13 Best Free Membership Management Software for 2025

Managing members shouldn’t require four spreadsheets, three apps, and a degree in wizardry. Yet for many founders, nonprofit leaders, and club admins, that’s exactly what it feels like—emails flying, volunteers sighing, and someone always losing the latest member list.

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But what if you could swap chaos for calm?

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That’s where today’s free membership management software steps in. 🎉

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In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What “free” really means (and what to watch for)
• The 13 best free membership management tools for 2025 (with deep-dive reviews)
• Real user feedback from Capterra, Reddit, and G2
• How to pick the right tool for your organization—without losing your mind

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Ready to ditch the spreadsheets? Let’s dive in.

“Free” vs. “Free Forever” – Know the Difference 

Let’s clear up the biggest myth in the room: “Free” doesn’t always mean “free forever.” Some tools offer:

• Free forever plans: Usually with limits (like number of members, emails, or features)
• Free trials: Full access for 14–60 days, then you pay (or export your data and run)
• Open-source: 100% free, but you’ll need some tech skills (and a server)

Pro Tip: Always check the fine print. Some “free” plans sneak in transaction fees or cap your growth. And if you’re a nonprofit, don’t be shy—many vendors offer discounts or extended trials if you ask.

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The 13 Best Free Membership Management Software Tools (2025 Edition) 

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We scoured Capterra, Reddit, G2, and user forums, then put each tool through the wringer. Here’s what made the cut for 2025:

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1. Join It (Best for Small Orgs & Nonprofits)

Description:
Join It is the no-fuss, all-in-one platform that small clubs, nonprofits, and associations rave about. It’s built for people who want to spend less time on admin and more time building community.

Pricing:

• Free trial: 30 days (details)
• Paid plans start at $29/month, but you can test everything first

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (see reviews)
• G2: 4.8/5

What Users Say:

“Excellent value for the money. The most amazing customer service I’ve ever had.”
“Easily handles our membership management—can’t say this enough.”
(source)

Why We Love It:

• Simplicity: Admins say setup is “ridiculously easy.”
• Support: Real humans, fast responses.
• Integrations: Plays nice with your favorite tools.

Internal Links:

• See all Join It features
• Digital membership cards

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2. MemberLeap (Best for Data-Driven Associations)

Description:
MemberLeap is an all-in-one toolkit for organizations that love data. Think: deep reporting, multi-chapter management, and granular control over communication and billing.

Pricing:

• Free trial: 30 days
• Paid plans from $80/month (1–200 records) 

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.8/5 (see reviews)
• Users praise its flexibility and “all-in-one” approach

What Users Say:

“Powerful association management… covers everything we need.”
“So many customization options, but support is always quick to help.”
(source)

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3. Daxko Operations (Best for Nonprofits & Community Centers)

Description:
Daxko Operations is built for nonprofits, YMCAs, and health clubs needing robust member and program management.

Pricing:

• Free trial: Contact vendor
• Custom pricing (details)

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.5/5 
• Praised for stability and ease at the front desk

What Users Say:

“Payments and membership profiles are not a hassle.”
“Stable and capable for managing both new and existing members.”

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4. Novi AMS (Best for Chambers & Trade Associations)

Description:
Novi AMS is built by associations, for associations—especially those needing tight QuickBooks integration.

Pricing:

• Free trial: Contact vendor
• Custom pricing

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.9/5
• Users love the accounting integration and flexibility

What Users Say:

“Designed by associations who wanted flexibility of custom software without the custom price.”

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5. Member365 (Best for Modern Associations & Nonprofits)

Description:
Member365 offers a modular, modern CRM for associations and nonprofits—start with core features, add more as you grow.

Pricing:

• Free trial: 30 days
• Paid plans from $299/month

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.3/5
• Users highlight cost savings and responsive support

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6. iMIS (Best for Large Associations & Federations)

Description:
iMIS by ASI is the “big iron” of membership software—feature-rich, highly configurable, and used by major associations.

Pricing:

• Free trial: Contact vendor
• Starts at $7,200/year + setup fee (starting at $15,000 USD)

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.4/5 
• Best for organizations with complex, enterprise-level needs

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7. ClubRunner (Best for Volunteer-Led Clubs)

Description:
ClubRunner is a turnkey platform for service clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, and volunteer associations.

Pricing:

• Lite: $21/month + $100 setup fee (based on 20 members)
• Standard: $27/month + $100 setup fee (based on 20 members)
• Admin: $21/month + $100 setup fee (based on 20 members)

Free trial: Contact vendor

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.6/5 
• Users love the simplicity and support

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8. Hello Club (Best for Sports & Hobby Clubs)

Description:
Hello Club is designed for sports clubs, hobby groups, and community centers—especially those needing facility bookings and payments.

