Mobilize vs VolunteerLocal

Mobilize is a web and API platform for mission-driven organizations that organize events and recruit volunteers. Organizations can create single-shift, recurring, and multiple-shift events, as well as virtual and in-person events and actions asking people to call legislators’ offices. Volunteer engagement tools include automated email and text messages, post-event surveys, personalized experiences, and event search and discovery. Organizations can recruit volunteers to host events, create customizable campaigns, reach potential hosts across channels, and set approval processes and permission levels. The platform includes shift scheduling, hours tracking, custom forms, and volunteer self-signup. It provides real-time event data, CSV export, read and write APIs, and SQL mirrors or database replicas. Listed integrations include Salesforce, NGP VAN, EveryAction, PDI, ActionKit, and others. Mobilize says its network includes more than 3,000 mission-driven organizations and over 11 million supporters. Its limited starter account costs nothing and covers 5 team members, the next 5 events or online actions, and up to 50 signups or 500 petition signatures. The service provider is EveryAction, Inc., doing business as NGP VAN.

VolunteerLocal is an online platform for managing volunteer programs and events, including scheduling, communications, and activity tracking. It supports recurring daily, weekly, and monthly shifts as well as single events such as races and fundraisers. Organizations can collect, search, update, and export volunteer records, while volunteers can update their own information. Teams can customize volunteer landing pages and embed a calendar widget on their websites. Email and SMS tools include automated messages, smart tags, filters, and delivery statistics; the service also tracks attendance and hours and provides custom reports. Volunteers can use iOS or Android apps to select shifts, review schedules, and cancel, subject to administrator settings. Listed CRM integrations include Salesforce, Little Green Light, DonorPerfect, and NeonCRM. Plans include onboarding and unlimited email, video, and phone support. There is no free plan, but a 14-day free trial is available without a credit card to start. Ongoing-program pricing starts at $600 a year for Discover; single-event pricing starts at $200, paid once.