Membership management software streamlines operations for organizations with membership models. It handles member registration, dues collection, access management, and member communications. Whether you're a professional association, community club, or nonprofit with membership, specialized software is more effective than spreadsheets or generic databases. Three leading options: Wild Apricot, MemberPlanet, and Joinit.
Wild Apricot
Wild Apricot is the market leader in membership management. It provides member database, online registration, dues payment, access control, member portal, email communications, and event management. Wild Apricot works from very small (under 100 members) to large organizations (10,000+ members). The interface is straightforward and customizable.
Strengths: Comprehensive features. Highly customizable. Excellent for organizations of any size. Strong customer support. Good integrations. Weaknesses: Can be expensive for very small organizations. Interface feels slightly dated compared to newer competitors. Steep learning curve for advanced customization.
Cost: $50-200+ per month depending on member count and features.
Best for: Organizations of any size using membership model seriously. Professional associations, clubs, large community organizations.
MemberPlanet
MemberPlanet is a modern alternative to Wild Apricot with cleaner interface and mobile-first design. It includes member management, dues collection, member portal, communications, and community features. MemberPlanet emphasizes ease-of-use and modern design. Pricing is more affordable than Wild Apricot for many organizations.
Strengths: Modern, intuitive interface. Mobile-friendly. Affordable for small-medium organizations. Community features for member engagement. Responsive support. Weaknesses: Smaller user base means fewer templates and resources. Fewer advanced customization options than Wild Apricot. Not as feature-rich for very large organizations.
Cost: $30-150 per month depending on member count and features.
Best for: Small-medium organizations (under 2,000 members) wanting modern interface and ease-of-use.
Joinit
Joinit is a membership platform focused on community-building alongside membership management. It includes member directory, dues management, communications, and community engagement features. Joinit emphasizes creating engaged member communities, not just managing memberships. Pricing is straightforward and affordable.
Strengths: Community-focused approach. Easy setup. Affordable pricing. Good mobile experience. Excellent onboarding for new organizations. Weaknesses: Fewer advanced features than Wild Apricot. Smaller ecosystem. Limited integration options compared to larger platforms.
Cost: $20-100 per month depending on features and member count.
Best for: Small organizations (under 1,000 members) focusing on community engagement and ease-of-use.
Choosing Membership Platform
Assess member count. Wild Apricot serves any size well. For small organizations, MemberPlanet or Joinit provide better affordability. For very large organizations, Wild Apricot is most proven.
Evaluate customization needs. Do you need extensive customization or basic member management? Wild Apricot allows more customization. Newer platforms are simpler but less customizable.
Consider member experience. Modern interface matters for member retention. Younger members prefer modern design. If member experience is critical, prioritize newer, more modern platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do we need membership software or can we use spreadsheets?
A: Spreadsheets work for very small groups (under 50 members). Beyond that, specialized software saves time and reduces errors. Membership software automates dues management, provides member portal, and enables member communications that spreadsheets cannot handle efficiently.
Q: Can membership software handle recurring dues?
A: Yes. All three systems handle recurring dues and automatic payment processing. This is essential feature for membership organizations.
Q: Is integrating membership software with CRM necessary?
A: If your membership organization is also fundraising and managing donor relationships, integration is valuable. Donations from members should go to your donor database. Integration automates this. If you're membership-only, integration is less critical.
Q: What if we're between sizes - too big for Joinit but Wild Apricot seems expensive?
A: MemberPlanet is often the sweet spot for organizations between 500-2,000 members. Test free trials before deciding. The cost difference between platforms is often smaller than the value of the right interface and features for your members.