage-based starting price and a free trial.

### Zenamu

A general class and booking platform for instructors and small studios rather than a pottery-specific tool. Its listing mentions class booking and cancellation windows, credit packs, entry passes, gift vouchers, discounts and reminder emails. It does not track pieces or kilns, but it may be enough if classes are your main need. Pricing details differ between listings, so check its own pricing page.

### ClayTrack

A focused piece tracker rather than a full platform. By its own description, members register work with a QR code with no app or account, and the studio can notify them when work is ready. It says it does not handle classes, memberships or point of sale. Note that this comes from the vendor's own blog.

### General booking tools

Many studios run classes on generic booking tools, which handle schedules, reminders and payments but know nothing about pottery. They can be a sound choice if booking is your only problem.

## How to choose

| If your main problem is | Look for |
| --- | --- |
| Members losing track of their work | Piece tracking with notifications |
| Collecting firing fees | A tool that works out fees from pieces or weight |
| Classes filling and emptying | Booking with waitlists and reminders |
| Billing members each month | Recurring membership payments |
| All of the above | A full platform, ideally with a trial |

Ask each vendor:

* What does it cost at my size, including payment fees?
* Can I export my data if I leave?
* Does it support my language and currency?
* Can my members use it without installing an app?
* Who answers when something breaks?

## Where Claybook fits

Claybook started as an app for potters, built around learning: logging pieces, clay bodies and glazes, lessons and practice. Members of a studio can use it for free to keep their own records.

On top of that, we provide [studio tools](/studios/features/) such as kiln queues, firing fees, piece tracking, memberships and class booking, set up around how each studio works. You pick what you need and we tailor it, so you do not have to buy a full platform to get started.

## Start small

You may not need software yet. A good spreadsheet and clear rules can go a long way. See [spreadsheets vs software for running a pottery studio](/blog/spreadsheets-vs-software-pottery-studio/).

Sources:

* [Introducing Kiln Fire, a new app for pottery studio management (Ceramics Now)](https://www.ceramicsnow.org/news/introducing-kiln-fire-a-new-app-for-pottery-studio-management)
* [Kiln Fire](https://kilnfire.com)
* [MudBuddy on Capterra](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1107549/MudBuddy)
* [Zenamu pricing listing](https://zoftwarehub.com/products/zenamu/pricing)
* [ClayTrack: Best Pottery Studio Software in 2026](https://claytrack.com/blog/best-pottery-studio-software/)