The Best Association Software: From AMS Tools to Event Planning Solutions
Let’s face it: the right association software is a necessity for keeping your to-do list from piling so high it topples. Automation can feel like a gift from the gods when your team is small and your timelines are unforgiving (a conference must go on!).
But the wrong association software can make as much busywork as it solves. So, in this post we’ll explore:
- Different types of association software you should consider
- When to choose individual solutions versus all-in-one AMS software
- The best association software for events, community management, mobile event apps, and more!
What is Association Software?
Association software is the term for ANY type of software that an association uses to improve either its operations or member experience. This includes tools like project management solutions, marketing tools, association event management software, and complete AMS systems.
The best association software can help you:
- Reduce day-to-day admin strain
- Plan and host memorable events
- Create year-round online communities
- Execute your association marketing strategy
- Manage your association chapters
- Engage your association members
This is different from association management software, which is a powerful tool used to manage member applications, dues, communications, and other key association programs.
What is Association Management Software?
Association management software (AMS) is an all-in-one solution that solves the most common needs of associations. An AMS shrinks your administrative work, reduces human error, and lets you scale or improve your program without adding more people.
Both your staff and association members benefit from tools like:
- Secure dues payment processing
- Automating emails and newsletters
- Website builders with tools, templates, or plugins included
- Private member portal for your member directory, resources, payment info, etc.
- Member registration and AMS database management
- Community space to engage members and drive renewals
- Reports and analytics
- Event management
Anatomy of an Association Tech Stack
There are many different tools and software options you can include in your association tech stack, including:
- Association management software: website builder, member portal, reporting, etc.
- Event management software: registration tools, conference badge design, event apps, hybrid platforms, etc.
- Project management software: calendars, task assignment, etc.
- Social media management tool: content calendars, scheduled posts, analytics, etc.
- Fundraising and donation software: secure payment processing, automated receipts, donor data collection, etc.
- Customer relationship management software: automated emails and newsletters, detailed data fields on sign-up forms, user-friendly member portals, etc.
- Community management systems: discussion boards, video conferencing, member directory, etc.
- Digital storage systems like Google Drive or Dropbox for your team’s files.
You’ll likely be looking for one AMS, and then specific solutions for your most important needs. For example, a project management tool to help you balance all your tasks across your team, or an event management tool like EventMobi to drive engagement at your annual events and throughout the year.
Best Association Management Software
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your association software, we’d recommend looking into AMS software that meets all your needs!
Here are our top picks:
WildApricot
WildApricot is a complete membership management system for associations, nonprofits, and other membership organizations. Its association software comes with a self-serve design and a user-friendly interface to help customize every aspect of your association management system.
Top Features:
- Customizable member database and portal
- Integrated email and marketing tools
- Secure payment processing
- Responsive support team
Price: Free trial, then starts at $60/month.
GlueUp
GlueUp is a cloud-based engagement management platform for associations and nonprofit organizations with tools for events, membership management, customer relationship management, and more.
Top Features:
- Membership management tools
- Event management software
- Automated invoicing and payment solutions
- Mobile app
Price: Begins at $125/month
MemberSuite
MemberSuite is the premier software provider of configurable association management solutions for nonprofits. They are purpose-built to streamline processes and financial operations, centralize data, and engage members.
Top Features:
- Highly configurable
- Unlocked bi-directional API
- User-friendly reporting solutions
- Free, unlimited access to a support team
Price: Available upon request.
MemberLeap
MemberLeap’s AMS software comes with intuitive features to help track dues, communicate with members and prospects, manage events, integrate with QuickBooks, and more.
Top Features:
- Committee management tools
- Chapter management software
- Association event software
- Member engagement software
Price: Starts at $50/month, with either an $1800 website set up fee or a $2850 fee for web integration
Best Association Event Management Software
Engage your community members, boost non-dues revenue, and activate your brand with tools like:
EventMobi
EventMobi offers the most innovative and easy-to-use association event management software on the market! Over the past 12 years, we’ve served over 30,000 global events with virtual, hybrid, and in person event solutions. From event planning to execution, our association event software puts all the AMS tools you need in one place.
