10 Best Union Membership Software in 2025

Managing union members shouldn't feel like you're wrestling with technology built when flip phones were cool.

Yet for many union leaders, that's exactly the reality. Spreadsheets everywhere, manual dues tracking, members texting "Did you get my payment?" for the third time this month, and grievance files buried somewhere in a filing cabinet from 2007.

But here's the good news: modern union membership software actually exists. And it's helping unions like yours ditch the chaos.

In this guide, I'll walk you through:

• What union membership software actually does (and why it's different from regular membership tools)
• Must-have features every union needs
• Real pricing (from budget-friendly to enterprise)
• The 10 best union membership software options for 2025
• What real union admins are saying on Reddit and forums
• A simple plan to pick the right fit and roll it out smoothly

Let's dive in.

Quick Stats:

• 14.3 million workers belong to unions in the U.S. (9.9% of the workforce)
• The membership software market is growing from $5.43B in 2024 to $8.08B by 2033
• Public sector unions have a 32.2% membership rate vs. just 5.9% in the private sector
• The #1 complaint from union admins? "We're still using software built 20 years ago"

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What Is Union Membership Software?

The Simple Definition

Think of union membership software as your digital command center. It handles everything from tracking member data and collecting dues to managing grievances and sending mass text updates.

Instead of juggling Excel sheets, QuickBooks, email lists, and paper files, you get one platform that actually talks to itself.

Why Unions Need Purpose-Built Tools

Here's what makes unions different from a yoga studio or alumni association:

You're managing grievances (with full case histories and legal timelines), tracking employer relationships (multiple companies, contracts, negotiations), handling complex dues structures (especially in right-to-work states), and coordinating multi-local or multi-chapter structures with different officers and stewards.

Generic CRM platforms just weren't built for this.

How Union Software Differs from Generic Membership Platforms

Most membership software is designed for gyms, professional associations, or clubs. They're great at tracking who paid and sending reminder emails.

Union software goes deeper:

• Built-in grievance tracking with workflow and document storage
• Employer and contract management modules
• Flexible dues billing that handles right-to-work complexity
• Multi-local structures with role-based permissions
• Organizing tools for campaigns and new member recruitment
• Integration with payroll systems and pension administration

If you've ever tried to track a grievance in Mailchimp, you know why union-specific tools matter.

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Core Features Every Union Membership Software Should Have

Not sure what to look for? Here are the non-negotiables based on what real union admins need and what's causing headaches in Reddit forums.

Centralized Member Data (No More Excel Chaos)

Multiple spreadsheets are the enemy. One admin updates the member list, another updates the dues tracker, and suddenly nobody knows who's actually paid up.

Great union software gives you a single database where member info, payment history, grievances, and employer details all live together. No more "let me check three different files" moments.

Automated and Flexible Dues Billing

This is huge, especially in right-to-work states where payroll deduction isn't automatic.

Look for:

• Recurring billing with autopay options
• Multiple payment methods (credit cards, ACH, digital wallets)
• Flexible schedules (monthly, quarterly, annual)
• Automatic reminders before dues are due
• Integration with accounting software like QuickBooks

Digital Self-Service and Mobile Portals

Younger members expect to manage everything from their phones. They want to check their dues status, update their address, and view job assignments without calling the union hall.

Modern unions in 2025 are winning with mobile-friendly member portals that reduce admin workload while boosting engagement.

Integrated Grievance Tracking

Manual grievance tracking means lost details, missed deadlines, and frustrated members.

A proper grievance system includes:

• Full case history and timeline
• Document storage for evidence and correspondence
• Workflow management (filed → under review → resolved)
• Integration with member profiles
• Notes and status updates stewards can access anywhere

Multi-Channel Communication (SMS, Email, Push)

Your members aren't all checking email. Some want texts, others prefer app notifications, and some still want printed newsletters.

The best platforms support segmented messaging across multiple channels so you can reach members where they actually are, whether it's announcing a vote, promoting an event, or sending contract updates.

Multi-Local and Multi-Chapter Support

Many unions have locals, districts, or chapters with their own officers and budgets.

