Almabase vs. Join It
A leaner alternative to Almabase
Almabase is built for university and school advancement teams, with fundraising, CRM sync and custom quotes after a demo. Join It is all-in-one membership software for alumni associations: payments, automated renewals, member emails, event registration and Wallet cards, from $29 a month. Set it up yourself in days and try it free for 30 days.
Clean, modern interface
Transparent pricing
Integrates with the tools you already use
Here’s what happens when Almabase users switch to Join It
Built to support your workflow, not replace it
Join It offers all the essential membership tools, without forcing you into a closed ecosystem.
Member Timeline
Track key actions across each member’s lifecycle (no CRM degree required).
Useful Integrations
Join It integrates directly with the tools associations use most, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, QuickBooks, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
Custom Checkout Options
Add optional donations, create flexible membership types, and set up one‑time or recurring payments.
Quick, Easy Setup
Get started in minutes. Everything’s self-serve, with fast support if you need help.
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Feature by feature, here’s how it compares
From integrations to support to how pricing actually works, see what sets Join It apart.
Join It
Use with your existing website
Join It
Alternative
Custom membership types
Join It
Alternative
Multiple admin access
Join It
Alternative
Custom fields on member profiles
Join It
Alternative
Digital membership cards
Join It
Alternative
Automated renewal emails
Join It
Alternative
Member activity timeline
Join It
Alternative
Event management
Join It
Alternative
Public and private directories
Join It
Alternative
Mailchimp and Zapier integration
Join It
Alternative
Transparent pricing
Join It
Alternative
No onboarding fees
Join It
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Fast, human support
Join It
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What sets Join It apart
Modern design that’s easy to use
Join It
Clean dashboard built for clarity and speed.
Almabase
Complex enterprise-style system with a longer ramp-up.
No bundled bloat
Join It
Just the features you need — nothing extra to pay for or maintain.
Almabase
Includes fundraising campaigns, mentoring, CRM sync, and more — whether you need them or not.
Digital membership cards included
Join It
Members get scannable, branded digital cards at no extra cost.
Almabase
Digital cards not offered.
True integrations
Join It
Connect to external tools like Eventbrite, Zapier, and Stripe.
Almabase
Integrations mainly focus on enterprise CRMs like Salesforce or Blackbaud.
Transparent pricing
Join It
Starts at $29/month, no onboarding fees.
Almabase
Custom quotes only, with onboarding and implementation fees.
How Substack & Join It are alike
Multiple admin access
Let your whole team manage members and access key features.
Let your whole team manage members and access key features.
Automated renewal emails
Save time with automatic reminders and follow-ups.
Save time with automatic reminders and follow-ups.
Directories
Share searchable directories with the public or restrict to members.
Share searchable directories with the public or restrict to members.
Event management
Host and manage events, ticketing, and check-ins.
Host and manage events, ticketing, and check-ins.
Join It vs Almabase pricing
Join It
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What is the best Almabase alternative for alumni groups that need membership management?
Join It is a strong Almabase alternative for alumni groups that need to manage dues, records, renewals, events, donations, and member engagement without adopting a larger alumni engagement suite.
How does Join It compare to Almabase for alumni associations and member-led alumni groups?
Almabase is built for alumni engagement and advancement teams, while Join It is built for managing membership programs and member records.
Can I migrate from Almabase to Join It?
Yes. Alumni groups can migrate member data from Almabase to Join It by exporting records and importing the membership-focused data into Join It, with bulk import included for free on every Join It plan.
Real people. Exceptional support.
Clubs, associations and nonprofits in 40+ countries run their membership on Join It — and tell us about it in public.
“We have tripled our membership since using Join It. All our records are in one place, while automated emails, renewals, payments and receipts save us so much time.”
“I now know of only 2 membership management companies — Join It and others. I'm normally reserved on reviews but this one deserves more than my normal polite comments. Exceptional experience.”
“Join It has rescued us from WildApricot. This company understands the modern world. They integrate with the best technologies. And they excel in service, knowing that's the best way to serve their bottom line.”
Try Join It and see the difference
No pressure. No credit card. Just modern membership software that works the way you do.
Almabase vs Join It for alumni associations: how to choose
The short answer: Almabase suits university and school advancement teams that need fundraising, two-way CRM sync with systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT, and an alumni community, with custom-quoted pricing and no free trial as of October 2026. Join It suits independent and volunteer-run alumni associations that want a simple all-in-one for dues, renewals, events, member emails and a member list, with plans from $29 a month, month to month, and a 30-day free trial with no credit card.
What is Almabase built for?
Almabase describes itself as "the integrated platform that works on top of your CRM for digital engagement, event management and online giving campaigns". Almabase was founded in 2013 and serves alumni relations and advancement teams in higher education, K-12 schools, healthcare and nonprofits.
Almabase includes online giving and giving days, events with auctions and sponsorships, an alumni directory, job boards, mentorship, auto-renewing paid memberships and built-in email marketing.
How much does Almabase cost?
As of October 2026, Almabase does not publish prices: Almabase says price is based on customer needs and alumni size, and Almabase does not offer a free trial or free tier. Almabase says its giving platform costs up to 4% to 7% per dollar raised.
Join It publishes all of its pricing. Plans start at $29 a month on Starter (3% platform fee). Total, at $99 a month (2%), adds digital membership cards, member check-in, a member directory and API access, and Extra, at $199 a month (1.5%), adds custom domains and a dedicated account manager. Plans are month to month, Stripe's processing fees apply, and there are no setup fees. Annual billing saves 10%, and nonprofits get an additional 10% off. See full pricing.
When is Join It the better choice?
Join It is the better choice for alumni associations that run a paid membership rather than an advancement program. Join It is usually the better fit if:
- You want to see prices and try before you buy. Almabase is quoted after a demo, with no free trial. Join It starts at $29 a month, month to month, with a 30-day free trial and no credit card.
- You want to start without a long implementation. G2 reviewers report about two months to implement Almabase. Join It's team can import your members for free on any plan, even during the free trial.
- You want alumni to carry their membership on their phone. On Join It's Total plan and above, members get digital membership cards in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and staff can check members in at reunions and events.
- You use small-organization tools. Almabase's integrations page lists no Mailchimp or Zapier connection. Simple event registration and targeted member emails are built into Join It, and when you need more, Join It integrates directly with the tools alumni associations use most, such as Mailchimp, Eventbrite, QuickBooks, HubSpot and Salesforce, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
When Almabase may be the better fit
Almabase may be a better fit than Join It if:
- You run fundraising. Almabase includes online giving, giving days and peer-to-peer campaigns.
- You need two-way sync with an advancement CRM. Almabase syncs with Raiser's Edge NXT, Blackbaud CRM, Ellucian and Slate.
- You want a full alumni community. Almabase includes mentoring and job boards alongside the directory.
How do I move from Almabase to Join It?
Join It's team can import your members, membership levels and renewal dates for free on any plan, even during the free trial. If your Almabase memberships renew through your own Stripe account, Join It's team can bring those existing Stripe subscriptions across so members won't re-enter card details. Otherwise, members set up Stripe payments in Join It at their next renewal.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Is your alumni association independent, or run by an advancement office?
- Do you need to raise donations and run giving days, or mainly collect membership dues?
- Does your institution require its own CRM or payment processor?
- Do alumni need a membership card for discounts or event entry?
Join It is trusted by more than 4,000 membership organizations in 40 countries and has processed over $100 million in membership payments since 2016.
Comparing other options? See all Join It alternatives and comparisons.
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026. Almabase pricing and product details are taken from almabase.com and may change. Check their current pricing before making a decision.
