14 Best CRMs for Associations in 2025 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Ever feel like your association’s member management is a never-ending game of digital whack-a-mole? 

If you’re tired of spreadsheets, lost emails, and “just one more” membership list, you’re not alone. In 2025, associations are under more pressure than ever to find a CRM that actually fits their needs—without the headaches, hidden costs, or donor-centric distractions.

Let’s break down the landscape, the real challenges, and—most importantly—the top CRM tools that are actually helping associations thrive.

‍

Why Associations Are Rethinking CRM in 2025

CRM adoption among associations is at an all-time high: 91% of associations with 10+ employees use a CRM, and the global CRM market is projected to hit $89 billion by 2025. (Source: Spiceworks) But here’s the catch—most associations still struggle with clunky integrations, staff resistance, and systems built for fundraising, not membership.

So, why bother? Because associations using the right CRM see:

• 27% higher member retention rates (Source: FiveCRM)
• Up to 10 hours saved per week per staff member

‍

What Makes a CRM for Associations Different?

Isn’t any CRM good enough?
Short answer: Not if you want to avoid the “Excel-pocalypse.”

Association CRMs are built for:

• Centralized member databases with custom fields for committees, certifications, and more
• Automated renewals and reminders
• Event and program management
• Personalized communications (segmentation, targeted emails, and more)
• Integration with accounting, event, and learning platforms

If your CRM can’t do these, you’re probably working harder than you need to

‍

The Top CRM Tools for Associations in 2025

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the leading CRM platforms for associations—each with a quick positioning summary, standout features, pricing, and recent reviews. (Because nobody has time for vendor fluff.)

Join It — Simple, Affordable Association Management

Best For:
Small to mid-sized associations, nonprofits, clubs, and chambers seeking an intuitive, all-in-one solution.

Key Features:

• Digital membership cards (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet)
• Automated renewals and recurring payments
• Group memberships (families, corporations)
• Direct integrations (MailChimp, Eventbrite, QuickBooks, Stripe)
• Member portal and event management
• Donation feature
• Member Directory

Free Trial:
Yes, 30-free trial available.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.7 / 5 

G2: 4.8 / 5 

Monthly Price:

​​Starter: $29/month

Growth: $49/month

Total Package: $99/month

Extra Package: $249/month

Annual Price:

Starter Package: $26/month

Growth Package: $44/month

Total Package: $89/month

Extra Package: $224/month

Recent reviews shared by customers:

• I enjoy the interface of Join It. It's easy to add, remove, and check on members and their information. Sending emails to members is also straightforward, which makes things much simpler.
• I’d like to see an improved way to manage group accounts, as everything is currently organized by individual users, one record at a time. Overall, I really love your product!
  We especially appreciate the reporting tools and how cleanly membership profiles and the sign-up page are formatted. It’s clear that Join It is constantly evolving—the team is always building and improving the platform.
• While we've experienced a few challenges with the system, your customer service has always helped us navigate through them and find effective solutions.

‍

WildApricot 

Best For:
Small to medium-sized associations, clubs, and nonprofits needing website and membership management in one.

Key Features:

• Membership management system
• Website builder with responsive design
• Event and email management
• Mobile apps and online payments
• API for custom integrations

Free Trial:
60 Days | No Credit Card Required

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.5 / 5 

G2. 4.0 / 5 

Monthly Price:

Personal: $60/mo

Group: $75/mo

Community: $140/mo

Professional: $240/mo

Network: $440/mo

Enterprise: $530/mo

Global: $900/mo

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: We were excited about the ability to use our existing WordPress website while letting WildApricot handle events, gated content, and more.
Cons: We’ve faced challenges during setup, particularly with integrating WildApricot and our WordPress site. It would be helpful if onboarding and support teams had more specific guidance for this type of implementation.

Review 2:
Pros: I loved how easy it was to build and manage our website, host events, and handle payments. Migrating to WildApricot was smooth and straightforward.
Cons: The formatting options for webpages and emails could be more intuitive at times, but we’ve worked around it.

‍

Neon CRM 

Best For:
Nonprofits and associations needing donor and member management with advanced engagement tools.

Key Features:

• Customizable member portal and forms
• Automated renewals and communications suite
• Modern data tools and reporting
• Mobile payments (credit/debit, ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• File attachments on forms

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.3 / 5 

G2. 4.3 / 5 

Free Trial:
No free trial available.

Pricing:
Essentials $99/month

Impact $209/month

Empower $409/month

Data & Implementation: One-Time Fees Starting at: $349

Training & Consulting: One-Time Fees Starting at: $600 for 4 hour

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: Neon is a very affordable CRM compared to many others. They regularly roll out major updates across all service levels, and the support staff are responsive and quick to resolve any issues.
Cons: Neon Pay’s processing fees are higher than some alternative providers. Since Neon CRM works best when paired with its own processor, the higher fees can be a drawback. Some advanced features, like event management, are only available on higher-tier plans.

