Action Network vs Trail Blazer
Action Network
actionnetwork.orgTrail Blazer
trailblz.comSide by side
| Figure | Action Network | Trail Blazer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $15/mo | $50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 5 |
| Spec score · Political Campaign Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.1 (#4) |
| Company size | LinkedIn lists the nonprofit as having 11–50 employees. | LinkedIn reports a privately held company with 2–10 employees. |
| Documentation | The help center covers getting started, billing, groups, actions, emails, mobile messaging, design, data, networks, FAQs and API integrations. | The download center advertises more than 280 step-by-step knowledge-base articles. |
| Integrations | Action Network reports more than 20 integrations, including Salesforce, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, n8n, Inbox Monster and Mobile Commons. | The site identifies Vanco Payment Solutions for mobile giving and optional text-to-give features. |
| Rating on Capterra | 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews. | 4.4 out of 5 from 71 reviews |
| Rating on G2 | 2.5 out of 5 from at least one displayed review; G2 says there are not enough reviews for buying insight. | 4.3 out of 5 from 14 reviews |
| Rating on GetApp | 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews. | 4.4 out of 5 from 71 reviews |
| Rating on Software Advice | 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews. | 4.4 out of 5 from 71 reviews |
| Security | Action Network says it encrypts traffic and stored data, uses HTTPS/SSL on its pages and widgets, and is PCI compliant; Stripe handles card information. | The campaign features page says Trail Blazer meets Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards. |
| Support | Plans include unlimited email support, a getting-started training series, and help articles; the site also offers a weekly demo every Tuesday at 1pm Eastern. | The pricing page includes free training and technical support; the download center lists toll-free support at 866-909-8700. |
| System requirements | The service requires internet access, a modern web browser and JavaScript enabled. | The FAQ lists Windows XP or later, 1024×768 display, 400 MB disk, 512 MB RAM and high-speed internet as minimum client requirements. |
| What it does | Action Network is a progressive online organizing platform for publishing petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraisers, ticketed events and letter campaigns, then communicating with participating activists by email or mobile messaging. | Trail Blazer provides campaign, nonprofit fundraising and PAC management software covering donor, voter and volunteer data. |
Plans
Action Network
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Movement$15 a month
- Movement$15 a month
- Network$125 a month
- Network$125 a month
- Boost$450 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
Trail Blazer
- Non-Profit Manager$50 a month
- Non-Profit Manager (small database)$50 a month
- Non-Profit Manager$100 a month
- Non-Profit Manager$100 a month
- Data conversion setup$295, paid once
In their own words
Action Network
Action Network is an online organizing platform for people and groups working on progressive causes. Organizers can create petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraising forms, ticketed event pages, and letter campaigns, then use mass email and mobile texting tools. Email features include testing subject or message variants, templates, automated workflows, drip campaigns, personalization, targeting, and analytics. Event tools cover RSVP management, reminders, self check-in, ticketing, and maps; fundraising pages support recurring giving and donor management. Lists can be downloaded. Integrations include Salesforce sync, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, and n8n. Its REST API can retrieve and post data and sync systems, but access is limited to paying partners. The free plan is available; Movement starts at $15/mo and charges for email usage above its included allowance. Mobile SMS and MMS campaigns are a separate add-on to an email partnership. The platform says it does not provide websites, offline organizing, general CRM work, or FEC compliance.
Trail Blazer
Trail Blazer offers software for political campaigns, nonprofit donor management, and PACs. Non-Profit Manager tracks donors, members, volunteers, relationships, events, grants, and memberships, and includes donor searches, online donation and event forms, thank-you letters, and document storage. Campaign features include voter segmentation, state voter records, mapping and turf cutting, canvassing, polling, and FEC reporting. Mobile Base Camp apps provide access to donor and voter records through Google Play and the Apple Store. Vanco Payment Solutions is listed for mobile giving and optional text-to-give. Nonprofit users can send unlimited mass emails to opted-in lists without separate email software. The company says customer data resides on its servers and is backed up by Trail Blazer. Pricing for the small-database Non-Profit Manager plan is $50 a month for fewer than 500 contacts, with a one-time setup fee of $295 to $495 based on record count. Another Non-Profit Manager plan starts at $100 a month for fewer than 2,500 contact records. A trial is available, but there is no free plan. Windows installation is offered; Mac or other mobile access can be arranged through support.