Society Membership Software: 10 Best Tools, Real Pricing

Managing a professional society shouldn't feel like juggling spreadsheets while herding cats.

Yet that's exactly what many society leaders face. Member records scattered across Excel files. Renewal reminders sent manually. Event RSVPs tracked on sticky notes. And somewhere in that chaos, members slip through the cracks.

There's a better way.

Society membership software transforms that chaos into clarity. It automates the busywork, keeps members engaged, and gives you back hours every week to focus on what actually matters: building a thriving community.

In this guide, you'll discover:

• What society membership software actually does (and why societies love it)
• The features that matter most for professional societies
• Real pricing for 10 leading platforms
• Honest reviews from society leaders who've been there
• A practical framework for choosing the right fit

Let's dive in.

Quick Context: The membership management software market is booming, projected to grow from $7.6 billion in 2024 to $12.9 billion by 2029. Even better news? 51% of associations reported membership gains over the past five years, with 63% expecting growth in 2025.

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What Is Society Membership Software?

Think of it as mission control for your society.

Society membership software is a centralized platform that manages everything related to your members: their profiles, dues payments, event registrations, communication preferences, and engagement history. Instead of juggling five different tools and three spreadsheets, you get one system that handles it all.

Here's what it actually does:

Member Database: Store and organize member information, including professional credentials, membership tiers, renewal dates, and custom fields specific to your society.

Automated Renewals: Set up recurring payments and automatic renewal reminders so members never lapse accidentally (and you never chase payments again).

Event Management: Create event pages, sell tickets, track RSVPs, and check members in at conferences or monthly meetups.

Communication Tools: Send targeted emails to member segments, schedule newsletters, and automate welcome sequences for new members.

Financial Reporting: Track dues revenue, generate invoices, reconcile payments, and export reports for your treasurer.

The real magic? It reduces admin time by 60-70% for most societies. Tasks that once consumed entire weekends now happen automatically in the background.

Arts organizations and cultural societies use these tools to manage thousands of members without breaking a sweat. Your society can too.

Pro Tip: Look for platforms with a simple member database that doesn't require a computer science degree to navigate.

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Must-Have Features for Societies

Not all membership software is built the same. Some excel at gym memberships. Others shine for subscription boxes. But societies need specific features that many generic platforms miss.

Here's what actually matters:

Member Tiers and Family Groups

Your society probably has multiple membership levels: student, professional, fellow, lifetime, corporate. Maybe you offer family memberships where one person pays and their spouse gets access too.

The right software handles this complexity easily, letting you set different pricing, benefits, and renewal schedules for each tier.

Dues Automation

Manual payment tracking is where time goes to die. Look for platforms that automate recurring dues, send payment reminders 30-60 days before renewal, and process payments seamlessly through Stripe, PayPal, or ACH transfers.

Bonus points if it handles prorated payments when someone upgrades mid-year.

Event Registrations and Attendance Tracking

Most societies run conferences, workshops, or monthly meetings. Your software should create event pages, sell tickets with early bird pricing, and track who actually showed up.

Member check-in features help societies manage event attendance effortlessly, whether you're scanning QR codes at the door or marking attendance manually.

Digital Membership Cards

Physical membership cards are so 2010. Modern members expect digital membership cards they can add to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for instant verification at events or partner discounts.

Email and SMS Segments

Not everyone in your society wants the same messages. Your software should let you segment members by interests, location, membership tier, or engagement level, then send targeted communications that actually resonate.

Integrations

Your membership platform needs to play nicely with other tools. Essential integrations include payment processors (Stripe, PayPal), email marketing (Mailchimp), accounting software (QuickBooks), and automation tools (Zapier).

According to recent research, only 30% of associations say their engagement systems are fully connected. Don't be in that 70%.

Reports for Treasurers

Your treasurer needs clean financial reports without manual spreadsheet wrangling. Look for built-in dashboards showing monthly recurring revenue, renewal rates, and payment histories that export to Excel or QuickBooks.

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How Much Does Society Membership Software Cost?

Let's talk real numbers.

Pricing typically breaks into three buckets:

Starter Plans ($29-$80/month): Perfect for societies with under 500 members. You'll get core features like member database, automated renewals, and basic event management. These often include transaction fees of 2-3% on payments.

