Choosing the Best Member Management Platform in 2024
Choosing a database and community management platform for your organisation is a big decision that you don’t want to get wrong as they take a large number of resources to implement, and members don’t like logging on to multiple platforms. If you can find a solution that allows members to only have to log on to one place, you’ll find it to be more successful.
You want to take your time to ensure that it’s something that will streamline your membership renewals, run analytical reports and help drive community engagement.
Having worked with many membership organisations we have listed our favourite systems in order of preference.
1. Bond
Bond is a highly customisable platform designed for managing memberships and communities. It is known for its flexibility and tailored solutions for different organisations. If you want a feature that no one else can offer, this is the team that can build it!
Key Features:
Customisable member profiles and directories.
Advanced event management with ticketing and RSVPs.
Comprehensive CRM and analytics.
Payment processing and invoicing.
Website design and mobile app integration.
What we love:
High level of personalised customisation.
Robust analytics, reporting and integrated e-mail. Your community manager only needs to log into one place.
Strong event and payment features.
Pricing:
Custom pricing is based on the specific needs and size of the community. Contact Bond for detailed pricing.
Examples of Use:
Often used by professional associations, unions, alumni networks, and large non-profits for its tailored solutions.
2. Hivebrite
Hivebrite is a versatile platform suitable for managing various types of membership communities, including alumni networks, professional associations, and non-profits.
Key Features:
Customisable member profiles and community spaces.
Integrated event management and ticketing.
Content management with newsletters, surveys, and polls.
Advanced CRM and data analytics tools.
Payment processing.
What we love:
Adaptability across a number of organisations
Strong content and event management.
Ability to create sub-groups.
Powerful CRM integration.
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on community needs.
Examples of Use:
Used by organisations like the Australian Alumni Association and Sydney Professional Network for its comprehensive features and flexibility.
3. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks combines content, courses, community, and commerce to offer a comprehensive platform for managing member communities. It focuses on creating connections and engaging member experiences.
Key Features:
Customisable spaces for community needs.
Integrated content creation tools for text, video, and live streams.
Member engagement tools including chat, messaging, and polls.
Options to sell memberships, courses, and events.
Strengths:
High customisation.
Seamless integration of community aspects.
Strong member engagement tools.
Pricing:
Community Plan: $39/month.
Business Plan: $119/month.
Mighty Pro: Custom pricing for branded mobile apps and advanced features.
Examples of Use:
Popular among creators, educators, and community leaders looking to monetise content and engage members deeply.
4. Circle
Circle is ideal for creators and course sellers, offering extensive features to build and manage gated communities. It supports various membership tiers and detailed content management.
Key Features:
Ability to create gated content and tiered memberships.
Weekly digests to keep members informed.
Video event capabilities for immersive live experiences.
Customisable branding when purchasing a premium plan.
What we love:
Excellent for course creators.
Flexible content gating.
Strong video integration.
Pricing:
Basic Plan: $39/month for up to 1,000 community members and 4% transaction fees.
Professional Plan: $99/month for up to 10,000 community members and 1% transaction fees.
Business Plan: $399/month for up to 100,000 community members and 0.5% transaction fees.
Examples of Use:
Used by online educators, coaching groups, and small to medium-sized businesses for managing content and engaging members.
Comparison summary
Customisation:
Bond and Hivebrite offer the highest level of customisation, suitable for organisations with specific needs.
Mighty Networks and Circle provide robust customisation but are more focused on content creators and educators.
Content and Engagement:
Mighty Networks excels in integrating content, community, and commerce, making it ideal for creators looking to monetise their work.
Circle is strong in gated content and video engagement, making it great for course creators.
Both Bond and Hivebrite provide tools for creating and managing diverse content types, including articles, blog posts, multimedia, and have the ability for member profiles. This ensures that the community stays engaged with valuable information, and can communicate with each other through the platforms.
Event Management:
Bond and Hivebrite offer advanced event management features, including ticketing and RSVPs.
Mighty Networks and Circle provide essential event management tools but are more focused on online events and live streaming.
Pricing:
Mighty Networks and Circle have transparent, tiered pricing suitable for different community sizes.
Bond and Hivebrite use custom pricing based on the specific needs of the organisation, typically higher due to their extensive feature sets.
Each platform has its strengths, and the best choice depends on your specific requirements for customisation, content management, engagement, and budget.