WildApricot

WildApricot is cloud software for membership organizations that want to manage member records, events, and communications through one service. It is best suited to small associations and nonprofits with recurring membership work. Its broad toolkit is balanced by a $66.00 USD monthly entry plan for just 100 contacts.

Overview

WildApricot combines a member database, renewal automation, invoicing, recurring payments, and member self-service with event registration and email tools. Bringing those tasks together can simplify administration for organizations that otherwise coordinate separate systems. The constraint is scale: the entry plan tops out at 100 contacts, while the pricing page offers contact-count options up to 50,000.

A 60-day trial with no credit card required gives an organization time to assess the combined workflows before committing. Every plan includes full customer support at no extra cost, and onboarding coaches are offered during the trial.

Key features

Membership and payments

Renewal automation, invoicing, recurring payments, and member self-service cover much of the ongoing work of running a membership program. Subscription billing supports both monthly and annual terms. WildApricot charges no per-transaction platform fee, though payment-provider charges still apply.

Personify Payments handles membership, event, donation, and sales payments. Its stated card rates are 2.99% + $.30 for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, and 3.5% + $.30 for AMEX. These processing charges matter when budgeting: the absence of a platform transaction fee does not mean payments are cost-free.

Events and communication

Custom registration forms, online payments, reminder emails, and attendance tracking give organizations a connected set of tools for events. Email templates can be customized, while performance tracking and scheduled or automated messages support ongoing outreach. This breadth will appeal to groups managing both membership and events, but organizations seeking only one of those functions may find the combined service more than they need.

Integrations, security, and mobile

WordPress widgets and single sign-on, Make and Zapier workflows, webhooks, and admin and member APIs provide several ways to connect WildApricot with other tools. The service says it encrypts traffic with HTTPS, runs its cloud infrastructure on AWS, and is certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant.

Separate administrator and member apps for Android and iOS include event, profile, directory, and payment features. That gives members and administrators mobile access to selected membership tasks rather than limiting those workflows to a browser.

Pricing

100 Contacts

The 100 Contacts plan costs $66 a month, billed monthly. It includes a cloud-based membership and contact database and full customer support, with capacity for 100 contacts. This is a clear starting point for a small organization, but the contact cap makes it a poor fit for a group already above that size or expecting to grow past it soon.

WildApricot is paid software with no free plan. Its contact-count options range from 100 to 50,000, so larger organizations should compare the appropriate capacity before choosing a plan. The trial runs for 60 days, requires no credit card, and includes access to onboarding coaches. Payment-provider fees may apply to transactions even though there is no per-transaction platform fee.

Platforms

WildApricot runs on the web and offers apps for Android and iOS, along with an API. The browser-based service is supported by separate mobile apps for administrators and members.

Who it's for

WildApricot is aimed at small membership organizations, including associations, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, event professionals, YMCAs, and JCCs. It is a stronger fit for groups that need membership administration alongside event and communication tools than for organizations looking for a standalone event or email product. The 100-contact entry tier is best considered by small groups; organizations with larger databases need a higher contact-count option.

Pros and cons

Broad membership toolkit: Database management, renewals, invoicing, recurring payments, and self-service address recurring administrative needs in one service.

Events and outreach in the same system: Registration, payment, reminders, attendance tracking, and scheduled or automated email can reduce the need to coordinate separate workflows.

Trial and included support: A 60-day no-card trial, trial onboarding coaches, and full customer support on every plan make evaluation and assistance part of the offer.

Entry plan is tightly capped: The $66.00 USD monthly plan supports 100 contacts, so organizations beyond that size must consider a higher contact-count option.

Payment costs remain: Provider processing fees apply even without a platform transaction fee, and the stated AMEX rate is higher than the Visa, MasterCard, and Discover rate.

Alternatives

Consider Raklet if a free starting tier is important: its free plan supports 100 contacts, one admin seat, and 1,250 free emails per month, while its Essentials plan costs $59 a month. Fonteva is another paid option for readers comparing membership software.

memberplanet offers a free plan with unlimited members and admins, as well as an Essentials plan at $50 a month with a 2% platform fee and 1,000 campaigns. Choose it when those member and admin limits or its freemium model better suit the organization. GrowthZone may suit readers comparing association software; its Starter tier specifies unlimited members and contacts, up to two users, and 5,000 emails per month, though its price is custom pricing.

ClubExpress is a paid alternative with a free trial and plans organized around member-count bands. PushPress has a free plan with unlimited leads, admins, members, and staff, making it worth considering for organizations prioritizing those limits. ChamberMaster is another paid option for readers comparing association platforms. MemberSuite is positioned for mid- to upper-market associations with complex membership needs and dozens of modules.

Browse our guides to Membership Management Software, Membership Site Platforms, Nonprofit CRM Software, and Membership Billing Software to compare more options by use case.

Verdict

Choose WildApricot if a small membership organization wants member administration, event tools, and communications in one service, with a long trial and included support. Its principal drawback is the entry plan's 100-contact limit at $66 a month; organizations that need a free tier or already exceed that capacity should compare alternatives before committing.