Professional Plans ($100-$250/month): Built for growing societies with 500-2,000 members. More automation, lower transaction fees (1-2%), advanced reporting, and better integrations. This is the sweet spot for most professional societies.

Enterprise Solutions ($3,000-$5,000+/year): For large national societies with complex needs like multi-chapter management, advanced CRM capabilities, and dedicated support. Often requires onboarding fees.

Hidden Costs to Watch For:

• Payment processing fees (1.5-3% per transaction)
• Setup or onboarding charges ($350-$1,000+)
• Per-member pricing that scales as you grow
• Add-on modules for features like website hosting or learning management

Reality Check: Free software exists (like open-source CiviCRM), but as one Reddit user wisely noted, "Open source membership software is a potential landmine for a couple of reasons: data security compliance and ongoing support when your tech volunteer leaves."

Most societies find that paying $100-200/month for reliable, supported software is cheaper than the hidden costs of piecing together free tools or losing members to poor experiences.

Try Join It free for 30 days to see which plan fits your society: Start your trial.

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Top 10 Society Membership Software (2025)

Here's what actually works for professional societies in 2025, based on verified user reviews, real pricing, and specific features societies need.

1. Join It: Best for Small to Mid-Size Societies That Want Simplicity

Join It strips away the complexity that plagues most membership platforms. It's designed specifically for clubs, associations, and societies that need powerful features without enterprise-level headaches.

What Makes It Stand Out:

• Setup takes hours, not weeks. Most societies are live within a day.
• Unlimited automation workflows that handle renewals, welcome sequences, and payment reminders automatically.
• Digital membership cards that integrate with Apple Wallet and Google Pay.
• Custom domains for a professional branded experience.
• Real human support that actually responds (not chatbots reading scripts).

Pricing:

• Starter: $29/month (or $26.10/month annually) with 3% service fee
• Total: $99/month (or $89.10/month annually) with 2% fee
• Extra: $199/month (or $224.10/month annually) with 1.5% fee
• No setup fees, no hidden charges, free support included

User Reviews (4.7/5 on Software Advice, 80+ reviews):

"The incredible simplicity of this software along with the time saving automation it offers saves our organization hours of work," shared one society administrator. Another noted, "Join It's automation and integrations will other apps are top notch."

Some users wish for more advanced email marketing features, and PayPal integration requires higher-tier plans. But for core membership management, it nails the basics beautifully.

Real-World Success: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles built a thriving film community with Join It, streamlining their membership operations and focusing more energy on supporting independent filmmakers.

Bottom Line: If you want to stop wrestling with technology and start growing your society, Join It delivers exactly what you need without the bloat.

Ready to simplify your society management? Start your free trial.

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2. Wild Apricot: All-in-One for Clubs and Associations

Wild Apricot bundles membership management, website hosting, event registration, and email marketing into one platform. It's particularly strong if you don't have a website yet or want to consolidate everything under one roof.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive event management with online ticketing
• Built-in website builder (though templates can feel limited)
• Member portal and mobile app
• Automated invoicing and recurring payments
• 60-day free trial to really test it out

Pricing: Contact-based pricing starting at $63/month for 100 contacts, scaling up to $945/month for 50,000 contacts. Annual prepay offers 10-15% discounts.

User Sentiment (4.4/5 on Software Advice, 550+ reviews):

Users appreciate the comprehensive feature set and strong event tools. However, some reviews note that "customizing the front-end website needs work" and that support responsiveness has declined since the Personify acquisition.

One frustrated user reported it was "extremely slow and inefficient, especially for the cost" with limited data segmentation.

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3. MemberPlanet: Great for Community Communication

MemberPlanet shines when your society needs strong communication tools alongside membership management. It's popular with community organizations, multi-chapter associations, and groups that rely heavily on SMS messaging.

Key Features:

• Robust email and SMS campaign tools
• Online fundraising capabilities
• Event management with registration
• Member portal for self-service
• Free basic plan (perfect for testing)

Pricing:

• Basic: Free (limited to 100 campaign emails/month)
• Essentials: $50/month with 2% platform fee
• Pro: $100/month with 1% platform fee
• Premium: $175/month with 1% platform fee

User Reviews (4.7/5 on Software Advice, 260+ reviews):

The platform earns praise for streamlining membership processes and its communication center. Some users mention the interface looks a bit dated and note that phone support isn't available, which can frustrate during urgent situations.