Your software should handle this structure with:

• Role-based permissions (national admins see everything, local stewards see their chapter)
• Separate member lists and reporting by local
• Consolidated national reporting when you need the big picture

Reporting, Analytics, and Audit Trails

Union leaders need data to make decisions and demonstrate accountability.

Look for dashboards showing:

• Dues collection rates and outstanding balances
• Member attendance at events and meetings
• Grievance resolution times and outcomes
• Membership growth trends
• Financial reports for audits and board meetings

Integrations with Payroll, Accounting, and Pension Systems

Your union software shouldn't be an island.

It needs to play nicely with:

• Payroll systems (for automatic dues deduction where allowed)
• QuickBooks or other accounting software
• Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
• SMS vendors for mass texting
• Pension administration platforms

Check if the platform has an open API or pre-built integrations before committing.

Security, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Data Privacy

Unions handle sensitive data: member personal info, salary details, grievance documentation, and more.

Make sure your platform offers:

• Encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for admin access
• Role-based access controls
• Regular security audits and compliance certifications
• GDPR compliance if you have international members

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Pricing Overview: How Much Does Union Membership Software Cost?

Union software pricing is all over the map. Here's what to expect:

Budget-Friendly Options ($25-$100/month) Perfect for smaller locals or unions just getting started digitally. Examples: Join It's Starter plan, Neon CRM's Essentials.

Mid-Range Solutions ($100-$500/month) Most unions with 200-1,000 members land here. You get automation, mobile access, and solid support. Examples: Join It's Total/Extra packages, MemberLeap, StarChapter.

Enterprise Platforms ($500+/month or custom quotes) For large unions with complex needs, multiple locals, and advanced requirements. Examples: iMIS ($7,200/year + $15k setup), MemberSuite, Glue Up.

Watch Out For:

• Setup fees: StarChapter and iMIS charge one-time implementation fees
• Per-member pricing: Some platforms charge per active member, which can get expensive as you grow
• Hidden costs: Extra charges for SMS, payment processing, or premium support
• Annual commitments: Some require 12-month contracts upfront

Good News: Most platforms offer free trials (14-30 days) so you can test before spending.

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Quick Comparison Table: Top Union Membership Software

Prices as of 2025. Contact vendors for exact quotes based on your member count.

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10 Best Union Membership Software Tools (2025 Update)

1. Join It

Join It is a modern, user-friendly membership platform trusted by 1,800+ organizations including unions, nonprofits, and associations. If you want to automate the boring stuff (dues, renewals, reminders) and actually focus on serving your members, this is your pick.

Why Join It Works for Unions

The setup is genuinely simple. You're not hiring consultants or watching 47 tutorial videos. The interface is clean, the automation is powerful, and members love the digital membership cards that live in their Apple or Google Wallet.

Plus, it handles group memberships (think: family plans or employer-sponsored memberships) without making you jump through hoops.

Key Features:

• Digital membership cards (Apple/Google Wallet)
• Automated recurring billing and donation collection
• Customizable member database and CRM
• Event management with check-in tools
• Member directory and self-service portal
• Email marketing integration
• Embeddable purchase widgets for your website
• API access for custom integrations
• Multiple admin seats with permission levels

Pricing (for 250 members):

• Starter: $26.10/mo or $313.20/year - Custom fields, unlimited automations, 3 admin seats, automated emails
• Total: $89.10/mo or $1,069.20/year - Adds digital cards, embeddable widgets, check-in tools, 5 admin seats
• Extra: $179.10/mo or $2,149.20/year - Custom domains, push notifications, dedicated account manager, 10 admin seats
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with tailored support

10% discount for annual plans + additional 10% nonprofit discount available

Free Trial: 30 days, no credit card required

Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.7 / 5
Customer Support: 4.9 / 5
Value for Money: 4.7 / 5
Functionality: 4.4 / 5

NFMLA Review
5-star — February 2024
Pros: The interface is easy to use. Adding, deleting, and checking member information is simple, and sending emails to members is straightforward.
Cons: Email options are limited. Only automated emails and very simple templates are available.

Perfect Membership Management Platform for small charity supporting the arts
5-star — October 2023
Pros: Very intuitive for the entire team, including users who don’t work with systems often. Eventbrite integration works well for organizations that use it. Customer support is fast, friendly, and accommodating. Reporting tools and member profile formatting are strong, and the platform continuously improves through active development.
Cons: Some customization options are limited, though the support team always helps find solutions.
Reasons for choosing Join It: It fit their needs, and they liked the team behind the product.
Reasons for switching to Join It: Wild Apricot was too expensive and didn’t meet their needs.

See all features | Book a demo | Start free trial

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2. eMembership (Winmill)

eMembership is built specifically for labor unions. If union-specific features like employer management and organizing tools are non-negotiable, this is worth a close look.

Key Features:

• Member and employer management in one system
• Automated dues processing with flexible structures
• Built-in grievance tracking
• Organizing tools for campaigns
• Event registration and management
• Unlimited reporting capabilities
• Integrated email and text messaging
• Mobile-first design for field access
• Hosted in high-availability data center with 24/7 uptime
• Unlimited admin seats (one price)

Pricing: Starting around $500/year (exact pricing requires quote). One subscription price with unlimited seats.

Free Trial: Yes (length not specified)

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.6 / 5
Value for Money: 4.5 / 5
Customer Support: 4.7 / 5
Functionality: 4.2 / 5

Museum of Idaho Membership Manager Review
5-star — June 2023
Pros: Easy CRM integration and the ability for members to download their cards quickly. Saves staff time by reducing plastic card printing. They love being able to add pictures per member level, and it works smoothly with their CRM.
Cons: They wish they could customize the app’s colors to match their brand.
Reasons for choosing eMembership: The cost.

From Brevard Zoo
3-star — June 2023
Pros: Digital cards save significant time and cost for the zoo, and members appreciate the convenience.
Cons: Cards frequently drop from the system, requiring staff to reinstall them for members.
Reasons for choosing eMembership: It was recommended by their POS software provider.

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3. MemberSuite

MemberSuite is an enterprise-grade platform for large unions with complex structures. If you're managing national, regional, and local chapters with different membership types and billing scenarios, this has the horsepower.

Key Features:

• Flexible dues pricing within membership types
• Complete lifecycle management (applications, grace periods, renewals)
• Mobile-responsive portal for chapter leaders
• National/regional/chapter data sharing
• Automatic invoicing and renewal processing
• Complex scenario support (tiered pricing, prorated dues)
• Integrated accounting and reporting
• Event management and registration

Pricing: Custom quote required (pricing based on organization size)

Free Trial: No (contact sales for demo)

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.1 / 5
Customer Support: 4.2 / 5
Value for Money: 3.9 / 5
Functionality: 4 / 5

Mostly Great!
5-star — July 2025
Pros: Everything is centralized in one place. The program is intuitive, easy to use, and integrates smoothly with their website.
Cons: General support feels limited. Phone support is only available during certain hours, and ticketing responses can be slow.
Reasons for choosing MemberSuite: GlueUp felt too complicated, and GrowthZone was seamless but not the right fit. They had used GlueUp with another association and found MemberSuite just as powerful as GrowthZone.

Good value for the $$$.
5-star — July 2025
Pros: Easy to use and straightforward. Offers many features and strong value for the price. Provides a good roadmap for adding more features as needed.
Cons: With so many features, it can be difficult to find the exact functionality they are looking for.

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4. MemberClicks

MemberClicks is an all-in-one association management suite that combines membership, events, website building, and email marketing. It's more association-focused than union-specific, but handles the basics well.

Key Features:

• Integrated CRM and membership database
• Member directory with search
• Flexible member types and levels
• Automated billing and renewals
• Event management and registration
• Website builder (built-in)
• Email marketing campaigns
• Financial management tools
• Integrated payment processing

Pricing:

• MC Pro (individual members): Starting at $4,500/year
• MC Trade (organizational members): Starting at $3,500/year

Pricing scales with organization size

Free Trial: No (contact for demo)

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4 / 5
Customer Support: 4.6 / 5
Value for Money: 4.3 / 5
Functionality: 4.1 / 5

thumbs down
1-star — November 2025
Pros: The implementation team was helpful and understanding. Implementation moved at the pace they preferred.
Cons: The software did not match what the sales team promised. It lacked customization, wasn’t user-friendly, and did not perform as expected, leading them to return to their previous system.

