ClubExpress vs. Join It
A flexible alternative to ClubExpress
Circle runs online communities and courses, from $89 a month billed annually. Join It runs your membership: membership types, payments, automated renewals, member emails, event registration and Wallet cards with check-in, from $29 a month, month to month. If members join for the community, choose Circle. If they join for the membership, choose Join It.
Transparent pricing
Clean, modern interface
Integrates with Eventbrite, Mailchimp, and more
Here’s what happens when ClubExpress 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.
Custom Fields and Member Timeline
Capture what matters to your organization, and track every action in a clean activity log.
Built-in event management
Run member events in Join It. For large ticketed events, connect Eventbrite and members keep their member pricing, with no second list to manage.
Automated Emails and Renewal Reminders
Keep members informed without lifting a finger. Set it once and let Join It handle the rest.
Fast, human support
Join It is known for friendly, responsive customer service — the #1 thing users mention in reviews.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
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
Join It
Alternative
Payment processing
Join It
Alternative
Digital membership cards
Join It
Alternative
Automated renewal emails
Join It
Alternative
Member timeline
Join It
Alternative
Mailchimp integration
Join It
Alternative
Event management
Join It
Alternative
Flexible pricing
Join It
Alternative
Transparent billing
Join It
Alternative
Works with your tools
Join It
Alternative
Fast, human support
Join It
Alternative
What sets Join It apart Tagline
Simple, integration-friendly setup
Join It
Works with tools you already use — no need to rebuild your site or switch platforms.
ClubExpress
Designed as a bundled system with built-in tools, which can limit flexibility.
Transparent pricing with no surprises
Join It
Flat monthly pricing based on contacts — no hidden fees for admins, features, or modules.
ClubExpress
Variable per-member pricing, plus extra charges for admin logins, reporting, and other features.
Clean, modern admin experience
Join It
Intuitive interface that’s easy for your team and your members.
ClubExpress
Complex backend with dozens of modules and configuration layers.
Built-in member timeline
Join It
Track every interaction — signups, renewals, emails, payments, and more.
ClubExpress
No central activity log for member history.
How ClubExpress & Join It are alike
Custom membership types
Create different tiers or levels with unique pricing and access.
Create different tiers or levels with unique pricing and access.
Multiple admin access
Allow team members to manage different areas of your account.
Allow team members to manage different areas of your account.
Automated renewal emails
Remind members when it’s time to renew.
Remind members when it’s time to renew.
Custom fields
Collect and store the member data that matters most to your organization.
Collect and store the member data that matters most to your organization.
Online payments
Accept dues and donations by credit card or ACH.
Accept dues and donations by credit card or ACH.
Event registration tools
Manage member and public events with RSVP and payment options.
Manage member and public events with RSVP and payment options.
Join It vs ClubExpress pricing
Join It
Starting at
$29
/mo
Transparent, flat-rate pricing
No setup fees or hidden charges
30-day free trial — no credit card required
Digital membership cards included
Integrations with Eventbrite, Stripe, Zapier, and more
Starts around
$42
/mo
/yr
for up to 100 members (based on $0.42/member pricing tier)
Tiered pricing based on active member count
Additional fees for some features, like QuickBooks integration and extra admin accounts
Includes built-in tools for website, communication, and e-commerce
Free trial available with setup wizard
What is the best ClubExpress alternative for clubs that do not need a bundled website system?
Join It is a strong ClubExpress alternative for clubs that want flexible membership management while keeping their existing website, tools, and workflows.
How does Join It compare to ClubExpress for clubs that want flexibility?
ClubExpress bundles club website and management features together, while Join It focuses on membership management that can connect with the systems a club already uses.
Can I migrate from ClubExpress to Join It?
Yes. Clubs can migrate from ClubExpress to Join It by exporting member data and importing it into Join It’s member database, 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.
ClubExpress vs Join It for clubs
The short answer: ClubExpress and Join It are both all-in-one membership platforms. The difference is how much you have to learn, and whether you keep your own website. ClubExpress puts your website, forums, blogs, events and email inside one large system, and its reviewers rate it 3.7 out of 5 for ease of use on Capterra. Join It covers what clubs use every day (member records, online joining, payments, automated renewals, member emails, event registration and digital membership cards), works with the website you already have, and is simple enough for next year's volunteer to run. Join It is rated higher than ClubExpress on Capterra and G2, has no setup fees, and plans start at $29 a month, month to month.
Is Join It an all-in-one platform?
Yes. Everything a club needs to run its membership is built in: your member list, online joining, recurring payments, automated renewals, member emails and event registration, along with a member portal, a searchable directory, and Apple and Google Wallet cards with check-in (on Total and above). Integrations with tools like Eventbrite and Mailchimp are included on every plan, for when you want them, not because you need them to get the basics working.
ClubExpress is all-in-one and a lot to learn. Join It is all-in-one and simple.
Why do clubs find ClubExpress hard work?
