GlueUp vs Wild Apricot: an honest comparison for associations
GlueUp and Wild Apricot both appear on shortlists for associations and chambers of commerce, but they were built around different primary jobs. This page breaks down features, pricing, and the key trade-offs. We've also included Orgo as a third option for organizations that find neither is the right fit.
TL;DR: quick verdict
The main difference between GlueUp and Wild Apricot is that GlueUp is an event-driven CRM with AI-assisted content tools and native accounting integrations, billed on annual contracts starting at $1,000/year, while Wild Apricot is a lower-cost all-in-one suite built around dues collection, email campaigns, and a bundled website builder, billed month-to-month from $60/month.
Choose GlueUp if you need:
Frequent in-person, virtual, or hybrid events with speed networking built in Native accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage Intacct AI-assisted event content generation and event lifecycle automation A CRM-first workflow with pipeline management and Outlook sync An annual contract works for your budget cycle
Choose Wild Apricot if you need:
Built-in dues collection with automated renewal reminders bundled in Zero transaction fees via Personify Payments (US organizations only) A bundled website builder and email campaigns in the same subscription A 60-day free trial before committing to a plan Month-to-month billing for a small, single-chapter organization
Why organizations compare GlueUp and Wild Apricot
GlueUp and Wild Apricot both come up when associations, chambers of commerce, and membership organizations shop for software. Both collect dues, run events, and manage a member base, which creates surface-level overlap. The platforms diverge once you look at what each one was actually designed to do.
GlueUp started in 2013 as EventBank, a CRM built around connecting businesses and their communities, and rebranded to GlueUp in 2020. It is built around event management and a CRM-style member record: pipeline tracking, Outlook sync, AI-assisted event content, and speed networking for in-person and hybrid events. It is used heavily by chambers of commerce and trade associations with international operations.
Wild Apricot has been on the market since 2002 and has been used by more than 30,000 nonprofits, associations, and clubs. It bundles dues collection, event registration, email campaigns, fundraising, and a website builder into one subscription. It was designed for organizations with traditional membership structures rather than CRM-style sales pipelines.
Wild Apricot has changed hands three times since 2017 and is now under Momentive Software. Reviewers in 2025 and 2026 describe price increases of up to 65% and slower product development since the most recent acquisition.
The comparison matters because the two platforms serve overlapping audiences with different strengths: GlueUp leans toward event depth, CRM, and accounting integrations; Wild Apricot leans toward bundled simplicity and lower monthly cost. Neither includes formal governance tools, and neither offers affordable multi-chapter management out of the box.
GlueUp vs Wild Apricot: full feature comparison
Every cell has been verified against all three platforms' current websites. Where any platform lacks a feature, that is noted honestly.
Orgo is included as a third option for organizations that find gaps in both GlueUp and Wild Apricot.
| Feature | | |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core membership | |||
| Member database and profiles | |||
| Membership dues and renewals | |||
| Automated renewal reminders | |||
| Custom registration forms and fields | |||
| Multi-tier membership packages | PartialOne level per member | ||
| Membership cards and certificates | |||
| Member approval workflows | Limited | ||
| Multi-chapter management | |||
| Multi-chapter hierarchy (HQ, regions, chapters) | PartialEnterprise tier only, custom quote required | PartialSeparate accounts per chapter, no shared database | |
| Per-chapter autonomy with local leadership roles | PartialChapter structures exist; less autonomy than a dedicated model | ||
| Cross-chapter, consolidated reporting | PartialEnterprise tier scope not publicly detailed | ||
| Member transfers between chapters | Not publicly specifiedEnterprise custom scope | ||
| Granular role-based permissions | PartialAll-or-nothing admin access | ||
| Governance | |||
| eVoting (anonymous, encrypted) | |||
| eDocuments | |||
| eSignatures | |||
| Payments and billing | |||
| Online payment processing | |||
| Platform transaction fee | Not publicly disclosedBeyond standard Stripe/PayPal processing costs | 0% via Personify Payments (US only)20% surcharge on Stripe/PayPal | 2% (Grow) / 1% (Impact) / 0% (Scale)0% promo until Sep 1, 2026 |
| Accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct) | |||
| Pricing metric | Plan tier with fixed contact/event allowances | Total contacts in database | Active paying members |
| Starting price | $1,000/yr (Lite, ~$83/mo equivalent) | $60/mo (100 contacts) | $119/mo (Grow, 500 members) |
| Free plan or trial | 60-day free trial | ||
| Communications and events | |||
| Email campaigns and newsletters | PartialLimited template customization vs. dedicated tools | ||
| Event management and ticketing | |||
| Speed networking | |||
| AI content generation and event automation | |||
| Fundraising and donations | PartialEvent-based; no dedicated fundraising module | ||
| Push notifications | |||
| Member networking and direct messaging | |||
| Discussion groups and forums | PartialCommunity feed and updates; not a full discussion forum | ||
| Platform and tools | |||
| CRM and pipeline management | PartialMember management and engagement tracking | ||
| Learning management system (LMS) | Via third-partyOasis LMS integration; separate login required | ||
| Gamification | |||
| Mobile app | |||
| SSO | PartialPaid Website & Branding add-on | ||
| Data hosting | Cloud-basedMultiple international offices; exact region not published | US-hostedGDPR compliance uncertain under PE ownership | AWS Frankfurt (EU)GDPR-compliant by design |
| Storage | Not publicly specified | 2 GB across all plans | 100 GB to 1 TB+ |
| Data migration support | Self-serve data export | Self-serve CSV import | |
| Dedicated onboarding | PartialPriority support from Pro tier up | Paid tiers only | |
Want a deeper comparison?
