There is no doubt that managing an association requires a lot of effort. If you are an association manager, you may find yourself feeling burdened by obligations such as membership growth, everyday administration, member communications, and staff management. Despite their efforts, many associations are not seeing the desired outcomes.
Using Association Management Software can help associations save effort and money while also offering significant value to their members. But, choosing the ideal Association Management Software can be a daunting task when there are so many options. Therefore, to help you out, we at SaaSworthy have put together a list of the 8 top Association Management Software in 2021.
Table of Contents
What is Association Management Software?
AMS, or Association Management Software, is a digital, generally cloud-based database that you can use to manage the members of your association and their different activities. It also enables you to carry out administrative tasks conveniently. It will also help with your marketing and event planning.
It is an all-in-one management solution that includes a website builder for associations, an online contact database, a communications system (email), a finance and payment system, an event platform, and other features. It allows you to manage documents, conduct meetings, share ideas and make decisions collaboratively.
The 8 top Association Management Software to use in 2021
Given below in detail, along with their various features and limitations, are the 8 top Association Management Software in 2021. This list includes Association Management Software that will cater to the needs of almost all types of associations.
1. Wild Apricot
Wild Apricot is an all-in-one Association Management Software intended to meet the demands of your organization, whether it is an association, a non-profit, a club, or a small business. It is used by more than 30,000 organizations.
It automates 75% of administrative operations, including collecting membership dues and handling event registrations. Wild Apricot is SaaSworthy’s recommendation if you are looking for an Association Management Software free.
The various features of Wild Apricot include-
- It automates database storage and invoice production to optimize the payment process for donations, membership, and registration fees. It also provides a 360° perspective of the situation via consolidated and exportable reports.
- You can create a website from scratch or choose from pre-existing templates that you can personalize with company logos, colors, texts, and photos.
- It reduces paperwork by utilizing an automated application procedure and online payments. Forms may be customized with numerous levels, discount coupons, and membership approvals.
- You get better, real-time exposure thanks to automatically updated records that include event check-ins, membership tenure, donations, etc.
The limitations of Wild Apricot are-
- The user interface is not intuitive, and users can find it challenging to navigate through it.
- The website editor tool is not easy to use.
2. iMIS
iMIS, a product of ASI, is a cloud-based Association Management Software that helps associations overcome substantial hurdles in promoting engagement. It combines memberships, donor information, email messages, events, fundraising details, accounting information, etc.
It has over 40,000 users and more than 50 million memberships and specializes in catering to non-profit organizations of all kinds. iMIS is SaaSworthy’s top choice as the best Association Management Software in 2021
The various features of iMIS include-
- It handles new member welcomes, thank you cards, event reminders, scheduled activities, contribution requests, website announcements, and other chores automatically.
- It provides guests with fully searchable sessions and digital agendas, as well as engaging virtual conference experiences that facilitate networking and sponsorship involvement.
- You get a view of all interactions with members, supporters, and the organization. You can manage contacts, addresses, demographic information, as well as address verification.
- It assesses engagement based on purchased items, event attendance, funds collected, volunteer hours, committee participation, online community participation, email openings, and website views and provides detailed reports on the dashboard.
The limitations of iMIS are-
- It has a steep learning curve, making it difficult for novices to use.
- Scheduling and sending emails via iMIS can be a daunting task.
3. Nimble AMS
Nimble AMS is a full-fledged Association Management Software for small businesses, startups, enterprises that is also a community and social group management software. Nimble AMS, by Community Brands, enables organizations to manage all elements of their associations while using the Salesforce platform’s capabilities.
It assists enterprises in streamlining a variety of activities, including creating and maintaining memberships, processing orders, organizing events, and analyzing company data.
The various features of Nimble AMS include-
- You can optimize and improve your association’s day-to-day operations by using automated processes that can be quickly built without the need for infrastructure, software, or coding.
- You can provide members with exclusive online access to their membership, certificates, event registrations, affiliations, account information, and a full-fledged eCommerce store.
- Using the tools at your disposal, you can manage event planning, registration, logistics, booth assignment, coupons, session tracks, pricing, and communication.
- You can deal with sophisticated membership structures with ease, managing anything from simple to multi-tiered dues, changeable terms, sliding scale with one-time and recurring payments.
The limitations of Nimble AMS are-
- It can be an expensive option when compared to similar Association Management Software.
- Developing customized and tailored software to suit your association can be challenging.
4. GrowthZone
GrowthZone (formerly MemberZone), is a top Association Management Software that includes marketing automation and prospecting for enhanced usability. It also has productivity features to assist managers with daily work. It works with associations with membership bases ranging from 30 to 50,000 people.
Real estate, business, agriculture, commerce, education, finance, construction, insurance, security, medical, and transportation are just a few of the industries that use GrowthZone’s association software.
The various features of GrowthZone include-
- An events module allows for complete registration and participant monitoring, while communications and groups provide call logging, email synchronization, push alerts, and the ability to send event invitations.