Top Features:
- Branded event website with secure payment processing, customizable registration forms, and extensive reporting.
- The Experience Manager (CMS) builds and designs virtual, hybrid, and in-person events all in one place.
- Award-winning Mobile Event App to level up attendee experience, raise the value of sponsor packages, and provide post-event content.
- Gamification tools like live polls and leaderboards to increase attendee engagement.
- Social dashboard and media wall to maximize reach, connect attendees, and run social media analytics.
- Onsite package with QR check-in, a highly customizable badge designer, live display, and options for professional support day-of.
- And much more!
Connect with our team today to explore the possibilities we can offer your association!
Price: Available upon request.
Cvent
Cvent is an event management software designed to increase event attendance and engagement at every type of event. Its platform automates management tasks like data analytics, event marketing, registration, and more.
Top Features:
- Venue management tools
- Tools to connect planners, suppliers, and venues
- Robust app marketplace
- Real-time attendee insights
Price: Available upon request.
vFairs
vFairs is an award-winning all-in-one event management platform for virtual, hybrid, and in person events. Its software features mobile and browser apps, immersive 3D virtual venues, advanced networking, world-renowned customer service, and more!
Top Features:
- Immersive 3D virtual venues
- Virtual options for trade shows, job fairs, conferences, and more
- Lead capture app
- Lots of integrations
Price: Available upon request.
Best Association Event Planning Software
Association event planning software gives you the tools to get the logistics of your event organized early on!
Allseated OPS
AllSeated OPS is an association event planning software that helps planners organize timelines, manage guest names and meal preferences, design floor plans, and preview their event layouts in 3D. Its software supports delegation, team collaboration, and live updates.
Top Features:
- Thorough guest management capabilities
- Detailed report generation for vendors and clients
- Timeline management tools for scheduling
- Real-time collaboration tools
Price: Free.
Asana
Asana is one of the best options overall for association software—and is especially useful as association event planning software! This popular project management platform can help your team plan, organize, and execute its event strategy in one convenient place.
Top Features:
- Customizable workflows and deadlines
- Comprehensive project tracking
- Free plan is great for small teams
- Real-time alerts
Price: Free version, with paid plans starting at $13.49/month.
Top Trade Association Management Tools
Not all associations are built the same, and so the tools change too. Check out these options for larger organizations, who might even have other organizations as members!
Our two favorite trade association management platforms are:
AMO (Association Management Online)
AMO is an all-in-one AMS system that manages membership information in one place. Since AMO is a cloud-based system, your staff and members can access their information anytime, from anywhere with a web connection.
Top Features:
- Active and informative customer service team
- Easy-to-use event module
- Great reports generated from member database
- Association event software tools
Price: $95/month.
MC Trade
MC Trade is an association management solution for larger organizations. Its financial management tools can connect to software like QuickBooks so you can see and manage all your reports in one place.
Top Features:
- Database of member and prospect information
- Association event management software
- Detailed financial and reporting tools
- Automated emails for each of your segments
Price: Available upon request.
Best Community Management System
One of the best ways to show member appreciation is by creating thriving year-round communities. Check out our top picks for community management software!
EventMobi – Event X365
If your organization runs multiple events throughout the year, EventMobi’s Event X365 is the perfect year-round networking platform to keep your members in the loop! Its Multi Event App also streamlines your event management and drives registration throughout the year.
Top Features:
- Simple multi-event registration
- Session information and event details in one place
- Community networking spaces
Price: Available upon request.
Nimble Communities
Nimble Communities, run by NimbleAMS, is a community management system where associations and their constituents connect and collaborate. Tailored for associations, communities provide a space where association members can collaborate on content in real-time, share files, and directly connect with others.