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4. MemberClicks: Enterprise Features for Professional Associations

MemberClicks (now part of Personify's ecosystem) targets small to medium professional associations that need enterprise-grade capabilities without overwhelming complexity. It's particularly strong for associations transitioning from basic tools to sophisticated AMS platforms.

Key Features:

• Intuitive member database with flexible custom fields
• Integrated event management and job board
• Learning management system for continuing education
• Email marketing with segmentation
• Member community forums

Pricing: Starts around $3,500-$4,500/year depending on size and features. Custom quotes required.

User Sentiment (4.3/5 on Software Advice, 460+ reviews):

Users consistently praise the user-friendly interface and responsive support. Common feedback mentions it "covers all the basics" well but occasionally lacks flexibility for highly specialized workflows. The website builder receives mixed reviews.

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5. ClubExpress: Budget-Friendly for Volunteer-Run Societies

ClubExpress delivers impressive value for volunteer-run organizations. It's been around for years, serving hobby clubs, professional societies, and community groups that need full features at accessible prices.

Key Features:

• Integrated website hosting and CMS
• Event registration with payment processing
• Discussion forums and blogs built-in
• Member directory and committee management
• Monthly billing, no long-term contracts

Pricing: Per-member model starting at $0.42/member/month for up to 200 members, with a $24 minimum monthly fee. One-time setup fee covers website design and training.

User Reviews (4.2/5 on Software Advice, 515+ reviews):

Users appreciate the solid value and helpful support. The interface isn't as modern as newer competitors, but it's comprehensive and reliable. Some reviewers note initial setup complexity due to extensive configuration options.

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6. GrowthZone: Powerhouse for Large Associations

GrowthZone (encompassing ChamberMaster and MemberZone) targets trade associations and chambers of commerce needing enterprise-grade AMS capabilities. It handles complex membership structures, multi-chapter hierarchies, and sophisticated financial tracking.

Key Features:

• Advanced chapter and parent-child organization management
• Marketing automation and sales funnel tools
• Integrated job board and sponsorship management
• QuickBooks and accounting system integration
• Mobile apps for members and administrators

Pricing: Starts at $3,985/year plus onboarding fees. Pricing scales based on member count and modules.

User Sentiment (4.4/5 on Software Advice, 274+ reviews):

Users commend the breadth of features and integration depth. The learning curve is steep, though, and reviewers note that onboarding can be complex with variable support quality.

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7. YourMembership: Mid-Size Associations with Learning Needs

YourMembership (part of Community Brands) combines membership management with community forums and a learning management system, making it ideal for associations offering certifications or continuing education.

Key Features:

• Integrated LMS for courses and certifications
• Member community forums
• Event management for conferences
• Website CMS integrated with member database
• Job board and online store capabilities

Pricing: Starting around $3,990/year (from Capterra data). Custom quotes required.

User Reviews (3.8/5 on Software Advice, 170+ reviews):

Users appreciate having website and membership database unified. Recent reviews note improvements in customer support. Complaints include confusing membership setup and limited invoice customization.

Best For: Professional societies offering certifications, continuing education, or career development alongside standard membership.

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8. CiviCRM: Open-Source for Budget-Conscious Societies

CiviCRM is the wildcard on this list. It's free, open-source software that offers powerful CRM and membership capabilities for technically capable organizations.

Key Features:

• Completely free if self-hosted
• Highly customizable for unique needs
• Integrates with WordPress, Drupal, Joomla
• Event management and email tools included
• Active developer community

Pricing:

• Self-hosted: Free
• CiviCRM Spark (hosted): $15-$50/month depending on contacts and features

User Sentiment (3.9/5 on Software Advice, 41 reviews):

Users love that it's free and customizable. The flip side? Implementation requires technical expertise, and the interface is less polished than commercial alternatives.

Reddit users caution that open-source solutions come with hidden costs: "Data security compliance and ongoing support when your tech volunteer leaves" are real concerns.

