The Best Membership Software for Associations - Reviewed for 2024

What is Association Management Software?

Association Management Software (AMS) is a game-changer for organizations that manage memberships and streamline administrative tasks.  

Also known as Association Membership Management Software or Association Management System Software, AMS centralizes operations for associations, clubs, nonprofits, and other member-based groups.

It acts as a central hub for 

• member data, 
• events, 
• communication, and more.

A variety of providers offer AMS solutions designed to fit the needs of different organizations, from small community groups to large professional associations. Choosing the right software involves considering 

• features, 
• scalability, 
• user-friendliness, 
• and cost.

While some options require a subscription fee, others provide free association management software with basic functionalities. 

These systems are instrumental in improving operational efficiency, promoting member engagement, and supporting organizational growth.

Understanding the Options of Association Membership Management Software

Online vs Offline Memberships

When exploring membership management software, a key difference exists between online and offline memberships.

• Online memberships are primarily managed through web-based platforms, offering digital services like online forums and access to exclusive content (think platforms like Patreon or OF).
• Offline memberships are tracked within an online system, but the benefits are realized in the physical world. Examples include a local wine bar's monthly club, a car club, or a yoga studio (platforms like Join It cater to these needs).

Required Operational Features

The next step involves considering specific operational needs for your organization. Depending on your requirements, certain features may be critical. Common features include:

• Membership Check-in: Track member attendance at events or your venue, analyze engagement through reports.
• Digital Membership Cards: Issue virtual cards compatible with iPhone and Android devices for convenient on-the-go validation.
• Access Control: Verify memberships and restrict access to validated members only.
• Member-to-Member Communication: Encourage a community by enabling member connections and relationships.
• Member Forum or Directory: Provide additional value through member interaction via forums or directories.
• Job Board: Offer privileged access to a curated job board for members or generate revenue by charging corporations for job postings.

Integrations to Other Systems

Integration capability with other dependent systems is vital for membership software. Key systems for integration include:

• Email Marketing Platform (e.g., Mailchimp)
• Event/Calendar Software (e.g., Eventbrite)
• Website/CMS (e.g., Webflow or WordPress)
• Point-of-Sale (e.g., Square or Stripe)

Affordability (SMB vs Enterprise)

Finally, affordability is important, especially considering your business size and software budget. Association membership management software comes in various options to suit different budgets, but lower-cost solutions may require compromising on features.

In summary, selecting the best community association management software involves comparing features, considering operational needs, integrating with other systems, and aligning with your budget. This ensures an efficient and customized solution that meets your organization's specific requirements.

Benefits of Association Management Software

Association management software offers a multitude of advantages for organizations seeking to improve efficiency and create a more positive member experience. Here are some benefits of association management software:

‍

Membership Management: 

Association management software simplifies the membership management process. This includes signup procedures, renewals, and keeping member data organized and up-to-date. 

No more wading through mountains of paperwork!

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Communication: 

These systems enable smooth communication between association staff and members through various channels.

Examples include email, newsletters, and dedicated member portals. Communication becomes a breeze, keeping everyone informed and connected.

‍

Event Management: 

Association management tools empower organizations to plan, promote, and manage events effectively. Features like registration, ticketing, and attendee tracking make the entire process more efficient. 

You can ditch the spreadsheets and say goodbye to event planning headaches.

‍

Financial Management: 

Association management software automates invoicing, payment processing, and financial reporting tasks. This helps organizations maintain transparency and accuracy in their finances. 

No more scrambling to reconcile accounts at the end of the month.

‍

Member Engagement: 

Features include online forums, member directories, community platforms, and member collaboration. This can lead to a stronger and more vibrant association community. 

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How Much Does Association Management Software Cost?

Association management software costs can vary depending on the features and functionality offered by the provider. On average, association management software with sufficient features typically ranges from around $50 to $800 per month. 

This cost may fluctuate based on factors such as the size of the organization, the number of members, extra software features, and additional customization requirements.