Top Features:
- Personalized feeds
- Automated Community Groups for events
- Simple customization options
Price: Available upon request.
HiveBrite
Hivebrite is an advanced all-in-one community management system and engagement platform. Easy to set up and fully branded to match your colors, Hivebrite can help create events, manage your member database, centralize communication, and collect online payments, all from a single user-friendly interface.
Top Features:
- Customizable and easy to set up
- Fantastic customer service
- Can manage a large number of users
Price: Available upon request.
Top Apps for Associations
Let your members carry their community in their pocket! Make sure your event software comes with an app, and members are able to access their portal on the go.
EventMobi – Mobile Event App
EventMobi’s Mobile Event Apps are some of our most beloved AMS tools for a reason! With customizable content, networking, engagement, and navigation at attendees’ fingertips, it’s easy to design the best experience for any size or type of event.
Take a product tour to see for yourself!
Top Features:
- Interactive agendas and personal schedules
- Networking tools like messaging and profiles
- Advanced mapping tools
- Touchless check-in and digital badges
- Live polls and surveys
Price: Available upon reques
GoEngage – MobileUp
MobileUp’s GoEngage platform is a no-code software platform that allows non-technical professionals to build and launch a community-oriented mobile app in hours.
Top Features:
- Conference and event AMS tools
- Sponsor and exhibitor tools
- Auto-generated event website
Price: Available upon request.
Leading Chapter Management Software
If you’re running an association with multiple chapters, one of the best tools you can get is chapter management software.
Here are our three top choices:
Billhighway
Billhighway is a chapter management software designed to collect event dollars, dues, contributions, awards fees, program fees, and more to bridge the gap between chapters and National. It integrates with most AMS systems to maximize associations’ chapter performance and simultaneously increase visibility across their entire chapter network.
Top Features:
- Chapter banking tools
- Specialized fraternity management software
- Direct dues solution for labor unions
Price: Available upon request.
StarChapter
StarChapter is an integrative association chapter management software that sets up your services and coordinates projects for you, and trains users, which is especially useful for board transitions. It offers responsive websites with membership, event, and email modules.
Top Features:
- Training resources for staff and board members
- Meeting templates
- 24/7 customer support
Price: Starts at $83/month plus a $799 setup fee.
SilkStart
SilkStart’s association management system (AMS) streamlines operations for member-based organizations through one central cloud database. MultiChapter, its chapter management software, comes with templated chapter sites and AMS tools that promote stronger communication.
Top Features:
- Chapter integration
- Job boards
- Quickbooks integration
Price: Free 60-day trial and then $200/month for up to 500 members.
Top Free Association Software
If your association is just getting started, free association software is a great way to solve some troubles without breaking the bank.
Raklet
Raklet is a free membership management software that offers a basic AMS system that includes payment integration, unlimited contracts, email and SMS messaging, and support via email and chat.
Top Features:
- Association event management software
- Member timelines to track engagement
- Private social network
Price: Free basic plan with 4% + $0.60 per transaction.
Admidio
Admidio is a free online membership management that’s optimized for associations. This association software is specifically designed for webmasters and offers a variety of modules that can be installed and adjusted on a new or existing homepage (in addition to classic user management!).
Top Features:
- Access control
- Rights management
- Multiple plugins (including a birthday list!)
Price: Free.
Tendenci
Tendenci is an open-source, highly customizable association software with over 1.4 million users. It features AMS tools for member management, events, content creation, job boards, website builders and templates, donations, and more.
Top Features:
- No per-user or per-admin pricing
- Cloud Computing and Cloud Security
- Chapter organization
Price: Free if you host yourself, $199/month if you host with Tendenci.
Choosing Your Perfect Association Software
Whether you’re just starting out or running a large, multichapter organization, we hope this list has helped direct you toward the best association software for you.
If you’re still debating where to start, ☕️ chat with us over at EventMobi — we’re glad to chat with you about what we have to offer at your next event and beyond!