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Best Association Management 2025

Association Management software is primarily designed to automate some of the standard management tasks of membership organizations, where members pay monthly or annual dues. These systems include not just membership management and event management, but also campaign management for targeted marketing campaigns, subscription and publications management, and award management.

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Learn More about Association Management Software

What is Association Management?

Association management software automates membership processing, interactions and oversight for membership organizations. This software offers more than just membership management. It helps organize events, create email marketing campaigns, and supports financial management, fundraising, recruitment, subscriptions, publications, and awards. It is used by clubs, membership-based businesses, nonprofits, trade organizations, professional associations, faith-based organizations, student and alumni associations, organizers, owners, and members.

Association management software includes membership databases, the collection of dues, and payment processing, events registration, member communications, and self-service membership portals. Mobile app and cloud-based software streamline membership activity, allowing members to conveniently join up or renew their membership, update contact information, submit payments, participate in events, access content, and send messages.

Association management software may integrate with or include features of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Content Management System (CMS), Accounting, and Fundraising platforms.

Association Management Features

Association management platforms will include many of the following features.

  • Membership management
  • Membership database and directory
  • Dues Management - track, process, and record membership dues
  • Online payment processing for dues and membership related products and services
  • Member portal - update member information, make payments, share content
  • Website management - custom forms and web pages
  • Content Management
  • Member communications
  • Event management – organization, registration for events, contests, meetings, conferences
  • Email marketing
  • Fundraising and donation management
  • Financial management
  • Subscription and publication management
  • Certification management
  • Committee management
  • Jobs board
  • Class signups
  • Social media integration
  • Analytics and reporting

Association Management Comparison

Consider the following when purchasing association management software.

Use Case: Some products are tailored for specific types of associations; others will support a wide range of use cases. Depending upon the nature of your organization, certain tools within association management software will be more beneficial for your needs. Nonprofits will seek robust fundraising and donation management tools. Membership-based businesses such as gyms will want to offer convenient app-based portals and payment gateways. Clubs may only require dues management, membership tracking, events registration, and communications features.

Scale: Association management software platforms that offer a suite of several integrated applications are better suited to the needs of larger organizations. A standalone basic membership management application may be sufficient and should be considered by smaller organizations. Association management software is more costly with greater implementation overhead when compared to basic membership software. Depending on your budget and requirements, there is a range of software that will fit your needs.

Pricing Information

Basic association management software starts around $50 a month and can range to over $500 a month. Tier pricing is based on the number of members supported and the type of features provided. Free trials are available.

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Association Management FAQs

What does association management software do?

Association management software is used by membership-based organizations: clubs, businesses, nonprofits, and professional associations. It maintains membership databases, manages dues, collects payments, organizes events, facilitates member communications, creates email marketing campaigns, provides membership portals, and supports recruitment, fundraising, and financial management.

What are the benefits of association management software?

Association management automates membership management enabling your organization to streamline membership administration. It helps grow membership, increases revenue, tracks finances, attracts, engages, and retains members. It improves member communications and increases the effectiveness of fundraising for non-profits. The software facilitates event planning and provides a central membership directory for all membership-related information.

What are the best association management products?

These are some of the popular membership management products.

How much does association management software cost?

Tier pricing is based on the number of members supported. Depending on the type of features offered, association management software starts around $50 a month and can range to over $500 a month. Free trials are available.
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