WildApricot vs VolunteerLocal

Daxko Operations

StarChapter

Mindbody

Complete operations software for member-based nonprofits - integrating programs, billing, and check-ins in one secure system.

StarChapter is an association management software for local chapters, combining membership management, website content, event registration and email marketing

Mindbody offers business management software for spas, salons, gyms, wellness practitioners and other class and appointment-based businesses.

WildApricot is an online membership solution for associations, non-profits, and clubs. Wild Apricot allows teams to automate all the administrative tasks that come with running an organization: membership management, event registration, online payments, emails, and the website.

Membership Management

Electronic Payments

Event Management

Registration Management

Customizable Forms

Donor Management

Most reviewers indicate that WildApricot offers strong value for money, with affordable pricing, extensive features, and cost savings for small organizations. However, some users report frustration with frequent price increases and steep jumps between pricing tiers.

Value for money

By industry, WildApricot reviewers are most commonly professionals in non-profit organization management (32%). The most frequent use case cited is membership management (72% of reviewers).

WildApricot

Web-based

Android

iPhone

iPad

Neon CRM

MemberClicks

Membee

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

Hivebrite

100 Contacts

250 Contacts

500 Contacts

2000 Contacts

5000 Contacts

15000 Contacts

Challenging formatting and editing tools

65% of reviewers feel negative about Page and Email Formatting. Reviewers report difficulties with the platform’s page and email editors, citing issues with inconsistent formatting, limited font and style options, and problems when pasting content from external sources. They say the editing tools can be clunky, especially for users without HTML experience, and that achieving professional-looking layouts is often time-consuming. Some users mention frustration with mobile responsiveness and maintaining consistent appearance across communications.

Frequent bugs and technical issues

65% of reviewers feel negative about Bugs and Issues. Reviewers indicate they encounter various technical problems, such as system slowdowns, unresponsive features, and recurring bugs that disrupt workflow. They mention challenges with browser compatibility, error messages, and difficulties accessing support when issues arise. Some users say these problems lead to extra work, risk of errors, and frustration, especially when technical support is slow to respond or unable to resolve persistent issues.

Comprehensive association management tools

Offers everything you need to run an association and its ease of use and price.

100% of reviewers feel positive about Association Management. Reviewers indicate the platform offers essential infrastructure for running associations, including membership tracking, content management, and administrative tools. They appreciate the ease of use, time savings, and flexibility, which allow them to focus on growing their organizations and serving members. Users say the software is suitable for both small and large associations, and they value the responsive customer support and helpful documentation. Some reviewers highlight the cost-effectiveness and the ability to centralize association activities in one place.

Ongoing product enhancements

97% of reviewers feel positive about Improvements. Reviewers appreciate that the company regularly updates the software, adding new features and responding to user suggestions. They indicate that enhancements make the platform more functional and easier to use over time. Users say the development team listens to feedback and implements changes that benefit their organizations. Some reviewers note that continuous upgrades help keep their operations current and relevant, and they value the company’s commitment to ongoing improvement.

Integrated event and membership features

98% of reviewers feel positive about Event and Membership Management. Reviewers appreciate being able to manage member registrations, event listings, and communications within a single platform. They find the system streamlines processes like renewals, event sign-ups, and payment collection, reducing administrative workload. Users say the customizable member database, automated reminders, and accessible event calendars improve engagement and attendance. Many note the flexibility to tailor features to their organization’s needs and value the all-in-one solution for managing contacts, finances, and events.

Web Liason

It seems that a non-member could sign up for a newsletter, and then their email is in our system, but it kind of gets muddy when we want to only send a newsletter out for our members (member only events, get togethers at peoples houses, etc. ) and public events (come to our big pottery show).  

Board Member

It has lots of great features like the forums and all the different letters you can generate and set up dates to have them automatically sent out.  

Director of The Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

The COMPLETE features to include e-mail marketing and SaaS. (Members can join and update their details and register for events.

Unfortunately, some register with an email error. If there were an email verification during registration, it would further save manhours in contacting the registrants to correct email error.

Treasurer

Ultimately the deterioration in the value of the Canadian dollar made the cost prohibitive and we switched to Canada Helps which is a Canadian charity.

Editor

WildApricot was a great membership management system for our car club.

The promises we were told that we could use our existing wordpress website with WA handling events, gating content, etc.

Emailing members and creating events was easy enough.

Director

The platform allowed us to build our website ourselves without incurring costs for an outside web developer.