Not a user-friendly product.
3-star — August 2025
Pros: The customer-facing side of MemberClicks looked nice, with good formatting and ease of use for visitors.
Cons: The backend was not user-friendly, and their organization struggled to get support when issues came up.
Reasons for switching to MemberClicks: Their national organization switched and recommended it, highlighting strong customer service and an easier experience compared to GlueUp.

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5. Neon CRM

Neon CRM is a comprehensive platform originally built for nonprofits but works well for unions needing fundraising, volunteer management, and robust member portals.

Key Features:

• Robust member portals and self-service
• Customizable membership directories
• Event and fundraising management
• Email marketing with automation
• Workflow automation (3-unlimited workflows depending on plan)
• Mobile access
• Reporting and analytics
• Volunteer and task management
• QuickBooks integration (Impact plan and up)
• Open API access

Pricing:

• Essentials: $99/mo - Basic fundraising, 3 workflows, unlimited email
• Impact: $209/mo - Adds QuickBooks, volunteer mgmt, events, 15 workflows
• Empower: $409/mo - Premium support, unlimited workflows, advanced features

Occasional "first month free" promotions

Free Trial: No standard trial (watch for promotional offers)

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.1 / 5
Customer Support: 4.3 / 5
Value for Money: 4.3 / 5
Functionality: 4.2 / 5

Neon is good for small non-profits
5-star — October 2025
Pros: Easy to use even for non-technical users. Having fundraising, events, volunteer tools, and other key functions in one system is a major benefit.
Cons: Support can be slow and the cost feels high. Introductory rates are good, but ongoing pricing may be expensive for small and mid-sized nonprofits.

Easy to use. Poor customer service
2-star — October 2025
Pros: Simple to use and includes helpful tools like website integration, event management, and email tracking.
Cons: Customer service is slow and difficult to reach. Billing practices are confusing, with no reminders for renewal dates. They refuse to offer flexibility or concessions, even when asked.
Reasons for choosing Neon CRM: Ease of use and customizable security features that other platforms didn’t provide.
Reasons for switching to Neon CRM: Blackbaud was too complex, and they needed a simpler, easy-to-learn system.

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6. MemberMeister

MemberMeister is geared toward clubs, classes, and smaller associations. If you run a small local with straightforward needs, the UK-based pricing and simplicity might appeal.

Key Features:

• Integrated class/event scheduling
• Automatic attendance tracking
• Online payment processing
• Membership tiers and levels
• Automated payment reminders
• Member portal and self-service
• Email and SMS notifications
• Built-in CRM
• Unlimited team members
• Free UK support

Pricing (in GBP):

• Bronze: £29/mo (£24/mo annual) - Up to 50 members
• Silver: £39/mo (£33/mo annual) - Up to 150 members
• Gold: £49/mo (£41/mo annual) - Up to 300 members
• Platinum: £69/mo (£58/mo annual) - Up to 750 members
• Diamond: Custom (£990/year) - 750+ members

All plans include all features

Free Trial: 30 days

Overall Rating: 4.9 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.9 / 5
Customer Support: 5 / 5
Value for Money: 4.8 / 5
Functionality: 4.6 / 5

Fantastic booking & invoicing system
5-star — February 2025
Pros: Easy to use and provides everything needed to run the business. Invoices look professional.
Cons: None — it meets all their needs.

Excellent company and system — highly recommend
5-star — January 2025
Pros: Well-structured, organised, and efficient. The team is very responsive to questions and open to feedback, often implementing suggested improvements.
Cons: Considered expensive, so they view it as a justified luxury because it saves time and helps them be more professional.
Reasons for switching to membermeister: The layout and ease of use felt more professional than their previous system.

