ManageMemberships vs Wild Apricot

ManageMemberships is built for owners who want fast daily workflows, a mobile friendly admin, and real person support. It includes member management, waivers, access control with door logs, classes, events, resource booking, CRM pipelines, and automation. If you want a custom branded app and a full POS, you can add them without stitching together multiple systems.

Wild Apricot positions itself as membership management software for organizations that need member management, event management, email management, a website builder, financial tools, donations, and online payments. It also promotes mobile apps for admins and members.

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How to think about this comparison

Wild Apricot is often used by associations and nonprofits. ManageMemberships is built for gyms and membership based facilities that care about check in speed, recurring billing, and optional access control.

🏃Fast owner workflows

Check ins, door access, classes, and billing from your phone, no desk slowdown.

🛎️Real person support

Direct help and free migration so you can switch without disrupting operations.

🔐Built in access control

Door access logs tied to membership status, no separate vendor app required.

🧰All in one plus options

Classes, events, resources, CRM, plus optional branded app and full POS.

📈Automation and CRM

Email drips and pipelines help you win trials and reduce cancellations.

🧭Clarity on fees

No onboarding fees, add what you need when you need it.

"We switched because daily tasks got faster, and support knew our setup." — A typical owner outcome

What you get with ManageMemberships

Real person support, plus free migration assistance
No onboarding fees
Multiple admins with granular permissions
Custom fields on member profiles
Waiver customization
Access control with door access logs
Classes, events, and resource management
Member communication and email drip campaigns
CRM with customizable pipelines
Integrations with Trello and Zapier
Time clock component
CMS for site pages and content
Optional custom branded app
Optional POS via ManageRegister

How this page is written

This comparison uses plain language and public information. The Wild Apricot column only states what is clearly described on public pages listed in Sources. If something is not clearly described there, it is labeled that way rather than guessed.

Side by side comparison

This table is designed to scan quickly, similar to common alternatives pages.

Feature	ManageMemberships	Wild Apricot
Real person support	YesDirect help from a real person.	Support is offered, details depend on plan.
No onboarding fees	YesNo onboarding fees, migration included.	Not clearly listed on public pricing page.
Migration assistance	YesWe help move your data and get you live.	Not clearly described on public pricing page.
Multiple admins	YesStaff accounts for front desk, coaches, and managers.	Admin roles include full administrator and limited administrator types.
Granular permissions	YesGranular permissions by role.	Admin roles exist, fine grained custom permissions are not described on core public pages.
Mobile friendly admin	YesDesigned to manage from a phone.	Mobile app for admins is promoted.
Member app	YesOptional branded app, plus a clean member portal experience.	Member app is available for event registration and member directory access.
Membership management	YesMemberships, billing, status tracking, and operations in one place.	Member management is a core feature set.
Events	YesEvents and registration, plus classes and resources.	Event management and online event registration are core features.
Email and communications	YesMember communication plus email drip campaigns.	Email management and communications are included in plan messaging.
Website and pages	YesCMS for site pages and content.	Website builder is included in plan messaging.
Payments	YesRecurring billing support, plus POS option for retail.	Online payments and payment processing are promoted, with help docs for payment settings.
Donations	Not a primary focus for gyms, available when needed via workflows.	Donations are included and documented, including recurring donations features.
Access control and door logs	YesBuilt in access control with door access logs.	Not described as a built in feature on core public pages.
POS for merchandise	YesOptional full POS via ManageRegister.	Not described as a full register POS on core public pages.

The winning conversation is simple. If you want direct support, fast owner workflows, built in access control with door logs, and the option to add a branded app and a full POS without disconnected systems, ManageMemberships is built for that.

If you want membership management with events, a website builder, email tools, donations, and online payments for an association style operation, Wild Apricot can be a strong fit.

FAQ

Can I give volunteers or staff access without giving them everything?

Yes. ManageMemberships supports granular permissions. Wild Apricot documents administrator types and privileges.

Can I run events and collect payments online?

Yes. Both systems support online payments and events, with different workflows depending on your operation.

Can I run door access and review door activity?

ManageMemberships includes door access logs. Wild Apricot does not describe built in door access on its core public pages.

Do you help migrate data?

Yes. Migration help is included with ManageMemberships.

Sources

These are the public pages referenced in the Wild Apricot column.