Senior Manager

Sometimes the format options for designing webpages and emails could be a little clunky.

The conversion to AUD was very, very painful for our car club.

The ability to customize the website and membership portal was a standout feature, allowing for seamless branding and personalization.

What takes 100 manhours to achieve, is literally less than 20 manhours to achieve using all features of wild apricot.

Bulk emailing was easy to do and membership due dates and renewals easy to track.

Deborah Yohn MA BSN RN CEO

I also love that they make sure we follow the new laws that have passed by telling us what to add to the site, such as private.

WildApricot provides an excellent platform for the website for our arts and crafts guild.  

It’s also great for setting up events and then attaching all the reminders.

Membership Manager

If it were not for the support issue, and the reporting, I could give a 9 or 10.  

It is not very complicated to figure out how to post, manage and track your income.

I would like to set more udpated plug and play web pages.

It is a great place for non-profits who need support but can't pay for a personal It person to help set things up.

I loved how easy it is to create and maintain our website, host events, manage payments.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do newsletters for non OPA members.  

My main issue, and it's a big one for me, is that there is no live support.  

Training Manager

There are tutorials and videos available and many of those are helpful.

Webmaster

Was I communicating with a person, bot or what?

NO live people will help you through an issue!

Digital Media Officer

Some permissions for admins need to be more fine-grained (e.g. FOH in event management with the app.)The contact-based pricing hurts organisations like us...

Vice President of Strategic Development

You can also do it yourself with a template, but they don't look as nice as other sites or having custom graphics applied.

There were some design limitations, and advanced customization options required technical expertise or assistance from support.

President

You don't need a degree to use it, it can be learned by almost anyone.

The website development tools are powerful and easy to use and customize.  

The platform provided a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing membership-based organizations.

Developer

It has a learning curve for setting up, configuration, and for daily administration of the software.

All of our users quickly adapted to using it.  

It is easy to use if you are tech savvy. If you are not tech savvy, it can be overwhelming.

Executive Director

I'd like to see a way to set up sessions and a conference schedule in the system with each session having a QR code in order to keep up with session attendance.

Communications Director

Customer service is useless, all they do when you finally get them on a chat is send links to articles that describe how customers needing more flexibility can add custom css.

Complete lack of response to customer needs, the program is inflexible, archaic, no improvements have been made in years and no attention is paid to the user forum where customers have been requesting basic functionality that was available on other platforms in the 1990s.

System Administrator

With Wild Apricot's assistance, we are able to easily add new events and maintain our website current with our ever-evolving needs.

It links with Wordpress but has limited other integrations.  

I am a former member trying to rejoin the group.   When I set up my profile, I was bombarded with offers for coaching support is needed.  

App Integrations Specialist

Customers elsewhere (e.g. UK) may find certain important features don't exist, or are slow to be offered.

Examples would be Gift Aid on donations and BACS Direct Debit.

VP Technology

It is difficult to format email blasts and web pages sometimes; there are more options we would love to see such as a calendar of upcoming scheduled emails.

It’s not intuitive and very difficult to work with.

This means many of the settings are geared towards organisations based in the US/Canada.

Web Manager

It makes everything super simple for us to only have to use one main software.

Customer Support

Website Management

Email Communication

Training and Learning Curve

Page and Email Formatting

Features

Event and Membership Management

Pricing

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Small Business

Freelancers

Personify

SignUpGenius

SignUpGenius is a cloud-based volunteer management and event planning tool for creating online sign up sheets, inviting volunteers and automating reminders.

Vome Volunteer

Vome Volunteer is a volunteer management platform designed to streamline administrative tasks and the volunteer journey. It offers a complete applicant tracking system, advanced scheduling features, database management, email & IM communication tools, and instant reporting and analytics.

ivolunteer.com

ivolunteer.com is a cloud-based volunteer management solution that helps businesses handle student volunteers, employees, and event participants through centralized scheduling and signups. The platform helps manage ongoing volunteer scheduling for businesses, organizations, schools, or groups. It provides a variety of features such as one-time or recurring opportunities, participant databases, custom invites, pre-made templates, task management, and more.

VolunteerLocal is a versatile volunteer management solution that works with nonprofits and events of all types and sizes, all over the world. Schedule your volunteers online, send reminder emails and texts, generate reports, and easily track hours on-site for both groups and individuals.