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7. MemberLeap

MemberLeap offers month-to-month flexibility (no long-term contracts) and scales pricing based on your active record count. Good option if you want to test without commitment.

Key Features:

• Centralized member database
• Automatic dues billing
• Communication tools (email, newsletters, message boards, blogs)
• Event registration
• Custom reports and analytics
• Online forms and surveys
• Mobile app access
• GDPR compliance options (surcharge for EU members)

Pricing (monthly, no contracts):

• Silver: $230/mo (1-200 records) to $330/mo (801-1,000)
• Gold: $280/mo (1-200 records) to $380/mo (801-1,000)
• Platinum: $330/mo (1-200 records) to $430/mo (801-1,000)

GDPR surcharge: $20-$80/mo for EU member data

Free Trial: No standard trial

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4.6 / 5
Customer Support: 4.9 / 5
Value for Money: 4.8 / 5
Functionality: 4.6 / 5

Great group to work with
5-star — October 2025
Pros: The tech team is prompt, accurate, and patient when answering questions. Their customer service and dedication stand out, and the system runs smoothly with strong support.
Cons: No issues so far. They prefer asking questions directly rather than using video learning tools.

MemberLeap is a great choice for a small organization
5-star — September 2025
Pros: Affordable and effective system for small organizations. Everything has worked well, and the team is patient and helpful when learning the tools.
Cons: A lot of information to learn at first, but the MemberLeap team guided them through it quickly.
Reasons for switching to MemberLeap: Cost — they could no longer afford their previous product.

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8. StarChapter

StarChapter combines membership management with event tools and a built-in website builder. Popular with local chapters of professional organizations.

Key Features:

• Membership management with member caps by plan
• Event registration with ticketing
• Email communications (newsletters, invitations)
• Committee and board management
• Website content management (built-in)
• Contact database
• Survey tools
• Revenue and attendance tracking

Pricing (monthly + one-time setup fee):

• Essential: ~$113/mo (up to 150 members) + setup fee
• Growth: ~$145/mo (up to 300 members)
• Advanced: ~$198/mo (up to 600 members)
• Pro: ~$246/mo (up to 1,200 members)

Contact sales for exact pricing and volume discounts

Free Trial: Not advertised

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 3.7 / 5
Customer Support: 4.3 / 5
Value for Money: 4 / 5
Functionality: 3.8 / 5

Absolutely Horrible
1-star — August 2025
Pros: Event reporting exists.
Cons: Very difficult to use. They found PayPal far easier and preferred it over StarChapter.

Some Good … Some Not So Good
3-star — June 2025
Pros: Integrated tools for website, email, registration, and payments. They like being able to send emails to non-registered members.
Cons: The system is expensive and continues increasing in price without adding new features or fixing ongoing issues. Many tasks require multiple clicks or hidden knowledge. Reporting is confusing and often inaccurate, and extra manual corrections are needed.
Reasons for choosing StarChapter: It appeared to offer a more complete all-in-one package, though actual use has not met expectations.

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9. iMIS

iMIS is an enterprise engagement management system (EMS) for large associations and unions with serious budget and complex needs. It's powerful but comes with enterprise-level complexity and cost.

Key Features:

• Modular system (membership, fundraising, events, learning, web CMS)
• Case and grievance management
• Event management and registration
• Integrated accounting
• REST API for custom integrations
• Engagement scoring
• Scales for local, regional, and national structures
• Extensive third-party integrations

Pricing:

• iMIS Professional: $7,200/year (minimum 3 users) + $15,000+ one-time installation
• iMIS Enterprise: Custom pricing for medium-to-large orgs

Free Trial: No (demo available)

Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5 (See full profile)

Secondary Ratings:
Ease of Use: 4 / 5
Customer Support: 4.1 / 5
Value for Money: 4.1 / 5
Functionality: 4.2 / 5

iMIS Engagement Management System
5-star — October 2025
Pros: Strong support network, helpful documentation, and useful training resources. Ability to integrate with tools like MailChimp and third-party applications. Consolidates multiple databases into a single source of data and allows tracking and segmentation of members. Helps improve communication plans.
Cons: Steep learning curve. Several consulting services are needed for setup and implementation.
Reasons for choosing iMIS: Customizable database and flexibility to match their business processes.
Reasons for switching to iMIS: They wanted to consolidate their separate databases into one unified system.