Review 2:
Pros: I appreciate several of the features, especially the financial tracking and reporting tools—they’re quite useful.
Cons: The platform can be a bit tricky to navigate when setting up things like events, and some data inconsistencies—such as required fields like suffixes—can cause minor challenges.

‍

MemberClicks 

Best For:
Associations and membership organizations of all sizes wanting a customizable, supported solution.

Key Features:

• Automated renewals and CEU tracking
• Integrations with other products for expanded functionality
• Event management and communication tools
• Member directories and self-service portals

Free Trial:
Not specified.

Pricing:
Not specified.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.3 / 5 

G2. 3.8 / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: Still looking to uncover more value—it’s been a challenging experience so far.
Cons: The HigherLogic integration exists but feels clunky and lacks visual polish. Most support requests are deferred to HigherLogic, with long response times. Also, despite being listed, Zapier integration isn’t available, which is disappointing.

Review 2:
Pros: MemberClicks is simple and works for basic needs like membership applications, event registrations, and a learning library—suitable for small to mid-size organizations.
Cons: Support access is limited to 1–2 admins, which has made it difficult to get timely help. Responses are often slow and rely heavily on generic help articles, with limited customization options.

‍

NationBuilder 

Best For:
Political campaigns, advocacy groups, and associations focused on mobilization.

Key Features:

• Scalable people database (500 to 15,000+ contacts)
• Website templates, email blasts, and event management
• Drip automations and A/B testing
• Geocoding and turf cutting
• Text messaging (U.S./Canada)

Free Trial:
Yes it is available.

Monthly Price:
Starter $41/mo (0-500 contacts)

Pro $179/mo  (0-500 contacts)

Enterprise: Custom
Annual Price:
Starter $34/mo (0-500 contacts)

Pro $160/mo  (0-500 contacts)

Enterprise: Custom

Reviews:

Capterra: 3.9 / 5 

G2. 4.2  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: It has significantly boosted our productivity, especially in recruiting and engaging community members.
Cons: No concerns to report at this time.

Review 2:
Pros: I appreciate its ability to detect and merge potential duplicate member records—it’s a helpful feature.
Cons: We've had ongoing challenges with customer and tech support. Unfortunately, the issue we raised hasn’t been resolved, and the communication we’ve received hasn’t addressed our concern directly.

‍

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud 

Best For:
Medium to large nonprofits and associations needing advanced analytics, AI, and custom workflows.

Key Features:

• Nonprofit Data Model and Toolkit
• Fundraising and program management
• AI-powered analytics (Einstein)
• Integrations with Marketing Cloud, Experience Cloud, Slack
• Free licenses for eligible nonprofits (Power of Us Program)

Free Trial:
Not specified.

Pricing:
$60USD/User/Month
$100USD/User/Month
$300USD/User/Month

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.7 / 5 

G2. 4.1  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: The configurability and available integrations are excellent.
Cons: Integration can be costly, as it typically requires an admin or technical expert to handle setup.

Review 2:
Pros: One of the best tools out there for organizing client, participant, and donor information.
Cons: It may take some time for new users to become fully comfortable with the platform.

‍

ClubExpress 

Best For:
Clubs, associations, and organizations needing strong mobile and chapter support.

Key Features:

• Communication tools (website, email, forums, blogs)
• Member database and chapter management
• Mobile app for members
• Event calendar and credit card processing
• Advanced security (SSL)

Free Trial: Not explicitly stated. A live demo is available upon request.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.2 / 5 

G2. 4.0  / 5 

Monthly Price (per member):

• Up to 200 Members: $0.42
• 201–300 Members: $0.38
• 301–500 Members: $0.34
• 501–1000 Members: $0.30
• 1000+ Members: Custom pricing (decreases with volume)

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: I love being able to manage both the front and back end of the business from one platform.
Cons: No complaints so far—everything has worked well for our needs.

Review 2:
Pros: The Control Panel in ClubExpress offers access to an impressive range of features. It feels like working with a powerful relational database that gives you greater control over your club, league, or group.
Cons: At times, the system can feel overly complex, and we've encountered limitations that required additional costs to work around. Some of the website’s features could also be more user-friendly.

‍

Fonteva 

Best For:
Trade associations and professional societies needing Salesforce-level customization.

Key Features:

• Built on Salesforce platform
• Advanced membership and revenue management
• Drag-and-drop reporting and dashboards
• Multi-currency and multi-lingual support
• Over 90 payment gateways

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.6 / 5 

G2. 4.0  / 5 

Free Trial:
Not specified.