These are the complaints that come up most in ClubExpress reviews:
- It takes a long time to learn. ClubExpress scores 3.7 out of 5 for ease of use on Capterra. One reviewer says "Clunky, not user friendly, steep learning curve”
- There's too much of it. Reviewers say it has too many features, and few of them are intuitive.
- Your website lives inside it. ClubExpress hosts your club's website, so getting started usually means rebuilding your site in its builder. Reviews also mention that the website build feels dated.
- Extras cost extra. Setup packs cost $150 to $3,800, the virtual membership card is a $200-a-year add-on, and reviewers say ad hoc reporting needs a separate subscription.
What is Join It's support like?
You talk to people who know membership, not a help-centre search bar. Join It scores 4.9 for customer service on Capterra, and support is the thing Join It reviewers mention most. Join It's team will also import your members for you on any plan, including during your free trial.
What stays the same, and what changes
What stays the same: Like ClubExpress, Join It has a member list, membership levels, online payments, automated renewal reminders, event registration, member emails and a member directory (the directory is on the Total plan and above).
What changes:
- Your website. Keep the website you already have, whether it's WordPress, Squarespace, Wix or anything else, and add a join link or form. If you only need a simple online home for members, the Join It member portal gives you posts, upcoming events and a searchable directory, with no second website to maintain.
- Setup. No setup fees and no setup pack. Sign up, build your membership types and renewal emails during your free trial, and go live when you're ready.
- Membership cards. On the Total plan and above, members get a branded digital card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and you can check members in at events by scanning with any phone camera. ClubExpress's virtual card is a $200-a-year add-on and doesn't go in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
- Events. Run club events with Join It's built-in event registration. Registrations sit alongside your member records, so there's no second list to manage.
- Email. Email members by status, membership type, join date or expiry date, using templates. Renewal reminders run automatically. Connect Mailchimp if you want designed newsletters.
- Your other tools. Join It integrates directly with the tools clubs use most, such as Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Stripe, QuickBooks and Google Sheets, plus thousands more through Zapier, on every plan.
How much does ClubExpress cost?
ClubExpress prices per active member, per month, and the per-member price falls as you grow. As of October 2026, it costs 42¢ per member per month for up to 200 members, with a $30 monthly minimum. Setup packs cost $150 to $3,800 one-off. Card payments cost 2.99% + 30¢ on the Basic plan or 3.99% + 30¢ on Premium, and ACH payments cost 1.5%.
Is ClubExpress cheaper than Join It?
No. ClubExpress charges per active member each month, with a $30 monthly minimum, plus a one-off setup pack of $150 to $3,800. Virtual membership cards are a $200-a-year add-on. Join It starts at $29 a month with no setup fees, plus a platform fee of 1.5% to 3% depending on your plan. Apple and Google Wallet cards are included on Total and above.
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.
Join It is rated higher than ClubExpress on Capterra and G2
On Capterra, as of September 30, 2026, Join It scores 4.7 from 83 reviews and ClubExpress scores 4.3 from 517, with 3.7 for ease of use. On G2, Join It scores 4.7 from 22 reviews and ClubExpress scores 4.0 from 247.
Ratings checked September 30, 2026.
What Join It reviewers mention most: responsive human support, self-serve setup and automated renewals.
What ClubExpress reviewers mention most: helpful support and simple event registration. The most common criticisms are a steep learning curve, too many features that aren't intuitive, a dated interface, and extras such as ad hoc reporting that cost more.
Who is ClubExpress for?
ClubExpress does more if you want:
- Your website, forums and blogs in the same system as your membership, events and email.
- Regional or chapter structures (up to three tiers) in one system.
If you want membership that next year's volunteer can run on day one, choose Join It.
Can I switch from ClubExpress to Join It without members re-entering card details?
Yes, if your members already pay through your own Stripe account: Join It's team can bring their existing Stripe subscriptions across, so they won't need to re-enter their card details. ClubExpress has no long-term contract, so you can move when you're ready. To switch without disrupting renewals:
- Plan your website's new home first if it runs on ClubExpress, or use the Join It member portal if you only need a simple online home for members.
- Export your data from ClubExpress: members, membership levels and renewal dates. Bulk import is free on all Join It plans, and Join It's team can do the import for you on any plan, even during your free trial.
- Rebuild your membership levels and renewal emails in Join It during your free trial.
- Plan how members will set up payments. If you've been using ClubExpress's own payment processing, members will set up card payments with Stripe when they next renew, so time the move before your main renewal period.
- Update the join and renew links on your website.
- Tell your members what's changing, and introduce their new digital membership card.
Questions to ask before you choose
- What will we pay in year one, including setup and add-ons?
- Do we want to keep our current website, or move it into the membership system?
- Could next year's volunteer run it without training?
- Do renewals and recurring payments run automatically?
- How will members prove their membership at events?
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 14, 2026. ClubExpress pricing and product details are taken from ClubExpress's published pricing and may change. Check their current pricing before making a decision.
