Skip to main content

WildApricot vs. MemberPlanet

Which Platform Is the Right Fit for Your Organization?

Both platforms promise to simplify membership management for small groups and associations. Here’s an honest look at what each one delivers, what it actually costs, and where each platform shines — so you can choose with confidence.

WildApricot Membership Trends screen

Over 15,000+ Organizations Run on WildApricot

WildApricot vs. MemberPlanet

See how MemberPlanet compares to WildApricot on the features that matter most to small organizations

What to Look For in Membership Software

Four essential criteria for small-staff organizations to consider when comparing WildApricot to MemberPlanet

trophy illustration

Ease of Use

Software your team can actually use from day one — without a long learning curve, a training budget, or an IT person

Price Transparency

What you actually pay once per-transaction platform fees, email credit limits, and upgrade costs are factored in — not just the base subscription price

Feature Reliability

Whether the platform’s core features — email, payments, member management — work consistently when your team needs them most
laptop with chat boxes

Setup & Support

What onboarding actually looks like and whether you can reach real help quickly when something goes wrong

See WildApricot in Action – Free for 60 Days

No credit card required. Get up and running fast with our onboarding coaches.

Platform Spotlight: Take a Deeper Look at Each Platform

See how MemberPlanet compares to WildApricot

Best for small to mid-sized organizations that need a proven all-in-one platform

  • Centralized member management and online portals
  • Event registration, ticketing, and automated emails
  • Drag-and-drop website builder (no coding required)
  • Online payments and fundraising tools
  • Native mobile apps for members and admins

In comparison to all other competitors I have tried, WildApricot provides the most comprehensive set of features for member organizations,” — *Daniel R., Chief Web Officer, G2 review*

Starts at $66/Month — Free Trial Available — No Contract

MemberPlanet

Best for small, local groups that need an affordable starting point with built-in SMS and a free tier

  • Membership management with member levels and organizational memberships
  • Events, fundraising, donations, and group SMS text messaging
  • Drag-and-drop website builder with mobile-friendly templates
  • Mobile app for payments, membership e-cards, and member communication
  • Free basic plan available; paid plans starting at $50/month + platform fee

Member Planet has streamlined our membership processes and conference registrations, saving us time and freeing us up to focus on other things. — *Carrie S.C., Education Management, Capterra review*

Free Plan Available — Paid Plans from $50/Month + Platform Fee — No Setup Fees

3 Reasons Organizations Choose WildApricot over MemberPlanet

1

A 60-Day Trial with No Additional Fees

A free plan is great until you discover that premium features are gated, email credits run out, and per-transaction platform fees quietly add to the total cost. WildApricot gives you a full 60-day free trial with access to every feature — no credit card required and no transaction fees on the platform itself. That’s enough time to import real data, run an event, and test real communications before you spend a dollar.

WildApricot Advantage: 60-day full-feature free trial — no credit card, no platform fee

2

Email That Works When You Need It

Email is how you reach your members. When it misfires — broadcasting to the wrong list, unsubscribing members without permission, or simply not delivering — it erodes trust you’ve spent years building. WildApricot’s built-in email builder includes templates, segmentation, automated workflows, and delivery analytics, and works reliably across tier plans without email credit caps.

WildApricot Advantage: Full email builder included — no credit limits, no reliability concerns

3

Two Mobile Apps, Not One Branded App

MemberPlanet’s mobile app is branded under MemberPlanet’s name, and admin capabilities through the app are limited — reviewers note they cannot modify forms or perform key admin tasks from mobile. WildApricot includes two native apps: a member-facing app and a full admin app, both available at no additional cost in every plan.

WildApricot Advantage: Two native apps — separate admin and member apps included

Your Member Database Shouldn’t Have Workarounds

For small organizations, member management is the foundation of everything else — renewals, event attendance, communications, and payments all depend on organized, connected data. The right software handles your membership structure out of the box, without requiring workarounds for your software setup.

  • WildApricot includes a centralized member database with self-serve member portals, so members can update their own profiles, renew dues, and register for events without staff support
  • Automated renewal reminders and membership-level management are all standard features — no add-ons or upgraded tiers required
  • Member data connects directly to events, payments, and your website, so everything stays in sync without manual data entry

Events Bring Members Together — Your Software Should Too

If your registration, communications, and payments all have to work together reliably, you need a platform that handles them as a system rather than as separate tools that may or may not cooperate. The best membership platforms make events feel easy, not like a logistics project.

  • Built-in event registration and ticketing handles everything from free community meetups to multi-day conferences — no third-party tools needed
  • Send automated confirmation emails, reminders, and follow-ups. Keep attendees informed without the manual effort
  • Sync event data directly to your member records, so you can see attendance history and target past attendees for future events and engagement opportunities

Your Website Is Your Front Door And You Don’t Need a Developer to Maintain It

A website that’s frustrating to configure or difficult to update becomes outdated fast, especially for small teams without dedicated web staff. The best membership platforms include a website builder that non-technical staff can maintain without extra fees or outside help.

  • A drag-and-drop website builder is included in every WildApricot plan, with no coding or separate website subscription required
  • Member-only content, event listings, and online registration forms connect directly to your member database, so your site stays dynamic without manual updates
  • No CMS needed. Your website, member portals, event pages, and public content can all be managed from one, simplified membership platform

How to Choose Between MemberPlanet & WildApricot

Four guidelines for choosing the right platform

number 1 with an apricot illustration

Map Your Daily Workflows

List the tasks your team handles regularly — sending emails, managing renewals, registering event attendees, updating your website. Check how reliably each platform handles these natively, not just whether the feature exists on paper.
number 2 with gear illustrations

Calculate the True Total Cost

The base subscription price is only part of the picture. Factor in per-transaction platform fees on each payment you process, email credit limits by tier, and whether your team will need to pay for additional features as you grow.
number 3 with arrows and stars

Test with Real Workflows

Use the free trial or free plan period to test the features that matter most to your organization — importing real member data, running an event, sending an email broadcast. A platform that looks good can feel different once your actual workflows are on the line.
number 4 with illustration of an apricot holding a pencil

Assess Support Availability

Consider when your team is most likely to need help — evenings, weekends, during an event. Check whether your platform of choice offers support on those timelines and through the channels your team prefers.

Over 15,000 organizations run on WildApricot.

No credit card required. Get up and running fast with our onboarding coaches.

Switching from MemberPlanet: What to Expect

Switching membership platforms can feel like a heavy lift, but it doesn’t have to be. WildApricot provides step-by-step onboarding support and guided data migration — at no additional cost.

  • Step-by-step onboarding resources and coaching — no paid setup packages required
  • Most organizations are up and running within days, not weeks
  • Data migration support for contacts, members, and membership levels
  • Built-in email builder replaces tiered email credits from day one
  • WordPress plugin for seamless single sign-on with an existing website
  • No per-transaction platform fee — fewer costs to track from the start
  • Automated workflows to reduce manual data entry and consolidate your toolset
Donation Page