Best Ice Rink Software
Complete 2026 Guide
We tested every major ice rink management platform. Here's our honest breakdown of what actually works for ice arenas and skating rinks in 2026.
wakesys
Modern booking system with waivers, ice time scheduling, and POS built for ice rinks
Pros
- Waivers integrated into booking flow, not separate
- Birthday party workflow eliminates staff headaches
- Skaters arrive ready — no paperwork at the counter
- Simple pricing — no hidden fees
- Same-day setup possible
Cons
- •Ice time recurring booking coming later in 2026
Built for the Ice Rink Reality
We run activity venues. We know ice time conflicts, waiver lines, and skate rental chaos. That's why we built wakesys differently.
Waivers Done Right
Parents sign during booking. By the time they arrive, waivers are done. No clipboards at the counter.
Ice Time Scheduling
Public skate, stick time, figure skating, hockey — each with their own sessions, pricing, and capacity.
Mobile-First Booking
60-second booking on any device. No app download required. Works perfectly on phones — where most bookings happen.
Birthday Parties
Parent books, shares link. Each guest parent claims their kid, enters info, signs waiver. Everyone arrives ready to skate.
Skate Rental Tracking
Guests add skate rental to booking and pre-select size. Staff see requirements in manifest before arrival.
Free for 2026
We're looking for early partners. Get full access free for 2026. No credit card, no commitment.
Other Ice Rink Software
Honest reviews of the alternatives. Some are good. Some have issues.
Dash
Ice rink management with drag-and-drop scheduling. Built specifically for ice facilities.
Best for: Rinks with complex ice time scheduling across multiple sheets
Pros
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Built for ice rinks specifically
- Good for multi-sheet arenas
Cons
- •Limited online booking features
- •No integrated waiver system
- •Mobile experience varies
Frontline Solutions
Legacy rink management system. Been around since 1997 with deep industry roots.
Best for: Established rinks wanting a proven, legacy system
Pros
- Decades of industry experience
- Deep feature set
- Established customer base
Cons
- •Interface feels dated
- •No modern mobile booking
- •Setup and training take time
RinkWare
Arena management software claiming 26% average revenue increase. Focuses on optimization.
Best for: Rinks focused on revenue optimization and analytics
Pros
- Revenue optimization focus
- Analytics and reporting
- Claims 26% revenue increase
Cons
- •Pricing not transparent
- •Waiver integration limited
- •Setup can be complex
Swift
Rink management with emphasis on ease of use and quick setup. No-training-needed approach.
Best for: Smaller rinks wanting simplicity and quick setup
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quick setup
- No-training approach
Cons
- •Limited advanced features
- •No waiver integration
- •Basic mobile booking
What to Look For in Ice Rink Software
Based on running activity venues and talking to rink operators, here's what actually matters:
- Ice Time Scheduling: Public skate, hockey, figure skating — each with their own pricing, capacity, and rules.
- Waiver Integration: Waivers should be part of booking, not a clipboard at the counter. Skaters should arrive signed.
- Skate Rental Management: Guests pre-select size during booking. Staff prepare skates before arrival.
- Birthday Parties: Group bookings with individual claiming. Parents handle their own kids' info and waivers.
- Mobile Speed: Most bookings are on phones. If mobile booking is slow, you're losing public skate sessions.
- Transparent Pricing: Understand the full cost upfront. Ask about setup fees, monthly minimums, and long-term contracts.