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9. Glue Up: Event-Focused Engagement Platform

Glue Up (formerly EventBank) combines membership management with powerful event tools and community engagement features. It's built for associations where events drive member value.

Key Features:

• Sophisticated event management for conferences
• Mobile app for member networking
• Built-in CRM with interaction tracking
• Community forums and social feeds
• Open API for custom integrations

Pricing: Starting around $2,500/year, scaling based on modules and contacts.

User Reviews (4.5/5 on Software Advice, 174 reviews):

Users highlight seamless onboarding and comprehensive features. Some note the breadth of functionality can feel overwhelming initially, but strong support helps smooth the learning curve.

Best For: Professional societies that run frequent events and want sophisticated mobile engagement tools.

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10. MemberPress: WordPress Plugin for Digital Content

MemberPress takes a different approach. It's a WordPress plugin rather than standalone software, ideal for societies with existing WordPress sites who want to add membership functionality.

Key Features:

• Unlimited membership levels and content protection
• Drip content scheduling
• Built-in LMS for courses
• Multiple payment gateway support
• Deep WordPress integration

Pricing: $359-$799/year depending on features. First year often discounted 50%.

User Reviews (4.8/5 on Software Advice, 365 reviews):

High marks for smooth payment processing and rich membership options. Some users mention migration challenges from other systems and occasional subscription cancellation issues.

Best For: Societies with WordPress websites who need to protect content and manage memberships without leaving their existing platform.

Looking for a simpler setup? Book a demo to see how Join It compares.

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User Voice: What Real Societies Say Online

The most honest feedback doesn't come from vendor websites or polished case studies. It comes from late-night Reddit posts and Stack Exchange questions from society leaders wrestling with real problems.

The Open-Source Temptation

On Reddit's r/nonprofit, a community organization asked about free membership software with PayPal integration. The top response? A cautionary tale about open-source platforms:

"Open source membership software is a potential landmine for a couple of reasons: (1) Data security compliance. A maintained SaaS product keeps up with GDPR, CCPA, and security patches better than small open-source projects. (2) Ongoing support. If your one tech-savvy volunteer leaves, will the organization be stuck?"

The thread concludes that while SaaS costs money, the reliability and compliance are often worth it.

Integration Headaches

Stack Exchange discussions reveal specific pain points. One society asked for software supporting an event waitlist/lottery system. The answer? No off-the-shelf solution handled that niche need well, highlighting how specialized workflows often require workarounds or custom development.

This echoes broader research showing only 30% of associations have fully connected digital systems, creating data silos and manual work.

The Cost Conversation

Real users consistently mention hidden costs catching them off guard. Payment processing fees (1-3% per transaction) add up quickly. One Software Advice reviewer noted they wished "things could be cheaper" after justifying budget increases became difficult.

Another common complaint: "We faced a higher monthly fee for keeping our preferred payment provider instead of switching to the one offered."

What Actually Matters

Across forums, three priorities emerge repeatedly:

Responsive Support: Slow or unhelpful support tops complaint lists. When renewals fail or events break, societies need fast answers.

Data Export: Multiple Reddit users warn about vendor lock-in. Being able to export your member data cleanly is non-negotiable for future flexibility.

Actual Simplicity: Many platforms promise ease-of-use but deliver complexity. As one reviewer put it, "With so many customization options, it can take time to find the right setting."

Curious how real communities grow engagement? Read our article on membership engagement ideas that actually work.

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Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even great societies make predictable mistakes when choosing membership software. Learn from others' pain.

Pitfall 1: Choosing Based on Features You'll Never Use

Just because software has 47 features doesn't mean you need them. In fact, complexity you don't use often makes core functions harder to find.

How to Avoid: Focus on must-haves first. Ignore nice-to-haves during initial selection. You can always upgrade later if needs expand.

Pitfall 2: Skipping the Data Migration Plan

Your current member data lives somewhere: Excel, old software, or filing cabinets. Migrating that data cleanly matters more than you think.

As one society learned the hard way, "Migrating from other systems came with technical challenges and required outside help."

How to Avoid: Ask vendors specifically about data import capabilities. Request migration assistance or budget for professional help. Clean your data before importing.