Highs and lows
4-star — September 2025
Pros: Helped modernize their organization and replace outdated systems. Makes data collection easy and flexible to customize for specific requirements. Integrates well with third-party tools and supports open APIs.
Cons: Handles many functions, but the system was heavily customized, making updates and changes difficult without assistance.
Reasons for switching to iMIS: Needed a system capable of meeting modern demands.

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10. Glue Up

Glue Up is a cloud-based engagement platform popular in Asia and Europe with a standout mobile app for both members and organizers.

Key Features:

• Event management (virtual and in-person)
• Membership management and CRM
• Email marketing and campaigns
• Payment processing
• Mobile app (iOS and Android)
• Member directory with search filters
• Push notifications for renewals
• Community engagement tools

Pricing: Starts at $2,500/year (custom quote required)

Free Trial: No

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 (See full profile)
Secondary Ratings:
• Ease of Use: 4.5 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.6 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.4 / 5
• Functionality: 4.4 / 5

Stick with Glue Up
5-star — November 2025
Pros: The interface and required navigation for Glue Up is very user-friendly. Customer support was always available when needed. Great value for the money. Used successfully for event registration and sales management.
Cons: No major cons. The software worked as needed and supported the business effectively.

Glue Up improves our value offering for our members
5-star — September 2025
Pros: Glue Up helped improve membership management, contact management, event administration, and communication workflows. It allowed the team to manage member data and professional events more efficiently.
Cons: Some processes require careful organization to avoid errors, and more customization options would be helpful.
Reasons for choosing Glue Up: It offered all the essential features needed in a single platform, while other tools required multiple systems.

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What Real Union Admins Say (Reddit, Quora & Forums Insights)

Let's talk about what actual union leaders are dealing with. These insights come straight from Reddit's r/IBEW, r/union, and labor forums.

The #1 Frustration: "We're Still Using Software Built 20 Years Ago"

One IBEW local admin posted this: "We're using software built over 20 years ago to manage membership and grievances. We need member communication, online updates, mass texting... anyone have recommendations?"

The responses? Lots of sympathy, few solutions. Many locals are stuck with legacy systems because nobody wants to be the one to lead a migration.

Need for Better Communication Tools

Mass texting, mobile updates, and push notifications keep coming up. Younger members (and let's be honest, older ones too) expect instant communication.

Email newsletters sent from admin@unionlocal123.org just don't cut it anymore. Members want texts when there's a vote, app notifications when contract negotiations heat up, and SMS reminders before dues are due.

Difficulty Finding Honest Vendor Comparisons

Another thread asked: "How does your union find software and vendors? There are so few unbiased reviews. We need more conversations between locals."

This is real. Most union software reviews are either: (a) written by the vendor's marketing team, or (b) buried on obscure review sites with three reviews from 2019.

That's why forums like Reddit have become the go-to for honest feedback.

Many Unions Still Operate on Paper

A newly elected union secretary posted asking for software and hardware suggestions because "everything is still done on paper."

In 2025.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Digital transformation in unions is lagging behind other sectors, partly because budget constraints and partly because "if it ain't broke" mentality (even when it is, in fact, very broke).

Limited Stack Exchange Insights

Most "union" discussions on Stack Exchange are about programming union types, not labor unions. The few workplace-related threads mention email list chaos and the need for better digital communication models.

The scarcity of union software discussions on Stack Exchange highlights how niche this topic is. Union leaders are finding help on Reddit and niche forums, not traditional tech Q&A sites.

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How to Choose the Right Union Membership Software

Picking software shouldn't feel like a gamble. Here's a straightforward process:

Step 1: Map Your Union Workflows

Before looking at any demos, document what you actually do:

• How do you collect dues? (Payroll deduction, invoices, auto-pay, cash?)
• How do you track grievances? (Paper files, spreadsheets, email chains?)
• How do you communicate with members? (Email, text, phone tree, Facebook?)
• What employer and contract data do you manage?
• What events do you run regularly?