What customers are saying
Themes aggregated from verified reviews on G2, Capterra, and GetApp. These are the patterns that appear most frequently across reviews, paraphrased.
What users like
Consolidation is the most cited strength. Reviewers describe centralizing CRM, events, communications, membership, and payments in one place instead of stitching together separate tools. The CRM is consistently praised as well-integrated. Contact details, event attendance, payment history, and engagement level are all visible from one member record. Users describe the platform as easy to use once trained, with responsive and professional support during onboarding.
What users complain about
The built-in email builder is one of the most consistently criticized features. Reviewers describe deliverability issues, including contact addresses landing on suppression lists without any notification to admins. Reporting is described as basic and limited to filters, with no custom report builder. Multiple reviewers say they contact support just to get data in a usable format. Setup is described as a significant undertaking, with some reviewers noting that known bugs persist while new features ship.
What users like
The breadth of what is included is the most praised aspect. Reviewers appreciate having member management, event ticketing, email campaigns, payments, and a website builder under one roof. Event management stands out as a strong point. Organizations running regular events praise the registration workflow, payment collection, and attendee communication tools. Long-term users report significant time savings from automation. Renewal reminders and event follow-ups that previously required manual effort are handled by the platform.
What users complain about
Support has declined sharply since the Personify acquisition. Users describe waits of five or more business days, no weekend availability, and the end of phone support. Product development has slowed. Reviewers writing in 2025 and 2026 note fewer than two meaningful updates in over two years, with long-standing feature requests still unaddressed. Pricing increases are a recurring complaint. Multiple reviews mention increases of 30 to 65 percent since the acquisition, compounded by contact-based pricing that scales quickly as the total database grows. The email builder has reliability issues. Users report delivery statuses that do not match actual send results and difficulty tracking sent campaigns.
Sources: G2, Capterra, GetApp. Individual experiences vary.
Wild Apricot vs GlueUp: pricing comparison
GlueUp bills annually with fixed contact, event, and admin allowances per tier; exceeding an allowance requires an add-on. Wild Apricot bills by total contact count and offers month-to-month billing. Orgo prices by active paying members only.
| | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000/yr (Lite)Basic CRM, event registration, member portal | $60/mo (100 contacts) | $119/mo (Grow, 500 members) |
| Pricing model | Tiered by plan features, fixed allowances | Tiered by total contacts in database | Tiered by active paying members |
| Billing cycle | Annual contracts only | Monthly or annual (~10% discount) | Monthly or annual |
| Platform transaction fee | Not publicly disclosedBeyond standard processor fees | 0% via Personify Payments (US only)20% PSSF surcharge if using Stripe or PayPal | 2% (Grow) / 1% (Impact) / 0% (Scale)0% promo until Sep 1, 2026 |
| Free plan or trial | 60-day free trial | ||
| Mid-tier example | $4,500/yr (Plus)Adds speed networking, installments, reward points | $220/mo (2,000 contacts) | $239/mo (Impact, 500 members) |
| Chapter or enterprise pricing | Enterprise: custom quoteRequired for chapter organizations | $720/mo (50,000 contacts)Published tiers; no chapter model | Impact from $239/mo covers up to 50 chapters |
Want a deeper comparison?
Where each platform excels
Where GlueUp excels
GlueUp's defining advantage is event depth combined with a genuine CRM. In-person, virtual, and hybrid events, speed networking, and AI-assisted content generation are all native. For a chamber of commerce or trade association running a heavy event calendar, that combination is difficult to match with a bundled membership tool.
The native accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct are also a real advantage for organizations that reconcile dues revenue directly against their books.
Where Wild Apricot excels
Wild Apricot's primary advantage is bundled simplicity at a lower monthly cost. Dues collection, event management, email campaigns, fundraising, and a website builder are all included in a single subscription with month-to-month billing. For a small nonprofit or club, that removes the need to manage multiple vendors or commit to an annual contract.
The 60-day free trial is also longer than most platforms, and there is no requirement to talk to sales before signing up.
