Best Association Management Software: 9 AMS

An association management system, or AMS, sits at the centre of everything a membership body does: renewals, events, communications, committees and the member record behind them all.

The nine systems below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Each description comes from the vendor's own site, read this week. If you're weighing a simpler CRM instead, my guide on whether a CRM tool is right for you helps with that decision.

Association management software at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Fonteva	Salesforce AMS	Associations already on Salesforce	Not stated
Glue Up	All-in-one AMS	Membership, events and CRM together	Not stated
GrowthZone	Association platform	Mid-sized associations and chambers	Not stated
MemberClicks	Membership platform	Professional and trade associations	Not stated
Nimble AMS	Salesforce AMS	Large associations on Salesforce	Not stated
Novi AMS	All-in-one platform	Associations keeping the books in QuickBooks	Not stated
re:Members	Membership software	Fraternities and chapter-based groups	Not stated
Wicket	Member data platform	Associations unhappy with their current AMS	Not stated
YourMembership	AMS with community	Online community and learning for members	Not stated

Nine association management systems to consider

Fonteva

Best for: Organisations already running on Salesforce that want membership tools built inside it rather than in a separate system.

Glue Up

Best for: Associations and chambers that want CRM, membership, events and a member app in one product, with a points system for members.

GrowthZone

Best for: Mid-sized associations, realtor boards and builders' associations that want membership, events, payments and a CMS from one vendor.

MemberClicks

Best for: Professional associations, trade associations and chambers that want an AMS with add-ons such as a job board, an LMS and a member app.

Nimble AMS

Best for: Larger member bodies that want their AMS on the Salesforce platform, with community and intelligence products on top.

Novi AMS

Best for: Teams that keep their books in QuickBooks and want membership, events, website and ecommerce linked to it.

re:Members

Best for: Organisations with chapters, such as fraternal groups and associations, that want chapter performance tracking with member records.

Wicket

Best for: Membership teams whose current AMS isn't working for them and who want member data and the website handled differently.

YourMembership

Best for: Associations and nonprofits that want an online member community, a mobile event app and learning tools alongside the AMS.

What the IRS says an association is for

Here's some context that shapes what your AMS should track. The IRS says trade associations, professional associations and chambers of commerce are business leagues, and their activities must improve business conditions for a line of business rather than perform particular services for individual members.

Your AMS ends up holding the record of what the association does for its sector: events, education, advocacy and communications. Make sure you can report on that activity, not only on renewals.

Standalone AMS or one built on Salesforce?

Standalone systems include everything in one product and suit most small and mid-sized associations. Systems built on Salesforce suit larger organisations that already use Salesforce or want its reporting and integrations, usually with more set-up and admin work.

Be realistic about your team. A Salesforce-based AMS gives you a lot of room, but someone has to look after it.

Steps for a smoother AMS switch

1. Clean your member data before migration, not after.
2. Map every membership type and renewal rule.
3. Decide which events and courses move across first.
4. Test renewals end to end with a small group.
5. Train staff on the jobs they do every week.
6. Tell members what's changing and when.

Features members notice

• Easy renewals. A short, clear renewal page with automatic reminders.
• Member portal. Profiles, receipts and event history in one place.
• Event registration. Member and non-member options handled cleanly.
• Community tools. Somewhere members can talk to each other.

Chambers and chapter-based groups

Chambers of commerce and organisations with local chapters have extra needs, such as business directories and chapter reporting. Some systems on this list are built with those groups in mind.

AMS for small associations

If you're a small association with a part-time team, prioritise an all-in-one system with renewals, events and email included. You can add learning or community tools later.

Questions to ask about member data

Ask where member data is stored, who at the vendor can see it and how you'd export everything if you left. It's your most valuable asset, and you don't want it locked inside a system you've outgrown. Ask too how duplicates are handled, because associations collect them quickly through events and renewals. A clean record is what makes every report worth reading.

When an AMS isn't the answer

If you've got a few hundred members, one membership type and the odd event, a well set-up CRM and an email tool might do the job. You can move to an AMS once renewals and events start eating your week.

Do you make association management software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on choosing association management software

Choose the AMS your staff can run without calling the vendor every week. Associations often buy more system than they can manage, then use a fraction of it. Ask to see the renewal process, event registration and a member report in every demo.

Then check what members see. The member portal and the renewal page are the parts members judge you on. If you support charities as well, my notes on AI for charities and nonprofit admin may help your team.

Frequently asked questions

What is association management software?

It's software for membership organisations that handles members, renewals, events, communications and often learning and websites.

What's the difference between an AMS and a CRM?

An AMS is built for membership bodies, with renewals, member types and events included. A general CRM needs those features added.

Is there free association management software?

None of the systems on this list names a free plan on the pages I read.

Are chambers of commerce treated as associations?

The IRS groups chambers of commerce with trade and professional associations as business leagues.

Should we choose an AMS built on Salesforce?

It suits associations that already use Salesforce or have staff to manage it. Smaller teams often prefer a standalone system.

Can an AMS run our events and courses?

Many can. Several systems on this list include events, learning or community tools.