- Users have the ability to create events and manage registrations. The mobile application facilitates event management while also assisting users in catering to the demands of members.
- The software provides capabilities for website requirements such as website design, content, and hosting.
- Certifications, committees, interest clubs, and a variety of other activities assist in keeping prospects interested. Users may also keep members updated by sending member letters, bills, and event information.
The limitations of GrowthZone are-
- The reporting feature for the generated revenue is not easy to understand.
- The customer support team can take longer to respond to queries.
5. MemberClicks
MemberClicks offers an all-in-one Association Management Software with all of the features membership organizations require. MemberClicks is an excellent solution for organizations searching for a lightweight association software option with excellent customer support and event planning capabilities.
Small associations and member-based organizations can benefit from MemberClicks’ flexible, cloud-based software solution. Because of its hands-on implementation strategy, MemberClicks is a great Association Management Software for small businesses.
The various features of MemberClicks include-
- You can include member application forms on your website, send automated and tailored emails regarding deadlines, renewal dates, grace periods, and automatically change member status.
- It allows you to effortlessly create a stunning and informative website or utilize its tools to improve an existing website.
- The event administration section includes capabilities for designing custom forms that collect registration and payment information. Its dues collection tool enables managers to define payment plans and safely collect dues renewals.
- You can create detailed reports on registrant and payment information. You can change the fee for members, allow multiple registrants, etc.
The limitations of MemberClicks are-
- It can take quite a bit of time to start up and load.
- The web-based version is not as user-friendly as the downloadable version.
6. Fonteva for Associations
Fonteva for Associations, from Togetherwork, is a non-profit Association Management Software that offers sophisticated member data management and reporting solutions. It includes excellent event management tools. It provides Salesforce-enabled membership programs to trade associations, professional societies, and management businesses.
Salesforce-powered technology development contributes to the software’s flexibility, creativity, and professional advice. The software also includes capabilities for connecting the association’s communities for structured collaboration.
The various features of Fonteva for Associations include-
- You can organize online and physical events using sophisticated registration, event microsites, e-store processing, attendee management, and customizing options with association-centric themes.
- It lowers staff burden by enabling members to create profiles, join up for events, and examine their transaction history and subscriptions.
- Features include member directories, embedded dashboards and analytics, member CRM, communication and certification management, questionnaire builder, engagement badges, and other collaborative features.
- You can use the drag-and-drop builder to add features and content to a personalized, association-centric app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store.
The limitations of Fonteva for Associations are-
- It provides a limited number of customization options and can be challenging.
- The response from the customer support team can be slow.
7. ClubExpress
ClubExpress is a top Association Management Software that offers associations an online platform for managing both front-office and back-office activities. ClubExpress features more than 22 modules to assist you in managing all aspects of your organization’s activities. There is no need for programming or HTML knowledge as everything is handled via menus and dialogue boxes, and all updates are online immediately.
The various features of ClubExpress include-
- A full, secure, and backed-up membership database is built into your association website and is accessible only to authorized administrators.
- The Member Signup Wizard allows new members to register online. ClubExpress also automatically manages renewals and expirations. Renewal notifications are delivered according to your preferences, and the database is constantly updated.
- With several slots and many persons necessary for each position, you can keep track of attendance and hours volunteered for the association.
- You also receive a separate database of people you need to contact, such as potential members, event registrants, funders, reporters, local government public safety authorities, and others.
The limitations of ClubExpress are-
- The user interface of the web-based version is outdated and difficult to navigate through.
- Its servers can become slow while loading.
8. MemberSuite
MemberSuite uses cloud-based deployment to provide member-based organizations with an integrated, enterprise-level non-profit Association Management Software. MemberSuite provides associations with a powerful membership management platform that includes an open API, unlimited users, and a personal customer success manager.
The entire membership lifecycle, from application to renewal, can be managed in a single place. MemberSuite features numerous modules designed exclusively for professional societies and trade associations.
The various features of MemberSuite include-
- MemberSuite Insights is an optional analytics tool offering dashboard reports for viewing and reviewing data from association memberships such as member counts, event registrations, demographics, and payments received.
- Its enterprise Association Management Software combines membership administration, CRM integration, event and meeting management, communication handling, program management, and other features.
- A self-service member portal allows for online registration, administration, and managing member directory profiles and subscription auto-renewals.
- It has over 20 modules, including its primary membership database, committees, career center, competition management, awards tracking, financials and accounting, certificates, dues billing, document management, and so on.
The limitations of MemberSuite are-
- Personalization of the generated reports can be challenging for people who do not have a strong technical background.
- There are some occasional bugs and glitches with the tools.
Conclusion
We hope that we were able to provide some insight into the various top Association Management Software available in the market. No matter how feature-rich or expensive an Association Management Software is, none can tick all the boxes. Therefore, you have to weigh the pros and cons of each Association Management Software before choosing the one that best suits your needs.
For more informative articles like this one detailing the features and limitations of the top software in each category, visit the SaaSworthy blog.