Pricing:

• Entry: $36/month or $360/year
• Standard: $72/month or $720/year
• Premium: $108/month or $1,080/year
• Business: $216/month or $2,160/year

Free trial: 30 days. No credit card required. 

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (see reviews)
• Clubs love the mobile experience and automation

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9. Gymdesk (Best for Gyms & Fitness Studios)

Description:
Gymdesk is tailored for gyms, martial arts schools, and fitness studios—think class scheduling, contracts, and payments in one place.

Pricing:

• Gymdesk has 4 pricing editions, from $75 to $200. 

Free trial: 30-Day 

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.8/5
• Owners love the ease and all-in-one approach

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10. Fonteva (Best for Salesforce Power Users)

Description:
Fonteva is built on Salesforce—perfect for large organizations needing deep CRM integration and complex events.

Pricing:

• Starting at $145 USD/user/month 
• Discounts available for nonprofits

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.6/5

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11. MemberSpace (Best for Gated Content & Online Communities)

Description:
MemberSpace is for creators and small orgs who want to lock website content (courses, videos, resources) behind membership.

Pricing:

• Free trial: 14 Day

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.9/5 

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12. WishList Member (Best for WordPress Sites)

Description:
WishList Member is a powerful WordPress plugin for creators and educators running paid memberships on their own site.

Pricing:

• Basic: $149.50/year
• Plus: $249.50/year
• Pro: $349.50/year

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.7/5

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13. ClubWorx (Best for Martial Arts & Fitness Studios)

Description:
ClubWorx is a cloud-based platform for fitness clubs and martial arts schools—offering member tracking, scheduling, and payments.

Pricing:

• Free: $0/month (up to 20 active members)
• Growing: $109/month or $88/year
• Accelerating: $149/month or $120/year
• Established: $169/month or $136/year

Free trial: Access the premium plan for 15 days. No credit cards, payments or strings attached.

Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.6/5

How to Choose the Right Free Membership Software

Not all organizations are created equal. Here’s how to find your perfect match:

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Understand Your Type of Org: Gym ≠ Nonprofit ≠ Association

• Gyms/Fitness Studios: Need class scheduling, check-ins, contracts, waivers 
• Nonprofits/Associations: Need CRM, donations, events, email 
• Clubs/Communities: Need member directories, event tools, easy payments 

Checklist: Do You Need…

✔️ Event management?

✔️ Recurring payments?

✔️ CRM + reports?

✔️ Volunteer tracking?

✔️ Digital membership cards?

✔️ Integrations with your website or accounting tools?

Pro Tip:
Always test with a free trial. Simulate real workflows—add members, run an event, send emails, process payments. If you get stuck, check support response time. (You’ll thank yourself later.)

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What Users Say on Reddit, G2, and Forums What People Love

• Wildapricot:: Some users have had positive experiences, particularly with the members-only forums.However, there are concerns about customer support responsiveness, especially regarding security features like 2FA. (Reddit)
• Join It: “The most amazing customer service I’ve ever had.” (Capterra)
• Hello Club: “Saved us hours of admin time every week.” (Capterra)

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What Frustrates Them

• Support response times: “Help tickets going unanswered” (Trustpilot)
• Hidden limits in “free”: “Some platforms charge extra for features like ACH payments or advanced reporting.” (Quora)
• Complicated interfaces: “Way too complicated for a small team that just needs the basics.” (Reddit)

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User Quotes with Source Mentions

“I’d put more trust in a SaaS that hosts the member data for you… the ever-evolving landscape of data security and privacy laws would make it harder for OSS or free providers to keep up.”
— Reddit

“Clubworx provides everything we need—CRM, billing, gradings, schedule, email/SMS—all in one. There’s not much I don’t like.”
— Capterra

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FAQ 

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Is “free” membership software really free?
Sometimes! Most free plans have limits (like number of members, emails, or features). Always check for transaction fees, upgrade prompts, or hidden costs.

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Can I upgrade later?
Yes. Most platforms let you start free and move to paid as you grow. Make sure you can export your data if you ever want to switch.

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How do I avoid getting stuck with the wrong tool?
Use the free trial, test real workflows, and read recent user reviews. Ask support a question before you commit. 

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Is open-source membership software a good idea?
Only if you have tech skills and a plan for maintenance. Many nonprofits on Reddit caution that open-source can be risky for security and support.

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Sources

1. Capterra. Best Membership Management Software Reviews (2025)
2. G2. Top Membership Management Software
3. Reddit. Membership Management Software Advice for Nonprofits
4. The Business Research Company. Membership Management Software Market Report
5. GlueUp. Membership Management Challenges
6. Quora. Membership Management Software Recommendations

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