Understanding your current workflows (even the messy ones) helps you articulate what you actually need.

Step 2: Identify Your Union Type

Union needs vary by type:

• Trade unions (construction, IBEW, etc.): Need job dispatch, apprenticeship tracking, employer coordination
• Public sector unions (teachers, government workers): Focus on contract negotiation tracking, political action
• Professional unions (nurses, actors): Need continuing education tracking, credential management
• Multi-employer unions: Complex dues structures, employer relationship management critical

Your type determines which features matter most.

Step 3: Decide Between Union-Specific Software vs. General Membership CRM

Union-specific (eMembership, some features of iMIS):

• Pros: Built for your exact needs, understands union terminology and workflows
• Cons: Smaller vendor pool, sometimes older technology

General membership/CRM (Join It, Neon CRM, MemberLeap):

• Pros: Modern interface, better mobile experience, often cheaper, frequent updates
• Cons: May require workarounds for union-specific needs like grievance tracking

Many unions successfully use general platforms and supplement with tools like Slack for communication or simple spreadsheets for grievances (if you must).

Step 4: Test Mobile Experience

Pull out your phone right now.

Can members easily:

• Check if their dues are paid?
• Update their contact info?
• Register for an event?
• View the member directory?

If the mobile experience is clunky, younger members will disengage. Modern unions win with mobile-first thinking.

Step 5: Check Vendor Support Quality

Read recent reviews on SoftwareAdvice, G2, and Capterra. Look specifically for complaints about:

• Support response times
• Limited support hours (nights/weekends)
• Unresolved tickets
• Knowledge gaps in support staff

Poor support is the #1 complaint across almost every platform. Ask potential vendors:

• What are your support hours?
• What's your average response time?
• Do you offer phone support or just email?
• Can I talk to another union using your software?

Step 6: Confirm Integration Needs

List the tools you can't give up:

• QuickBooks or Xero for accounting?
• Mailchimp or Constant Contact for email?
• SMS service for texting?
• Payroll system?
• Pension administration platform?

Check if the software has:

• Native integrations with your must-have tools
• An open API for custom connections
• Zapier support for no-code automation

Systems that don't integrate become data silos fast.

Step 7: Run a Trial with 3-5 Stewards/Admins

Don't evaluate software alone in your office at 11 PM.

Get your team involved:

• Have your treasurer test the financial reporting
• Let stewards test grievance tracking
• Ask your communications chair to send a test email campaign
• Have your tech-averse board member try the mobile app

If they struggle during a free trial, they'll hate it after you've paid for a year.

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Final Thoughts

Union membership software isn't just about going digital for the sake of it. It's about spending less time on administrative busywork and more time fighting for your members.

The market is growing, technology is improving, and unions that modernize are seeing real results: better engagement, faster dues collection, and happier members.

Here's what we covered:

The membership software market is booming ($5.43B to $8.08B by 2033), driven by unions, gyms, and nonprofits finally embracing cloud-based tools. 14.3 million union members deserve better than 20-year-old software and Excel spreadsheets.

If you're just getting started, Join It offers the best balance of modern features, ease of use, and transparent pricing. It's purpose-built for membership management (including unions), offers powerful automation without complexity, and you can be up and running in days, not months.

The digital membership cards alone will make your members smile.

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Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Union Membership Report 2024
2. Straits Research. Membership Management Software Market Report
3. Union Impact. The Importance of Digital Member Portals for Modern Unions
4. Union.dev. Union Challenges 2025
5. iMIS Blog. 10 Essential Union Management Software Features
6. iMIS Blog. Union Management Software Buyer's Guide
7. Union.dev. Top Union Software Tools to Enhance Operations
8. Reddit r/IBEW. What Software Are IBEW Locals Using?
9. Reddit r/union. How Does Your Union Find Software and Vendors?
10. Reddit r/union. Union Office Computer Software and Hardware

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