Mobile Access

Volunteer Recruiting

Attendance Tracking

Time Tracking

Self Service Portal

Member Directory

Recognition Management

Proprietary

VolunteerLocal

Windows

Linux

Chromebook

Volgistics

Boardable

Discover Plan

Grow Plan

Enterprise Plan

Volunteer Coordinator

I would like a simple table of contents for each problem people encounter, click on it, receive solution (especially for those who have trouble remembering - the elderly volunteer coordinators)!

Member

Getting our existing data into the system from our previous platform was a challenge. If you are starting from scratch, the setup is seamless, but be prepared for some friction if you are moving over a large database.

Workforce Coordinator

There are so many positive features - the communication tools, options for categorizing and organizing volunteers, features to help streamline onboarding and continued training.

Volunteer Benefits Manager

There needs to be a wait list feature for each job that allows the ability to have someone apply and sit before they can sign up for a shift.  

Volunteer Management Coordinator

I needed a specialty report and the VolunteerLocal Support person quickly provided me a Google Spreadsheet that gave me exactly what I needed and taught me how to do it myself.

Volunteer

This is my first time gathering volunteers and it is a big event,  This was the best one stop shop for everything we need, from communticating to the voulnteers and them checking in.

Community Engagement Manager

With event duplication, I save endless hours of re-creating jobs and shifts for annual events.

Volunteer Manager

The user-friendliness of the database and the excellent customer service I have been afforded have made my first experience using a volunteer database a pleasure.

I wonder if the learning time for users (especially users of a certain age) could be improved by reducing the choices to four buttons per page.

She helped us navigate the initial hurdles and ensured we knew exactly how to get the most out of the system.

That the consultants help this novice with EVERYTHING with a much more cheerful attitude than my younger family members!

Community Events Manager

I've been using the system going on 3 years now and like the fact that the user interface is good both on phone and PC.

The way we have our programs and events set up allow for some capabilities but act as an obstacle for others.

A great help desk can turn frustrating moments into smooth solutions, and it's refreshing when tech support is both friendly and effective.

There was nothing that I didn't like, but what I struggled a bit with was that our use of the site might need to have some large changes in order to make quick fixes.

I wish the YouTube channel were updated more frequently, I do like using that as a resource, but when the interface changes and the tutorial doesn't reflect that change, it can be confusing.

I have been completely impressed and more than satisfied by the exemplary customer service and genuine care I have received from [sensitive content hidden], my VolunteerLocal liaison.

I liked working with [sensitive content hidden] because she was able to diagnose my problem quickly and present fast and efficient solutions.

The inability to send texts and emails to individuals.

Those daily reminders must be a game-changer—keeping everyone on track without extra effort on your part.

Having to make export reports and the inability to go to the shift in my job and download it frmo there automatically.   

Director of Operations and Human Resources

I had some challenging items our volunteers were looking for on their profiles and [sensitive content hidden] and his team were able to customize them for us.  

I’ve been very impressed with the value VolunteerLocal provides relative to the cost.

I appreciated that my feedback was valued and that [sensitive content hidden] at VL was able to walk me through our processes and any concerns that I may have had.

I am using VolunteerLocal as part of a larger organization with multiple components all using VolunteerLocal.

Program & Event Manager

The best part is being able to add in PDF documents within shifts to help minimize distribution of paper and be able to send all necessary information through VolunteerLocal.

With background screens, I wanted a platform that allowed volunteers to complete a background screen without having to send additional seperate links and an easy way to keep track of background screens.

Volunteers Secretariat

I had a query about volunteers signing up for jobs and shifts, and customer service agent [sensitive content hidden] really gave me top notch service, even providing me a customised and in-depth video tutorial.

VolunteerLocal completely simplified communication to the thousands of volunteers we have by allowing us to schedule emails and creating templates to have.

For a 500-shift event, that saves an enormous amount of work.

VolunteerLocal allowed that to happen and even made updates, so I was able to see who completed a background screen / who still needed one instead of having to go into each volunteer profile.

When a platform consistently meets your needs without hiccups, it really proves its value.

I can't think anything to change.   If it's not broke, don't fix or change it for now.  

Also, I love to see where each volunteer has a sign up or position on a single page.

Race Director

Having to go through each email draft in order to see the one I was looking for was a bit frustrating.

Management of volunteers files could require fewer steps

It would be nice if you could search the title rather than scroll through each one to look for it.

There should be a feature that stops a new profile from  being made.  

WildApricot vs VolunteerLocal Comparison (2026)

WildApricot

VolunteerLocal

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives