Running a padel tournament used to mean spreadsheets, WhatsApp threads, and someone arguing about the bracket. Today, you've got real choices — apps designed specifically for padel scoring, scheduling, and club management.
But which app is right for you? That depends on whether you need simple casual scoring, competitive club features, or everything in between. Let's break it down.
What to look for in a padel tournament app
Before comparing specific tools, here are the criteria that actually matter:
- Formats supported. Americano? Mexicano? Mixed pairs? Some apps only do one or two; others offer eight.
- Ease of use. Can a first-timer set up a tournament in under a minute? Or do you need a manual?
- Platform. Mobile app (iOS/Android)? Web browser? Both? Does it work without internet?
- Pricing. Free forever, freemium with limits, subscription, or one-time purchase?
- Club management. Player roster, tournament history, settings backup, or are those features locked behind a paywall?
- Language support. Essential if your club has international players.
- Scoring modes. Fixed points, race to target, custom rules — flexibility matters.
Now let's see how real apps stack up.
Areno — Best for social clubs
Platform: Web-based (no app install) · Cost: Free forever (free tier) or €15/month (Pro)
Areno is a web app — you open it in any browser, sign in (or don't), and start playing immediately. No app store download, no storage worry. The free tier supports up to 12 players and 2 courts with full Americano and Mexicano support.
What it does well: Setup is genuinely fast — under 60 seconds from homepage to first serve. The interface is minimal but intuitive. Scoring modes are flexible (fixed points or race to target). Language support spans six languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Romanian. The free tier is actually free, no paywalls hiding the actual limits.
Club features (Pro tier): Player roster with search and auto-complete, tournament history, club settings (court names, default format, scoring preferences). Auto-save new players to roster is optional. Coming soon: Round Robin format, Mixed gender pairs, PDF export, and player self-entry via QR codes.
Unique strength: Web-based means it works on any device — phone, tablet, laptop. No fragmentation between iOS and Android. Runs perfectly with poor internet or offline (local storage sync on reconnect). Designed from the ground up for casual social clubs, not competitive leagues.
Best for: Social padel clubs, Friday-night events, groups that want to try before buying anything, and clubs in countries where app store penetration is lower (Portugal, Eastern Europe).
PadelMix — Best for ultra-casual mobile play
Platform: Mobile app (iOS & Android) · Cost: Free (groups up to 4v4), pay per extra players
PadelMix is a mobile-native app designed for quick scoring on-court. Minimal setup, minimal friction. You pick a format, enter names, and start scoring immediately.
What it does well: Mobile UI is streamlined. Supports Americano, Mexicano, Mixed pairs, and Team formats. Scoring is fast and tactile — designed for someone standing court-side entering points between serves. No account needed.
What's missing: No club management features — no roster, no history, no settings. Each tournament is disposable. No web version (mobile only). Limited language support compared to competitors.
Best for: Casual weekend groups, players who want to score fast without setup overhead, mobile-first users willing to trade club features for simplicity.
PadelFast — Best for format variety
Platform: Mobile app (iOS & Android) · Cost: Free (basic), premium purchase (€9–15)
PadelFast is the feature-rich competitor. It supports 10+ formats including Winners Lane, Beat the Box, Ladder, and League modes — formats you won't find elsewhere. It's positioned as the "serious club" tool.
What it does well: Tournament format breadth is genuine. The app is polished and handles large tournaments (20+ players) smoothly. Cloud backup and history are built-in. Multi-language interface.
The trade-off: Steeper learning curve. Settings are numerous — you'll need to understand each format before running it. Premium features unlock club management and advanced scoring. Mobile-only (no web version). The interface assumes you know what you're doing.
Pricing structure: Free version is limited; most clubs pay for premium. No true free tier for serious use.
Best for: Competitive clubs running multiple formats, organizers who like advanced configuration, players who want something beyond Americano/Mexicano.
Spreadsheets & WhatsApp — Still common, still painful
Many clubs still run tournaments on Google Sheets or by managing pairings in a WhatsApp group. Why? It's free and familiar.
The reality: You'll spend 20 minutes building a bracket, manually calculating points after each round, and fielding "wait, who are we playing next?" messages every tournament. One person becomes the de facto admin, doing data entry on their phone court-side. Mistakes happen. Updates don't sync. Players see three different score versions in different messages.
Spreadsheets work for a single small tournament with friends. They don't scale past 12 players or 2 rounds without becoming a pain.
Feature comparison: Side-by-side
| Feature | Areno | PadelMix | PadelFast | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americano format | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mexicano format | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mixed pairs format | Coming soon | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 10+ formats | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web + Mobile | ✓ | Mobile only | Mobile only | ✗ |
| No app install needed | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Player roster | ✓ (Pro tier) | ✗ | ✓ (Premium) | ✗ |
| Tournament history | ✓ (Pro tier) | ✗ | ✓ (Premium) | ✗ |
| Club settings/branding | ✓ (Pro tier) | ✗ | ✓ (Premium) | ✗ |
| PDF export | Coming soon | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 6+ languages | ✓ (6 languages) | Limited | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free tier (real use) | ✓ (12 players, 2 courts) | ✓ (8-a-side) | Limited | ✓ |
| Works offline | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Minimal | Steep | None |
Pricing: What you actually pay
| App | Base cost | Club features unlocked at | Honest assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Areno | Free | €15/month (Pro) | Genuinely free for casual play. Pro is transparent pricing. |
| PadelMix | Free | €0.99 per extra player | Free for up to 8 players; costs add up if you exceed limits. |
| PadelFast | Free | €9–15 (premium) | Free version is crippled; most clubs pay immediately. |
| Spreadsheet | Free | N/A | Zero cost, infinite time investment. |
Which app is right for you? Summary
Best overall: Areno
Fast setup, genuine free tier, no install needed, multi-language, and club features available at transparent pricing. Works on any device. If your club plays Americano or Mexicano regularly, Areno gets the job done — and it gets out of the way. Check out our guide to Americano vs Mexicano to see which format fits your group.
Best format variety: PadelFast
If you need Winners Lane, Beat the Box, Ladder, or League modes, PadelFast is the only app with real support for all of them. Expect a learning curve and a premium subscription.
Best for mobile-only casual play: PadelMix
If you want a light app for weekend games with friends, fast on-court scoring, and no account signup, PadelMix is streamlined and friendly.
Best for nostalgic spreadsheet fans: Google Sheets
If you have time and love manual calculation, spreadsheets are free. Otherwise, move on.
What's coming: Areno's roadmap
Areno's next priorities are features that close the gap with competitors:
- Mixed format: Gender-balanced pairs (M+F) for Americano and Mexicano. High demand for social club nights.
- PDF export: Print or email tournament results. Already promised as a Pro feature.
- Player Self-Entry via QR: Organiser generates a QR code per court; players enter their own scores. Live standings update. No other app does this.
- Round Robin format: Fixed group-play bracket. Already listed as Coming Soon.
Why web-based matters: Areno works on any device — phone, tablet, laptop — without app store restrictions or storage management. One URL, universal access. That's the future of padel software.
The verdict
Choose Areno if you want simplicity, multi-device support, genuine free tier, and club features at transparent cost. It's built for social padel clubs, not competitive leagues.
Choose PadelFast if your club runs multiple advanced formats and you're willing to pay for that breadth.
Choose PadelMix if you prioritize mobile simplicity over club management.
Stop using spreadsheets unless you enjoy data entry.
Ready to try the app? Areno is free forever for groups up to 12 players and 2 courts. No account needed.