List of Best Membership Software for Associations

Efficiently managing associations requires the right tools, and association management software (AMS) serves as a cornerstone in this endeavor. AMS facilitates simplified operations, member engagement, and organizational growth. 

In this list, We'll conduct thorough association management software comparisons and reviews. 

AMS software listed can also serve as

• community association management software
• homeowner association management software
• condominium association management software
• nonprofit association management software
• apartment association management software
• condo association management software
• association event management software
• association property management software
• and more.

Here we have listed the comparison table of our top four selections for you, making it easy to scan the important features and pricing points.

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Let's explore the reviews for AMS software.

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Join It

Summary

‍Join It is an easy-to-use and powerful member database that integrates with other popular tools like MailChimp and Eventbrite.

Pros‍

Affordable, Easy-to-use, and Intuitive. Has unique tools to serve ‘in-person’ memberships like Digital Membership Cards and Check-in tools.

Cons‍

Sometimes must be combined with other tools (like a CMS/Website builder, such as WordPress, Webflow, Wix).

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Wild Apricot

Summary‍

Wild Apricot is a popular ‘all-in-one’ platform that serves professional associations, non-profits, and other groups.

Pros‍

Powerful all-in-one software that has many features built into the platform since it’s founding in 2006.

Cons‍

Some of the User Experience feels dated and non-intuitive.

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Patreon

Summary‍

Patreon is a popular platform that serves ‘online memberships’, so they have a lot of tools for Content Creators to sell access to members-only content.

Pros‍

Lots of community tools that encourage members to interact with the Creator and each-other to build community.‍

Cons‍

Patreon is very much a ‘platform’, so individual Creators don’t have as much control over the experience

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Zenbership

Summary

Zenbership is the only open source solution to make the list - so if you're required to use open source, they're the obvious choice for you! 

Pros

Due to it's open source nature, this is going to have the lowest maintenance cost from the perspective of having no monthly or annual subscription

Cons

The downside of open source software is that you have to be a software developer to actually run the software, so if you're not technical, then this actually might be more expensive than using a hosted approach like Join It, Wild Apricot, or others

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MemberMojo

Summary

MemberMojo is an easy-to-use system that focuses on the UK market. They've been around since 2013, so they're well tested.

Pros

Simple to set up and use.

Cons

Sometimes light on features required to run a modern organization

Club Express

Summary

ClubExpress is a full featured membership management platform that's been around since 2003. It's built specifically for associations, so it tends to have some specialized features.

Pros

Built specifically for Associations.

Cons

User Interface is not as modern as other options in the market.

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Memberspace

Summary

MemberSpace is a platform that helps customers sell members-only content and integrates with the most popular CMS platforms.

Pros

Simple pricing and wonderful customer service.

Cons

Built primarily for online businesses and is missing features for associations or organizations where members meet up in the real world.

Memberful

Summary

Memberful is owned by Patreon and is wonderful for content creators who want to build an online community that's fully branded.

Restricted Content Pro

Summary

Restricted Content Pro is built for WordPress, so it comes with a lot of customization but requires technical knowledge to set up.

MemberMouse

Summary

MemberMouse is built for WordPress, which means its very customizable. However, it also means you'll have to set it up yourself and need technical skills.

YourMembership

Summary

YourMembership is an all-in-one platform that's specifically built for associations.

MemberPlanet

MemberPlanet is popular with Chambers of Commerce and has a useful Directory feature.

MembershipWorks

Summary

MembershipWorks is an easy to use platform and has a team of customer support folks ready to assist.

Membee

Summary

Membee is a very easy-to-use and simple platform.

MemberStack

Summary

MemberStack is a solution that's specifically built for the Webflow platform and helps secure content to display to members-only.

GrowthZone

Summary

GrowthZone is an all-in-one platform that caters specifically to associations.

In conclusion, these are the contenders for the best membership software for associations. We reached this curated lists after considering a long list of players in the space (yes, there are literally 100s).

Ultimately, choosing the best solution for your organization will come back to your specific needs and considerations.

If you have any questions, or want some tailored advice, then reach out because we'd love to chat!