Pitfall 3: Ignoring Mobile Experience

88% of consumers say experience is as important as products. Your members expect seamless mobile access to directories, event registration, and membership cards.

How to Avoid: Test every shortlisted platform on your phone during trials. If it's frustrating on mobile, members will disengage.

Pitfall 4: Underestimating Training Needs

New software requires learning time. Board members who managed spreadsheets for a decade need support adapting to automation.

How to Avoid: Budget time for training. Choose platforms with strong documentation and responsive support. Join It's onboarding team helps societies migrate smoothly: Book a demo to discuss your setup.

Pitfall 5: Vendor Lock-In Without Realizing It

Some platforms make exporting your data difficult if you ever want to switch. Others use proprietary formats that don't transfer cleanly.

How to Avoid: Before committing, confirm you can export complete member data in standard formats (CSV, Excel). Test an export during your trial.

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Implementation Plan: From Spreadsheet to Stable in 14 Days

Here's a realistic timeline for getting your society live on new membership software without derailing everything else.

Days 1-3: Data Preparation

• Export existing member data from current system
• Clean duplicates, fix formatting issues, standardize fields
• Document custom fields you need (certifications, committees, etc.)

Days 4-5: Initial Setup

• Create membership tiers with pricing
• Configure payment processing
• Set up basic automation (welcome emails, renewal reminders)
• Customize member portal branding

Days 6-8: Import and Test

• Import member data
• Spot-check 20+ records for accuracy
• Process test transactions
• Create a test event registration

Days 9-11: Soft Launch

• Invite 5-10 friendly members to test
• Gather feedback on user experience
• Fix any obvious issues
• Train board members and key volunteers

Days 12-13: Member Communication

• Email all members about the transition
• Provide login instructions and new features
• Offer support hours for questions

Day 14: Go Live

• Officially launch to full membership
• Monitor closely for issues
• Celebrate being done with spreadsheets forever

Real organizations transitioned successfully: See how NewFilmmakers Los Angeles made the switch and built a thriving community.

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FAQ

What's the difference between membership software and a CRM?

Membership software is specifically designed for recurring memberships with features like automated renewals, member tiers, and dues tracking. CRMs focus more broadly on contact management and sales. For societies, membership-specific platforms work better.

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Final Thoughts

The right membership software transforms how your society operates.

Instead of drowning in spreadsheets and manual reminders, you automate the repetitive work. Instead of wondering who renewed and who didn't, you get clear dashboards. Instead of cobbling together five different tools, you manage everything from one platform.

Most importantly, you reclaim time to focus on what actually matters: serving your members and growing your community.

Here's what to remember:

Start with your actual needs, not feature lists. The best software for your society fits your current reality while leaving room to grow.

Test thoroughly during free trials. Process real transactions, send actual emails, and check the mobile experience before committing.

Factor in true costs: subscription fees, transaction charges, setup costs, and most importantly, the time you'll save monthly.

Prioritize support quality. When things break (and eventually something will), responsive human support makes the difference between minor hiccups and major headaches.

For most small to mid-size professional societies, Join It hits the sweet spot: powerful enough to handle complex needs, simple enough that volunteers can manage it confidently, and priced accessibly for organizations still building budgets.

The membership management software market is growing because it genuinely works. Research shows that 51% of associations are seeing membership gains, and 74% expect higher engagement in 2025.

Your society can be part of that growth.

Ready to manage your society smarter? Book a demo to see Join It in action.

Or jump straight in with a 30-day free trial and start transforming how you manage members today.

Sources

1. The Business Research Company. Membership Management Software Global Market Report
2. Bloomerang. Membership Software for Nonprofits
3. Sequence Consulting. Association Management Trends 2025
4. Straits Research. Membership Management Software Market
5. Fionta. Elevate Member Experiences in 2025: Trends for Associations
6. Software Advice. Join It Profile Reviews
7. Software Advice. Wild Apricot Profile Reviews
8. Software Advice. MemberPlanet Profile
9. Software Advice. Glue Up Profile
10. Reddit. Membership Management Software Advice Discussion
11. Reddit. Wild Apricot User Discussion
12. Software Recommendations Stack Exchange. Membership Management Software with Events
13. Join It. Best Membership Software for Associations

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