Pricing:
Not specified.

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: We manage multiple organizations under one Fonteva account, making team collaboration easier. The staff interface is modern and user-friendly.
Cons: The platform’s complexity can lead to occasional glitches and troubleshooting challenges for staff and members.

Review 2:
Pros: Fonteva offers strong membership, event, and finance management—all integrated with Salesforce. Customizable features and robust reporting make it ideal for large associations.
Cons: It has a steep learning curve and setup can be time-consuming. Some advanced features also come at a higher price point.

‍

MemberPlanet 

Best For:
Small clubs and organizations needing basic, affordable membership management.

Key Features:

• Member info management
• Group communications and email campaigns
• Mobile app and payment processing
• Discussion forums and document storage

Free Trial:

Yes, you can try it free (details not specified).

Monthly Price:

• Essentials: $50/month
• Pro: $100/month
• Premium: $175/month

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.7 / 5 

G2. 3.0  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: Very easy to use, edit, and publish a website. Transitioning to GoDaddy was manageable, and training others on site updates is simple. The Box integration is great—having additional storage options like FTP or Dropbox would be a great bonus.
Cons: Documentation can be inconsistent, especially around the website editor and GoDaddy setup. Photo galleries work with a workaround, but resolution could be better for high-quality images.

Review 2:
Pros: Integrates well with our required membership system. Customer support is responsive and helpful.
Cons: Website building can feel a bit clunky, and the email tool has had reliability issues—such as unexpected unsubscribes or delivery problems. Weekend support isn’t available, which can delay urgent fixes.

‍

StarChapter 

Best For:
Chapter-based organizations, especially with volunteer leadership.
Key Features:

• All-in-one system for chapter management
• Website, event registration, and email marketing
• Survey capabilities and secure payments

Free Trial:
Not specified.
Pricing:
Not specified.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.2 / 5 

G2. 4.1  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: It’s great to manage memberships and a website in one place. I love being able to track income from meetings and view visitor stats. The fast support responses are a big plus.
Cons: The system is quite comprehensive, so there’s a learning curve—especially for volunteer teams starting from scratch. It just takes some dedicated time to get comfortable.

Review 2:
Pros: Tech support is excellent—quick responses and very helpful whether by email or call.
Cons: Some design features can be a bit tricky to use, but support is always there to help when needed.

‍

YourMembership 

Best For:
Professional associations focused on engagement, career advancement, and learning.

Key Features:

• Online community and job board
• Modern website design
• Learning management system
• All-in-one member management

Free Trial:
Not specified.

Pricing:
Not specified.

Reviews:

Capterra: 3.8 / 5 

G2. 3.3  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: Easy to use with plenty of helpful features, especially for event management and registration. Support has been quick and reliable whenever we needed help.
Cons: Some built-in website features can be a bit confusing for members at times, but nothing unmanageable.

Review 2:
Pros: The team was incredibly supportive—helping with custom pages, HTML coding, and answering questions quickly. They went above and beyond during the website build.
Cons: Building the website does take time, so patience is needed—but overall, the process was worthwhile.

‍

Glue Up 

Best For:
Mid-sized to large associations wanting AI analytics and hybrid event management.

Key Features:

• AI Copilot for predictive analytics
• Hybrid event tools (virtual/in-person)
• Compliance workflows (GDPR-ready)
• All-in-one member management

Free Trial:
No free trial available.

Pricing: Pricing starts as low as $2,500 per year!

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.5  / 5 

G2. 4.6  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: GlueUp offers robust features for database management and marketing automation, making it a more sophisticated CRM compared to others. It’s one of the few platforms combining events and membership management in one system. Plus, the team is open to client feedback and continuously improving.
Cons: Pricing may be high for some NGOs, and there’s room to enhance marketing automation features. A helpful addition would be a way to alert admins about duplicate email entries in the database.

Review 2:
Pros: A strong all-in-one CRM that integrates well with websites and communication tools—perfect for membership-driven organizations.
Cons: While functional, website and email design tools are somewhat limited. More customization options would bring it closer to what other platforms offer.

‍

GrowthZone 

Best For:
Associations and chambers of commerce needing a single, comprehensive plan.

Key Features:

• All-in-one management platform
• Member database and event tools
• Communication and reporting features

Free Trial:
No free trial available.

Pricing: Subscriptions start at $3,985 annually.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.4 / 5 

G2. 4.6  / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: It’s very easy to access member accounts, billing, contact details, and rep information. Generating mailing labels and reports is simple, and finding member data is quick and efficient.
Cons: The recent update has a learning curve, especially for those familiar with the older version—but it's just a matter of adjusting to the changes.