When to choose each platform
When to choose GlueUp
GlueUp is probably the better choice if:
Event management is your primary activity and you run events at scale year-round Native accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage Intacct are a hard requirement AI-generated event content and automated event lifecycle management matter to your team Speed networking and a CRM-first workflow are core to your member experience You can commit to an annual contract without a free trial period first
Note: GlueUp's standard tiers do not cover chapter organizations; that requires the custom-priced Enterprise tier. There is no eVoting, eDocuments, or eSignatures at any price, and reporting is limited to filters with no custom report builder.
When to choose Wild Apricot
Wild Apricot is probably the better choice if:
You need dues, events, email, and a website builder bundled into one lower-cost subscription You are US-based and can use Personify Payments to eliminate transaction fees A 60-day free trial before committing is important to you Month-to-month billing matters more than an annual contract Your organization is small, single-chapter, and does not need CRM pipeline features
Note: Wild Apricot's contact-based pricing scales fast for organizations with large historical databases. Prices have increased up to 65% since the Momentive acquisition, and there is no CRM, no AI tooling, and no accounting integration.
When GlueUp and Wild Apricot both fall short
GlueUp is built for event-driven CRM workflows. Wild Apricot is built for small single-chapter membership organizations. If your requirements include any of the following, neither platform was designed for that level of organizational complexity:
Orgo may be worth a closer look if your organization needs:
- Formal governance tools neither platform offers. Neither GlueUp nor Wild Apricot includes eVoting, eDocuments, or eSignatures at any price. Board elections, bylaw ratification, and chapter agreements all require disconnected third-party tools on both platforms. Orgo handles all three natively on Impact and Scale plans: anonymous encrypted eVoting, governed document distribution, and legally binding eSignatures.
- Multi-chapter management without an Enterprise budget. GlueUp reserves chapter support for its custom-priced Enterprise tier, requiring a sales conversation before you know the cost. Wild Apricot runs each chapter as a separate account with no shared database and no cross-chapter reporting. Orgo's multi-chapter structure is native to the data model, with per-chapter autonomy and consolidated HQ reporting starting at $239/month.
- Native learning and engagement tools. GlueUp requires a third-party Oasis LMS integration and has no gamification. Wild Apricot has neither an LMS nor gamification. Orgo includes a native learning management system with quizzes and certificates, plus points, badges, and leaderboards, in the same platform as the member database.
On switching platforms
Migrating member data is where most platform switches stall. Orgo's onboarding team handles the move: member records, custom fields, membership levels, and payment setup.
GlueUp exports data in standard formats. Wild Apricot exports CSV. Either way, your team does not do manual data entry. Most organizations are live within two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Do GlueUp or Wild Apricot include eVoting or other governance tools?
No. Neither platform offers eVoting, eDocuments, or eSignatures. GlueUp is built around events and CRM workflows, and governance is outside its scope. Wild Apricot's polling feature is limited to basic surveys, not anonymous encrypted ballots.
Associations that run board elections or need digital signatures for chapter agreements, sponsor contracts, or bylaw amendments typically need a separate tool alongside either platform.
Which has lower fees: GlueUp or Wild Apricot?
It depends on your location and payment processor. Wild Apricot charges 0% transaction fees for US-based organizations using Personify Payments. Organizations outside the US, or those using Stripe or PayPal instead, pay a 20% PSSF surcharge on top of normal processing fees.
GlueUp does not publicly disclose a separate platform transaction fee beyond standard Stripe, PayPal, or bank transfer processing costs, but its plans are billed annually starting at $1,000/year (Lite) with fixed contact and event allowances. Wild Apricot starts at $60/month, billed monthly or annually.
Can GlueUp or Wild Apricot handle a multi-chapter association?
Both have real limitations. GlueUp supports chapter organizations only on its custom-priced Enterprise tier, which requires a direct sales conversation before you know the cost. Its standard Lite, Plus, and Pro tiers do not cover chapter structures.
Wild Apricot runs each chapter as a separate account. There is no shared member database and no cross-chapter reporting without manual CSV exports. Organizations typically discover this limitation when HQ needs a consolidated membership view or needs to transfer a member between chapters.
Organizations with multiple chapters that need HQ oversight, per-chapter autonomy, and consolidated reporting typically need a platform designed specifically for federated structures.
Does either platform offer a free trial?
Wild Apricot offers a 60-day free trial, longer than most platforms in this category. GlueUp does not offer a free trial on any plan. Evaluating GlueUp means either starting a paid annual subscription or scheduling a sales demo first.
Does GlueUp integrate with QuickBooks the way Wild Apricot does?
GlueUp does, Wild Apricot does not. GlueUp includes native integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct across its plans, which matters for organizations that reconcile dues revenue directly against their accounting software.
Wild Apricot has no built-in accounting software integration. Organizations reconcile dues revenue manually or through a third-party connector.
Not sure which platform fits your organization?
Orgo is built for the organizations that GlueUp and Wild Apricot were not designed for: federations, associations, and multi-chapter organizations with 500+ members. Book a 15-minute demo and see if it fits your structure.
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