Review 2:
Pros: The platform is user-friendly and intuitive, with a range of useful features that support daily operations.
Cons: Response times from customer service can be slower for complex issues. The email marketing tool works, but it lacks some of the advanced features found in dedicated platforms.

‍

CiviCRM 

Best For:
Nonprofits seeking a free, open-source CRM with nonprofit-specific features.

Key Features:

• Event, gift, and volunteer management
• Advocacy campaigns and contact management
• Built-in email marketing and analytics

Free Trial:
N/A (open source; free to download)

Pricing:
Free to use; costs for hosting, setup, and maintenance apply.

Reviews:

Capterra: 4.0 / 5 

G2. 3.9 / 5 

Recent reviews shared by customers:

Review 1:
Pros: CiviCRM’s open-source mission is admirable—it’s designed specifically to support nonprofits and community groups. Once fully set up, it offers a wide range of tools for volunteer management, event organization, and fundraising.
Cons: The platform can be complex for smaller organizations with limited tech resources. Although it’s free to use, setup and ongoing maintenance often require professional support, which can add costs. Staff training is also essential and may demand additional time and budget.

Review 2:
Pros: The CRM includes a wide range of features, offering flexibility for those needing custom setups.
Cons: The interface and user experience can be difficult to navigate, especially without technical expertise. Customization options are powerful but complex, and system errors may occasionally take time to resolve. The platform may not be the best fit for teams seeking a plug-and-play solution.

‍

Key Benefits of Association CRMs: What the Data Says

• Centralized Data: No more hunting for contact info in six different places
• Marketers using segmented campaigns note as much as a 14.31% higher open rate and 100.95% higher click-through rate. (Source: Mailchimp )
• Operational Efficiency: Automation saves 5–10 hours per week per staff member.
• CRM users are 86% more likely to exceed sales quotas and report 29% higher lead conversion rates.
• Better Member Experience: Automated renewals and event follow-ups mean members feel remembered—not forgotten.

‍

Common Challenges (and How to Dodge Them)

1. Integration Nightmares

Manual reconciliation and data silos are a top complaint—finance teams can spend 15+ hours weekly fixing mismatched records when CRMs don’t sync with accounting tools like QuickBooks.
Solution: Look for CRMs with prebuilt connectors or use iPaaS tools for seamless integration.

2. User Adoption

83% of executives report resistance during CRM rollouts, often due to complex interfaces and lack of training

Solution: Choose intuitive platforms and invest in digital adoption platforms (DAPs) for in-app training.

3. Data Security

62% of nonprofits experienced data leaks in 2024 due to misconfigured CRM permissions.
Solution: Enforce role-based access controls and regular security audits.

4. Feature Mismatch

Many CRMs are donor-centric, not member-centric. Associations needing advocacy or partnership tracking should prioritize CRMs with those features.

5. Budget Surprises

Hidden costs for customization, training, and integrations are common—budget for ongoing support and phased rollouts.

‍

User Insights on CRM tools from Forums, Reddit, LinkedIn, Quora 

• “Most CRMs are geared toward fundraising, which is useless for us. We need to track partnerships and media mentions, not donations.”
• “Manual reconciliation of Stripe payments in our CRM vs. accounting software costs us 15+ hours weekly.”
• "How do we migrate data without corruption?" Users fear data loss during transitions.

‍

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Association

1. Define Your Must-Haves: Member management, event tools, advocacy tracking?
2. Integration Needs: What systems (accounting, events, website) must it connect with?
3. Budget Reality Check: Consider license fees, training, integrations, and support.
4. Data Security: Does it meet your compliance needs (GDPR, CCPA)?
5. Scalability: Will it grow with you, or will you outgrow it in two years?
6. Support & Training: Is help available when you need it?

For a deep dive on what to look for, see our guide to association management software.

‍

The Future of CRM for Associations

• AI and Automation: 65% of CRM platforms now include AI-powered tools like predictive renewals and smart segmentation.
• Mobile-First: 60% of CRM users now rely on mobile tools to manage tasks and access member data on the go.
• 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a brand that provides personalized experiences.

‍

Key Takeaways: What To Do Next

• Don’t settle for a CRM that’s “good enough.”
• Prioritize integration and automation.
• Invest in training and change management.
• Keep optimizing—ongoing improvements always win.

‍

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re looking to explore a CRM that grows with your association—without the headaches—check out our Professional Associations page or dive into our comprehensive guide.

Want to see how it works in action? Try a free trial and see the difference for yourself.

Remember, the best CRM isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowering your team, delighting your members, and making your association future-proof. And if you’re still using spreadsheets…well, let’s just say there’s never been a better time to upgrade. 😉

‍